Adirampattinam

Adirampattinam Adirampattinam
city
Population  (2001)
• Total	27,697 [2,001 census] area_telephone = 91 4,373

Adirampattinam also called as Adiramapattinam or shortly as Adirai is a panchayat town in Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Adirampattinam has a population of 27697 . Males constitute 47.72%(13218) of the population and females 52.27%(14479). Adiramapattinam has an average literacy rate of 69.24%. The children under 6 years of age contribute 13.31% of the population. Muslims form the majority of population followed by Hindus and Christians. Muslims are roughly estimated to be 70% of the population. Muslims mostly belong to the Maraicayar ethnic race.

Geography and climate

Adirampattinam is located on 10.34°N 79.38°E / 10.34; 79.38 on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Being close to the equator,Adirampattinam enjoys a tropical climate. Summer prevails in the months of April and May while the middle of the month May contains the hottest days (Agni) in the year. Mercury climbs up 100^o F mark in those days. The months December and January are reserved for winter. Temperature as low as 18^o C is possible in winter. The Indian phenomenon of monsoon(Rainy days) takes it turn on October and November thus makes the town wet. Adirampattinam normally receives rainfall of 125 cm per annum. Most of the rainfall is received by North East monsoon.

Economy

Traditionally Adiraites(natives of Adirampattinam) are trading community. In the olden days the community was widely engaged in trading activities in country boats (in Tamil it is called Marakkalam) to the neighbouring Srilanka, Burma, Malaysia and Singapore. Those who navigated the Marakkalam (country boat) are called Marakkalarayar and thus the surname Maraikayar evolved.

In the pre-independent era the community fled to the neighbouring countries for doing lucrative business.The oil boom opened new vistas and in the late '70s Adiraites flocked to the Persian Gulf for greener pastures.

At present,Local economy mostly depends on remitances from migrants in the foreign countries especially middle east.Then comes agriculture with coconut as major crop followed by paddy and other crops.Domestic business takes its place as a source of income for significant number of families.The number of Adiraites who do business in Chennai is potentially increasing.

Arab connection

There are historical evidences that Arab traders from Egypt landed at the port of Korkai (the present Kayalpattinam) in the Pandia Kingdom of Tamilnadu way back in the year 1120 A.D.

These traders married the local Tamil ladies and thus Tamil speaking, Muslim community emerged.

This community migrated to Kilakarai in Ramanathapuram District and Adirampattinam as it is evident from the socio cultural similarities of these three places. The first migrant from Kayalpattinam to Adirampattinam in A.D. 1180 was a wealthy Dhahla Maraikayar, who built the most ancient mosque in Adirampattinam named after him as Marica Pillai mosque which is now called as Al Masjidthul Aqsa.

Culture

Adirampattinam culture is strongly influenced by Islamic thoughts.Life in Adirai revolves around the prayer calls(Adhan). The people particularly women heavily depend on Adhan to keep their regular activities in track.The Adhan for early morning prayer well before the sunrise act as a wake up call. It is followed by 4 prayer calls at the various intervals on a day. Friday is observed as public and commercial holiday in Adirai like many gulf countries.

Wearing Englishmen pants is seen as strange. However,School going children wear such dress despite the fact that it is not advisable in Islam to wear such dress .Muslim ladies observe purdah with significant number of women do wear niqab(An extra cloth which veils all the face but eyes).

Like any other Marakkar society, It is a close knit society where people in general do not want to have marital relationships outside the village.

Islam and the people

The place is filled with Islamic ambiance and as many as 24 mosques are dotting in this small town.

Shafi`i school of thought is predominant among the Muslims.Most of the mosques here claim themselves to be upon the shafi'i school of thought. But in fact,More muslims have been deviated from the real madh'hab of shafi. They adopt sufi and other deviant methodologies.

Adirampattinam houses two religious institutions. Al Madrashthur Rahmanya established in the year 1951 by one of the ancient families called MM family, Al Madrasathus Salahi Fee Adramil Falahi established in 1899 by MKN Trust. However,Some people accuse one of these matharsa has been deviated by giving wrong verdicts and circulars favoring unnecessary innovations in Islam.

