| Ariyalur District | |
| — district — | |
|
|
|
| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | TamilNadu |
| District(s) | Ariyalur |
| Subdistrict(s) | Ariyalur, Sendurai, Udayarpalayam |
| Headquarters | Ariyalur |
| Nearest city | Tiruchirappalli |
| Collector & District Magistrate | Ms Anu George IAS |
| Assembly constituency | Ariyalur, Jayankondam |
| Municipalities | Ariyalur, Jayankondam |
| Blocks | Andimadam, Ariyalur, Jayankondam, Sendurai, T.Palur, Thirumanur |
| Town Panchayats | Udayarpalayam, Varadharajanpettai |
| Population • Density |
752,481[1] (2011[update]) • 386 /km2 (1,000 /sq mi) |
| Official languages | Tamil, English |
|---|---|
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area | 1,949.31 square kilometres (752.63 sq mi) |
| World Heritage Site | Gangaikondacholapuram |
| Website | www.ariyalur.tn.nic.in |
Ariyalur (Tamil: அரியலூர் மாவட்டம்)is an administrative district in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. The district headquarters are located at Ariyalur. The district occupies an area of 1,949.31 km² and had a population of 752,481 As per the 2011 census.
The Ariyalur district was carved out of Perambalur district on January 1, 2001 during the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) regime. But, it was merged with the Perambalur district by the subsequent All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam rule on March 31, 2002 on economic grounds. Ariyalur district reborned on Friday November 23, 2007 and Rural Development and Local Administration Minister M K Stalin will formally inaugurate that 31st district of the State in a function to be held at the ITI playground in Ariyalur.
The district is bordered by the districts of Cuddalore in the north and north-east, Nagapattinam in the east, Thanjavur in the south and south-east, Tiruchirapalli in the south-west and Perambalur in the west. The district has a total of 16 police stations.
It is famous for its cement industries in and around it. This is possible due to its immense limestone store which is the potential raw material for cement industries. In particular the Arasu cements, the Birla cements, the Sakthi cements, the Dalmia cements, the Tamil Nadu cements, etc. are situated in Ariyalur. So Ariyalur is one of the busiest transport cities. It is also familiar for the Kaliyaperumaal Temple situated at 5 km from Ariyalur. The famous Kangaikonda cholapuram is situated near to it. This town is famous for the temple which was built by the King Rajendra Cholan of Chola Empire. The King Rajendra Cholan is the son of Rajaraja Cholan who built Tanjore Temple.
This district has huge reserves of lignite.
As of 2011 it is the third least populous district of Tamil Nadu (out of 32), after Perambalur and Nilgiris.[2]
Contents |
According to the 2011 census Ariyalur district has a population of 752,481,[2] roughly equal to the nation of Guyana[3] or the US state of Alaska.[4] This gives it a ranking of 491st in India (out of a total of 640).[2] The district has a population density of 387 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,000 /sq mi) .[2] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 8.19 %.[2] Ariyalur has a sex ratio of 1016 females for every 1000 males,[2] and a literacy rate of 71.99 %.[2]
Rajendra Chola-I (1012-1044 A.D) son of the Great Rajaraja-I, established this temple after his great victorious march to river Ganges on Northern India. He was originally called Madurantakan. He assumed the title of Rajendra during his coronation and continued to rule along with his father Rajaraja-I for a while. He achieved the supreme title of Cholas called Parakesari .
His empire extended the whole of southern India to river Thungabathra in the north India, for administrative and strategic purpose he built another capital and named Gangaikondacholapuram. The Gangaikondacholapuram temple, he constructed consists of 3 stories and surrounded by a huge fort like wall, the outer wall was greatly destructed during the English rule (1896 A.D) to reuse the building material (Granite rocks) for constructing the Lower Anicut (Dam across river Kollidam). He built around 10 temples at various places.
He assumed the title of Gangaikonda Cholan and named his new capital as Gangaikondacholapuram and he also constructed a huge Lake known as Chola Gangam that spreads 22 km mainly used for drinking and irrigation. A statue of Rajendra-I is found in Kolaram temple at Kolar of Karnataka state in India.
Sri Kaliyaperumal temple is a major attraction of Ariyalur. It is situated at 5 km away from Ariyalur. This temple is famous for its "Car festival" (March/April) which is conducted yearly. The people of Ariyalur celebrate the festival grandly.
The temple is also famous for the Puraittasi Saturdays. Every year in the month of 'Puraittasi' (September), special Pujas, 'Arathanai', 'Abishekams', etc. are done on the four Saturdays. This also is a major attraction of the Kaliyaperumal temple.
This Varadharaja permal blesses with prosperity, wealth, health and a long life.
Once it was the region of Chola's dynasty. The place Thirumazhapadi is situated on the bank of Kollidam river which is a branch of Cauvery River. Entire surroundings are filled with paddy and sugar cane fields. The famous Siva Temple is located in Thirumazhapadi. This Temple is called Sri Vaithiyanatha Samy Koil. It is One of the tourist place in ariyalur.This temple is famous for its "nandikesvarar thirukalyanam " (March/April) which is conducted yearly. The people of thirumalapadi celebrate the festival grandly.It also has a statue of Thiruvalluvar, which was made with 750 kg of Bronze.It is a biggest metallic statue of Thiruvalluvar in Tamil Nadu.
Vettakudi - Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary situated in Ariyalur District, 65 km away from Tiruchirappalli and 35 km north of Thanjavur, this bird sanctuary sprawls over 454 Ha. of area. Water birds congregate here during November - February. About 50 species of resident and migratory birds are recorded here. The list includes varieties of Stork, Pelicans, Heron, Darter, Ibis, Egrets, Coot, Terns, Cormorants, King Fisher, Plovers etc.
This is an important temple in the heart of the town.The 'Dasaavathara Mandapam' with excellent sculptures of the ten avtars of Maha Vishnu,especially the Narasimha avatara is worth seeing. The temple car which is now in ruins is being rebuilt with the co-operation of the devotees and also helped by the Government to a great extent. The 'Pancha Loka Vigrahas' of Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita have been majestically made and a treat to watch.It is believed that these Pancha Loka Vigrahas is biggest Idol in the world.
Sivan Kovil is also a popular temple. Pradosham worship is attended by many devotees regularly.
Famous Temples
1.Gangaikondacholapuram 2.Melakadamburis nearby8km from gangaikondacholapuram 3.Melapalur is nearby 15 km from Ariyalur.
Meenakshi Sundaraeshwarar Temple in Melapalur. 15 km from ariyalur
| Perambalur district | Cuddalore district | |||
| Ariyalur district | ||||
| Tiruchirappalli district | Thanjavur district |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||