Ambasamudram

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Ambasamudram | type = city | latd = 8.7 | longd = 77.47
locator_position = right | state_name = Tamil Nadu
district = Tirunelveli
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 76
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 392,226 (taluk)
32,739 (town)| population_density =
area_magnitude= 17.84
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website = http://municipality.tn.gov.in/Ambasamudram
footnotes =

Ambasamudram is a taluk in Tirunelveli district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The entire taluk had a population of 392,226 as of 2001, with 42.5% classified as rural. The taluk is named for the principal town with the same name. The town of Ambasamudram had a population 32,739 as of 2001.

Geography

Ambasamudram is located at coord|8.7|N|77.47|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/25/Ambasamudram.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Ambasamudram] ] It has an average elevation of 76 metres (249 feet). This picturesque town is situated in the foothills of western ghats on the northern bank of Tamirabarani river with a twin town Kallidaikurichi/Kallidai is situated on the southern bank.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] the town of Ambasamudram had a population of 32,681. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Ambasamudram has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 52% of the males and 48% of females literate. 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

List of towns and villages

*Adaichchani
*Adaiya Karungulam
*Alwarkurichi (TP)
*Ambasamudram (TP)
*Athalanallur
*Ayan Thiruvaleeswaram
*Ayansingampatti
*Brahmadesam
*Cheranmadevi (TP)
*Dharmapuramatam
*Ekambarapuram
*Giriyammalpuram
*Gopalasamudram (TP)
*Govindapperi
*Harikesavanallur
*Idaikkal
*Kadayam Perumpattu
*Kalladaikurichi (TP)
*Karisalpatti
*Kasidharmam
*Kila Ambur
*Kilakadayam
*Kodarangulam
*Kuniyur
*Malaiyankulam
*Manapaaranallur
*Manimutharu (TP)
*Mannarkovil
*Mela Ambur
*Melacheval (TP)
*Mukkudal (TP)
*Pallakkal
*Panajadi
*Papanasam R.F.
*Pappakudi
*Pappankulam
*Pappankulam (South)
*Pathamadai (TP)
*Potta Pudur (I)
*Pudukkudi
*Pungadaiyankulam
*Ravanasamudram
*Rengasamudram — The Tower of the eighteenth century temple of Venkitachalapathy overlooks the village agraharam (street). The Tamrabarni River flowing nearby provides drinking water to the villagers. Public transport buses plying twice a day gives the villagers connectivity to Ambasamudram. The village has a poopulation of 2,297 (2001). A local citizens committee funded school Amrita Vidyapeeth runs classes up to eighth standard of the State Board. The village is served by a branch of the Bhramadesom post office (627 413).
*Sattupattu
*Sengulam
*Singampatti
*Singampatti Zamindar Forest
*Sivanthipuram (CT)
*Sivasaailam
*Tentiruppavanam
*Terku Ariyanayakipuram
*Therku Kadayam
*Therku Kallidaikurichi
*Therku Viravanallur
*Therkumadathur
*Thiruviruttanpuli
*Tiruppudaimarudur
*Udaiyamartandapuram
*Ulagankulam
*Vadakku Ariyanayakipuram
*Vadakku Karaikurichchi
*Vagaikulam
*Vairavikulam
*Veeravanallur (TP)
*Vellanguli
*Venkatarengapuram
*Vikramasingapuram (TP)
*Virasamudram

Place of Interest

* Manimuttar Dam
* Papanasam Lower Dam & Hydel power plant 1951
* Karaiyar Dam
* Servalar Dam & Hydel Project 1987
* Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve [http://projecttiger.nic.in/kalakad.htm]
* Agasthiyar Falls fed by lower dam, with its year round bathable water temperature. [ [http://thehindubusinessline.com/bline/2003/07/05/stories/2003070500941700.htm "`Agasthiar' does a Courtallam"] ]
* BaaNa Theertham Falls
* Tamirabarani river with year round, bathable and swimable water temperature.

Temples In the Area

Like many towns in southern India Ambasamudram also boasts of many temples. Geographic location of this town has virtually protected these temples from all invaders, so they have been preserved in their original form. Though many of these temples are in sad state of disrepair, [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/04/18/stories/2003041801310800.htm "Sad state of a glorious shrine"] ] they are still every bit worth studying for their artistic, religious and historical value.
* One of the few temples for Saint Agasthiyar or Agastya
* Mannar Kovil Temple. This temple is one of the few ones with an ashtanga vimana. On the ground floor it has a sanctum for Vishnu, standing with his two Consorts. A narrow flight of stairs leads to the first floor where He is seated with his two Consorts.
* Brahmadesam kailAya nAthar [ [http://siddhanta.shaivam.org/sptnbrammadesam.htm "Brahmadesam kailAya nAthar"] ] - a temple built during the reigns of Raja Raja Chola.
* Papanasam Temple, it's a temple situated near agasthiyar falls, it is believed that after taking bath in this river, going to this temple is alleged to give you relief from all your sinsFact|date=February 2007. The place is called Papanasam because of this.
* Next to Papanasam, there is a village town by name Vickramasingapuram.
* There are several temples for Mutharamman, Suadali Madan and Ayyanar temples nearby and Kodai Vizha in these tempels very famous and inspiring.
* Navaneethakrishnan Temple at Melasevel, is 700 Years old. The deity is believed to grant boons for the childless couples. There are two more temples in the same village, namely Megalingeshwarar and Venugopalaswamy.

ome interesting pointers

* Ambasamudram is famous for its "Kai Murukku" which is crispy and tasty.
* [http://www.nellai.tn.nic.in/agriculture.html "Rice Research Station"] - Est. 1937, currently associated with [http://www.tnau.ac.in/restation.html "Tamil Nadu Agricultural University"] .
* Kallidaikurichi is famous for its appalam.
* Pathamadai is famous for fine grass mats called "Paai" [http://www.blonnet.com/2005/11/04/stories/2005110401741300.htm "Grass mats still hold their own here"] in Tamil.
* Ambasamudram with its Tirunelveli flavour Tamil spoken along with its natural beauty and historic attractions have captured the imaginations of Kollywood movie makers in the recent decades. Movies like "Dum Dum Dum!, [ [http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/apr/28dum.htm "Drums for Dum Dum Dum! set in ambasamudram"] ] Ayya were set in Ambasamudram and its surrounding areas.
* Mahalinga Nadar - Packiammal Trophy State-level football tournament is organized here annually at Nadar Sports Club ground, Ambasamudaram.
* Unique mineral assembalge of clinohumite--humite--chondrodite--norbergite--Mgcalcite--dolomite--spinel [ [http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0264370799000629 "Pan-African Humite-Epoch in E.Gondwana"] ] found in the marbles of the area, associated with the Achenkovil Shear Zone
* Brahmins from this town, around 150 Years back relocated themselves in a small village by name Gadi Bero in Purulia District, West Bengal on the request of the then Raja of Kazipur. They have been given vast Agricultural lands for cultivation and living. Raja got attracted with the vedic scholorship of few brahmins when they visited Varanasi where they were met by the Raja and requested them to settle down in his Kingdom with as many brahmins as they can bring with them. Krishnan Temple was built for these brahmins by the Raja.

References