Namakkal

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?Namakkal Tamil Nadu • India
Namakkal
Coordinates: 11°14′N 78°10′E / 11.23, 78.17
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 218 m (715 ft)
District(s)	Namakkal
Population	53,040 (2001)
Codes • Pincode • Telephone • Vehicle	• 637 001 • +91 - 4286 • TN 28

Coordinates: 11°14′N 78°10′E / 11.23, 78.17

Namakkal (Tamil: நாமக்கல்) is a city and a municipality in Namakkal district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of Namakkal district. It is the first ISO 14001-2004 certified municipality in Asia for environmental management^[1], specifically the provision and maintenance of water supply, solid waste and sewage management, town planning, lighting and other social services^[2].

It is a part of Kongu Nadu region of Tamil Nadu ruled by the ancient Western Ganga Dynasty. See also Gounder (caste) for history.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Schools, Colleges and education
- 3.1 Schools
- 3.2 Colleges and Universities
4 Economy
5 Art
6 Transport
7 Climate
8 Popular facts about the City
9 Places to visit
10 Demographics
11 Recent developments
12 See also
13 References
14 External links

[edit] Geography

EGG CITY - EDUCATIONAL CITY - TRANSPORT CITY Namakkal is located at 11.23° N 78.17° E.^[3] It has an average elevation of 218 metres (715 feet). It is close to Kolli Hills (கொல்லிமலை)- which is part of the Eastern Ghats (கிழக்கு தொடர்சிமலை). The closest river is Kaveri (காவேரி). The city is approximately 380 km southwest of Chennai, 250 km south of Bangalore, 175 km southeast of Coimbatore, 85 km northwest of Tiruchirapalli (Trichy), and 57 km south of Salem. Its landscape is such that it would not be affected by floods.

[edit] History

Namakkal is a historic town dating back to at least the 9th century. The name Namakkal derives from Namagiri, which is the name of the single rock formation at the center of the town. The rock is enormous - 65 meters high and more than a kilometer in circumference. Over this massive rock is a fort. It is called Tippu Sultan's fort. The Hindu sculptures in front of the gate and the Hindu temple inside, leads the main controversy whether it was actually built by Tippu Sultan. Gandhiji held a public meeting in 1933 in Namakkal under the slope of the Namakkal rock. It also falls in the region of Kongu Nadu.

Namakkal was ruled by cheras, cholas and the pandyas at different times. It also has been under the control of self or autonomous rulers for at least a century. It is one of the few places in ancient tamilnadu that has not been affected by famine and wars seriously.

Kolli hills was ruled by the king called Valvil Ori, one of the seven kings of the Sangam age. A statue for him is located at Semmedu at a distance of 65 kilometers from Namakkal.

Lord Murugan is supposed to have visited Kolli hills and evidence is at Belukkurchi, 24 kilometers from Namakkal on the way to Muthugapatty.

[edit] Schools, Colleges and education

Namakkal district is known for its higher secondary education. The following are some of the schools in the area.

[edit] Schools

Government Higher Secondary School,Kalangani.
Government Higher Secondary School (South) (a boy's school) (known as South School)
Government Higher Secondary School (North) (co-educational)
Government Higher Secondary School for Girls
Government Higher Secondary School
SRV higher secondary school(Rasipuram)
Vidhya vikas Educational Institution, Tiruchengode
Vetri Vikas Higher Secondary School
Vidhya vikas Engineering college]
PGP Group of Intitutuions
KSR Institute
Kurinji Matriculation Hr Sec School
Gandhi Matriculation Hr Sec School, Kandampalayam
Government Higher Secondary School, Kandampalayam
Trinity Academy Matriculation Higher secondary School
Kandasamy Kandar Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Vetha loga vidhyalaya
Mahendra matriculation higher secondary school(co-educational)
SPB Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Kongu matriculation school, Keerambur
Anna Nehru Matriculation School - Mudalai patti
Surabi Matriculation School, Kamblai, Namakkal

[edit] Colleges and Universities

The Veterinary College and Research Institute is located in Namakkal, and is affiliated with TANUVAS, Chennai. This college has undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral (Veterinary Medicine and Ph.D.) programs in several veterinary and life sciences disciplines.

