Periyakulam

Periyakulam
—  city  —
A busy road junction, Periyakulam
Periyakulam Location of Periyakulam in Tamil Nadu and India
Coordinates	10°07′N 77°33′E
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District(s)	Theni
Population	62,039 (2006)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 356 metres (1,168 ft)

Periyakulam (Tamil: பெரியகுளம்) is a town and a Municipality in Theni district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Geography

Periyakulam (PKM) is located at 10.12°N 77.55°E / 10.12; 77.55. It has an average elevation of 282 metres (925 feet). It is located at the foothills of the Western Ghats bordering the neighbouring state of Kerala. It is one of the most fertile places in the state of Tamil Nadu. Agriculture is the primary occupation for the population here. It is also known as the "Mango City", as a major supply of mangoes from this city goes into Tamil Nadu's mango output. It stands on the bank of the 'Varaha' (in Hindu mythology, Lord Maha Vishnu's Boar incarnation) river. It is a fertile area that has an annual supply of surplus rainfall. The villages that are included are Kailasapatti, T.Kallipatti,Tamarai kulam, Vadugapatti and Melmangalam, villages that also stand on the banks of the Varaha River.

Climate

Periyakulam city has an area of 21 km2, within an Semi urban area now extending over as much as 55 km2 and it is located at 10.12°N 77.55°E / 10.12; 77.55 It has an average elevation of 356 meters above mean sea level. The climate is dry and hot, with Northeast monsoon rains during October–December. Temperatures during summer reach a maximum of 40 and a minimum of 26.3 °C, though temperatures over 43 °C are not uncommon. Winter temperatures range between 29.6 and 18 °C. The average annual rainfall is about 135 cm.

Architecture

periyakulam is a un designed river based settlement city the city has been divided into two major divisions by river into Thenkarai (Southern part)& Vadakarai (Northern part) streets around the city is based upon communal settlements symbolizing the structure of the cosmos.

Language

Tamil is spoken predominantly in and around periyakulam. Madurai Tamil is the standard dialect spoken. Other languages spoken are Telugu and English. However the words of some of these languages have Tamil words mixed in with them. Periyakulam is one of the oldest town in Tamil Nadu carrying rich cultural heritage the famous varaga nadhi is an ample example for its richness the river separates the city in to two halves,the city have been known by name kulanthai managaram in respect of lord muruga.The major occupation is agriculature and transportation.Periyakulam has its own name for food among the peoples of south Tamil Nadu

History and Heritage

The name of this town derived from two Tamil words equivalent to Big lake ( in Tamil (Tamil: பெரிய) means Big and (Tamil: குளம்) is Lake). In Tamil literature, the name of this town comes as (Tamil: குளந்தை). There are 3 very old temples. The Balasubramaniam Swamy temple is located on the banks of the Varaha nadhi (Varaha river). Periyakal Temple is located on the Periyakulam pond. Mounaguru Swamigal Madalayam is located in Periaykulam Town. "OM SHIVOGAM" is the main chanting of Swamigal. The great Saint Arunagirinathar visited this place and composed one Thiruppugal on Lord Muruga.

Balasubramanian Temple lies in the Periyakulam - Sothuparai Road - about 2 km from Periyakulam Bus Stand. It is dated back to hundreds of year. Thirumoolar, a Tamil Sitthar wrote about this temple. Near the temple, we can see two "Marutha Marams" - each one on the northern and southern banks of River Varaganadhi. (One Male and one Female). It is said that this type of landscape is only seen at Kaasi. The Moolavar of this temple is Raja Raja Soleeswarar and his Devi is Aram Valartha Nayagi. However, the temple is named after Muruga. This temple has three kodimarams. Durga Devi, Kannimoola Ganapathi and Bairavar are other important Deities here. More information from M.Dhandapani, Auditor, Dindigul : History of the Temple: During 10th century, King Rajendra Chozhan who ruled this area, came to the Agamalai forest which is situated western side of the Varaganadhi. At the time of hunting he hunted a wild pig which feeding milk to its kids. The wild pig was died. The kids of the died wild pig cried for milk. At that time because of the mercy of Lord Muruga, the kids got milk from the died wild pig. The King saw that and built a temple for Lord Balamurugan and create a city near to the temple named Kulandhai Managaram. Because of the mercy of Lord Muruga, the died wild pig had got place in Heaven. The sculpture of these story can be viewed in the Temple. There is a statue for Lord Ruthira Dhandava Moorthy in this temple. Next to Thirukadavur temple, a statue for Lord Mrithugnar is also in this temple. Nearer to this temple, a small temple for Azhagu Natchiamman with a beautiful garden is situated.

If you are not a Saivist, here is also an alternative. A temple for Varadharaja Perumal is situated in the Heart of Periyakulam Region. The Perumal posture is like Thirumala. Nearer to this temple, the famous Gowmariamman Koil is situated. The Gowmariamman is so powerful and is looking pretty.

Government Hospital and Munsif Court are also present in Periyakulam.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Periyakulam had a population of 42,039. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Periyakulam has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 69%. In Periyakulam, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. periyakulam is located in the foot hills of the Palani Hills below Kodaikanal. It has more than 100 years of municipal history. it's one of the oldest(6th)but not yet developed municipals in Tamil-Nadu. Periyakulam is also known as ‘pi City’ as it’s famous for its sweet pi. Periyakulam is also known for its sweet water which comes from the Berijam Lake kodaikanal. It has nice weather throughout the year. Periyakulam itself has so many tourist places; also around Periyakulam, you can find a number of tourist locations. To name a few, Sothuparai Dam (9 km), Kumbakarai Falls (8 km), Theertha Thotti (2 km), Vaigai Dam (15 km), Manjalar Dam (18 km), Thekkady, Surulithirtham, Munnar and many more. The school at Periyakulam is Victoria Memorial High School which caters to education in the town. T

Mr. O.Paneerselvam, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was elected from the Periyakulam assembly constituency.

The Horticultural College & Research Institute (HC & RI), one of the constituency colleges of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, is located at Periyakulam.

Politics

Periyakulam assembly constituency is part of Theni (Lok Sabha constituency).

Other Details

This city has a district court, which was started in the British period . The district headquarters of government hospitals is also situated here.

Schools in Periyakulam:

• Seventh Day Adventist Matriculation School.
• Government Girls Higher Secondary School.
• St. Annies High School.
• Triumph Middle School.
• Ranga Krishna Middle School.
• Bharathiar Middle School.
• Khairunnas (RAH) Matriculation School.
• Victory Matriculation School.
• Raheem brothers middle School.
• Nellaiyapper Middle School.
• Buddher Matriculation School.
• Victoriya Memorial Government Boys Higher Secondary School.
• Presidency Matriculation school.

References

Edward Memorial Middle School

External links

• Homepage of Periyakulam municipality
• Rulers of Periyakulam

See also

• Periyakulam (Lok Sabha constituency)