Vettavalam

Vettavalam
Panchayat Town
Vettavalam Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 12°06′N 79°15′E / 12.1°N 79.25°E / 12.1; 79.25Coordinates: 12°06′N 79°15′E / 12.1°N 79.25°E / 12.1; 79.25
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Tiruvanamalai
Elevation	211 m (692 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	15,506
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	606 754
Telephone code	91-4175
Vehicle registration	TN 25

Vettavalam is a panchayat town in Tiruvanamalai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Geography

Vettavalam is located at 12°06′N 79°15′E / 12.1°N 79.25°E / 12.1; 79.25.^[1] It has an average elevation of 211 metres (692 feet).

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,^[2] Vettavalam had a population of 15,506. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Vettavalam has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 58%. In Vettavalam, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Vettavalam is in between Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram. It is famous for Manonmaniyamman temple and Aranmanai (palace). The temple has a maragatha lingam (Emarald Lingam). The temple is located on a hill. Tiruvannamalai temple is viewable from this hill temple.

Also, there is a temple adjacent to the Vettavalam-TV Malai road, called Pachaiamman Kovil about 2 km from the Vettavalam bus stand towards TV malai. It is clearly visible from the main road with seven Munis statues at the front side of the temple. Large sections of devotees gather during Aadi masam to offer poojas on auspicious Mondays or Fridays during this month. Every Month 1st day (Tamil Month) is doing Special Pooja & design is well on the day for swamy (Pachaiamman) also every week of Friday conducting pooja and some people are vising even Sunday also. People of many generations apart who have a trace of their origin in and around this region try to make at least once in a year to visit and offer prayers and get blessings from Goddess Pachaiamman.

This temple's existence can be traced back to at least in early part of 20th century.

Vettavalam is under Thiruvannamalai constituency. Chairman of panchayat is A. Janarthanam(ADMK).

Vettavalam, also having a famous temple of Lord Shiva 'Agatheeswarar Temple. It is also advised that to visit Agatheeswarar temple before visiting to Arunachleswara temple during Fullmoon Girivalam.

This is also famous for Chittirai Thiruvizha (called LakshaDeepam festival) at Pillayar temple on the way to Tiruvanamalai Road. Vettavalam has also a church of Immaculate Mary, built in the 18th century. St. Joseph's Shrine, located in the top of the mount built by Fr.Tharas, is also from the 18th century.

The history of Vettavalam tells that, Saint Francis Xavier and John de Britto passed through this village and proclaimed the Christian gospel. The festival of Saint Joseph is celebrated on 2 January of every year. People from nearby villages and all the parts of country come together and get the blessings of the saint and get healed from their sickness. Holy mass is celebrated on first Wednesday of every month and also people every Wednesday come to seek the presence of St. Joseph.

References

There is a big lake in vettavalam