Tirunelveli District
Encyclopedia
Tirunelveli District is a district
of Tamil Nadu
state
in southern India
. The city of Tirunelveli
is the district headquarters. A unique feature of this district is that it encompasses all five geographical traditions of Tamil Literature
; kurinji (mountains), mullai (forest), marudham (paddy fields), neithal (coastal) and palai (desert). Tirunelveli District was formed on September 1, 1790 by the East India Company (on behalf of the British government), and comprised the present Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi district
s and parts of Virudhunagar
and Ramanathapuram district
s. It is the second-largest district (as of October 2008), after Villupuram district.
The founding date of Tirunelveli District is commemorated as Tirunelveli Day. The British East India Company named it Tinnevelly district; its headquarters was first located in Palayamkottai (an adjacent city), where it had its military headquarters during its operations against the Palayakars. There are three reasons attributed for naming the district Tirunelveli. The primary reason is after the largest city of the district; another reason is that it was been called Tirunelveli Seemai under the Nayaks and Nawabs. Finally, it served as the southern capital during the Pandyan Empire. Both Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai grew as twin cities in the district.
In the early 20th century, parts of Tirunelveli district was separated into Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar districts. In 1986, Tirunelveli district was further split into two districts for administrative purposes: Chidambaranar (present-day Thoothukudi
) and Nellai-Kattabomman (later Tirunelveli-Kattabomman and present-day Tirunelveli) districts.
The district is located in the southern part of Tamil Nadu. It is surrounded by Virudhunagar District
in the north, the Western Ghats
in the west, Kanyakumari District
in the south and Thoothukudi District
in the east. The district covers an area of 6,823 km2. It lies between 8°05’ and 9°30’ north latitude and 77°05’ and 78°25’ east longitude. The district has diverse geographical and physical features. It has mountains (a stretch of the Western Ghats and lowland plains. It has a perennial river (the Tamirabarani) and small seasonal rivers. The district has many scenic waterfalls. Its physical features include sandy soil and fertile alluvium, a variety of flora, fauna and protected wildlife. The district also has inland and mountainous forests.
Tirunelveli has a unique climate, and has rainfall in all seasons (953.1 mm in 2005-2006). The district benefits from both the northeast and southwest monsoons. Most precipitation came from the northeast monsoon (548.7 mm) followed by the southwest monsoon (147.8 mm) and summer rains (184.2 mm). The district is irrigated by several rivers originating in the Western Ghats such as the Pachaiyar River
, which flows into the Tambaraparani River. The Tambaraparani and Manimuthar River
s have many dam
s, with reservoirs providing water for irrigation and power generation. The Tamiraparani River provides consistent irrigation to a large agricultural area. The Chittar River
also originates in this district. The Courtallam
and Manimuthar waterfalls are the two major falls in the district.
Tirunelveli district has a population
of 3,072,880, roughly equal to the nation of Oman
or the US state of Iowa
. This gives it a ranking of 116th in India (out of a total of 640
). The district has a population density of 458 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.66 %. Tirunelveli has a sex ratio
of 1024 females
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
of 82.92 %.
The population at the 2001 census was 2,723,988. Of that population, 48.03% was urban with a population density of 410.5 people per square kilometer. Tamil
was the main language spoken. Hindus formed the majority religious group of the population (79.76%), followed by Christians (10.89%), Muslims (9.26%) and other religions (0.09%).
(150 km) and Thiruvananthapuram
. The district has a total of 27 Railway stations. Given below are tables listing the length of roads and railways in the district.
Canals, wells, tanks and reservoirs are the sources of irrigation in the district. As of 2005–2006, the district had a total of 151 canals with a length of 499 km, 85,701 irrigation wells, 640 tube well
s, 8 reservoirs and 2,212 tanks. The district also has 21,776 wells used for domestic purposes. Electricity is provided by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). The district has hydroelectric power plants and windmills, with an installed capacity of 1,089.675 MW; it is one of the major producers of wind energy in the state. The Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant
project is being undertaken (with Russian aid) at the village of Koodankulam.
(east of Tirunelveli). For this reason, Palayamkottai
is known as the "Oxford of South India". The district has a literacy rate of 76.97%, which is above the state average. As of 2005–2006, the district had a total of 2,494 schools. It has one university (the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University). There are also four government colleges, eleven government-sponsored colleges and seven private colleges; in addition, there is a computer-education centre (Nellai Information Technology Institute, or NITI) in Palayamkottai.
Tirunelveli has a poverty rate of 31.8%, which is higher than the state and national averages. The district has a good record in religious harmony, but a poor one in caste discrimination and caste-based violence. The 1999 drowning of 17 striking Dalit
tea-plantation workers in the river Thamiraparani is one such incident which was condemned by Human Rights Watch
observers.
Tirunelveli has the following educational institutions:
(MSU) was established in 1990. Named after poet Sundaram Pillai, the university has a network of 102 affiliated colleges. Many of these colleges have contributed to higher education for decades; five colleges are more than 100 years old. The University campus is located at Abishekapatti, nine km from Tirunelveli town. Advanced studies are offered in a number of departments, and postgraduate programmes in chemistry, communications, computer science, English, environmental studies, history, mathematics, physics, sociology and statistics are offered.
The university has introduced compulsory core courses in Indian studies. The curriculum includes "History of Freedom Movement in India", "Gandhian Thought", "Ecology, Environment and Pollution Studies", "Status of Women in India", "History of Science", "Indian Economy Since Independence", "Rural India", "Consumer Protection and Social Responsibility in Business" and "Secularism". It has set up a centre for environmental studies at Alwarkurichi in collaboration with a corporation, Amalgamations. Eco-friendly ventures in aquaculture and fishing are encouraged. The centre has developed an organic manure, "Mano compost".
Of the 17 arts colleges in the district eight are coeducational institutions, five are for girls and four for boys. The colleges in Tirunelveli district were originally affiliated with the University of Madras
. Upon the creation of Madurai Kamaraj University
in 1966, they were affiliated with MKU from 1966–1990. In 1990, their affiliation transferred to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
. The university has granted autonomous status to St. Xavier’s College in Palayamkotti and Sri Parasakthi College for Women in Courtallam
. The Regional Directorate of the Collegiate Education in the district was formed on 10 September 1979 to regulate colleges in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi
and Kanyakumari district
s.
course is also offered from the Academic Year 2000-01.From the Academis Year 1997-98 the college is affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai. At first, classes were held at the Ponnusamy Pillai Bungalow on Tiruchendur Road in Palayamcottai before its new building was constructed. The College has started functioning from October 2000 in its own new building in an area of 15 acres adjacent to District Court Buildings on the Tiruchendur High Road.
As directed by the Bar Council of India Semester System has been introduced for both (3 yrs and 5 yrs) Law Courses from the Academic Year 2002-03.The year 2007 set another milestone in the history of this college when M.L Degree in Constitutional Law and Human Rights was started.
and its teaching hospital are located on about 350 acres of land at High Grounds, Palayamcottai. It was begun in 1965 and affiliated with the University of Madras, with 75 students for the academic year 1965-66. These students took their first-year courses at local arts and science colleges. In July 1966, the first group of second-year MBBS students attended the classes in the newly-constructed Anatomy Block. Other departments (such as pharmacology, pathology, microbiology and social and preventive medicine) began in subsequent years and the district-headquarters hospital was converted to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital. The college was affiliated with Madurai Kamaraj University after its inception in 1967. Since 1988, upon the formation of Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute
it has been affiliated with that university. The college was recognised by the Medical Council of India, New Delhi in 1978. The number of seats for the MBBS course was increased from 75 to 100 in 1980, and that year the state government also authorised postgraduate courses. The college celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1990.
The following postgraduate degree courses are offered:
The Government Siddha Medical College was establisheded at Palayamkottai on 30 November 1964. This was an affiliated College of the University of Madras until March 1966; from then until 1988 it was an affiliate of Madurai Kamaraj University, and since March 1989 of Dr. MGR Medical University.
) began a school to teach girls lace-making at Idyangudi. The government of Tamil Nadu set up a State Board of Technical Education and Training and a separate Directorate of Technical Education, effective 1 October 1957. Since then, the Directorate of Technical Education has assumed the administration of both engineering colleges and polytechnics since then.
The Government College of Engineering was established in October 1981 to fulfill the needs of people in the southern region. At first the college met in a bungalow near Tirunelveli Medical College, since new buildings were under construction. In 1984, the college moved into new buildings on its 25 hectares (61.8 acre) campus. It is currently located about 8 km from Tirunelveli Junction on the Tirunelveli-Trivandrum Highway. From its inception, the College admitted students in three undergraduate departments: civil, electronics and communication and mechanical engineering; electrical and electronics engineering was introduced during 1986-87, and computer science and engineering was added in 1989-90. A postgraduate course in computer science and engineering was introduced in 1994-95.
