| Chennimalai | |
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| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District(s) | Erode |
| Population | 15,526 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 330 metres (1,080 ft) |
Chennimalai popularly known as the 'Handloom Town' is in Erode district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
Chennimalai is located at .[1] It has an average elevation of 320 metres (1082 feet).
As of 2001[update] India census,[2] Chennimalai had a population of 15,526. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Chennimalai has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 83% and female literacy of 67%. 8% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The murugan temple is situated at about 490 meters above sea level and this hill is noted for its natural flora and fauna. This hill also has rare medicinal herbs in its lush green forests. In Devanagiri this hill is called Siragiri and Chenniyangiri. In Tamil it is called Chennimalai. The city underneath the hill is also called Chennimalai.Buses are provided to go for the temple.
Chennimalai stands No.1 Rank in Hand made Bed sheets, Handicrafts, Lungies, Hand Made Curtains, Hand Looms & Print Designs. Garments from here travels to all parts of Tamil Nadu & even North India. Many people here are running their Business in HandLooms & Power Looms.
Chennimalai town is continuously expanding at a faster rate and has now merged with Melapalayam, Mugasipidariyur, Ammapalayam and Pasuvapatti villages and the town is expected to be upgraded into a Municipality by merging these areas. Chennimalai has its own Bus Station which is located at its southern end and it is busy throughout the day. Important landmarks of the town are Kumaran Sathukkam (Vandipettai), Thaer Nilayam, Sandai and Kumarapuri. Kanuvai is a narrow pass in the Chennimalai hill which is traversed by SH 96 and it is noted for the scenic drive.
Chennimalai Subramanya Swami Temple on the top of the hill
Vellode Bird Sanctuary
Chennimalai Kailasanathar Temple
Bhavani Kooduthurai
Kodumudi Temple
Bannari Amman Temple
Bhavani Sagar Dam
Tiruchengode Arthanareeswarar Temple
Pariyur Kaliamman Temple
Sivanmalai Temple
Paranjervazhi Kariakaali Amman Temple
Vijayamangalam Jain Temple (historical importance)
There are buses available to Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Kangeyam, Dharapuram, Palani, Udumalpet, Karur, Sivagiri, Arachalur, Kodumudi, Ezhumathur, Perundurai, Kavindapadi, Uthukuli, Vijayamangalam, Paramathi Velur, Tiruchengode, Salem and various other towns of Tamilnadu. Nearby Airports are Coimbatore Airport, Salem Airport and Tiruchirappalli Airport.
Bus Routes
11 - Erode via Myladi, Vellode and Kavundichipalayam
C5 - Perundurai and Kangeyam via Ingur and Naal Road
C10 - Sivagiri and Vilakkethi via Kalikkavalasu, Murungathozhuvu and Arachalur
11A - Erode via Pulavanpalayam
11c - Erode via MPN Nagar
11d - Erode via Perundurai R.S., Pungampadi, Mettukkadai and Thindal
20A - Erode via vellode, Kanagapuram and Lotus Hospital
C3 - Nathakadayur via Kalikkavalasu, Komarapalayam and K.G.Valasu
1 - Kangeyam and Kanjikoil
1B - Kangeyam via Savadipalayam and Maravapalayam
C14 - Vijayamangalam via Vaipadi
C8 - Ezhumathur via Kalikkavalasu, Murungathozhuvu and Unjapalayam
C13 - Uthukuli
C1 - Sivagiri via Arachalur
Chennimalai also lies in the main bus route between Palani and Erode via Perundurai. Now TNSTC is operating new services from Palani to Bengaluru and from Erode to Udumalpet via Chennimalai, Dharapuram.
A proposed rail route between Erode and Palani is going to benefit the people of Chennimalai and make a tourism circiut connecting the world famous temples of Lord Muruga at Palani, Sivanmalai and Chennimalai.
SH-96 passes through Chennimalai town connecting Erode with Kangeyam via Perundurai and this route is used by Sabarimala devotees from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. There is also a proposal of new State Highway connecting Tirupur with Karur via Chennimalai and Uthukuli. There is also a proposal to upgrade Erode-Chennimalai route via Vellode into a State Highway.
Chennimalai handloom products are well known for their high quality and long life. It is the home for various handloom co-operative societies like
Kalicoptex (employing more than 2500 people and famous for producing new designs and high quality products by the weavers of Kalikkavalasu)
Chencoptex (employing more than 2000 people)
Chentex
Chenkumartex
P.K.Pudur Tex
Mayiltex
Metrotex
Kongutex
These co-operative societies are the employers for thousands of weavers. For providing housing facilities to the handloom weavers, a colony of 1010 individual houses (considered to be one of the biggest in Asia) were built at the outskirts of chennimalai town.
Powerlooms also give plenty of employment opportunity to the people of Chennimalai. At any time, one can hear the noise of powerlooms running everywhere in Chennimalai area. Hence, Chennimalai faces the problem of noise pollution and also air pollution due to dust from the looms. The fabric made here is of extremely high quality and hence preferred by North Indians during winter despite of the cost.
