| Sirkazhi | |
| — city — | |
|
|
|
| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District(s) | Nagapattinam |
| Municipal Chairman | Mrs.Shanthini |
| Population • Density |
32,084 (2001[update]) • 2,429 /km2 (6,291 /sq mi) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
13.21 square kilometres (5.10 sq mi) • 4 metres (13 ft) |
Sirkazhi (Tamil: சீர்காழி), is a city and a municipality in Nagapattinam district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located just 10 km from the Bay of Bengal; 5 km from Kollidam; 20 km from Chidambaram; 250 km from Chennai and 90 km from Pondicherry.
Contents |
Sirkazhi is located at .[1] It has an average elevation of 4 m (13 ft).
As of the 2001 India census,[2] Sirkazhi had a population of 32,084. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Sirkazhi has an average literacy rate of 76%, significantly higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 71%. In Sirkazhi, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. Sirkazhi residents include Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Hindus account almost 93% of the population. Sirkazhi is a multicultural city where people of all backgrounds live in harmony. As such, the crime rate is low in the area.
During the great deluge that submerged the earth, Shiva is said to have carried the 64 arts with him in a raft, in this shrine, hence the name Toniappar, and Tonipuram. Brahma is believed to have worshiped Shiva here, hence the name Bhrammapureeswarar. Bhairavar or Sattainathar (who is said to have quelled the arrogance of Trivikramar, after his having shown his dominance over the three worlds) is worshiped each Friday night.
The association with Tirugnanasambandar: Sambandar as an infant is said to have been fed with the milk of wisdom by the divine mother Parvati on the banks of the temple tank just prior to the commencement of his authorship of the anthology of Tevaram hymns commencing with Todudaiya Seviyan.
Sirkali Bhramapureeswarar is an ancient temple complex with 3 different Shiva Shrines. The Bhramapureeswarar shrine is housed in the lower level. The second level houses Periyanakar with Periyanayaki on a 'Thoni', hence the name Thoniappar. Sattainathar/Vatukanathar is also housed here. From the steps leading to the Toniappar and the Vatukanathar shrine, one can grasp the entire layout of this vast temple and its towers and mandapams. There are 22 Theerthams associated with this shrine. Three different forms of Shiva are worshipped here, the Shivalingam (Bhrammapureeswarar), a colossal image of Uma Maheswarar (Toniappar) at the upper level, and Bhairavar (Sattanathar) again at the upper level.
The temple has 3 vast courtyards with high walls of enclosure. There are two sets of 7 tiered gopurams in the outer walls of the enclosure. The original shrine during the period of the Nayanmars included the shrine of Bhrammapureeswarar, on the southern bund of the temple tank; the Toniappar shrine on a mound west of the central shrine, and the Sattanathar shrine in the second floor reached from the southern prakaram(outer courtyard) of the Toniappar shrine by a flight of steps. The enlargement of the original temple happened during the period of Kulothunga Chola I, Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola II and Kulothunga Chola III (as in Chidambaram - 11th through the 13th centuries). The temple is a holy site for Hinduism and thousands of devotees come to pay homage to the deities. This temple has been glorified in the divine songs of Thevaram. One of the four great divine poet, the Saiva saint Thirugnana Sambandar was bestowed with the divine grace by Lord Siva and Parvathy here. Every year in the Tamil month of Chithirai, Thirumulaippal festival is celebrated in a grand manner.
There is big Perumal Kazheesirama Vinnagaram temple also inside the town. In and around the town of Sirkazhi are twelve divya desams celebrated by Tirumangai Alvar. Sri Taadaalan at Sirkazhi and the 12 sthalams known collectively as Tirunaangur divya desams. In ancient times, this town had 12 different names, including Brahmapuram,Venupuram,Thonipuram, Kazhumalam, Pugali, and Shri Kali. In addition, a large, ancient Siva Temple (Thirukolakka) is there.
Sirkazhi is located near other famous temples: just 20 km away is the Ancient Chidambaram Nataraja Temple; 30 km away is the Thirunallar Saneswarn Bahvan Temple, and 6 km away is located is the famous Vaitheeswaran Temple(also called Vaitheswarn Kovil). Sirkazhi is Surrounded by Temples. Chidambaram Nataraja Temple,Thirukadiyur,Vaitheswaran Kovil, Sattanathar Temple are the notable ones. There are totally 15 Divys desams around Sirkazhi. In south Sirkali (Thenpathi) has new Anjaneya Temple with a large Anjaneya Statue of 33 feet (10 m) near Sabari Nagar & TPS Nagar.
Vadarangam (Tamil: வடரங்கம் ) is a village 16km to Sirkazhi.This village has Famous old Temple SRIRANGAM PERUMAL Temple. This temple famous that equal to Trichi Srirangam. Vadarangam is a Village in Sirkali Taluk , Nagapattinam District , Tamil Nadu State . Vadarangam is 53.1 km distance from its District Main City Nagapattinam . And 205 km distance from its State Main City Chennai . .
The singer Sirkazhi Govindarajan, famed for his work in films, was born in this town, which is very much associated with music. Thirugnana Sambanthar (Thevaram) was born here. Thirumangai Azhvar born in a village adjacent to Sirkazhi. Tamil Isai Moovar Arunachala Kavirayar, Muthu Thandavar, Marimutthu Pillai lived here. They are known as the Tamil Trinity of Carnatic music.
The Great Astrologer S. V. Krishnamoorthy Iyer lived here until 1995.
S. R. Ranganathan was born in Sirkazhi. He was an innovative mathematician and librarian whose most notable contributions to the field were his five laws of library science and the development of the first major analytico-synthetic classification system, the Colon classification. He is considered to be the father of library science in India.
Cognizant Technology Solutions' President & Managing Director (Global Delivery), R Chandra Sekaran was born in Sirkazhi and did his schooling there.
S.M.H. Higher Secondary School is one of the largest and most reputed schools in the area. Other schools include L.M.C School, Shiyamala Girls Higher Secondary School, Vivekanandha Matriculation Higher Secondary school.
Srinivasa Subbaraya Polytechnic College is located in Puttur (Between Sirklai & Chidambaram) Which is away 7 km from Sirkali.
Agriculture and Fishing forms the backbone of the Sirkazhi economy. Tourism is another major institution. Sirkali has many banks/financial institutions including Sirkali Coop Urban bank, State Bank of India, Indian bank, Indian Overseas Bank and Kumbakonam Central Coop Bank, and City Union Bank. Sirkali Coop Urban Bank founded in 23 Apr 1918 is the oldest Bank in Sirkali. There are 5 ATMs currently in the city.
The town has three cinema theatres and two bus stations including a major bus terminus.
Sirkazhi is on the main line (Broad Gauge) between Chennai and Trichy via Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam and Thanjavur. All express trains stop at Sirkazhi.
Real estate in the Sirkazhi-Kollidam region has been booming over the past decade. Due to significant infrastructure development and arable, fertile land, the area is a prime hub. Land prices hover around anywhere from 2-15 crores per acre depending on the road frontage and area of the city. The area around Sattanathapuram (By Pass Road) is in the process of significant development. Proximity to the upcoming information technology region, power infrastructure projects, and a medical center and university are all contributing factors to the desirability of the area.
Sirkali assembly constituency (SC) is part of Mayiladuturai (Lok Sabha constituency).[3]
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||