Namakkal district

Namakkal district in Tamil Nadu, India

Namakkal District (Tamil: நாமக்கல் மாவட்டம்) is an administrative district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The district was bifurcated from Salem District with Namakkal town as Head Quarters on 25-07-1996 and started to function independantly from 01-01-1997. The district has 4 taluks (subdivisions); Tiruchengode, Namakkal, Rasipuram and Paramathi-Velur (in descending order of population) and has two Revenue Divisions; Namakkal and Tiruchengode.

History

After the struggle between the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas, the Hoysalas rose to power and had control till the 14th century followed by Vijayanagar kings till 1565 AD. Then the Madurai Nayakas came to power in 1623 AD. Two of the Poligans of Tirumalai Nayak namely, Ramachandra Nayaka and Gatti Mudaliars ruled the Salem area. The Namakkal fort is reported to have been built by Ramchandra Nayaka. After about 1635 AD, the area came successively under the rule of Muslim Sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda, Mysore kings and then the Marattas, when about the year 1750 AD Hyder Ali came to power. During this period, it was a history of power struggle between Hyder Ali and later Tippu Sultan, with the British.

Geography

Namakkal district is bounded by Salem district on the north; on the east by Attur taluk of Salem district, Perambalur and Tiruchirapalli District's; by Karur district on the south and on the west by Erode district.

View of Kolli Hills valley.

Namakkal District comes under the North Western Agro climatic zone of Tamil Nadu. It is situated in the dividing portion of two watersheds between Cauvery and the Vellar System with the Taluks of Attur, Rasipuram and Namakkal on the East and Salem, Omalur and Mettur on the West. Tiruchengode taluk alone is placed under Western Agro-climatic zone.

Besides above two zones, Kolli and few isolated hills and ridges scattered over Namakkal, Rasipuram and Tiruchengode along with the valleys and rolling topography makeup the characteristic physiography of the district.

Demography

The district has a population of 1,493,462 as of 2001. It is 36.51% urbanised as per Census 2001. The literacy level of Namakkal district according to figures available for the year 1996 is 48.97% with male literacy level being more than the female literacy level. It is also observed while the male literacy level has grown steadily from 51.85% in 1981 to 57.61% in 1996, there has been a significant increase of female literacy level from 27.51% in 1981 to 39.89% in 1996.

Industry

The main occupation in the district is agriculture. The cultivation generally depends on monsoon rains, wells and tanks. Nearly 90 percent of the cultivated area is under food crops. The principal cereal crops of this district are paddy, cholam, cumbu and ragi. Panivaragu, Kuthianally, Samai Varagu and Thinai are some of the Millets cultivated. Among pulses, the major crops are redgram, blackgram, greengram and horsegram. Among oil seeds groundnut, castor and gingelly (sesame) occupy important places. Of the commercial crops, sugarcane, cotton and tapioca are some of the important crops. Tapioca is used for the manufacture of sago.

Namakkal district is noted for Truck and Lorry external body building which dates back to 1956. Throughout India Namakkal is known for its Body Building industry for Trucks, Trailors, Tankers and Rig Unit. Finished trucks and Rig Units are even exported to foreign countries from Namakkal. Nearly 25000 people are employmed either directly and indirectly in truck body building activity and about 300 units in Namakkal and 100 Units in Tiruchengode are engaged in this activity.

Poultry development has been rather phenomenal in the district of Namakkal. The district is also well known for its poultry and dairy industries, accounting for a bulk of supply of poultry products to neighbouring industries. In fact, Namakkal produces about 65% of the egg output of Tamil nadu.

Tourism

Namakkal Rock Fort

The Rock Fort is on the summit of the rock, and the remnants in brick and stone still bear the brunt of the skirmishes to lay seize to the fort by the Cholas in the 9th Century. There are two rock–cut cave temples located on both sides of the hill dedicated to Narasimhaswamy and Ranganathasamy. There is also a 18 feet tall Hanuman statue carved out of a single stone at the Hanuman Temple.

Tiruchengode

Tiruchengode is 35 km from Namakkal. It is one of the seven Sivasthalams in Kongunadu. The Arthanareeswarar Temple is located on a hill. The presiding deity is depicted as half-male and half-female, vertically to represent Shiva and Parvati worshipped as one form. It is considered one of the oldest temples in this region.

Kolli Hills

Kolli Hills are situated on Eastern Ghats at an altitude of 1200 mts in the Namakkal District and are 45 km from Namakkal town. The Kolli Hills are known for medicinal herbs and plants that grow in abundance on the hill slopes. The Arapaleswarar Temple, the Horticulture Farm, the Herbal Farm, Agaya Gangai waterfalls and the Telescope House are the places to visit for the interested tourist. The Valvil Ori festival is organised here every year during the month August.

External links

• Namakkal District
• Namakkal District website
• Namakkal District Water Supply Status (Tamilnadu Water Supply and Drainage Board)