Srivaikuntam

Srivaikuntam
Thiruvaikundam
ஸ்ரீவைகுண்டம்
திருவைகுண்டம்
town
Nickname(s): Srivai
ஸ்ரீவை
Srivaikuntam
Thiruvaikundam

Location in Tamil Nadu, India

Coordinates: 8°37′N 77°56′E / 8.62°N 77.93°E / 8.62; 77.93Coordinates: 8°37′N 77°56′E / 8.62°N 77.93°E / 8.62; 77.93
Country  India
State Tamil Nadu
District Thoothukudi
Elevation 17 m (56 ft)
Population (2001)
 • Total 16,214
Languages
 • Official Tamil
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)

Srivaikuntam (Tamil:ஸ்ரீவைகுண்டம்,திருவைகுண்டம்) is a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the banks of the river Thamirabarani. Srivaikuntam (now in Thoothukudi District) is famous for the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu known as Srivaikuntapathi Swami with a lofty gopuram. The Thiruvengada Mudaiyar Mandapam is rich with sculptures of Yallis, Elephants and Warriors. The Ekadasi Mandapam which is opened on Vaikunta Ekadasi days, contains exquisite sculptures. During the conflicting days between the East India Company forces and Kattabomman, this temple served as a fort. The Kailasanathaswamy temple is another important temple. It contains six inscriptions of the times of Veera Pandiya Kattabomman.

Geography

Srivaikuntam is located at 8°37′52″N 77°54′34″E / 8.63115°N 77.9095017°E / 8.63115; 77.9095017. It has an average elevation of 17 metres (55 feet). The town is located on the north bank of the Tamirabarani river. It is 30 km east of Tirunelveli , 30 km west of Tiruchendur and 39 km from Tuticorin.

History

At times of yore when chaos erupted in the satyaloga of the four faced Brahma he was relieved of the four Vedas which were bestowed to him by Lord Narayana as tools for creating life and humanity. To retrieve his invaluable treasures Brahma undertook penance at a holy spot situate at the banks of the river porunai (Thambra parani), pleased by his concentration and stubbornness Lord Narayana came to his rescue and retrieved the four Vedas from the asura Gomuka and restored them to Brahma. At the request of Brahma Lord Narayana agreed to permanently grace his presence in Archaform (as a statue) at the site of Brahma’s penance and bless the humanity. Brahma consecrated Lord Vaikunta Natha and performed the first holy shower for the Lord’s statue. Also Brahma inaugurated the first Chitra Utsav for the Lord. A local thief of the village Srivaikuntam invoked the blessings of Lord srivaikuntaNatha when he started for his daily nocturnal rounds (to commit night theft). For the purpose of evading arrest he faithfully offered fifty percent of his booty to the Lord’s temple. Along with his confederates he committed theft in the royal palace also. One day when one of his abettors got apprehended enquiry officers zeroed in for the thief. Lord vaikunta natha in the guise of the thief appeared before the king for enquiry and to face the charges. The Lord when accused of the offence sermonised to the king that philanthropy, Fire, thief and the king are joint owners of public property and when the door of philanthropy is closed thugs get hold to them a head of the king. So the king hereafter should open the channel of philanthropy to avoid such situations. The king realised that it was none other than Lord Vaikunta Natha disguised as the thief. He prostrated before the Lord and turned a new leaf in his governance. From then on the Lord was come to be known as kallarpiran (chora natha in Sanskrit) or the Boss of the thieves.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[1] Srivaikuntam had a population of 16,214. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Srivaikuntam has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 72%. In Srivaikuntam, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Places of interest

text
Kalapiran Temple Rajakopuram
Srivaikundam Sivan Temple(one of the Navakailayam temples) Front View

Kallapiran Temple Car

Education

Festivals

Transport

Bus services are conducted from Madurai,Tirunelveli, Tiruchendur, campbellabad and Thoothukudi through Srivaikuntam. There is a railway station at Srivaikundam. Nearest air services are at Tuticorin (24.6 km)

Notable residents

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
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