Thirukkattupalli

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Thirukkattupalli | type = Panchayat Town | latd = 10.51 | longd = 78.57
state_name = Tamil Nadu
district = Thanjavur
leader_title = Panchayat Board President
leader_name = Mr. Durai
altitude = 64.31
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 12,567| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 91-4362
postal_code = 613104
vehicle_code_range = TN49
sex_ratio = 1:1
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Thirukkattupalli (Ancient name: Melaithirukattupalli) is a small ancient agricultural town near Thiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. This place has a big Shiva temple called Theeyadiappar Temple, (also known as Agneeshwarar). This temple is referred to in ancient Tamil literature, and plays a part in the history of Chola dynasty. This place is 14 Kilometers from Grand Anicut - an ancient dam and the oldest water-diversion structure in the world still in use. This is a central market town for several surrounding villages.

Demographics

As of 2001 India censusGR|India, Thirukkattupalli had a population of 12,567. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Thirukkattupalli has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 71%. In Thirukattupalli, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Rivers

This town is in the bank of the rivers Kaveri and Kodamurutti, both distributaries of the upstream Kaveri river. The Kodamurutti separates from Kaveri at Thirukkattupalli.

Reference in Ancient Tamil Literature

This place has been referred to in thevaram written by Saint Poet (7th Century AD) Thirugnana Sambanthar. Thirukkattupalli is attributed as "Paadal Pettra Sthalam".

niruthanaar Neelsadai madhiodi paambani

karuthanaar kadipozhil soozhnda kaattupalli

aruthanaar azhaghamar manghayor paagamaai

poruthanaar kazhazhinai potrudal porulude

porupunal pudayani puravanan nagarmannan

arumarai avvaivalla anikol sambandan sol

karumani midatrinan karudhu kaattupalli

paraviya thamizhsolla parayu mei paavame

Shiva Temple

This Shivastalam is located on the Southern bank of the river Kudamurutti; and is located 8km North of Budalur, near Thanjavur. Tiruppoonturutti is 11 km east of here. Melaitthirukkaattuppalli is considered to be the 9th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri.

Inscriptions from the period of Raja Raja I & other Chola Emperors and the Pandya and Vijayanagar periods are found here. This temple was part of an old fort captured by the British in 1771; it was recaptured by Hyder Ali in 1781.

This temple with 3 prakarams occupies an area of about an acre. The sanctum is located lower than the ground level.

Four worship services are offered each day, and the annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Pankuni.

Shiva: Theeyadiappar/AgneeswararAmbal: Vaarkonda Mulaiyammai, Soundara NayakiVriksham: VanniTheertham: Surya Theertham

This temple is presently under renovation.

Legend

Legend has it that one of the queens of a Chola monarch (of Uraiyur/Tiruchirappalli) was a devotee of Shiva, and when Uraiyur got submerged in a sandstorm, she managed to find solace in Thirukkattuppalli (here)where Shiva blessed her and relieved her of the scorching heat which ravaged the region.

Schools

There is an old higher secondary school named Sir Sivaswamy Ayyar Higher Secondary School in the town which is celebrating its 100th year. Also there are three other schools which teach in English medium, and there is a Government high school.

Railway Station

The nearest railway station is in Budalur, about 8 kilometers from the town.

Airport

The nearest airport is in Trichy.

Keelaithirukkattupalli

There is another place which is also called as Thirukkattupalli. This is located adjacent to Poompuhaar and Tiruvenkaadu is known as Keezhtirukkaattuppalli to distinguish it from Melaithirukkaattuppalli. Keezhaittirukkaattuppalli is considered to be the 12th in the series of Tevara Stalangal on the northern banks of the river Kaveri in the Chola region of Tamilnadu...