, coconut
s, banana
s, spice
s and forest-based products. The district's livestock
and poultry
populations are as follows:
Since it is a coastal district, Tirunelveli is also involved in fishery
development and production. For the period 2005–2006 the total inland fish catch was 1,874 tonnes, and the total marine fish catch was 7,014 tonnes. The district is also rich in mineral
s, with a total of 407 mines and quarries. Limestone
, granite
and garnet sand are some of the minerals mined or produced in the district. Major industries include textile
, food and forestry
products. A Special Economic Zone (SEZ
) was introduced at Nanguneri
in 2001. A pharma park and windmill spare-parts and television-manufacturing factories have been planned in this SEZ. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has planned a Rs 700-crore high-tech industrial park in Nanguneri
in association with INFAC Group and Axes Technologies Inc of the US. The state government is planning light manufacturing, design and assembly facilities, modern infrastructure facilities and amenities in this SEZ to attract a workforce from around the world.
MAJOR PLACES IN TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT
-Rajapalayam
state highway, 10 km from Sankarankovil. It is a junction for the surrounding villages.
sprang up from the shadows of Idaiyankudi and became a centre for business, education and health care. The town flourished under the guidance of a philanthropist, M. L. Asirwatham. He was the first mayor, until his death in 1973. A desert is referenced in the Tamil Nadu Gazette as "ML". The town is located in an arid area, surrounded by sandy deserts; Asirwatham pioneered the village into an agricultural town. He established roads, making the town accessible from Udangudi
, Sathankulam
, Valliyoor, Uvari
and Nanguneri
, constructed irrigation tank
s, wells, water tanks and pipelines. A bus terminal and electric supply followed; Asirwatham laid the foundation for schools, hospitals and merchants. A market (santhai) held every Friday made the town more popular, and a business centre was established. Thisyanvilai is now (as of 2011) a market town, with many shops, five banks and a sand-mining
industry. The educational system consists of about seven higher-secondary schools, several high-, middle, primary and industrial schools and a college. An engineering college is awaiting affiliation (as of 2011). There are several hospitals, which provide health care to the neighbouring villages. The town is connected to Chennai
by private and government bus-transport operators.
The town encompasses all communities in Tirunelveli district, but the majority are Nadars
. Its residents adhere to the Hindu, Christian and Muslim faiths. Several temples, three churches and two mosques dot the town. There is a Post and Telegraph office with post office substations, police and fire stations, tehsil
and revenue offices, petrol stations and a public library.
Singampatti
is now a small village which had once been a kingdom covering 340 square kilometres (131.3 sq mi) of land and had 32 rulers since 1100 AD. This independent kingdom-principality was transformed during the 1530s into a Palaiyakkarar
territory by the Nayak
s and again converted to a zamindar
i by the British in 1802. An earlier zamin had supported the Travancore
ruler Marthanda Varma
in the Ettuveetil Pillai rebellion. The Singampatti Zamin palace accommodates guests. It resembles a large house, with a 200-year-old museum housing a rare antiques collection.
a few kilometers from Alwarkurichi
(which is rich in natural resources).
The Tea Plantations and the whole of Manjolai Estates are tea operated by The Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd on Forest Lands leased by the Government of Tamil Nadu. There are 3 Tea Estates within the Manjolai area - Manjolai Estate, Manimutharu Estate & Oothu Estate. The Estates are located on elevations ranging between 2300 Feet to 4200 Feet. The estates, road & the settlements in the Manjolai area are managed by The Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd. Images of Manjolai Hills can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/59865572@N00/sets/72157627351253129/
Offices in Surandai are:
("Lemon city") is located on the Tenkasi–Thirumangalam National Highway
. It is between Tenkasi and Rajapalayam (about 30 km south of Tenkasi and 40 km north of Rajapalayam). The town is in the foothills of the Western Ghats and has a gentle slope from west to east. It covers an area of 55.166 square kilometres (21.3 sq mi), and the 2001 population was 60,142. The Puliangudi municipal area includes four villages: Mela Puliangudi, Puliangudi, Chinthamani and Thirumalai Naicken Pudukudi. It has a dry climate, except during the monsoons. Puliangudi is known as the "Lemon City" because of the variety of lemons (the main agricultural product) cultivated in the area.
Puliangudi has 18 higher secondary schools; students come to study from the nearby municipalities of Sankarankoil
, Kadayanallur
and Vasudevanallur
.
Some schools in Puliangudi are:
Engineering and technology institutions:
Engineering and technology institutions:
was built in 1581. Thousands of worshipers congregate during the festival season, from 1 to 14 September. This church is also associated with St. Francis Xavier.
was established in 1962. The reserve, at 8°39′N 77°23′E, is about 45 km west of Tirunelveli and is known as KMTS to forest and tiger researchers. Kalakkad
is the nearest town.
depicts Hari
and Hara
as one God. There is a deity named Sankara Narayanan, which is half Lord Shiva and half Lord Vishnu
. There is another deity, named Avodai ambal or Gomathi Ambal, after whom the temple is named; it was built by Ukrama Pandiyan in 900 AD. Sacred sand is available, which is believed curative by some. June is marked by the Adi Thabasu festival.nearest village in alagunatchiyapuram
in the church and headmaster of nearby T.D.T.A. schools.
P. Immanuel Santhosham (headmaster of Scafter Higher Secondary School, Tirunelveli) is also a dedicated administrator.
, a well-known temple in Tamil Nadu, is located at Tirunelveli
. The temple is rooted in tradition and history, and known for its musical pillars and other sculpted figures. The nearest airport is Tuticorin Airport (TCR) at Vagaikulam
, a 30-minute drive (32 km) from Tirunelveli.
union in Radhapuram taluk
. It is located along National Highway 7
between Tirunelveli and Nagarkoil. Vallioor was named for the goddess Valli
, consort of Lord Murugan
. Attractions include the Murugan Temple, the Valliyoor Kulam, the Western Ghats, kalyanamandapams (marriage halls), churches and ancient, architecturally-important temples. Also featured are international-standard schools, fire stations and a transport system, which includes a bus station.
The United Volunteer Service Society's (UVSS) New Life Home for Aged Destitutes opened seven km from Vallioor, on the road to Eruvadi
. This initiative is from like-minded people; it does not involve a religious group, the government or a particular community. The Shelton garment industry, employing about 1000 people, is a major employer in Valliyur; shirts and trousers manufactured here are marketed throughout India and in Dubai.
, located 31 km south of Tirunelveli, is known for its Vishnu temple whose presiding deity is Thotathri Nathan. The temple is run by the Vanamamalai matha
and houses the well-known Ennai Kinaru (oil well). It is one of the divya sheathram, according to Vaishnava
tradition.
. It is located along the Tirunelveli-Nagarkoil National Highway
(NH-7) and the Eruvadi
road, 1.5 km in south of Nanguneri. With a sizable Nadar
population, Perumpathu is known for its Narayanaswamy Temple and CSI church
.
had a population of 19,681 in the 2001 census. It has an electric-power substation, Gomathi Mills and the Power weaving mill. Surrounding villages are Harikesanallur
, Kiriyammalpuram, Manabaranallur, a Nainar
colony, a Thambran colony, Retiyarpuram, Malayangulam, Vellangulli and Puthukudi. The village has a bharathiyar state-run school and a Roman Catholic church.
, has tourism potential. Its stone dam, known as anaikattu, was repaired by the British in 1872. The dam, across the Thamirabarani River
, is 20–35 feet high and 2.5 km long. It was constructed in a concave shape across the river to facilitate the flow of water. The dam divides the river into a maruthur melakal (western channel) and a maruthur kelakal (eastern channel). Walking on the stone wall and seeing the water flow on both sides is a popular adventure.
(State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu). The agricultural village has a good water supply.
. German-born missionary C. T. E. Rhenius
purchased land and constructed CSI Christ Church with the help of "Count Dohna" (a psudonym used by Queen Christina of Sweden), naming the village “Dohnavur”. Rev. Thomas Walker built Walker Higher Secondary School in Dohnavur and missionary Amy Carmichael
constructed Parama Sugasalai Hospital and an orphanage. The village is surrounded by ponds; its residents are primarily farmers, building contractors and teachers.
Districts of Tamil Nadu
The state of Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India is divided into 32 districts, including two newly carved districts Ariyalur and Tirupur.More can be found on the sites of the individual districts which are linked from the site of the Tamil Nadu Government ....
of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
in southern India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
. The city of Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli , also known as Nellai , and historically as Tinnevelly, is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Tirunelveli District and the sixth biggest city in Tamil Nadu...
is the district headquarters. A unique feature of this district is that it encompasses all five geographical traditions of Tamil Literature
Tamil literature
Tamil literature refers to the literature in the Tamil language. Tamil literature has a rich and long literary tradition spanning more than two thousand years. The oldest extant works show signs of maturity indicating an even longer period of evolution...