This temple is situated at about 400 meters above sea level and this hill is noted for its natural flora and fauna. This hill also has rare medicinal herbs in its lush green forests. In Devanagiri this hill is called Siragiri and Chenniyangiri. In Tamil it is called Chennimalai. The city underneath the hill is also called Chennimalai.
This hill is also called Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri and Siragiri. The Lord of mountains 'Kuringi Andavar', Murugan is highly praised and sung with reference to this abode in Kundruthorâdal. Chennimalai is one of them and abounds in natural beauty and splendor.
The hill is home to hundreds of Peacocks, monkeys, rabbits, snakes and other reptiles. Recently there were instances of people sighting spotted deers around Chennimalai.
Flora includes trees like Neem, Banyan, Tamarind and variety of shrubs. Mountains of kodaikanal, Sathyamangalam and Anthiyur are clearly visible from the top of the hill. It takes a 15 minutes drive to reach the hill temple by road and it gives a thrilling experience while travelling through the lush green forest and the steep slopes slopes on the side.
Special Features
The most famous temple of Lord Muruga in Erode District is Chennimalai. This world famous temple of Lord Muruga is where Lord Arunagirinathar was blessed with "Padikasu", wealth of coins. This is where an unusual phenomenon, rather a miracle took place in the year 1984 on 12th February. A bullock cart with two bulls climbed the 1320 steps on their own on this eventful day. Saravana Munivar wrote the most popular Chennimalai Sthalapuranam before 700 years. Milk and curds are used as special offerings to Lord Muruga in Chennimalai and it is the general belief that curds do not become sour here.
Temple
The temple of Chennimalai is situated on the banks of Noyyal also called Kânchima Nadhi. The Sanctum Sanctorum faces the east. Just in front of the temple we find the Puliyadi Vinâyagar. Inside the temple to the right of Moolavar we find the shrines of Mârkandeswarar and to the left Umayavalli. On the left side we find the shrines of Kasi Viswanâthar and Visâlâkshi.
If we take the steps found just behind the Moolavar Sannidhi, we reach the Valli Teyvannai Temple. The two consorts enshrined in a separate temple are a very unique phenomenon. On the top of the hill we find the Pinnâkau Siddhar cave with the front yard filled with Vel of different sizes and shapes. This Siddhar is one of the popular 18 Siddhar known to the world for their Siddha yoga. Near this cave we find the Saravana Mâmunivar's Tomb. There is also another very ancient cave near this temple.
Speciality of this temple
The main deity Murugan is equated to the Sevvai graham or planet Mars and all the rest of the eight planets encircle the Lord in perfect harmony. If one circumambulates the main deity he is believed to get the benefit of circumambulating the navagrahâs and worshipping them.
Valli Teyvannai Temple
As we go further up behind the temple we see the Valli Teyvannai temple. They are in penance to attain Lord Muruga. They are known by the names Amirthavalli and Sundaravalli. A separate temple for Valli and Teyvannai is the most unique feature of this temple.
Shasti Vratam
The observance of Shasti fast is also a special feature in this temple. Many devotees take this vow and spend 6 days fasting and praying at the temple premises. The monthly Shasti day after the new moon is also observed with great reverence. Particularly those devotees without progeny sincerely observe this Shasti fast and there are many instances of families coming traditionally on getting their vow fulfilled.
Sirasuppu Utharavu Kêttal
Asking for the Lord's permission before taking up any task like building a new house or getting their children married or any other issue is customary in this temple. Devotees offer an Archnai and perform Sirasappu offering. If the reply is positive they whole-heartedly perform that action or event. Traditionally if the answer is negative the Devotees do not venture further.
Holy water brought by the Temple Bulls
The holy water for Abishekam is being brought everyday by the temple bulls, which are being maintained by the Devasthanam. This procedure is also a very unique one not found in other temples.
Mamanga Theertham
Once in twelve years, during drought conditions a spring gushes out water. This spring is on the southern side of the hill temple. This is a miraculous Divine happening. The Vinâyagar near the spring called Mamânga Theertha Vinâyagar. The people worship this Vinâyagar and the holy springs with great Devotion.
The popular daily prayer of Murugan Devotees, Kanda Shasti Kavacham was first offered to the world in this temple by Balan Dêvarâya Swamigal. From that day onwards till today many devotees keep chanting this prayer every day.
The car festival that comes in the Tamil month of 'Thai' attracts lakhs of devotees flooding the temple of Lord Muruga. The car starts from East Raja street, then through South Raja street, West Raja street and North Raja street again reaches East Raja Street. The town remains flooded by devotees for almost a week and lots of temporary shops occupy the road sides.
Other important festivals are Chitra Pournami, Kanda sashti, Agni Nakshathram, Panguni Thaer, Chennimalai Mariamman festival, Ekkattampalayam Mariamman festival, Murungathozhuvu Mariamman festival, etc. During the second day of pongal 'Poo Parikkum Thiruvizha' is celebrated as a part of Pongal celebrations and can see people going to the hills for plucking holy flowers, having food in the hills sharing with friends and relatives and performing 'Kummi' songs and dance which is unique to Kongu tradition and culture.
