Aduthurai

Aduthurai
—  town  —
Aduthurai Location of Aduthurai in India
Coordinates	11°00′N 79°18′E / 11°N 79.3°E / 11; 79.3Coordinates: 11°00′N 79°18′E / 11°N 79.3°E / 11; 79.3
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District(s)	Thanjavur district
Capital	Aduthurai
Largest city	Thanjavur
Population • Density	11,455 (2001[update]) • 5,000 /km2 (12,950 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	2.5 square kilometres (0.97 sq mi) • 19.5 metres (64 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 612101 • Telephone • +91 435

Aduthurai (or Maruthuvakudi or Kurangaduthurai) (Tamil: ஆடுதுறை) is a small panchayat town situated in Thanjavur District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and located near Kumbakonam. A major attraction is the Ten Kurangaaduturai Temple, one of two Kurangaaduturai Temples. This highly revered Shivasthalam, south of the Cauvery River, is believed to be the place where Sugreeva worshipped Lord Shiva.

Origin of Names

The name Aduthurai comes from the Tamil word ThenKurangaduthurai, which translates to "southern land where monkeys used to dance." It is believed to be connected to the epics of Ramayana, in which monkeys play an important role, especially Hanuman.

Maruthuvakudi is the place where the demon Maruthuvasura lived.

Demographics

As of the 2001 India census,^[1] Aduthurai has a population of 11,455. Males and females each constitute 50% of the population. Aduthurai has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Maruthuvakkudi is a village under Aduthurai town panchayat, located on the Kumbakonam — Mayiladuthurai main road.

Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute

The famous Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute is located in Aduthurai. The research station was first established at Manganallur in 1912, and was shifted to Aduthurai in 1922. In 1962 it was renamed the Regional Research Institute. In 1981, after 19 years of successful operation, it changed its name again to Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI) and was elevated to Directorate for Rice, Lead Centre in 1985.

. The institute occupies around 64 hectares and produces various high-quality breeds of rice and cane sugar. The institute's main focus is on promoting short-term cultivation. Some noteworthy breeds developed here are ADT-32 (Aduthurai 32) and ADT-36 (Aduthurai 36).

Places near Aduthurai and its famous

Sooriyanaar Koil, Oppliappan Temple, Swamimalai Temple and Thirunageswarar Temple are all located near Aduthurai and are very popular with pilgrims.

Famous for vetrilai (Betal leaves).

There are two beautiful rivers towards northern side of Aduthurai, viz., Veera chozan and Cauvery. Familiar temples 1. Sooriyanar kovil sun temple, Thirumangalakudi Mangalambihai kovil and Kanjanoor sukran temples are surrounded.

One more beautiful greenish village Viswanathapuram in the name of God Viswanathar, in which we can see the Vishalatchi Amman temple. Rivers around the village, trees, and paddy fields are the hallmark of Thanjavur district.

Schools

Sri Kumara Gurupara Swamigal Higher Secondary School (KGSHSS) (Website: http://www.aduthuraikgsschool.com) is the only higher secondary school in Aduthurai and there are about 3000 students in this school studying both English and Tamil medium (from 6th to 12th). This school also has Computer Science curriculum for +2 students and has a well established Computer lab. KGS Primary school has classes from 1-5 and it is situated on the Perumal Koil Street.

The Crescent Matriculation School is in the nearby town called Avaniapuram and it has over 2000 students up to +2 class.

There is a matriculation school named "RICE CITY MATRICULATION HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL" with 2000 students and 52 teachers. It is imparting education with all round developments for children in low cost but with same standard of the city schools (from L.K.G to 12th). It is situated near Aduthurai railway station. Website: http://www.ricecity.org

Temples at Aduthurai

These are several famous temples in Aduthurai and Maruthuvakudi:

Mummoorthy Vinayagar Temple

This temple is one of the oldest temples in Maruthuvakudi. The main God worshipped here is Lord Vinayaga (Ganesh), who is believed to lie in the Samadhi (tomb of a saint). There are three statues, which is unusual for Ganesh temples. It is believed that they were erected at the request of the villagers. The temple is located on the main road to Thirunageswaram. Unlike other temples it has no Vimaana or Gopuram.

At far end of the village there are two more Temples (Thirunageswaram road) One DHROWPATHI AMMAN KOVIL, VEERANAR KOIL both are village deities.