; kurinji (mountains), mullai (forest), marudham (paddy fields), neithal (coastal) and palai (desert). Tirunelveli District was formed on September 1, 1790 by the East India Company (on behalf of the British government), and comprised the present Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi district
Thoothukudi District
Thoothukudi District, also known as Tuticorin District, is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. Thoothukudi is the district headquarters. It is also known for Pearl cultivation with abundance of pearls found in the seas of Thoothukudi...
s and parts of Virudhunagar
Virudhunagar District
Virudhunagar District is an administrative district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. Virudhunagar is the district headquarters. Virudhunagar district was formed from parts of Tirunelveli and Madurai districts....
and Ramanathapuram district
Ramanathapuram District
Ramanathapuram District is an administrative district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Ramanathapuram is the district headquarters. Ramanthapuram District has an area of 4123 km²...
s. It is the second-largest district (as of October 2008), after Villupuram district.
History
In the early 20th century, parts of Tirunelveli district was separated into Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar districts. In 1986, Tirunelveli district was further split into two districts for administrative purposes: Chidambaranar (present-day Thoothukudi
Thoothukudi District
Thoothukudi District, also known as Tuticorin District, is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. Thoothukudi is the district headquarters. It is also known for Pearl cultivation with abundance of pearls found in the seas of Thoothukudi...
) and Nellai-Kattabomman (later Tirunelveli-Kattabomman and present-day Tirunelveli) districts.
Geography and climate
Virudhunagar District
Virudhunagar District is an administrative district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. Virudhunagar is the district headquarters. Virudhunagar district was formed from parts of Tirunelveli and Madurai districts....
in the north, the Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
in the west, Kanyakumari District
Kanyakumari District
Kanyakumari District ) is a district of Tamil Nadu state, India and is the southernmost land area of mainland India.The district is the second most urbanised district in Tamilnadu, next only to Chennai and ahead of Coimbatore. It also has the highest literacy and education levels in the...
in the south and Thoothukudi District
Thoothukudi District
Thoothukudi District, also known as Tuticorin District, is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. Thoothukudi is the district headquarters. It is also known for Pearl cultivation with abundance of pearls found in the seas of Thoothukudi...
in the east. The district covers an area of 6,823 km2. It lies between 8°05’ and 9°30’ north latitude and 77°05’ and 78°25’ east longitude. The district has diverse geographical and physical features. It has mountains (a stretch of the Western Ghats and lowland plains. It has a perennial river (the Tamirabarani) and small seasonal rivers. The district has many scenic waterfalls. Its physical features include sandy soil and fertile alluvium, a variety of flora, fauna and protected wildlife. The district also has inland and mountainous forests.
Tirunelveli has a unique climate, and has rainfall in all seasons (953.1 mm in 2005-2006). The district benefits from both the northeast and southwest monsoons. Most precipitation came from the northeast monsoon (548.7 mm) followed by the southwest monsoon (147.8 mm) and summer rains (184.2 mm). The district is irrigated by several rivers originating in the Western Ghats such as the Pachaiyar River
Pachaiyar River
Pachaiyar River originates on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats approximately 1000 m above sea level in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It then converges with the Tambaraparani River...
, which flows into the Tambaraparani River. The Tambaraparani and Manimuthar River
Manimuthar River
Manimuthar River originates on the eastern slopes of Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It is a major tributary of the Tambaraparani River....
s have many dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
s, with reservoirs providing water for irrigation and power generation. The Tamiraparani River provides consistent irrigation to a large agricultural area. The Chittar River
Chittar River
Chittar River and its five tributaries and numerous other contributing streams originate in the Courtallam hills of Tirunelveli District in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India...
also originates in this district. The Courtallam
Courtallam
Courtallam is a panchayat town situated at a mean elevation of on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. Many seasonal and a few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region...
and Manimuthar waterfalls are the two major falls in the district.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census2011 census of India
The 15th Indian National census was conducted in two phases, houselisting and population enumeration. Houselisting phase began on April 1, 2010 and involved collection of information about all buildings...
Tirunelveli district has a population
Demographics of India
The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...
of 3,072,880, roughly equal to the nation of Oman
Oman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
or the US state of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. This gives it a ranking of 116th in India (out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
). The district has a population density of 458 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
Family planning in India
Family planning in India is based on efforts largely sponsored by the Indian government. In the 1965-2009 period, contraceptive usage has more than tripled and the fertility rate has more than halved , but the national fertility rate is still high enough to cause long-term population growth...
over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.66 %. Tirunelveli has a sex ratio
Sex ratio
Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. The primary sex ratio is the ratio at the time of conception, secondary sex ratio is the ratio at time of birth, and tertiary sex ratio is the ratio of mature organisms....
of 1024 females
Women in India
The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful...
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
Literacy in India
Literacy in India is key for socio-economic progress, and the Indian literacy rate grew to 74.04% in 2011 from 12% at the end of British rule in 1947. Although this was a greater than sixfold improvement, the level is well below the world average literacy rate of 84%, and India currently has the...
of 82.92 %.
The population at the 2001 census was 2,723,988. Of that population, 48.03% was urban with a population density of 410.5 people per square kilometer. Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
was the main language spoken. Hindus formed the majority religious group of the population (79.76%), followed by Christians (10.89%), Muslims (9.26%) and other religions (0.09%).
Infrastructure
The district is well-connected by a network of roads and railways. Tirunelveli city serves as the main junction. It has no airports; the nearest airports are at Tuticorin (40 km away), MaduraiMadurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
(150 km) and Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
. The district has a total of 27 Railway stations. Given below are tables listing the length of roads and railways in the district.
| Roads | National highways | State highways | Corporation and Municipalities Roads | Panchayat Union and Panchayat Road | Town Panchayat and Townships Road | Others (forest roads) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length (km.) | 174.824 | 442.839 | 1,001.54 | 1,254.10 and 1,658.35 | 840.399 | 114.450 |
| Railways | Route length (km) | Track length (km) |
|---|---|---|
| Broad gauge | 77.000 | 95.448 |
| Meter gauge | 125.000 | 134.430 |
Canals, wells, tanks and reservoirs are the sources of irrigation in the district. As of 2005–2006, the district had a total of 151 canals with a length of 499 km, 85,701 irrigation wells, 640 tube well
Tube well
A tube well is a type of water well in which a long 100–200 mm wide stainless steel tube or pipe is bored into the underground aquifer. The lower end is fitted with a strainer, and a pump at the top lifts water for irrigation...
s, 8 reservoirs and 2,212 tanks. The district also has 21,776 wells used for domestic purposes. Electricity is provided by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). The district has hydroelectric power plants and windmills, with an installed capacity of 1,089.675 MW; it is one of the major producers of wind energy in the state. The Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant
Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant
Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power station currently under construction in Koodankulam in the Tirunelveli district of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu...
project is being undertaken (with Russian aid) at the village of Koodankulam.
Education and social development
Tirunelveli is known for its educational institutions, many of which are located at PalayamkottaiPalayamkottai
Palayamkottai , known as the "Oxford of South India", is a town in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Tirunelveli city corporation. It is on the eastern bank of the Thamirabarani river, while its twin city Tirunelveli is on the western bank.-Etymology:The archaic word Palayam...
(east of Tirunelveli). For this reason, Palayamkottai
Palayamkottai
Palayamkottai , known as the "Oxford of South India", is a town in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Tirunelveli city corporation. It is on the eastern bank of the Thamirabarani river, while its twin city Tirunelveli is on the western bank.-Etymology:The archaic word Palayam...
is known as the "Oxford of South India". The district has a literacy rate of 76.97%, which is above the state average. As of 2005–2006, the district had a total of 2,494 schools. It has one university (the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University). There are also four government colleges, eleven government-sponsored colleges and seven private colleges; in addition, there is a computer-education centre (Nellai Information Technology Institute, or NITI) in Palayamkottai.
Tirunelveli has a poverty rate of 31.8%, which is higher than the state and national averages. The district has a good record in religious harmony, but a poor one in caste discrimination and caste-based violence. The 1999 drowning of 17 striking Dalit
Dalit
Dalit is a designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as Untouchable. Dalits are a mixed population, consisting of numerous castes from all over South Asia; they speak a variety of languages and practice a multitude of religions...
tea-plantation workers in the river Thamiraparani is one such incident which was condemned by Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
observers.
Tirunelveli has the following educational institutions:
- Universities: 2
- Arts and science colleges: 25
- Medical College: 1
- Siddha medical college: 1
- Engineering colleges: 20
- Law school: 1
- Pre-kindergartens: 241
- Primary schools: 1,501
- Middle schools: 431
- High schools: 114
- Higher secondary schools: 185
- Teacher-training institutes: 28
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
Manonmaniam Sundaranar UniversityManonmaniam Sundaranar University
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University is a university in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was hived off the Madurai Kamaraj University on September 9, 1990....
(MSU) was established in 1990. Named after poet Sundaram Pillai, the university has a network of 102 affiliated colleges. Many of these colleges have contributed to higher education for decades; five colleges are more than 100 years old. The University campus is located at Abishekapatti, nine km from Tirunelveli town. Advanced studies are offered in a number of departments, and postgraduate programmes in chemistry, communications, computer science, English, environmental studies, history, mathematics, physics, sociology and statistics are offered.