Tiruppur Kumaran (Tamil: திருப்பூர் குமரன்) (1904–1932) who was born in Chennimalai, was an Indian revolutionary who participated in the Indian independence movement. Kumaran died from injuries sustained from a Police assault during a protest march against the British colonial government on January 11, 1932. Kumaran died holding the flag of the Indian Nationalists, which had been banned by the British.
Kodumanal is a village located near Chennimalai in the Erode district in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was once a flourishing ancient trade city known as Kodumanam, as inscribed in Patittrupathu of Sangam Literature. The place is a important Archaeological Site, under the control of State Archaeological Department of Tamil Nadu. It is Located on the northern banks of Noyyal River, a tributary of the Cauvery.
The Ancient City
The inhabitants of this destructed ancient city of Chera dynasty were highly skilled craftsmen, who were specialized in making beads and high quality iron. The place is referred to in Sangam literature as an important industrial centre that had links with the Chola port city of Kaveripoompattinam, now called Poompuhar.
Roman Trade Route
The city played a major role in Indo-Roman trade and relations, as the ancient city is located on the mid-way of a Roman Trade Route, linking Muziris Port i.e. Pattanam on the Malabar Coast with the Kaveripoompattinam (Puhar) Port in the Coromandel Coast.
Megalithic Tombs
Excavations have been carried out and it came out with the layers of a megalithic-cum-early tombs of historic period. Also there were two female and one male human skeleton were recovered from a pit burial in this site. A set of 300 megalithic tombs of different types and sizes were observed and recorded in this area. The ancient city has been destructed in time and now the area is available with the remains of a megalithic settlement dating back to the 2nd Century B.C. Apparently, this was the centre for the Romans who visited to obtain beryls from Kodumanal. The megalithic communities flourished in this site were belongs to the period of 2nd Century B.C. to 2nd Century A.D.
Iron and Metal
This place was once celebrated for its trade in precious stones like Garnet, Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire and Quartz. The people of this city were experts in manufacturing the finest iron. The Iron Pillar in Qutub Complex in Delhi, a rustless wonder was built by the Wrought iron produced from this place.
Collections
Excavations also came out with ancient iron objects such as Arrow heads and Swords. Also they have collected Roman artefacts, iron melting furnaces, beads, shell bangles and pottery with the Brahmi scripts from the habitation deposits and burials. The ancient The other collections from the excavation of this site includes Roulette Pottery, Roman Silver Coins, and Gold and Silver Spirals. And a Bronze Statue of a Lion and an Iron melting furnace were the important one's helpful in deciding the past history.
Mugasipidariyur
Ingur
Mugasi Anumanpalli
Kavundichipalayam
Kumaravalasu
Mugasi Pulavanpalayam
Pasuvapatti
Ekkattampalayam
Palatholuvu
Murungathozhuvu
Ottapparai
Ulagapuram
Lower Bhavani Project Canal irrigates the villages around chennimalai such as Thalavumalai, K.G.Valasu, Vadugapalayam, Semalaipalayam, Uppilipalayam, Karungoundenvalasu, Kuppichipalayam, Raikangadu, Pasuvapatti, Kunnangattuvalasu, Ayyampalayam, Sillankattuvalasu, Thippampalayam, Vaikalpudur, etc.,. There are also rain water harvesting ponds and lakes around chennimalai in the villages of Palatholuvu, Namakkalpalayam, Pidariyur, Murangathozhuvu, Kalikkavalasu, Pudupalayam, etc. The principal crops of Chennimalai region are rice, coconut, turmeric, sugarcane, tapioca, sorghum, maize, sunflower, tobacco and vegetable crops. The weekly market called 'sandai' on every Friday attracts thousands of people for buying vegetables and fruits directly from the farmers.
Schools
Ingur Ganga Higher Secondary School
Shri Maha Higher secondary School
Kongu Vellalar Higher Secondary School
Komarappa Sengunthar Boys Higher Secondary School
Komarappa Sengunthar Girls Higher Secondary School
Young India Higher Secondary School
Vimala Higher Secondary School
Vellode Vivekananda Higher Secondary School
Navarasam Matriculation Higher Secondary School
'Polytechnic Colleges'
Shri Rajiv Gandhi Polytechnic College
Erode Kongu Polytechnic College
Colleges
MPNMJ Engineering College
Ingur Vidhya Mandhir Engineering College
Kongu Engineering College, Perundurai
Erode Builders Institute of Technology, Nathakadayur
Cherran Arts and Science College, Thittuparai
Annamar DTS
Balamurugan
Devagiri
ERK jewellers
Rathi jewelers
Malar jewellers
Abirami jewellers
Vaishnavi jewellers
Kangeyam, a small town which is 18 KM away
Perundurai, industrial town (13 KM)
Tirupur, popularly called Dollar city (40 KM)
Erode, Textile city (25 KM)
Bhavani, textile town (35 KM)
Coimbatore, Industrial city (93 KM)
Arachalur, 11 KM away
Dharapuram, former capital of Kongunadu (54 KM)
Palani, holy town (89 KM)