Tenkasi

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Tenkasi | type = city | latd = 8.97 | longd = 77.3
locator_position = right | state_name = Tamil Nadu
district = Tirunelveli
leader_title =
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altitude = 143
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 62,828| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range = TN-76
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
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Tenkasi is a town and a municipality in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located in the foothills of the Western Ghats near the Courtallam Waterfalls.

Tenkasi (South Kasi) is famous for its Ulagamman Temple and its Shiva Temple. The Ulagamman temple was built by Parakrama Pandian, but was shattered by lightning. In the 1990s, the temple was restored with much financial assistance of Sivanthi Adithan and others, and it was given a fresh coat of paint again in 2006 by the same philanthropists. However, the first few feet from the ground has not been painted as that part appears to have survived the lightning. The gopuram or the entry gateway remains among the highest in southern Tamil Nadu. The main deity here is Kasi Viswanathar (Shiva). This temple has three Sannidhis [a unique aspect] - Sivan, Amman and Murugan Sannidhis. This temple has beautiful sculptures and also has musical stone pillars, that emit notes of different pitch when tapped with fingers. The entrance is really grand, with heavy steps. One could view the majestic Temple Gopuram even while entering the town. The Gopuram of the temple welcomes pilgrims with a pleasant cool breeze straight from the nearby Thirikooda Malai.

Tenkasi has the other magnificent Kulasekaranathar Temple, which has been in a closed state for ages. There is also a temple pond in middle of the town, adjoining the Kannimaramman Temple. There are a row of houses along the Kannimariamman Temple, famous among them being the Justice and Advocate villas, such as Kuttalingam Pillai's residence.

Tenkasi has two bus termini and a railway station. There are daily trains such as the Podhigai Express from Chennai to Tenkasi, now it runs up to Shencottah (Sengottai).

Thenmalai, a famous eco-tourism spot in kerala state is a short travel away from Tenkasi. Thenmala is famous for its Deer rehabilitation center, dancing fountain etc.

Tenkasi is also famous for "saral" ("drizzling"). During May-August every year, people enjoy "saral" in Tenkasi.

The main tourist attraction of Tenkasi is Courtallam, with exotic waterfalls and healing spas.

Tenkasi is at the footsteps of Thirikooda Malai (Thiri koodal means the joining of three - convergence of three mountains) - a picturesque place.

Famous Personalites:-

Honourable Mr.M.Arunachalam Former Union Cabinet Minister & Seven Times M.P Of Tenkasi,

Famous poet, Thirikooda Rasappa Kavirayar Shankar, Maadan, Rasigamani T.K.C (T.K.Chidambaranatha Mudaliyar), Mr.S.Machendranathan IAS.

Tekasi has 16 Jummah Masjids in different location including Masjid Rahman and Masjid Thowqeeth (run by JAQH - Jamiyathu Ahlil Quran val Hadeed - movement for follower of Quran & Sunnah) all the Masjids conducting lot of social welfare program such, Anti- interest movement, Anti-dowry conference, education aids and awareness, free medical camps etc...

There are many churches in Tenkasi. The Roman Catholic Church is located near the Tenkasi Depot and a number of Protestant churches all around the town.

Residential localities

With the ever-growing population, the town has been expanded to include new residential localities:
*Ilathur
*Ilanji
*Idaikal
*Panpoli
*Keelapalayam Street
*Melagaram
*Nanagaram
*Nainaragaram
*NGO Colony
*Sambavar Vadagarai
*Chocampatty
*Thrikoodapuram
*Vava nagaram
*Parvathypuram
*Subramaniapuram

Pincode

Tenkasi 627811

Geography

Tenkasi is located at coord|8.97|N|77.3|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/25/Tenkasi.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Tenkasi] ] . It has an average elevation of 143 metres (469 ft).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Tenkasi had a population of 62,828. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. The average literacy rate is 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 67%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Business

Tenkasi is a place were most people are agriculturists and commercial activity is much related to agriculture. There are numerous coconut like

MSP Velayutha Nadar Lakshmithaimmal Polytechnic College (Pavoorchatram), and MK. V. Kandasamy Nadar Matric School, Tenkasi, are some of the community run institutions at Tenkasi.

hopping and Entertainment

Tenkasi is the main shopping & entertainment hub for the villages around tenkasi and for the tourists coming for coutrallam falls in season.the main shopping items available here are textiles,building materials,jewels ,groceries,vegetables.etc.there are cinema halls for entertainment.

Bhagyalakshmi groups run 4 theatres in Tenkasi. The biggest &popular textile showroom in tenkasi is Bombay Stores which celebrated its 75th anniversary recently other textile showrooms includes ALN,haji mustafa, India silk house and K S A emporium.

chools

Tenkasi also boast of many well reputed schools. There are good number of schools in Tenkasi and Courtallam
*ICI Govt Boys Hr Sec School
*Thirumathi Manjammal Girls Hr Sec School
*CMS Mac Whitter Middle School
*A G Matriculation School
*Bharath Montessori Matriculation Higher sec School
*Emmanuel Matriculation School
*Hilton Matriculation School
*Seventh Day Adventist Matriculation School
*Parasakthi Higher Secondary School
*Kattu Bava School, Tenkasi
*Ramaswany Pillai Higher Secondary school,Ilanji,tenkasi taluk
*M.M.Higher Secondary School IDAIKAL
*government higher sectary school vasudevanallur

Colleges

* Sri Ram Nallamani Yadava College of Education, Tenkasi
* Al - Hidhaya Women's Teacher Training Institute, Tenkasi
* Arulmigu Senthil Andavar Polytechnic College, Tenkasi
* S. Chattanatha Karayalar College of Pharmacy, Tenkasi
* Sri Parasakthi College for Women, [ [http://sriparasakthicollege.com/ Sri Parasakthi College for Women - Home Page ] ] Courtrallam

References

Ramasamy pillai higher secondary schoolSRI PARAMAKALYANI COLLEGE FOR INFORMATION TECH(ALWARKURICHI)

External links

* [http://www.pariharam.com About Tamilnadu other places]