Srivilliputhur

This article is about the Tamilnadu town of Srivilliputhur. For the famous Hindu temple in it, see Srivilliputhur Andal Temple.

Srivilliputhur
—  city  —
Srivilliputhur Divya Desam temple
Srivilliputhur Location of Srivilliputhur in Tamil Nadu and India
Coordinates	9°30′58″N 77°37′48″E
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District(s)	Virudhunagar
Municipality Chairman	Sendilkumari
M L A	Ponnupondy footnotes =
Population	73,131 (2001)
Sex ratio	1:1 ♂/♀
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 146 metres (479 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 626125 • Telephone • +04563

Srivilliputhur (Tamil: ta:திருவில்லிபுத்தூர் / ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்தூர்) is a semi-urban town and a municipality in Virudhunagar district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Srivilliputtur is one of the old historical town, a 1000 year old temple, 200 year old Hindu School, 135 year old Pennington Public Library are remarkable historical evidence for this culturally important town. Thiruppavai, one of the important constituent of devotional Tamil literature period was from this temple town.

The remarkable landmark of Srivilliputhur is 11-tiered tower structure dedicated to the Lord of Srivilliputhur, known as Vatapatrasayee. The tower of this temple rises 192 feet high and is the official symbol of the Government of Tamilnadu. It is said to have been built by Periyaazhvar, believed to be the father-in-law of the Temple Deity, with a purse of gold that he won in debates held in the palace of Pandya King Vallabhadeva. Another wonder in Srivilliputtur is Chariot which runs on AdiPuram. Srivilliputhur is well known for its ancient heritage and devotinal contributions. It is on the Virudhunagar - Shenkottai line of the Southern Railway, about 74 km south of Madurai and connected by road and rail with Madurai, Sivakasi, Tenkasi & Shenkottai, Thirunelveli and Sattur.

History

Srivilliputtur Andal Temple Tower in Tamilnadu's Emblem

Several centuries ago, the land area around Srivilliputhur was under the rule of Queen Malli. This queen had two sons called Villi and Kandan. One day, while they were hunting in a forest, a tiger killed Kandan. Unaware of this fact, Villi searched for his brother, got tired and feel asleep. In his dream, God narrated to him what happened to his brother. Realising the fact, on divine orders Villi founded a beautiful city by setting right the forest. For this reason, the city is named after him as Villiputhur. Further, due to the divine birth of Sri Andal in this city, it got the honorific of Srivilliputhur which is Thiruvilliputhur in thamizh.

Andal Temple Tower in Tamilnadu's Emblem

Andal

During the reign of Thirumalai Naikar (1623–1659) and Rani Mangammal (1689–1706), this city became very popular. Thirumalai Nayak had done a lot of renovation consecration to the temples of this city. From 1751 to 1756 A.D., Srivilliputhur came under the rule of Nerkattumseval palayakkarar Puli thevar and was a maravarpalayam. Later the Fort of Srivilliputtur was ruled by Periyasami Thevar. Then it fell into the hands of Mohammed Yousoof Khan. Until 1850, Sri Andal temple was under the care of the king of Trivancore. The British ruled the country till India attained freedom.

Etymology

The city was originally named for its founder, Villi forming the word Thiru-Villi-Puthur. "Thiru" is the Tamil salutation so it is used as the alternative for the Sanskrit word "Sri" which gives the old name Srivilliputhur.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Srivilliputhur had a population of 73,131. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. In Srivilliputhur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Population

• Households: 18,911
• People: 73,183
• Male: 36,411
• Female: 36,772

Thaer Thiruvizha (Car Festival)

Thousands of people from across the State are expected every year to throng Srivilliputhur on this festival to witness the annual car festival at Andal Temple. This event is the highlight of the 12-day `Aadi Pooram' festival at the temple, one of the 108 holy places for Vaishnavites. It is one of the biggest festivals for the Virudhunagar district.

After early morning special pujas, the presiding deities, Sri Rengamannar and Goddess Andal are taken in decorated palanquins to the car.

The festival marks the adoption of presiding deity, Sri Andal, by Periyazhwar after he had found her near a Tulsi plant in the nandavanam of Vadabadrasai Temple at Srivilliputhur on the eighth day of the Tamil month of Adi.

