| Ilanji | |
| — village — | |
| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District(s) | Tirunelveli |
| Population | 9,423 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
Ilanji is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It is located between the towns Tenkasi and Shencottah.Ilanji is famous for its pots manufacturing.
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As of 2001[update] India census,[1] Ilanji had a population of 9423. Males constituted 51% of the population and females 49%. Ilanji has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%:The male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 57%. In Ilanji, 10% of the population are under 6 years of age.
Geographically, Ilanji is the centroid of a triangle whose three corners are Senkottai, Courtallam and Tenkasi each of which is located approximately 3 km (2 mi) from Ilanji. So some people call it "Triplet City" in Tirunelveli district. It is also bounded by two great rivers, Sitraru (Therkaru)and Kundaru (Vadakkaru). It's also said that at one point in time, a river flowed through the town.
ThiruvilanjiKumaran Koil, a beautiful temple for Lord Murugan overlooking fields and farms is the main temple of Ilanji. In addition the town boasts of other temples including Keela Koil, Pillayar Koil, Perumal Koil and Sitrattu Veerimman Koil (also known as Sithai Amman Koil).
Notable personalities of the town include I.S. Sethuramalingam Pillai, Late Headmaster, Ilanji Ramaswamy Pillai High School, a recipient of the Tamil Nadu State Government's "Nalla Aasiriyar Virudhu" (Good Teacher Award, 1970) and a friend of his, Eswara Konar, a farmer who was also well known for his rheumatoid arthritis treatment (Siddha medical system). Land lord P.Nallakannu chettiar, prominent farmer who was well known for his agricultural activities and innovative cultivation of new crops. Other prominent natives include, Rao Bahadur I.C. Eswaran Pillai (District Board Chairman), I.K. Subramania Pillai (Member of Legislative Assembly), I.A. Chidambaram Pillai (Member of Legislative Council and Member of Legislative Assembly), I.M. Vallinayagam Pillai (Former Executive Director, Indian Bank),and T.D. Arunachalam (Rotary District Governor of Rotary International District 321 - southern Tamil Nadu & Kerala, Sri Lanka) and T.A.Nellainayakgam, Rotary District Governor (3212).
Current and former Managing Trustees Temples of Ilanji include I.A.Chidambaram Pillai (Senthil Andavar Temple Tiruchendur), I.S. Subbiah Pillai (Thirumalaikumaraswamy Temple Panpoli), G. Pichaiya Pillai (Thirukutralanathar Temple, Courtallam), T.M. Arunachalam Pillai (Thirukutralanathar Temple), I.S. Kuttalam Pillai (Thiruilanji Kumarar Koil Ilanji), P.G.Pitchaiya Pillai (Thirukutralanathar Temple Courtallam), I.S.Chidambaram Pillai and T.M.Subramania Pillai (Thiruilanji Kumarar Kovil, Ilanji) and I.C.Ahilandam Pillai (Sitrattu Veeriamman Koil, Ilanji). M.A.srinivasa pandian(senthil Andavar Temple Tiruchendur,union Chairman Tenkasi) I.S.Swarnam Pillai, who lived in Ilanji. Dr I S Shunmugam who has returned to his home village after decades of service in Chennai is a famous surgeon and he has donated twenty lakhs rupees to the higher secondary school in Ilanji. People from other communities also have made significant contributions to the enrichment of the village life.Special mention must be made of Mr Thamburaj Pandian who as chief of the Senior Citizens' Forum has pioneered the meals programme which facilitates provision of ready-to- eat food at the doorsteps of many a senior citizen in the area.He is the son-in-law of Sri.Durairaj Pandian a legislator of the erstwhile Madras State. Dr.P.N.Muthiah (S/O P.Nallakannu Chettiar mentioned above) worked as Dean of Madurai Kamaraj University till 2002."In ilanji famous was silampadam.In famous silampatta players were Ramakrishna thevar@Thalappa thevar and mookaiyathevar". The word 'ilanji' has a number of meanings including a water body.The village has three lakes -in Tamil it is called 'kulam'- very close to it. This little paradise on earth is filled with gifts of nature and people of good will and hospitality.I.S.Arumugham s/o I.S. Swaminathan chettiar, cousin of Dr.P.N.Muthiah erstwhile Dean of Madurai Kamarajar University worked as Regional Enforcement Officer for the southern Region of India, Under the Development Commissioner of Handlooms,Ministry of Textiles,since retired though retired still visiting the native village frequently. He has also created a prize for best student every year in memory of his father.Late Thiru Sankaralinganar hailed from this village had been elected Chairman of the Thenkasi Municipality for a period of five years and functioned well.He was an honest and sincere public worker after his retirement from the post of Tamil Pandit.
There is no bus stand in the Ilanji,but one bus stop is there.The transport to the Ilanji is mainly depends up on the buses which goes to Shencottah.Ilanji is the shortest way to reach Shencottah.
Some images of Ilanji can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/59865572@N00/sets/72157627474577956/