Arts and Science

K.S.R. College of Arts and Science, Tiruchengode
Muthayammal College of Arts and Science, Rasipuram
A.A. Govt. Arts College for Men, Namakkal
Alamelu Angappan College for Women, Kumarapalayam
Kandaswami Kandar's College, Namakkal
Mahendra College of Arts and Science, Namakkal
N.K.R. Government Arts College for Women, Namakkal
P.G.P. College of Arts and Science, Namakkal
Selvam Arts and Science College, Namakkal
Sengunthar College of Arts and Science, Tiruchengode
Subramaniyam College of Arts and Science, Namakkal
Thiruvalluvar Govt. Arts College for Men, Rasipuram
Trinity College for Women, Namakkal
Vivekanandha College of Arts and Science (W), Elayampalayam

Catering and Hotel Management

Muthayammal College of Arts and Science, Rasipuram
Mahendra Arts and Science College, Namakkal Dt
P.G.P. Arts and Science College, Namakkal

Dental

J.K.K. Natarajah Dental College, Komarapalayam
K.S.R. Institute of Dental Science & Research, Tiruchengode
Vivekanandha Dental College for Women, Namakkal

Engineering

K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Namakkal Dt
K.S.R. College of Engineering, Namakkal Dt
Muthayammal Engineering College, Namakkal Dt
S.S.M. College of Engineering, Komarapalayam
Vivekanadha Institute of Engineering and Technology for Women, Elyampalayam
Annai Mathammal Sheela Engineering College, Namakkal Dt
C.M.S. College of Engineering, Namakkal
Excel Engineering College, Namakkal
Gnanamani College of Technology, Namakkal Dt
King College of Technology, Namakkal
Mahendra Engineering College, Namakkal Dt
Mahendra Institute of Technology, Namakkal
P.G.P. College of Engineering and Technology, Namakkal
Paavai College of Engineering, Namakkal
Paavai Engineering College, Namakkal
Selvam College of Technology, Namakkal
Sengunthar College of Engineering for Women, Namakkal
Sengunthar Engineering College, Tiruchengode
Vidhya Vikkas College of Engineering and Technology, Namakkal
Vivekanadha College of Engineering for Women, Elyampalayam

Homoeopathy

Dr. Hahnemann Homoeopathy Medical College and Research Centre, Namakkal Dt

Management

K.S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Namakkal Dt
K.S.R. College of Arts and Science, Tiruchengode
K.S.R. College of Engineering, Namakkal Dt
Muthayammal Engineering College, Namakkal Dt
S.S.M. College of Engineering, Komarapalayam
Annai Mathammal Sheela Engineering College, Namakkal
Mahendra Engineering College, Tiruchengode Tk
P.G.P. College of Arts and Science, Namakkal
P.G.P. College of Engineering and Technology, Namakkal
Paavai Engineering College, Namakkal
Sengunthar Arts and Science College, Tiruchengode
Sengunthar Engineering College, Tiruchengode
Vivekanadha College of Engineering for Women, Elyampalayam
Vivekananda College of Arts and Sciences, Elyampalayam

[edit] Economy

The economy of the district was primarily agricultural, but today it has now changed its occupation to lorries, educational institutions, pultry and real estates. A wide variety of crops are grown within the district. Poultry, lorry transport and businesses related to their kind brings economy to the town. Migration to other countries is very common in Namakkal and it started in the 1900s. The early migration was mainly to Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. Namakkal is famous for its lorry body building industries and poultry farms. It is India's 2nd biggest egg producing region (producing 3 Crore eggs per day). And also it is famous for sago factories (particularly Sellappampatty and attur taluk around the place). It lies in the Sugarcane belt, so sugar factories in Pallipalayam (Ponni Sugars) and Mohannur Sugar Factory is a major source of income. Apart from that a paper mill (Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited) which produces 250 tonne per day is also present in this district.