Maruthuvakudi Iravatheswarar Temple

In this temple's history, Indira, the lord of Heaven, and his Iravatha, his white Elephant, were cursed by Saint Dhurvasa for sinfully throwing a garland given to them by Brahma. Indira lost his Kingdom and the Iravatha turned black; she worshipped Lord Shiva here and was eventually released from the curse. It is also the place where Lord Shiva slew an evil demon, Marutthuvasura, from which the name of the village originated from.

Another important deity of this temple is the Goddess Abirami Amman, who is worshipped here as well as in the famous Thirukkadaiyur temple. In addition to Thirukkadayur, there are five temples where Abirami Amman is found. This temple is one tribute.

The structure of Shiva is said to be made of white clay, formed as "Suyambu" — which, according to tradition, was not sculpted by man but formed spontaneously. The other main statue, which is of Nandi faces the Shiva's statue, and is located slightly away from its original position. It is named Baana Nanadi and looks pored on its surface. It is believed the Nandhi was injured with Maruthuvasura's 'Baanas' (arrows) and protected Lord Shiva.

The next most famous God here is Lord Ganesh, also named "Viruchika Vinayagar", who has a trunk resembling Virchika-Scorpion. He is believed to be able to heal poisonous insect bites of those who worship him.

The temple structure was constructed from bricks and stone. It is built with dravidian architecture in the Chola style. The Gopuram is built six stories high. It was said to be built during the period of SembiyanMadevi, during the reign of the Queens of the Chola Dynasty, which is attested by some stone carvings at the temple. The temple was ruined then restored.

The "Kumbabhishekam" (consecretion ceremony) of this temple recently took place on 31 August 2006. This Kumbabishekam was performed at this temple after 200 years.

The famous Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute is located beside the temple is one of the landmark.

Neelamegha Perumal Temple

Neelamegam, meaning "dark coluds", is one of the names of Lord Perumal. The Neelamegha Perumal temple is located at Marathuvakudi. It is a vaishnavite temple.

The temple is famous for the Neelamegha Perumal statue made of a stone which turns blue when milk is poured on the surface of the statue. The statue itself looks partially bluish. Perumal's consorts are the goddessess Sreedevi and Boomidevi. The temple is located on the same main road to Thirunageswaram.

Aduthurai Abathsahayeswarar Temple

This temple is located at a historic place in Aduthurai. It is devoted to Brahma, Sugriva, and Rama. Lord Shiva rescued Sugriva from his brother Vaali because Sugriva could not compete with Vaali in a fight. Sugriva prayed to Lord Shiva who turned Sugriva to a swan and kept him above the 'Vilva' tree, so Vaali could not find him. It is believed Lord Rama searching for Sita came here with Hanuman and Sugriva and prayed here which gives an additional tribute to this temple.

The temple is built in Dravidian style with Vimaanas and a five story Gopuram. This temple is under the maintenance of Thiruvavadurai Aathinam1.

Madhurakaliamman Temple

This is one of the famous temples at Aduthurai. The main Goddess is Kali, who is called Madhurakaliamman. There is a four day ceremony, where Kali comes to everyone's house in the four days. The Dance of the Goddess is famous around this village. This ceremony is celebrated each April. This Temple land is donated by Sri Navaneetha Krishnan Temple. There is one such temple in Siruvachoor (Trichy Dist) also.

Sri Navaneetha Krishnan Temple

This temple called as "Krishnan koil", located at the heart of the town. This temple is 300 years old. Here Lord Krishna is posing in dancing style upholding one leg and having butter in one hand. Two Amman deities are Sri Rukmani and Sri Sathyabama. Annual bhramostavam is being held during April-may (Tamil month chitirai). This temple also has Sri Hanuman sannathi.

Sri Bhavana Maharishi Temple

Sri Bhavana Maharishi temple is unique of its style. It's situated in the middle of Krishnan koil street, aduthurai. Bhavana maharishi is the successor of Markendeya Maharishi. This temple is built in north Indian style. Every year Maha Sivarathiri festival is celebrated in grand manner for 10 days. Bhavana Maharishi is the community god of Padmasaliyar community.

Sri Sri Jeyaveera Anjaneyaswami Temple

This temple is faous in this village and surrounding villages and the temple is accompanied by a big pond. very famous temple in aduthurai krishnankovil street.

Getting there (Transport)

Aduthurai can be reached both by rail and road. Since the town lies on the Mayiladuthurai-Kumbakonam highway, it is easily accessible. Trains plying between Thanjavur or Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai shall drop you on the way to Aduthurai Railway Station. Rockfort express daily train to Chennai stops here.

Buses to the town are available from Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam.

See Also

• Vannakkudi (வண்ணக்குடி)

References

1. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.