The university has introduced compulsory core courses in Indian studies. The curriculum includes "History of Freedom Movement in India", "Gandhian Thought", "Ecology, Environment and Pollution Studies", "Status of Women in India", "History of Science", "Indian Economy Since Independence", "Rural India", "Consumer Protection and Social Responsibility in Business" and "Secularism". It has set up a centre for environmental studies at Alwarkurichi in collaboration with a corporation, Amalgamations. Eco-friendly ventures in aquaculture and fishing are encouraged. The centre has developed an organic manure, "Mano compost".
Collegiate education
In 1878, there were two colleges in the district: the Madurai Diraviam Thayumanavar Hindu College and St. John’s College. The first college for women (and third college of the district), Sarah Tucker College, began in 1895. The fourth and fifth colleges (St. Xavier’s and St. Ignatius Colleges of Education) were established in 1950 and 1957, respectively. In 1963-64 two more colleges, the Paramakalyani and Parasakthi Colleges, were added. The Ambai Arts and Thiruvalluvar Colleges (1969), Muthuramalinga Thevar College and Government Arts College for Women (1970), and the Sadaktathullah Appa and T.D.M.N.S. Colleges (1971) were established in the district. Except for Government Arts College for Women, all the other schools are private colleges run by educational trusts. There are three self-financing colleges: Saratha College for Women (1986), Sattanathakarayalar College (1994–95) and Jayaraj Annabakkiam College (1997–98).Of the 17 arts colleges in the district eight are coeducational institutions, five are for girls and four for boys. The colleges in Tirunelveli district were originally affiliated with the University of Madras
University of Madras
The University of Madras is a public research university in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the three oldest universities in India...
. Upon the creation of Madurai Kamaraj University
Madurai Kamaraj University
Madurai Kamaraj University also abbreviated MKU is a public university in India.-Overview:Madurai Kamaraj University, located in Madurai city established in 1966, has 18 schools comprising 72 departments. The Directorate of Distance Education of the University has a student strength of about 1.3...
in 1966, they were affiliated with MKU from 1966–1990. In 1990, their affiliation transferred to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University is a university in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was hived off the Madurai Kamaraj University on September 9, 1990....
. The university has granted autonomous status to St. Xavier’s College in Palayamkotti and Sri Parasakthi College for Women in Courtallam
Courtallam
Courtallam is a panchayat town situated at a mean elevation of on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. Many seasonal and a few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region...
. The Regional Directorate of the Collegiate Education in the district was formed on 10 September 1979 to regulate colleges in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi
Thoothukudi District
Thoothukudi District, also known as Tuticorin District, is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. Thoothukudi is the district headquarters. It is also known for Pearl cultivation with abundance of pearls found in the seas of Thoothukudi...
and Kanyakumari district
Kanyakumari District
Kanyakumari District ) is a district of Tamil Nadu state, India and is the southernmost land area of mainland India.The district is the second most urbanised district in Tamilnadu, next only to Chennai and ahead of Coimbatore. It also has the highest literacy and education levels in the...
s.
School districts
In 1986, the Revenue District of Tirunelveli was divided into Tirunelveli and Thoothukkudi districts. A new post, District Educational Officer at Tenkasi, was created. The names of posts of District Educational Officer, Tirunelveli Central was changed to District Education Officer, Tirunelveli; the District Educational Officer, Tirunelveli South was redesignated District Educational Officer, Cheranmahadevi. The three District Education Officers serve under the Chief Education Officer.| Education officials | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| District Educational Officer, Tirunelveli | Taluks of Tirunelveli, Palayamkottai and Sankarankoil |
| District Educational Officer, Cheranmahdevi | Taluks of Ambasamudram, Nanguneri and Radhapuram |
| District Educational Officer, Tenkasi | Taluks of Tenkasi, Shencottai, Alangulam, VK Pudur and Sivagiri |
| District Adult Education Officer | Entire district |
| District Elementary Educational Officer | Entire Tirunelveli district (primary and upper-primary schools) |
| Assistant Elementary Educational Officers (21) | One for each of the 19 panchayat unions and two for urban areas |
| Additional Assistant Elementary Educational Officers (21) | One for each of the 19 panchayat unions and two for urban areas |
Legal education
In Tirunelveli district, a [(GOVERNMENT LAW COLLEGE)] was established to meet the requirements of the people of the southern most part of Tamil Nadu in the year 1996 and was opened on 14 October 1996 with 80 students for the three-year law course affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University as the Fifth Government Law College in the State . A five-year B.LBachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
course is also offered from the Academic Year 2000-01.From the Academis Year 1997-98 the college is affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai. At first, classes were held at the Ponnusamy Pillai Bungalow on Tiruchendur Road in Palayamcottai before its new building was constructed. The College has started functioning from October 2000 in its own new building in an area of 15 acres adjacent to District Court Buildings on the Tiruchendur High Road.
As directed by the Bar Council of India Semester System has been introduced for both (3 yrs and 5 yrs) Law Courses from the Academic Year 2002-03.The year 2007 set another milestone in the history of this college when M.L Degree in Constitutional Law and Human Rights was started.
Medical education
The Tirunelveli Medical CollegeTirunelveli Medical College
Tirunelveli Medical College , also known as TvMC, TMC Tirunelveli, or Government Medical College Tirunelveli, is one among the premier medical institutions in South India, located in the city of Tirunelveli, in the state of Tamilnadu, India. The college is affiliated to Tamilnadu Dr...
and its teaching hospital are located on about 350 acres of land at High Grounds, Palayamcottai. It was begun in 1965 and affiliated with the University of Madras, with 75 students for the academic year 1965-66. These students took their first-year courses at local arts and science colleges. In July 1966, the first group of second-year MBBS students attended the classes in the newly-constructed Anatomy Block. Other departments (such as pharmacology, pathology, microbiology and social and preventive medicine) began in subsequent years and the district-headquarters hospital was converted to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital. The college was affiliated with Madurai Kamaraj University after its inception in 1967. Since 1988, upon the formation of Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute
Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute
The Dr. M.G.R. University is a university with its main campus in the city of Chennai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It was founded by A.C. Shanmugam under the Kannamal Educational Trust. Dr. M.G.R. Engineering College and Thai MoogaAmbagai Dental College were established in 1987 and 1991...
it has been affiliated with that university. The college was recognised by the Medical Council of India, New Delhi in 1978. The number of seats for the MBBS course was increased from 75 to 100 in 1980, and that year the state government also authorised postgraduate courses. The college celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1990.
The following postgraduate degree courses are offered:
- M.D. General Medicine: 2
- M.D. Pathology: 1
- M.D. Micobiology: 1
- M.D. Orthopedics: 2
- M.D. Forensic Medicine:1
- M.S. General Surgery: 2
- D.G.O. Obstetrics and Gynecology: 4
The Government Siddha Medical College was establisheded at Palayamkottai on 30 November 1964. This was an affiliated College of the University of Madras until March 1966; from then until 1988 it was an affiliate of Madurai Kamaraj University, and since March 1989 of Dr. MGR Medical University.
Technical education
Technical education in the district dates to 1844, when Mrs. Caldwell (wife of Bishop Robert CaldwellRobert Caldwell
Bishop Robert Caldwell was an Evangelist missionary and linguist, who academically established the Dravidian family of languages. He served as Assistant Bishop of Tirunelveli from 1877. He was described in The Hindu as a 'pioneering champion of the downtrodden' and an 'avant-garde social reformer'...
) began a school to teach girls lace-making at Idyangudi. The government of Tamil Nadu set up a State Board of Technical Education and Training and a separate Directorate of Technical Education, effective 1 October 1957. Since then, the Directorate of Technical Education has assumed the administration of both engineering colleges and polytechnics since then.
The Government College of Engineering was established in October 1981 to fulfill the needs of people in the southern region. At first the college met in a bungalow near Tirunelveli Medical College, since new buildings were under construction. In 1984, the college moved into new buildings on its 25 hectares (61.8 acre) campus. It is currently located about 8 km from Tirunelveli Junction on the Tirunelveli-Trivandrum Highway. From its inception, the College admitted students in three undergraduate departments: civil, electronics and communication and mechanical engineering; electrical and electronics engineering was introduced during 1986-87, and computer science and engineering was added in 1989-90. A postgraduate course in computer science and engineering was introduced in 1994-95.