Places of interest

Paddy field and western ghats in the background

• Srivilliputhur Andal Temple This temple is a popular Hindu temple and one of the 108 Divya Desams, the most important abodes of Lord Vishnu and is the birthplace of two of the most important Alwars (saints) in the Vaishnavite tradition, Periyazhvar and Andal.
• Vatapatrasayi temple The Lord of Srivilliputhur is known as Vatapatrasayi or Rangamannar. The banyan tree leaf, which is known as Vatapatram, on which the Lord rests in the form of a baby during deluge.
• Madavar Vilagam Vaidyanathar temple - enshrining a six feet high monolithic image of Natarajar.
• Thiruvannamalai Also known as Thenthirupathi, located around 5 km from Srivilliputhur. It was said that Thirupathi Venkatachalapathi who had gone hunting saw the place and remained there. It is frequented by people for worship during Purattaasi (mid-September to mid-October).
• Kattalagar Koil This temple is located 9 km, east of Srivilliputhur over the Mantuga Hills. In this temple Kallagar is in the form of Kattalagar. The theertha thotti water flows throughout the year.
• ValayapatiA small hamlet located about 9 km from Srivilliputhur. This village was chosen for the Model Village Award by the Central Government of India. Cigarettes and other tobacco products cannot be sold inside the village. Octroi tax is levied on agricultural products purchased by merchants/external buyers.
• Sathuragiri Hills The abode of siddhar (Tamil sages), and home of two temples: Sundra Mahalingam temple and Sandhana Mahalingam temple. These have to be reached by a 13 km trek over the hills. The Tamil novelist, Indira Soundarajan has written a several suspense thriller based on this town. See Watrap page for more details. There are a couple of water falls on the way, will be a perfect weekend getaway if you stay nearby. This place known for rare medicinal plants. The medicinal value of 275 plants has been recorded and reported. The forests host a rich variety of orchids and ferns.
• Pennington Public Library One of the oldest privately-run public libraries in India, established in 1875.
• Pilavakkal is a dam here in watrap village for irrigation and agriculture and it is one of the beautiful excellent picnic spots.

Shenbagathoppu Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary

Shenbagathoppu's calm and serene forest

Shenbaga Thoppu, a forest area about 8 km west, is a good option for trekking. The place can be reached by two-wheeler or cycle.

The forests are found on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. Only 6.3% of the total geographical area is under forests. Many rare and endemic varieties of flora and fauna are found along the mountain slopes.

A wildlife sanctuary, spread over 480 square kilometres was established in 1989 at Shenbagathopu in Srivilliputhur taluk.. This sanctuary is contiguous with the Periyar tiger reserve on the south-western side and the Megamalai reserve forest on the north-western side.

The altitude varies from 100 to 2010 m above sea level. The sanctuary is home to the endangered, arboreal Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macrora).

Grizzled Squirrel

This greyish brown squirrel weighs 1 to 1.8 kg. and is the size of a small cat. It measures about 735 mm. from nose to tail with the tail being 360 to 400 mm. long. They construct drays at forked branches where the crowns of neighbouring trees meet. This enables the squirrel to move away from the site by jumping from tree to tree when threatened. The home range of an individual is between 1,970 and 6,110 square metres.

The sanctuary also hosts birds, mammals, reptiles and butterflies. Resident and migratory elephants are common. Other animals sighted are tiger, leopard, Nilgiri thar, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, porcupine, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, common langur, slender loris, bonnet macaque, sloth bear and flying squirrel. Over 100 species of birds have been identified. The rare Great Indian horn bill is found here.

Special steps have been taken to conserve the forest areas in the sanctuary. The annual leases given for the collection of fruit and other minor forest produce has been stopped. Fruit bearing trees and other trees have been planted. This will increase the food sources as well as ensure continuity in the canopy. Soil conservation and water harvesting measures have been undertaken to improve the habitat.

There are some waterfalls. People from surrounding villages gather here especially during the winter and rainy seasons. The river and water falls (Meenvetti Parai) are famous in and around the district. Many people visit this place every day from Srivilliputhur, Rajapalayam and Sivakasi. This place is also shelter for many tribal communities.

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Climate

The climate of the region is semi-arid tropical monsoon type. Temperature range is 20°C to 37°C. It has a high mean temperature and a low degree of humidity. April, May and June are the hottest months. The southwest monsoon which sets in June and lasts till August brings scanty rain. The bulk of the rainfall is received during the northeast monsoon in the months of October, November and December.

Major industries

Weaving and farming are the primary occupation for most of the people in this town. Virudhunagar District with four clusters of handloom weavers — Rajapalayam, Srivilliputhur, Aruppukottai and Sundarapandiyam — accounts for one fourth of the looms in the State producing handloom products meant for free distribution.

Srivilliputhur palkova, a sweet made up of milk and sugar, is prepared and distributed by area businesses and it's popular all over the Tamil Nadu state. The uniqueness of this sweet is the taste. This is due to high quality of milk that is available because of the proximity to the Western Ghats.

This town also encompasses jewellery makers and lawyers in particular. It has 10 courts including a district court even though it is not the district headquarters.

There are lot of small villages within a 3 km radius, and agriculture is the main occupation. During a drought people take part-time work in the match box/textile industry.