It has been recorded several times to be the number one in ATM tansactions in Tamilnadu.^{[citation needed]} Next to Coimbatore it has more number of croresmen followed by Tirupur and Chennai.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Art

V. Ramalingam Pillai, more popularly known as Namakkal Kavingnar (நாமக்கல் கவிஞர்), is a well known Tamil poet who hailed from Namakkal (born in 1888 in Mohanur). His poems on the non-violent Indian independence movement are popular. His famous patriotic poem is

கத்தி யின்றி ரத்த மின்றி
யுத்த மொன்று வருகுது
சத்தி யத்தின் நித்தி யத்தை
நம்பும் யாரும் சேருவீர்!....

Pottery and sculpture are promoted by way of traditional festivals and temple celebrations. Most villages in the district, like many other south Indian villages, have a temple to a guardian deity at the perimeter of the village. Aiyanar is the guardian deity of the village. Much artistic expression goes into sculpting the Aiyanar statues.

Two famous Carnatic musicians Pallavi vidwan Namakkal Narasimha Iyengar and his student Namakkal Sesha Iyengar hailed from this village. Narasimha Iyengar studied under Manambuchavadi Venkatasubbayyar of the Thyagaraja sishya parampara. His grooming of Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar is now the stuff of legend. Namakkal Sesha Iyengar who trained V V Sadagopan was

[edit] Transport

[edit] Road

Namakkal is situated on National Highway 7 (NH7), which is the longest highway in India connecting Kanyakumari to Varanasi. NH7 is part of the North-South corridor of the National Highways Development Project. NH7 runs through Madurai (south of Namakkal), Salem, Bangalore and Hyderabad (all north of Namakkal). The nearest cities are Karur (43 km), Erode (54 km), Salem (57 km), Tiruchirapalli (Trichy, 85 km) and Coimbatore (Coimbatore 154 km). Chennai (Madras), the capital of the state, is 380 km from Namakkal.

[edit] Rail

The nearest major railway station is at Salem, with a travel time of about 75 minutes. Erode railway station is about the same distance from Namakkal, but the travel time is longer by road. A railway station is under construction in Namakkal, on the railway line under construction from Salem to Karur.

[edit] Air

The nearest airport is in Tiruchirapalli, with a travel time of about 2 hours. Other major airports close to Namakkal (in the order of distance) are Coimbatore, Madurai, Bangalore (HAL and BIAL) and Chennai. Bangalore and Chennai are the major international airports serving this region. Salem Airport is even closer than Tiruchirapalli, but currently does not have commercial flight service.

[edit] Climate

The temperature ranges from 20 to 44 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

[edit] Popular facts about the City

Numerous lorry body building units spread around the city and biggest transport city in India
About 2,000 poultry farms in Namakkal Zone, the second largest poultry industry in India
With about 20,000 lorries, the largest road cargo transport industry in India is based in Namakkal
Rock Fort in the city centre is a popular tourist destination
The Anjaneyar temple has a very large Anjaneyar statue
The two cave temples (Narasimma Temple & Ranganatha Temple) are very popular
Numerous educational institutions - Namakkal consistently produces top ranking students in the Tamil Nadu State Board Higher Secondary (Class 12) examinations, and the State professional courses entrance examinations to medical, engineering and other professional colleges.
Sago factories are a predominant agriculture based industry around Namakkal.
Kolli Hills, situated in Namakkal district, is a popular hill station and a tourist destination.

[edit] Places to visit

Kolli Hills is the most attractive destination in the district of Namakkal. It is accessible by road, and buses are available to Kolli Hills from Namakkal and Salem, via Vettambadi. Various attractions in Kolli Hills include the Agaya Gangai (Ganges of the Sky) waterfalls, Pineapple plantation, Arapaleeswarar temple, and various scenic drives and hikes. The Agaya Gangai waterfalls is accessible on foot by a 1 hour hike on well-paved steps, and is of moderate difficulty. Kolli Hills is also famous for its Jackfruit, various varieties of Pineapple, the small mountain bananas and wild honey. A few well furnished hotels are available on Kolli Hills.