Economic profile
Tirunelveli has been an agricultural area throughout its history. The district is a major producer of riceRice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
, coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
s, banana
Banana
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red....
s, spice
Spice
A spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark, or vegetative substance used in nutritionally insignificant quantities as a food additive for flavor, color, or as a preservative that kills harmful bacteria or prevents their growth. It may be used to flavour a dish or to hide other flavours...
s and forest-based products. The district's livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
and poultry
Poultry
Poultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of producing eggs, meat, and/or feathers. These most typically are members of the superorder Galloanserae , especially the order Galliformes and the family Anatidae , commonly known as "waterfowl"...
populations are as follows:
| Cattle | Buffalo | Sheep | Goats | Pigs | Horses and Ponies | Donkeys | Rabbits | Total livestock | Total poultry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 418,694 | 78,777 | 487,273 | 390,570 | 12,752 | 245 | 961 | 2401 | 67,877 | 1,218,583 |
Since it is a coastal district, Tirunelveli is also involved in fishery
Fishing in India
thumb|Fishing in [[Orissa]].Fish production has increased more than fivefold since Indias independence and is a major industry in the coastal states.-Growth:It rose from only 800,000 tons in FY 1950 to 4.1 million tons in the early 1990s...
development and production. For the period 2005–2006 the total inland fish catch was 1,874 tonnes, and the total marine fish catch was 7,014 tonnes. The district is also rich in mineral
Mineral
A mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance formed through biogeochemical processes, having characteristic chemical composition, highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties. By comparison, a rock is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids and does not...
s, with a total of 407 mines and quarries. Limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
, granite
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
and garnet sand are some of the minerals mined or produced in the district. Major industries include textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
, food and forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
products. A Special Economic Zone (SEZ
SEZ
SEZ may refer to:*Special Economic Zone*Seychelles International Airport...
) was introduced at Nanguneri
Nanguneri
Nanguneri is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.Nanguneri is a Taluk Headquarters in the District of Tirunelveli situate at a distance of from the headquarters of the...
in 2001. A pharma park and windmill spare-parts and television-manufacturing factories have been planned in this SEZ. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has planned a Rs 700-crore high-tech industrial park in Nanguneri
Nanguneri
Nanguneri is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.Nanguneri is a Taluk Headquarters in the District of Tirunelveli situate at a distance of from the headquarters of the...
in association with INFAC Group and Axes Technologies Inc of the US. The state government is planning light manufacturing, design and assembly facilities, modern infrastructure facilities and amenities in this SEZ to attract a workforce from around the world.
MAJOR PLACES IN TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT
Karivalamvandanallur
Karivalamvandanallur is a developing village in the district, located on the Tirunelveli-SankarankoilSankarankoil
Sankarankovil is a city and a municipality in the Tirunelveli district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.- The temple :Sankarankovil is home to the famous Sankara Narayanan temple. It is situated at Tirunelveli District and 56 km away from Thirunelveli City. Sankarankovil is the second...
-Rajapalayam
Rajapalayam
Rajapalayam is a town and a special grade municipality in Virudhunagar district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located 85 km southwest of Madurai in the state of Tamil Nadu. Its main attractions are the Ayyanar Falls and the neighbour town of Srivilliputtur...
state highway, 10 km from Sankarankovil. It is a junction for the surrounding villages.
Thisayanvilai
A town in southeast Tirunelveli, ThisayanvilaiThisayanvilai
Thisayanvilai is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Demographics: India census, Tisaiyanvilai had a population of 19,557. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Tisaiyanvilai has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national...
sprang up from the shadows of Idaiyankudi and became a centre for business, education and health care. The town flourished under the guidance of a philanthropist, M. L. Asirwatham. He was the first mayor, until his death in 1973. A desert is referenced in the Tamil Nadu Gazette as "ML". The town is located in an arid area, surrounded by sandy deserts; Asirwatham pioneered the village into an agricultural town. He established roads, making the town accessible from Udangudi
Udangudi
Udangudi is a Panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a small village in Tamil Nadu, India situated near Thiruchendur. The village was once known for Vetrilai and Karupatti.-Demographics:...
, Sathankulam
Sathankulam
Sathankulam , also spelt as Sattankulam, is a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It is away from Tiruchendur and from Tirunelveli. It is well-connected with Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Nagerkovil and Tiruchendur by road. An airport is at Tuticorin from...
, Valliyoor, Uvari
Uvari
Uvari is a coastal village with about 3,000 households and a population of 10,000 in the Tirunelveli district in the state of Tamil Nadu in India...
and Nanguneri
Nanguneri
Nanguneri is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.Nanguneri is a Taluk Headquarters in the District of Tirunelveli situate at a distance of from the headquarters of the...
, constructed irrigation tank
Irrigation tank
For etymology, see Storage tank#Etymology.In India, an irrigation tank or tank is an artificial reservoir of any size. . It can also have a natural or man-made spring included as part of a structure...
s, wells, water tanks and pipelines. A bus terminal and electric supply followed; Asirwatham laid the foundation for schools, hospitals and merchants. A market (santhai) held every Friday made the town more popular, and a business centre was established. Thisyanvilai is now (as of 2011) a market town, with many shops, five banks and a sand-mining
Sand mining
Sand mining is a practice that is becoming an environmental issue as the demand for sand increases in industry and construction. Sand is mined from beaches and inland dunes and dredged from ocean beds and river beds. It is often used in manufacturing as an abrasive, for example, and it is used to...
industry. The educational system consists of about seven higher-secondary schools, several high-, middle, primary and industrial schools and a college. An engineering college is awaiting affiliation (as of 2011). There are several hospitals, which provide health care to the neighbouring villages. The town is connected to Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
by private and government bus-transport operators.
The town encompasses all communities in Tirunelveli district, but the majority are Nadars
Nadar (caste)
Nadar is one of the prominent castes of Tamil Nadu, South India. The term, Nadar, in Tamil literally means one who rules the land. The Nadars are also commonly called as Annachi . Nadars are an entrepreneurial south Indian caste and constitute 12% of Tamil Nadu's population...
. Its residents adhere to the Hindu, Christian and Muslim faiths. Several temples, three churches and two mosques dot the town. There is a Post and Telegraph office with post office substations, police and fire stations, tehsil
Tehsil
A Tehsil or Tahsil/Tahasil , also known as Taluk and Mandal, is an administrative division of some country/countries of South Asia....
and revenue offices, petrol stations and a public library.
Singampatti
Singampatti
Singampatti is traditionally recognized as one of the 72 palaiyams of Madurai. This Maravar palaiyam was located in the Ambasamudram taluk, two miles from the spurs of the Western Ghats, in the former Tirunelveli province of the Nayak kingdom of Madurai....
is now a small village which had once been a kingdom covering 340 square kilometres (131.3 sq mi) of land and had 32 rulers since 1100 AD. This independent kingdom-principality was transformed during the 1530s into a Palaiyakkarar
Palaiyakkarar
Palaiyakkarar, Poligar, Polygar or Palegar or Polegar was the feudal title for a class of territorial administrative and military chiefs appointed by the Naicker rulers of South India during 16th - 18th centuries...
territory by the Nayak
Nayak (ethnic group)
-History and origin:The word nayak means a head of a regiment. This word is derived from the Sanskrit senanayaka, which means head of a regiment. The community trace there descent from the Vaghela Rajputs who converted to Islam in the 12th Century. They established a number of petty states in...
s and again converted to a zamindar
Zamindar
A Zamindar or zemindar , was an aristocrat, typically hereditary, who held enormous tracts of land and ruled over and taxed the bhikaaris who lived on batavaslam. Over time, they took princely and royal titles such as Maharaja , Raja , Nawab , and Mirza , Chowdhury , among others...
i by the British in 1802. An earlier zamin had supported the Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
ruler Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma
Marthanda Varma , was the founder of the Indian Hindu feudal kingdom of Travancore from Venad SwaroopamHe ruled from 1729 till his death in 1758, having succeeded his maternal uncle Dharma Raja.King Marthanda Varma is usually credited as the "founder of Kingdom of Travancore" from...
in the Ettuveetil Pillai rebellion. The Singampatti Zamin palace accommodates guests. It resembles a large house, with a 200-year-old museum housing a rare antiques collection.
Sivasailam
Sivasailam is a temple named for Sivasailappar and Parvathi, which is located on the Karunaiyar RiverKarunaiyar River
Karunaiyar is a river flowing in the Tirunelveli district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.- See also :List of rivers of Tamil Nadu...
a few kilometers from Alwarkurichi
Alwarkurichi
Alwarkurichi is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.- Location :Alwarkurichi is the small town 35 km or 45 Min travel from west of Tirunelveli town...
(which is rich in natural resources).
Manjolai Hills
Located between elevations ranging from 1000 to 1500 Metres, the Manjolai area is set deep within the the Western Ghats within the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the Tirunelveli District. Located on top of the Manimuthar Dam & the Manimuthar Water Falls, the Manjolai area comprises of Tea Plantations, Small settlements around the tea plantations; Upper Kodaiyar Dam and a windy view point called KuthiravettiThe Tea Plantations and the whole of Manjolai Estates are tea operated by The Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd on Forest Lands leased by the Government of Tamil Nadu. There are 3 Tea Estates within the Manjolai area - Manjolai Estate, Manimutharu Estate & Oothu Estate. The Estates are located on elevations ranging between 2300 Feet to 4200 Feet. The estates, road & the settlements in the Manjolai area are managed by The Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd. Images of Manjolai Hills can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/59865572@N00/sets/72157627351253129/
Surandai
Surandai is situated between Alangulam and Puliangudi. It has five schools and one college, and is one of the fastest-growing cities in the district. Surandai serves as a trade centre for several nearby villages.Offices in Surandai are:
- Fire service
- Post office
- Sub-registrar's office
- Banks
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Pandian Grama Bank
- Primary Agricultural
- District Central Cooperative Bank
- Kooturavu Pantag Salai (cooperative society)
- State bank of India
- Grama Vidiyal Micro Finance Ltd
- Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank Ltd
- Federal Bank
Puliangudi
PuliangudiPuliangudi
Puliangudi is a municipality in Tirunelveli district of the Indian State Tamilnadu. It is located in the foothills of the Western Ghats. 45 km south from Rajapalyam and 30 km north of Coutrallam on NH 208 from Madurai to Kollam...
