Karaikudi

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  ?Karaikkudi
Tamil Nadu • India
Coordinates: 10°04′N 78°47′E / 10.07, 78.78
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation
• 82 m (269 ft)
District(s) Sivaganga
Population 86,422 (2001)
Codes
• Pincode
• Telephone
• Vehicle
• 630001
• +04565
• 63
Website: www.karaikudi.com

Coordinates: 10°04′N 78°47′E / 10.07, 78.78 Karaikudi is a city and a municipality in Sivaganga District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the largest city in Sivaganga district, and is known as the capital of Chettinad region, which comprises Karaikudi and 74 other villages. Chettinad is the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars (Nagarathar), a prosperous banking and business community, many of whose members migrated to nearby Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Burma, in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The people of Karaikudi played a major role during the Indian freedom struggle. Karaikudi got its name because of the famous plant called "Karai" which is widely spread over this area.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[1] Karaikudi had a population of 86,422. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Karaikudi has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 74%. In Karaikudi, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. The estimated population of Karaikudi urban agglomeration in 2004 is 132,294. This is also termed as the best place to live among the other places in the same district.[citation needed]

[edit] Geography

Karaikudi is located in Sivagangai district between Trichy - Rameswaram High road. Earlier it was a small village in Ramanathapuram District. In 1928 it was changed from Panchayat to Municipality. The city is well facilitated with Railways and Roadways since 1930. The Thennar River flows through South Karaikudi. Karaikudi's Postal pincode is 630001 and Dialing code is 91-4565. It is 300 km from Coimbatore, 90 km from Trichy, 80 km from Madurai, and 400 km from Chennai. Karaikkudi is located at 10.07° N 78.78° E.[2] It has an average elevation of 82 metres (269 feet).

[edit] Education

The educational institutions developed to its peak in 1947, by Alagappar who is the founder of today's Alagappa University. Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering and Technology (Accet), located in Karaikudi, is one of the premier educational institutions in Tamil Nadu.

Dr. Alagappa Chettiar is also responsible for establishment of Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (CECRI). It is one of a kind in whole of India.

[edit] List of Institutes

[edit] Temples

  • The city is known for Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple, also known as Sivan Temple which was built during 1872. There is a temple here where there are 108 statues of Ganapathy.
  • Sekkalai is located at north-east of Karaikudi, which was known as "Jayam Konda Puram" 50 years back.
  • In North-west of Karaikudi is MutthuPattinam which is known for Muthu Mariamman Temple.
  • At the Central is Kallukatti where the famous Koppudayamman Temple is located. Car Festival during the first Tuesday of Vaikasi month is very famous. The car starts on Tuesday and it go to Kattamman Kovil and returns back on the next day. The car travels approximately 8 km. On Vaigasi the first Thursday, they conduct Theppam at Kallukkatti Oorani.
  • Tamil Thai Kovil, Kamban Manimandabam, Vallal Alagappar Statue, Kavi Arasar Kannadasan Manimandabam and Statue carries honour to Karaikudi.
  • Kundrakkudi, a village located 8 km west of Karaikudi is well known for a famous temple for lord Murugan. The temple is situated on top of a small rock of height around 200ft.
  • The famous Perumal (Vishnu) temple at Ariyakudi (also called Then Thiruppathi) is 3 km away from Karaikudi.


[edit] Transports

  • It has two Bus-terminals, one is "Old-BusStand" in South side and Another one is "New-BusStand" in North side.
  • Railway Station - Karaikudi Junction is connecting Chennai-Rameshwaram and Aranthanki, Velankanni.

[edit] Theatres

  • Pandiyan (DTS)
  • Sathiyan (DTS)
  • Sivam (DTS)
  • Rama Vilas (DTS)
  • Nataraja
  • New Cinema

[edit] Miscellaneous

Alagappa University located in Karaikudi provides education facilities in wide range of subjects. It was founded by Dr.Alagappa Chettiyar.

Central Electro Chemical Research Institute(CECRI) is one of the chain of forty national laboratories under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) New Delhi. It was founded on 25th July 1948 at Karaikudi in TamilNadu and came into existence on the January 1953.

Karaikudi is the birth place of AVM studio.

P.Chidambaram the famous Finance minister of India belong to Karaikudi

Kannadasan the famous composer belonged to karaikudi. Karthick(Malai) the famous editor also belongs to karaikudi.

5 Lamps is a popular location and another location is Periyar statue in chekkalai road.

Weekly market on Mondays is very popular. Market is located in south Karaikudi. Merchants from the surrounding villages comes to this market. On monday morning fresh vegetables will be available at very cheap price and during monday evening time alive fish,crab and dry fish will be available.

manjuveratu (bull fight)famous at the time of pongal festival

Birth place of Mridagam Maestro Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani

It has near by locations like kundrakudi,Pillyarpatti famous for their temples

[edit] References

  1. ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  2. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Karaikkudi

[edit] External links