Karaikudi

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Karaikkudi | type = city | latd = 10.07 | longd = 78.78
locator_position = right | state_name = Tamil Nadu
district = Sivaganga
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 82
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 86,422| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 04565
postal_code = 630001
vehicle_code_range = 63
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website = www.karaikudi.com
footnotes =

Karaikudi is a city and a municipality in Sivaganga District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the largest city in Sivaganga district, and is known as the capital of Chettinad region, which comprises Karaikudi and 74 other villages. Chettinad is the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars (Nagarathar), a prosperous banking and business community, many of whose members migrated to nearby Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Burma, in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The people of Karaikudi played a major role during the Indian freedom struggle. Karaikudi got its name because of the famous plant called "Karai" which is widely spread over this area.

History

In the 18th century,The Vallambars (Nattars) helped the maruthu brothers in various wars against the British, after which they were declared as the rulers of karaikudi and 15 other villages or one pallayam, vallambars where given the surname as Amballam and were latter known as the pallaya nattars .

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Karaikudi had a population of 86,422. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Karaikudi has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 74%. In Karaikudi, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. The estimated population of Karaikudi urban agglomeration in 2004 is 132,294. This is also termed as the best place to live among the other places in the same district.Fact|date=March 2007

Geography

Karaikudi is located in Sivagangai district between Trichy - Rameswaram High road. Earlier it was a small village in Ramanathapuram District. In 1928 it was changed from Panchayat to Municipality. The city is well facilitated with Railways and Roadways since 1930. The Thennar River flows through South Karaikudi. Karaikudi's Postal pincode is 630001 and Dialing code is 91-4565. It is 300 km from Coimbatore, 90 km from Trichy, 80 km from Madurai, and 400 km from Chennai. Karaikkudi is located at coord|10.07|N|78.78|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/25/Karaikkudi.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Karaikkudi] ] It has an average elevation of 82 metres (269 feet).

Education

The educational institutions developed to its peak in 1947, by Alagappar who is the founder of today's Alagappa University. Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering and Technology (Accet), located in Karaikudi, is one of the premier educational institutions in Tamil Nadu.

Dr. Alagappa Chettiar is also responsible for establishment of Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (CECRI). It is one of a kind in whole of India.

List of institutes

Alagapaa matric Hr sec school
* Kendriya Vidyalaya
* Shishu Vidyalaya
* LFRC School
* SMSV Hr. sec School
* Muthiah Alagappa Mt Hr Sec School
* Subbiah Ambalam Matriculation School
* Alagappa University
* CECRI
* Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering and Technology
* Alagappa Polytechnic
* Alagappa Government Arts college
* Alagappa Model Hr sec school
* Alagappa Matriculation Hr sec school
* [http://www.sptc.org.in Subramanian Polytechnic College]
* Annamalai Polytechnic College - Chettinad
* Ramasamy Tamil College
* M.V. Hr Sec. School.
* Model Hr Sec. School.

Temples

*The city is known for Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple, also known as Sivan Temple which was built during 1872. There is a temple here where there are 108 statues of Ganapathy.

*Sekkalai is located at north-east of Karaikudi, which was known as "Jayam Konda Puram" 50 years back.

*In North-west of Karaikudi is MutthuPattinam which is known for Muthu Mariamman Temple.

*At the Central is Kallukatti where the famous Koppudayamman Temple is located. Car Festival during the first Tuesday of "Vaikasi" month is very famous. The car starts on Tuesday and it go to Kattamman Kovil and returns back on the next day. The car travels approximately 8 km. On "Vaigasi" the first Thursday, they conduct "Theppam" at Kallukkatti Oorani.

*Tamil Thai Kovil, Kamban Manimandabam, "Vallal" Alagappar Statue, "Kavi Arasar" Kannadasan Manimandabam and Statue carries honour to Karaikudi.

* Karpaka Vinayakar Temple, an ancient rock-cut cave temple in Pillayarpatti 10 km west of Karaikudi.

* Kundrakkudi, a village located 8 km west of Karaikudi is well known for a famous temple for lord Murugan. The temple is situated on top of a small rock of height around 200ft.

* The famous Perumal (Vishnu) temple at Ariyakudi (also called Then Thiruppathi) is 3 km away from Karaikudi.

Transports

* It has two Bus-terminals, one is "Old-BusStand" in South side and Another one is "New-BusStand" in North side.
* Railway Station - Karaikudi Junction is connecting Chennai-Rameshwaram and Aranthanki, Velankanni.

Theatres

* Pandiyan (DTS)
* Sathiyan (DTS)
* Sivam (DTS)
* Rama Vilas (DTS)
* Nataraja
* New Cinema

Miscellaneous

Alagappa University located in Karaikudi provides education facilities in wide range of subjects. It was founded by Dr.Alagappa Chettiyar.

Central Electro Chemical Research Institute(CECRI) is one of the chain of forty national laboratories under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) New Delhi. It was founded on 25th July 1948 at Karaikudi in TamilNadu and came into existence on the January 1953.

Karaikudi is the birth place of AVM studio.

P.Chidambaram the famous Finance minister of India belong to Karaikudi

Kannadasan the famous composer belonged to karaikudi. Karthick(Malai) the famous editor also belongs to karaikudi.

Manjuveratu(bull fight)famous at the time of pongal festival

Birth place of Mridagam Maestro Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani

References

External links

* [http://www.aluniv.org Alagappa University]
* [http://www.cecri.res.in/ Central Electro Chemical Research Institute]
* [http://www.sptc.org.in Subramanian Polytechnic College]
* [http://www.rajb2b.com/yellowpages/all-members-in-city-wise-yellow-pages.asp?CITYID=935 Karaikudi Yellow Pages]
* [http://www.accet.net Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering and Technology]