("Lemon city") is located on the Tenkasi–Thirumangalam National Highway
National Highway 208 (India)
National Highways 744 is a National Highway in Southern India that links Tirumangalam near Madurai in Tamil Nadu with Kollam in Kerala...
. It is between Tenkasi and Rajapalayam (about 30 km south of Tenkasi and 40 km north of Rajapalayam). The town is in the foothills of the Western Ghats and has a gentle slope from west to east. It covers an area of 55.166 square kilometres (21.3 sq mi), and the 2001 population was 60,142. The Puliangudi municipal area includes four villages: Mela Puliangudi, Puliangudi, Chinthamani and Thirumalai Naicken Pudukudi. It has a dry climate, except during the monsoons. Puliangudi is known as the "Lemon City" because of the variety of lemons (the main agricultural product) cultivated in the area.
Puliangudi has 18 higher secondary schools; students come to study from the nearby municipalities of Sankarankoil
Sankarankoil
Sankarankovil is a city and a municipality in the Tirunelveli district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.- The temple :Sankarankovil is home to the famous Sankara Narayanan temple. It is situated at Tirunelveli District and 56 km away from Thirunelveli City. Sankarankovil is the second...
, Kadayanallur
Kadayanallur
Kadayanallur is a second largest city and a Ist Grade Municipal town municipality in Tirunelveli District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu of India....
and Vasudevanallur
Vasudevanallur (State Assembly Constituency)
Vasudevanallur is a legislative assembly constituency in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a Scheduled Caste reserved constituency. Elections and winners in the constituency are listed below. It is part of the Tenkasi Lok Sabha constituency.- Madras State :...
.
Some schools in Puliangudi are:
- Government Boys Hr Secondary School
- Government Girls Hr Secondary School
- HNUC Hr Sec School-T.N.Puthukudi
- Sri Kanna Matriculation Hr Secondary School
- Seventh Day Adventist Matriculation Hr Secondary School
- Suyambulingam Hr Secondary School
- Seeniammal Hr Secondary School
- R C High School
- Selvan Nursery and Primary School
- Arun Nursery and Primary School
- Agasthiar Nursery and Primary School
- Quid-e-Millath Hr Secondary School
- Senaithalaivar Hr Secondary School
- Mohidheen Andavar School
- T.D.T.A. Middle School
- A.V.S. High School
- New Crescent Matriculation School (CBSE)
- Kanna Girls Hr Secondary School
- HNUC High School, Chinthamani
- Packiathai Middle School
Engineering and technology institutions:
- S.V.Engineering College near Puliangudi
- Gomathiammal Polytechnic and an industrial training institute at Malayadikuruchi, 5 km from Puliangudi
- Seeniammal Hr Secondary School
- R C High School
- Selvan Nursery and Primary School
- Arun Nursery and Primary School
- Agasthiar Nursery and Primary School
- Quid-e-Millath Hr Secondary School
- Senaithalaivar Hr Secondary School
- Mohidheen Andavar School
- T.D.T.A. Middle School
- A.V.S. High School
- New Crescent Matriculation School (CBSE)
- Kanna Girls Hr Secondary School
- HNUC High School, Chinthamani
- Packiathai Middle School
Engineering and technology institutions:
- S.V.Engineering College near Puliangudi
- Gomathiammal Polytechnic and an industrial training institute at Malayadikuruchi, 5 km from Puliangudi
Manapad
Holy Cross Church at ManapadManapad
Manapad is a coastal village in India, 60 km from Tuticorin and 18 km south of Tiruchendur, and one of the first places to be visited by St. Francis Xavier in 1542 when he initiated missionary activity on the Fishery coast. Francis Xavier is said to have lived and prayed in a cavern on...
was built in 1581. Thousands of worshipers congregate during the festival season, from 1 to 14 September. This church is also associated with St. Francis Xavier.
Tiger reserve
The 900 square kilometres (347.5 sq mi) Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger ReserveKalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve , situated in the Southern Western Ghats in Tirunelveli district, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is the second largest protected area in Tamil Nadu State.-History:...
was established in 1962. The reserve, at 8°39′N 77°23′E, is about 45 km west of Tirunelveli and is known as KMTS to forest and tiger researchers. Kalakkad
Kalakkad
Kalakkad is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Demographics: India census, Kalakkadu had a population of 27,025. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Kalakkadu has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%:...
is the nearest town.
Sankarankoil
The temple at SankarankoilSankarankoil
Sankarankovil is a city and a municipality in the Tirunelveli district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.- The temple :Sankarankovil is home to the famous Sankara Narayanan temple. It is situated at Tirunelveli District and 56 km away from Thirunelveli City. Sankarankovil is the second...
depicts Hari
Hari
Hari is an Avatar, another name of and , and appears as the 650th name in the Vishnu sahasranama of Mahabharata. In Sanskrit "hari" sometimes refers to a colour, green, yellow, or fawn-coloured/khaki. It is the colour of the Sun and of Soma...
and Hara
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
as one God. There is a deity named Sankara Narayanan, which is half Lord Shiva and half Lord Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
. There is another deity, named Avodai ambal or Gomathi Ambal, after whom the temple is named; it was built by Ukrama Pandiyan in 900 AD. Sacred sand is available, which is believed curative by some. June is marked by the Adi Thabasu festival.nearest village in alagunatchiyapuram
Madathupatti
It is a small village having more than 1000 families. It is situated in the middle of the Thirunelveli District having near by places like Panavadalichathiram, Ayalpatti, Arachipatti, Achempatti and Vellapaneri. The total village depand upon agriculture.This village gives to the nation so many eminent personalities and celebiratees. One of them is Mr. Thomas K Chelladurai,(Additional Superintendent of Prisons, Rtd) who served the nation in various dignified posts in Prison Department and played vital role in reforming the minds of the prisoners inside the prison and he is remembered for his oratary speech in English, presence of mind and IQ. The next one was Ramar Thevar,the only homeopathy medical practitioner, he sacrified his profession for the sake of his native people.Vidivelli Achiramam
Vidivelli Achirmam is a C.S.I. church in the remote historic village of Sayamalai Valasai, nearly 20 km from Sankarankoil. It is the foremost Christian church in the area. It was organised and built in 1938 by two British women missionaries, named Frost and Joy Ammaiyar. P. Raja Thalaivar served as a catechistCatechism
A catechism , i.e. to indoctrinate) is a summary or exposition of doctrine, traditionally used in Christian religious teaching from New Testament times to the present...
in the church and headmaster of nearby T.D.T.A. schools.
P. Immanuel Santhosham (headmaster of Scafter Higher Secondary School, Tirunelveli) is also a dedicated administrator.
Tirunelveli
The Nellaiappar TempleNellaiappar Temple
Nellaiappar Temple is one of the famous Shiva Temples situated at the heart of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.-History:...
, a well-known temple in Tamil Nadu, is located at Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli , also known as Nellai , and historically as Tinnevelly, is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Tirunelveli District and the sixth biggest city in Tamil Nadu...
. The temple is rooted in tradition and history, and known for its musical pillars and other sculpted figures. The nearest airport is Tuticorin Airport (TCR) at Vagaikulam
Vagaikulam
Vagaikulam is a small village in the southern most part of India. It is in between the cities Tirunelveli and Tuticorin in Tamilnadu. The distance from Tirunelveli is approximately 28 km, and from Tuticorin is 22km. The village is noted for its domestic airport, which started functioning from...
, a 30-minute drive (32 km) from Tirunelveli.
Vallioor
Vallioor is a developing panchayati rajPanchayati Raj
The panchayat raj is a South Asian political system mainly in India, Pakistan, and Nepal. "Panchayat" literally means assembly of five wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the local community. Traditionally, these assemblies settled disputes between individuals and villages...
union in Radhapuram taluk
Radhapuram taluk
Radhapuram taluk is a taluk of Tirunelveli district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The headquarters is the town of Radhapuram.- Population :...
. It is located along National Highway 7
National Highway 7 (India)
National Highway 7, commonly referred to as NH 7, is major North-South National Highway in India that runs through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu....
between Tirunelveli and Nagarkoil. Vallioor was named for the goddess Valli
Valli
Valli is a Goddess and the divine consort of the prominent Hindu God Murugan, according to Hindu mythology. She represents the "Ichha Shakti" , and Goddess Deivayanai depicts "Kriya Shakthi" , and the Vel embodies "Gnana Shakthi" .Valli in Tamil language means a creeper and is also used as a title...