Politics

Srivilliputhur assembly constituency is part of Tenkasi (Lok Sabha constituency).

R. Thamaraikani was elected five times from this constituency.

Educational institutions

Schools

1. C .M .S Hr. Sec.school ( estd mid 19th century )
2. G.S. Hindu Higher Secondary School (estd late 19th century)
3. T.V.kalyana Sundaranar Municipal High School ( estd late 19th century)
4. Sacred Heart Girls Hr. Sec. School (also called Convent School)
5. Sacred Heart Middle School
6. Srivi Lions Matric. Hr. Sec. School (estd 1981)
7. Mangapuram Hindu Nadar Higher Secondary School
8. Thiyagaraja Hr. Sec. School ( estd 1990's)
9. St. Antony's Matriculation Higher Secondary School
10. R.K.Government Higher secondary school(estd 1950's)

Higher Education

1. Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College of Arts and Science (ANJAC) (estd - 1963 ) on Srivilliputtur - Sivakasi road.
2. Kalasalingam Educational group of colleges - Kalasalingam University (est 1984), Krishnankovil
3. VPMM group of colleges, Krishnankovil

Notable personalities from Srivilliputtur

• Andal, who is a Tamil saint and one of the twelve Alvars (saints) and the only woman Alvar of Vaishnavism
• Periyalvar, who is a Tamil poet saints of south India who lived between the sixth and ninth centuries and espoused ‘emotional devotion’.
• K. S. Krishnan (Kariamanikkam Srinivasa Krishnan), co-discoverer of the Raman Effect for which his mentor, C. V. Raman, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930
• Thirumalachari Ramasami, (T. Ramasami) currently Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Science and Technology, a top scientific body in India responsible for design of scientific policy and distributing government fund towards scientific research.
• Freedom fighter R. Krishnasamy Naidu was an Indian politician and former Member of Madras State Legilative Assembly. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as an Indian National Congress candidate from Srivilliputhur constituency in 1957 election.
• T.A.S.Ramaswamy correspondent of G.S. Hindu Hr. Sec. School, who held that post continuously over 40 years.

Transportation

The best time to visit this town is during the Margazhi Thirunal (December–January) and the Adi Thirunal (July–August) which are very popular and provide a rare experience of the traditional temple festivals, some of them unique to this town.

Air

The nearest domestic airport is Madurai Airport (~70 km). Madurai Airport is around 1.5 hours from Srivilliputtur. Paramount Airways and Jet Airways are operating daily flights between Madurai Airport and Chennai International Airport.

Rail

The Pothigai Express train from Chennai Egmore to Shenkottai that reaches Srivilliputhur every day at 6.13 in the morning. Summer special trains are available from Virdhunagar Jn in summer (April–June). A daily passenger train service is also available from Madurai and Shenkottai. Peoples come from many cities to this Srivilliputtur station to visit many places especially Andal Temple. In the coming budget people are expecting new trains to Bangalore and Coimbatore. Currently people are using Virudhunagar to reach Coimbatore and Bangalore by Nagercoil-Coimbatore Express and Tutucorin-Mysore Express respectively

Bus

Buses to Srivilliputhur are there from Periyar(to Thirumangalam and from there we need to catch another bus to Srivilliputhur) and Mattuthavani(direct bus) bus stands of Madurai. Buses from both places pass through Srivilliputhur as it is on the way of Madurai - Rajapalayam - Tenkasi - Shenkottai highways. Buses to Srivilliputtur from Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar starting from the main bus stand are available every half an hour. Buses from main places in Tamil Nadu to Srivilliputhur are frequent.

Buses from Chennai to Tenkasi, Shenkottai travel via Srivilliputhur only.

NH208 - (Thirumangalam-Srivilliputhur-Rajapalayam-Tenkasi-Kollam)

SH42 - (Srivilliputhur-Sivakasi-Virudhunagar-Aruppukottai-Thiruchuli-Narikudi-Parthibanoor)

Recreation

Cinema is the major recreation facility. There are four cinema theatres in the town. All the new films are released in Rajapalayam only.

• Andal Theatre.B.S. Gnanadesikan
• Santhosh Theatre.
• Theivam Theatre.
• Revathi Theatre.

Nearest towns

• Rajapalayam – 11 km
• Sivakasi – 20 km
• Madurai – 74 km
• Tenkasi - 79 km
• Courtallam – 85 km
• Shenkottai - 86 km
• Virudhunagar – 45 km (Approximately)

External links

• http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/scientists/KS_Krishnan/KariamanikkamSKrishnan.htm
• http://www.dst.gov.in/about_us/secretary-resume.htm
• http://photos.divyadesam.com/divya-desams-photo-gallery/srivilliputhur-divya-desam/srivilliputhur-andal-temple-photos.shtml