The most popular attractions within the city of Namakkal are the Rockfort (Malai kottai), and the temples surrounding it. The Rockfort takes about 30 minutes to hike to the top, and is of mild to moderate difficulty. It is a monolith about 65 metres in height, with the ruins of an ancient fort on top, spanning a few acres. It is recommended to hike in the evenings, or early in the mornings, during daylight. It can get extremely hot during the summer days, so avoid these times, or carry enough water and wear a hat. No amenities are available at the top, and please verify with the locals if it is safe to hike alone, as it used to be the hangout for monkeys, and some vandals. It is recommended that you hike with company.

The small town of Mohanur, about 20km south of Namakkal, is located on the banks of river Kaveri. The banks of this river provide several picnic spots under shade trees. Other towns on the Kaveri river banks (Velur, Musiri, Thottiyam) also provide nice picnic spots. A very few places are not safe to swim, so the traveler is advised to watch for signs warning about the uncommon rapids or quicksand in the river.

Puliancholai (Tamil for 'Tamarind Grove') is another small village on the banks of the river that runs from the Kolli Hills. There is a shaded garden on the banks of this river which provides a nice spot for picnics. Puliancholai is located on the Namakkal to Thuraiyur road.

Three popular temples are located around the Rockfort. The Hanuman Temple (நாமக்கல் ஆஞ்சநேயர் சன்னதி) is one of the most famous in South India. The "Narasimmar - Namagiri Amman Temple" (நரசிம்மர்-நாமகிரி தாயார் சன்னதி) was an inspiration of renowned mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. They are both located on the west side of the rockfort. The Hanuman Temple tends to be very crowded with lots of pilgrims, and is small but very popular. It was built recently, and reflects contemporary Hindu temple style architecture. The Narasimmar-Namagiri Amman temple sprawls a few acres in size, and parts of it were built by quarrying the granite boulders out of the Rockfort several hundred years ago. It reflects historical temple architecture, and offers several places to sit and reflect in solitude, and is highly recommended. Ranganaathar Temple (இரங்கநாதர் சன்னதி) is located on the foothills of the Rockfort on the east side where Mahatma Gandhi delivered his address in 1933.

Koolippatti Murugan Temple (கூலிப்பட்டி முருகன் கோயில்) is located in a small hill, which is 3 km from Namakkal on the way to Thuraiyur. It is one of the temples the saint Kirupanandha Variyar used to visit regularly.

Thathagiri Murugan Temple is located in a small hill, which is 10 km from Namakkal on the way to Sendamangalam. It is 2 km from Sendamangalam.

Naina-Malai is a hill located 10 km from Namakkal. One can reach this place from Sendamangalam too (2 km). On top of the hill there is a temple to Swami Varatharaja Perumal (வரதராச பெருமாள்). People go this to temple especially on the Saturdays of the months of September and October (Tamil Purataci (புரட்டாசி) months - 5 weeks). One can reach the top of the hill by foot. There are more than 2500 steps.

Muthugapatty PeriyaSwamy temple which is situated at the bottom of the kolli hills is one of the famous place in this area. It is an open space temple there the God idol is located under the banyan trees. Lot of people used to gather here on Sundays to worship the God of farmers.
Ettukkai Amman Temple at Keerambur is of great sculpturalpillar works.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[4] Namakkal had a population of 53,040. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Namakkal 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 Namakkal, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Recent developments

AIDS epidemic and control
- A "Permanent Legal Aid Clinic" for Namakkal has been proposed by the Madras High Court Chief Justice to protect the rights of HIV/AIDS patients, especially women.^[5]
Namakkal, the zero-garbage eco-city
- Namakkal is one of the few Indian Municipalities which has been successful in running a zero garbage, eco-friendly urban waste management project for which visitors are coming to learn from. ^[6] ^[7] ^[8]
Train/Railway Station for Namakkal
- As of March 2007, work is in progress on a new broad-gauge railway line between Salem and Karur via Namakkal and Mohanur, as part of the Southern Railway (India) network. ^[9] A rail bridge across the Kaveri River (Cauvery) is to connect Vangal in Karur District and Mohanur in Namakkal District. ^[10] ^[11]

http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/17/stories/2007071750310100.htm

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Categories: Cities and towns in Tamil Nadu

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