, consort of Lord Murugan
Murugan
Murugan also called Kartikeya, Skanda and Subrahmanya, is a popular Hindu deity especially among Tamil Hindus, worshipped primarily in areas with Tamil influences, especially South India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius and Reunion Island. His six most important shrines in India are the...
. Attractions include the Murugan Temple, the Valliyoor Kulam, the Western Ghats, kalyanamandapams (marriage halls), churches and ancient, architecturally-important temples. Also featured are international-standard schools, fire stations and a transport system, which includes a bus station.
The United Volunteer Service Society's (UVSS) New Life Home for Aged Destitutes opened seven km from Vallioor, on the road to Eruvadi
Eruvadi
Eruvadi is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.-Demographics: India census, Eruvadi had a population of 14,716. Males constitute 46% of the population and females 54%. Eruvadi has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%:...
. This initiative is from like-minded people; it does not involve a religious group, the government or a particular community. The Shelton garment industry, employing about 1000 people, is a major employer in Valliyur; shirts and trousers manufactured here are marketed throughout India and in Dubai.
Nanguneri
The temple town of NanguneriNanguneri
Nanguneri is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.Nanguneri is a Taluk Headquarters in the District of Tirunelveli situate at a distance of from the headquarters of the...
, located 31 km south of Tirunelveli, is known for its Vishnu temple whose presiding deity is Thotathri Nathan. The temple is run by the Vanamamalai matha
Matha
A matha ) is a term for monastic and similar religious establishments of Hinduism and Jainism. A matha is usually more formal, hierarchical, and rule-based than an ashram.-Advaita Mathas:...
and houses the well-known Ennai Kinaru (oil well). It is one of the divya sheathram, according to Vaishnava
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu, or his associated Avatars such as Rama and Krishna, as the original and supreme God....
tradition.
Perumpathu
Perumpathu is a village in Nanguneri talukNanguneri taluk
Nanguneri taluk is a taluk of Tirunelveli district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The headquarters is the town of Nanguneri.- Population :...
. It is located along the Tirunelveli-Nagarkoil National Highway
National Highway 7 (India)
National Highway 7, commonly referred to as NH 7, is major North-South National Highway in India that runs through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu....
(NH-7) and the Eruvadi
Eruvadi
Eruvadi is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.-Demographics: India census, Eruvadi had a population of 14,716. Males constitute 46% of the population and females 54%. Eruvadi has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%:...
road, 1.5 km in south of Nanguneri. With a sizable Nadar
Nadar (caste)
Nadar is one of the prominent castes of Tamil Nadu, South India. The term, Nadar, in Tamil literally means one who rules the land. The Nadars are also commonly called as Annachi . Nadars are an entrepreneurial south Indian caste and constitute 12% of Tamil Nadu's population...
population, Perumpathu is known for its Narayanaswamy Temple and CSI church
Church of South India
The Church of South India is the successor of the Church of England in India. It came into being in 1947 as a union of Anglican and Protestant churches in South India. With a membership of over 3.8 million, it is India's second largest Christian church after the Roman Catholic Church in India...
.
Parappadi
The village of Parappadi is 11 km east of Nanguneri and has a population of about 7,000. Holy Trinity Church is its Christian church, which has a healing service on the first Saturday of each month and celebrates its anniversary in conjunction with a Tamil Hindu festival at the Mutharamman Kovil (temple). The village has one TDTA middle school and one state-run secondary school. Most of the population are well-educated professionals, from a variety of castes which live in harmony; 50 percent are teachers.Veeravanallur
The village of VeeravanallurVeeravanallur
Veeravanallur is a selection grade special panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Demographics: India census, Veeravanallur had a population of 19,681. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Veeravanallur has an average literacy rate of 76%,...
had a population of 19,681 in the 2001 census. It has an electric-power substation, Gomathi Mills and the Power weaving mill. Surrounding villages are Harikesanallur
Harikesanallur
Harikesanallur is a village in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India.Harikesanallur is a village in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India....
, Kiriyammalpuram, Manabaranallur, a Nainar
Parkavakulam
-Parkavakulam:Parkavakulam ,பார்க்கவகுலம் a Tamil-speaking community from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The main sub-divisions of the community are Nathaman, Nainar, Malaiyaman, Suruthiman, Moopanar...
colony, a Thambran colony, Retiyarpuram, Malayangulam, Vellangulli and Puthukudi. The village has a bharathiyar state-run school and a Roman Catholic church.
Pappankulam
This village, 15 km in east of Nanguneri, is known for its Mutharamman Temple.Maruthur
This village, located 12 km from PalayamkottaiPalayamkottai
Palayamkottai , known as the "Oxford of South India", is a town in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Tirunelveli city corporation. It is on the eastern bank of the Thamirabarani river, while its twin city Tirunelveli is on the western bank.-Etymology:The archaic word Palayam...
, has tourism potential. Its stone dam, known as anaikattu, was repaired by the British in 1872. The dam, across the Thamirabarani River
Thamirabarani River
The Thamirabarani River originates from the famous Agastyarkoodam peak in the hills of the Western Ghats above Papanasam in the Ambasamudram taluk and flows through Tirunelveli & Tuticorin districts of the Tamil Nadu state of southern India...
, is 20–35 feet high and 2.5 km long. It was constructed in a concave shape across the river to facilitate the flow of water. The dam divides the river into a maruthur melakal (western channel) and a maruthur kelakal (eastern channel). Walking on the stone wall and seeing the water flow on both sides is a popular adventure.
Venkatachalapuram
This small village has a population of more than 1000 families, and is near I.T. Park, the Coca-Cola Company and SIPCOTSIPCOT
The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu , Limited is an institution owned by the government of Tamil Nadu and is intended as a catalyst for the development of small, medium and large scale industries in Tamil Nadu. It was established in 1972.SIPCOT has established industrial...
(State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu). The agricultural village has a good water supply.
R.C.Nandhankulam
This village, one of the smallest in the district, has a population of about 70 families. The letters "R.C." in the name stand for "Roman Catholic"; the Church of St. Peter celebrates a 10-day festival from May 13–23.Dohnavur
Dohnavur is a village near NanguneriNanguneri
Nanguneri is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.Nanguneri is a Taluk Headquarters in the District of Tirunelveli situate at a distance of from the headquarters of the...
. German-born missionary C. T. E. Rhenius
C. T. E. Rhenius
Reverend Charles Theophilus Ewald Rhenius - The Apostle of Tirunelveli was a German born missionary of the Church Mission Society . He was the first CMS missionary to arrive at India. For his missionary work in the Tirunelveli district he came to be known as the "Apostle of Tirunelveli"...
purchased land and constructed CSI Christ Church with the help of "Count Dohna" (a psudonym used by Queen Christina of Sweden), naming the village “Dohnavur”. Rev. Thomas Walker built Walker Higher Secondary School in Dohnavur and missionary Amy Carmichael
Amy Carmichael
Amy Wilson Carmichael was a Protestant Christian missionary in India, who opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur...
constructed Parama Sugasalai Hospital and an orphanage. The village is surrounded by ponds; its residents are primarily farmers, building contractors and teachers.
Literary figures
- AgathiyarAgastyaAgastya was a Tamil/Vedic Siddhar or sage. Agastya and his clan are also generally credited with uncovering many mantras of the Rig Veda, the earliest and most revered Hindu scripture, in the sense of first having the mantras revealed in his mind by the Supreme Brahman...
- Tholkappiyar
- Robert CaldwellRobert CaldwellBishop Robert Caldwell was an Evangelist missionary and linguist, who academically established the Dravidian family of languages. He served as Assistant Bishop of Tirunelveli from 1877. He was described in The Hindu as a 'pioneering champion of the downtrodden' and an 'avant-garde social reformer'...
- Thirikuda Rasappa Kavirayar: poet, author of Coutralak Kuravanji
- TK Ramanuja KavirajarTK Ramanuja KavirajarKavithendral' T.K. Ramanuja Kavirajar B.A.,B.L. was a Tamil poet, Gandhian, playwright lawyer and humanitarian.This Indian writer had mastery in both English and Tamil. He wrote 14 books in Tamil and five in English...
: Tamil epic poet, playwright and humanitarian
Freedom fighters
- Veeran Azhagu Muthu KoneVeeran Azhagu Muthu KoneVeeran Azhagu Muthu Kone , also known as Alagumuthu konar'and ServaikararVeeran Azhagu Muthu Kone (1681-1739), also known as Alagumuthu konar'and ServaikararVeeran Azhagu Muthu Kone (1681-1739), also known as Alagumuthu konar'and Servaikarar(meaning as Head or Sevice provider to public,(not belongs...
- Arunkumar yadav
- Veeran Sundharalingam Devendran
- Puli ThevarPuli ThevarPuli Thevar was a poligar who ruled Nerkattumseval situated in the Sankarankoil taluk of Tamil Nadu. Puli Thevar who belongs to the warrior Maravar community was one of the earliest Indian Kings to have fought and defeated the British in India.-History:He is one of the earliest opponents of the...