Grave worship which deems shirk (The biggest sin) in Islam is predominant here. Sufi ideology and many sinning innovations in religion prevails here.

It is estimated that approximately 20% of Muslims from this village establish the prayers regularly. Islamically,The one who doesn't offer prayers regularly even after the proper advice and warning will be considered as disbeliever(Kaafir) and he/she will be no longer continue as a Muslim. Such a disbeliever is not allowed to have marital relationships with Muslims, His/Her Muslim spouse is forbidden for him/her. He/She cannot inherit property from Muslims, He/She will not be buried in Muslim graveyards .

Islamic education is getting less importance as people prefer their children to be brought up as "Modern" rather than Islamic.Some people consider the lack of Islamic knowledge as the root cause of deviations.

Despite its strong Islamic heritage,Dowry is increasing.It includes compulsory house to be gifted to bride by her father,Jewels of sovereigns,Money etc.However,A small exception of people here claims that Islam doesn't stipulate this kind of dowry and obviously it is against Islam.

Although it is well established fact in all 4 madh'habs (Schools of jurisprudence) that shaving and even trimming the beard beyond certain limits is forbidden, Peoples here consider shaving as a part of regular life. The people set erroneous age limits to have beard i.e)Only after Haj or at the age of 40s. However,It is obligatory in Islam not to shave the beard right from its first growth at the teenage.

It is accused that high standard and luxurious living warrants Adiraites to give less importance to Islamic values.Significant number of Adiraites are said to get their income from means that are forbidden in Islam.This number is said to be high among the Adiraites those who are earning in the west.

Since from the '90s,The party spirit among the Muslims here is a growing concern.

Transport and infrastructure

This town is well connected via road and rail with major towns of TamilNadu. The East Coast Road (ECR) from Chennai to Kanyakumari being constructed will connect this small town as well. Frequent bus services are available to the nearby town Pattukkottai.Private omni buses runs daily night services for passengers as well as freight to Chennai in addition with the state owned SETC regular passenger services.

Train services from Adirampattinam become less popular as gauge conversion is undergoing in Karaikudi-Villupuram stretch. Tiruchirapalli is the nearest civil airport located around 100 km away from Adirampattinam.

Adirampattinam itself had been a small seaport in British reign.Old customs building near the coast stands as a landmark site in Adirai.

Distance from major towns via Rail

New Delhi-----------> 2573 km

Mumbai--------------> 1666 km

Chennai-------------> 383 km

Karaikudi-----------> 84 km

Mayiladuthurai------> 102 km

Thiruvarur----------> 62 km

Distance via road

Pattukkottai--------> 12 km

Muthupet------------> 16 km

Madukkur------------> 16 KM

Tanjavur------------> 55 km

Trichy--------------> 110 km

Chennai-------------> 360 km

• All are approximate distances. Please verify with reliable and authentic sources.

Auto rickshaws act as major mode of private transportation for short distance travels. For long travels, people prefer private run taxis.

Adirampattinam bazaar was once a busy bazaar which served not only the town, but also its suburban villages. But now with sophisticated transport facilities people look at near by town Pattukkottai for cheaper cost. Still, Adirampattinam fish market operates in full swing and attracts people from neighboring villages too. The town get power from its own 33/11 KV substation run by TNEB.

Adirampattinam has two petrol bunks which sell petrol, Disel and oil to the public. Adirampattinam has a good mobile phone network. Operators like BSNL, Airtel, Aircel, Reliance(CDMA technology) provide their services. BSNL also provides land line phones and broadband internet connection to its subscribers. Adirampattinam has sufficient number of internet browsing cafes.

Adirampattinam has lot of educational institutions right from elementary schools to College for higher studies. It houses a government hospital along with enough number of private hospitals/clinics. Adirampattinam police station serves the town as well as the surrounding villages. Government establishments like post office, Sub registrar office, Meteorological(Weather) observatory, Government library have their base in the town.

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