(Pooli Thevan) - Veera Pandiya Kattabomman
- VanchinathanVanchinathanVanchinathan , popularly known as Vanchi, was an Indian Tamil independence activist.He is best remembered for having shot dead Ashe, the Collector of Thirunelveli and having later committed suicide in order to evade arrest....
- Muhammad IsmailMuhammad IsmailMuhammad Ismail was an Indian politician belonging to the Indian Union Muslim League. He was a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, and a member of the Indian Parliament - both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. He was also a member of the Indian Constituent Assembly which framed the Indian...
(Quaid-e-Millat—"Leader of the Nation")
Journalists
- C.Pa. Adithanar: Founder of the Dina ThanthiDina ThanthiDina Thanthi a.K.a "Daily Thanthi" is a reputed daily Tamil newspaper in Tirunelveli, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Erode, Dindigul, Trichy, Salem, Nagercoil, Cuddalore, Vellore, Pondicherry and Thanjavur. It is owned by Mr.B. Sivanthi Aditanar. It was founded by S. P...
newspaper group - Dr.Sivanthi AdhiththanarSivanthi adithanSivanthi Adithan is the owner of Tamil newspapers Dina Thanthi and Maalaimalar.The Government of India has awarded him Padmashri in the year 2008. He is the son of late S. P. Adithanar, founder of Dina Thanthi....
: Owner of popular Tamil newspaper Dina ThanthiDina ThanthiDina Thanthi a.K.a "Daily Thanthi" is a reputed daily Tamil newspaper in Tirunelveli, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Erode, Dindigul, Trichy, Salem, Nagercoil, Cuddalore, Vellore, Pondicherry and Thanjavur. It is owned by Mr.B. Sivanthi Aditanar. It was founded by S. P... - K. P. KandasamyK. P. KandasamyK. P. Kandasamy was a politician from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and founder of Dinakaran, a Tamil daily newspaper. He founded Dinakaran in support of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam when his father-in-law, S. P. Adithanar, chose to support Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam during its split from DMK...
: Founder of the DinakaranDinakaranDinakaran is a Tamil daily newspaper distributed in India. , Dinakaran is the largest Tamil daily newspaper in terms of net paid circulation, which was 1,235,220...
newspaper group
Educator
- Rangaswami Kasturi Naidu: Chairman, Doon College of Management
Politicians
- Vaiko: General Secretary, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra KazhagamMarumalarchi Dravida Munnetra KazhagamMarumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a political party in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu formed in 1994 by Mr. V. Gopalswamy , a member of Rajyasabha and a party activitist of DMK. Mr. V. Gopalsamy grew in the party from his student days. He actively participated in the party agitations and...
(MDMK) - Puliangudi PalanisamyPuliangudi PalanisamyPuliangudi Palanisamy was born in Puliangudi, Tirunelveli district on October 7, 1938. He is a prominent Tamil Nadu politicians. He is a Tamil Orator of the Dravidan Parties and former deputy Propaganda secretary of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and he was a State Coucil Secretary of MDMK.-Video:****...
: - Tirunelveli District President, MDMK - K.M.Kathiravan: Tamil Nadu Assembly Chief Whip (1989–1991)
- ArunachalamArunachalamArunachalam is a 1997 Tamil language film starring Rajinikanth.-Plot:Rajnikanth finds himself to be an orphan. He travels from his village to Madras. There he meets Janakaraj, who gives him a job. By some magical situation, Rajni discovers himself to be a son of a dead millionaire—through Visu....
: Former Congress MP and Central Minister - A.L.Subramanian: Chairman of Tirunelveli Corporation and former MLA, Tirunelveli
- T. P. M. Mohideen KhanT. P. M. Mohideen KhanT. P. M. Mohideen Khan is the former Minister for Environment in Tamil Nadu state of India. He was incumbent Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, representing from Palayamkottai and he is continuously three times elected in same constituency...
: Sports Minister and MLA, Palayamkottai - Aladi ArunaAladi ArunaAladi Aruna was a politician from India and Law Minister of Tamil Nadu. He was murdered during a routine morning walk in Alangulam in Tirunelveli District.- Personal life :...
: Dravidian movement head in Tirunelveli and Minister for Law - Poongothai Aladi ArunaPoongothai Aladi ArunaPoongothai Aladi Aruna is an Indian politician and former Information and Technology minister of Tamil Nadu under DMK ruling in 2006-2011. In 2011 Tamil Nadu assembly election she contested from Alangulam however in a low margin she lost to P. G. Rajendran of AIADMK.- Personal life :She is the...
: Physician, former Minister for Information and Technology - Dhanuskodi AdithanR. Dhanuskodi AthithanR. Dhanuskodi Athithan was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He represented the Tirunelveli constituency of Tamil Nadu and is a member of the Indian National Congress political party. He was critically wounded in a road accident which happened near Vaagaikulam on the Tirunelveli -...
: Former MP and Central Minister - P. H. PandianP. H. PandianP. H. Pandian was an Indian politician of the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu from Tirunelveli district. He served as the Deputy Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 1980 to 1985. He also served as Speaker of Tamil Nadu Legistlative...
: former Speaker of Tamil Nadu State Assembly, Cheranmadevi - Y.S.M. Yousuf: Former Public Works Department Minister, Tamil Nadu State Assembly
- S. Peter AlphonseS. Peter AlphonseS. Peter Alphonse is an India politician and presently serving Member of the Legislative Assembly. He was elected to Tamil Nadu legislative assembly twice from Tenkasi constituency in 1989 and 1991 elections as an Indian National Congress candidate...
: Former MP (Congress) for Tiruenelveli, MLA (Tamil Nadu) - Diravidamani: Former MLC (member of legislative council), DMKDravida Munnetra KazhagamDravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a state political party in the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, India. It is a Dravidian party founded by C. N. Annadurai as a breakaway faction from the Dravidar Kazhagam headed by Periyar...
(Kadyanallur) - Nainar Nagedran: Formar State Minster, AIADMKAll India Anna Dravida Munnetra KazhagamAll India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a state political party in the states of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, India. The party was founded by M. G. Ramachandran and is now headed by J. Jayalalithaa. The party headquarters is in Royapettah, Chennai, and was gifted to the party in 1986 by its...
- S. Thangavalu: MP for Rajya Sabha (former Handloom Minister)
Musical directors
- BharathwajBharathwajBharathwaj is a Tamil film composer. He has since scored music in languages including Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. trained in Hindustani, Western and Carnatic music.He is a recipient of Kalaimamani Award for the year 2008 from Tamil Nadu Government...
- Harris Jeyaraj
- T. N. Seshagopalan (Carnatic musician and composer)
- Maharajapuram SanthanamMaharajapuram SanthanamSangeetha Kalanidhi Maharajapuram Santhanam , was one of the great Carnatic music vocalists of the 20th century. He was born in Sirunangur, a village in the state of Tamil Nadu. He followed the footsteps of his father Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer who was also a Carnatic singer.- Profile :Besides...
- Vijay AntonyVijay Antony-Biography and career:Antony first worked as a sound engineer, later becoming a music director. In 1998 he studied at Loyola College, Chennai after which he founded his own studio, 'Audiophiles', composing and sound engineering for TV jingles and documentaries. The soundtrack of the film Sukran,...
- S.S.Kumaran
Directors
- KadhirKadhirKathir is a director, screenwriter, and producer for Tamil films. After a hiatus, he is set to make a comeback in 2011 with Kodai Vidumurai. Since Uzhavan in 1993, his films have all been scored by A. R. Rahman....
- AadhavanAadhavanAadhavan is a 2009 Tamil action thriller, directed by K. S. Ravikumar and written by Ramesh Khanna. The film features Surya Sivakumar in the title role along with Nayantara in lead roles and Murali, Vadivelu, Anand Babu, Ramesh Khanna, B. Saroja Devi, Rahul Dev, Sayaji Shinde in its supporting...
- VikramanVikramanVikraman is a reputed Tamil filmmaker. He is also one of the most successful Tamil directors.-Early career:Vikraman made his debut with the movie Pudhu Vasantham, a story of four unemployed friends who are musical experts. This movie released in 1989 was successful. Its hero Murali went on to...
- SJ Suryah
- ShankarShankarShankar or Shamkar is a Sanskrit noun, and means "Beneficent" or "Giver of Bliss". It generally refers to a Hindu descriptions of one of the chief gods, Lord Shiva.It may also refer to:-People:...
- HariHariHari is an Avatar, another name of and , and appears as the 650th name in the Vishnu sahasranama of Mahabharata. In Sanskrit "hari" sometimes refers to a colour, green, yellow, or fawn-coloured/khaki. It is the colour of the Sun and of Soma...
- ArulArul-Box office:The film opened in 170 screens throughout Tamil Nadu. It was a below average grosser in spite of Vikram's star power and such a big release.-Trivia:...