Srivilliputhur

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Srivilliputhur | type = city | latd = 9.5161| longd = 77.63
state_name = Tamil Nadu
district = Virudhunagar
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altitude = 146
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 73,131| population_density =
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Srivilliputhur (Tamil: ஸ்ரீவில்லிபுத்தூர் / திருவில்லிபுத்தூர்) is a city and a municipality in Virudhunagar district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is on the Virudhunagar - Tenkasi line of the Southern Railway, about 74 km south of Madurai and well connected by road and rail with Madurai, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Sattur. The city was originally named on its founders, Villi and Kandan, forming the word Thiru-Villi-Puttur. "Thiru" is the Tamil salutation and it is interchanable with its Sanskrit equivalent - "Sri". Thus, the city can be called by both "Srivilliputtur" and "Thiruvilliputtur".

The primary landmark of Srivilliputtur is 12-tiered tower structure dedicated to the Lord of Srivilliputtur, known as Vatapatrasayee. The tower of this temple rises 192 feet high and is the official symbol of the Government of Tamilnadu. It is said to have been built by Periyaazhvar, the father-in-law of the Lord, with a purse of gold that he won in debates held in the palace of Pandya King Vallabhadeva. The Government of Tamil Nadu uses this temple tower as part of its symbol. Another wonder in Srivilliputtur is Chariot which runs on AdiPuram. Srivilliputhur is well known for its ancient heritage and devotinal contributions. The goddesses ANDAL (an avatar of Booma devi) took birth in this place and she had a pure love on Lord Vishnu and wished to marry him. ANDAL, of her pure devotion and Love, wrote & sung THIRUPPAVAI on lord Vishnu in the winter season (Tamil month - Margali. She got married & merged with Lord Vishnu. The important festivals of Srivilliputhur are CAR FESTIVAL (THER THIRUVIZHA)which happens on the birthday of SRIANDAL -in the months of July - August. The month of Margali (Dec - Jan) is very special here. Sri Andal marriage (Thiru Kalyanam) is also celebrated with enthusiasm. Please contact www.thiruppaavai.org for more information / visit Srivilliputhur. [cite web
url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/10/17/stories/2003101701751000.htm
title = Divine home of the Saint poetess
date = October 17, 2003] .

Major Industries

Srivilliputtur Palkova, a sweet made up of milk and sugar, is prepared and distributed by area businesses and it's popular all over the Tamil Nadu state. The uniqueness of this sweet is the taste. This is due to high quality of milk that is being available here, because of proxiity to Western Ghats.

The textile industry is well-established from farming cotton, spinning colorful threads to loom-weaving. A lot of export based textile industries are located in the region (with the influence of Rajapalyam -10 km) that serve a lot of Asian countries.

The town is also famous for making match works and crackers, due to the influence of the Fireworks Hub of the country, Sivakasi which is about 20 km.

One can not ignore agriculture, there are lot of small villages within 3 km Radius, and agriculture is the main occupation, during draught people take up part time work in Match Box / Textile Industry.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Srivilliputhur had a population of 73,131. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Srivilliputhur has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 65%. In Srivilliputhur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Places of Interest

* Srivilliputhoor Andal Temple This temple is a popular Hindu temple and one of the 108 Divya Desams, the most important abodes of Lord Vishnu and is the birthplace of two of the most important Alvars (saints) in the Vaishnavite tradition, Periyazhvar and Andal.

* Madavar Vilagam Vaidyanathar temple - enshrining a six feet high monolithic image of Natarajar.

* Thiruvannamalai Also known as Thenthirupathi, located around 5km from Srivilliputtur. It was said that Thirupathi Venkatachalapathi who had gone hunting saw the place and remained there. It is frequented by people for worship during Purattaasi (mid-September to mid-October).

* Kattalagar Koil This temple is located 9 km, east of Srivilliputtur over the Mantuga Hills. In this temple Kallagar is in the form of Kattalagar. The theertha thotti water flows throughout the year.

* Valayapatti A small hamlet located about 9 km from Srivilliputtur. This village was chosen for the Model Village Award by the Central Government of India. Cigarettes and other tobacco products cannot be sold inside the village. Octroi tax is levied on agricultural products purchased by merchants/external buyers. "'

* Sadhuragiri The abode of siddhars (Tamil sages), and home of two temples: Sundra Mahalingam temple and Sandhana Mahalingam temple. These have to be reached by a 13 km trek over the hills. The Tamil novelist, Indira Soundarajan has written a several suspense thriller based on this town. See Watrap page for more details.

* Pennington Public Library One of the oldest privately-run public libraries in India, established in 1875.

henbagathope Grizelled Squirrel Sanctuary

Shenbaga Thoppu,a forest area about 8 km west from here is a very good option for trekking.There is no proper bus service to reach here though.However the place can be reached by two-wheeler or even cycle.

The forests are found on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. Only 6.3% of the total geographical area is under forests. Many rare and endemic varieties of flora and fauna are found along the mountain slopes. A wildlife sanctuary, spread over 480 square kilometres was established in 1989 at Shenbagathopu in Srivilliputtur taluk.. This sanctuary is contiguous with the Periyar tiger reserve on the south-western side and the Megamalai reserve forest on the north-western side.

The altitude varies from 100 to 2010 m above sea level. The sanctuary is home to the endangered, arboreal grizzled giantsquirrel Ratufa macrora. This greyish brown squirrel weighs 1 to 1.8 kg. and is the size of a small cat. It measures about 735 mm. from nose to tail with the tail being 360 to 400 mm. long. They construct drays at forked branches where the crowns of neighbouring trees meet. This enables the squirrel to move away from the site by jumping from tree to tree when threatened. The home range of an individual is between 1,970 and 6,110 square metres.

Educational Instititutions

#cite web | url = http://www.kalasalingam.ac.in | title = Kalasalingam University (Previously Arulmigu Kalasalingam College of Engineering), a well-known institution in the area is located at 10 km north at Krishnankoil.
#V.P. Muthiah Pillai Meenakshiammal Engineering College for women - Krishnankoil.
#V.P. Muthiah Pillai arts & science College for women - Krishnankoil.
#A.K.D. Dharmaraj Women's College - Rajapalayam
#cite web | url = http://www.anjac.org | title = Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College of Arts and Science (Autonomous)- Sivakasi.
#There are a few institutions that offer technical and vocational education in computer science, textile manufacturing, printing and publishing.
#St. Antony's Matriculation Higher Secondary School
#C .M .S Hr. Sec.school
#G.S. Hindu Higher Secondary School.
#Sacred Heart Girls Hr. Sec. School
#Maharajapuram Rajaiah Ladies Hr.Sec.School
#cite web | url = http://www.srivilionsmathss.com/admin.htm | title = Srivi Lions Matric Higher Secondary School
#Mangapuram Hindu Hr. Sec. School
#Thiyagaraja Higher Secondary School(THSS)
#V.P.M. Matriculation Hr. Sec. School.
#V.N.U.P Kaleeswari Hr Sec School, Vanniampatty.
#NKG Middle School-Nachiarpatti.

Notable personalities from Srivilliputtur

* U.V. Saminatha Iyer, known for his collection and compiling of ancient Tamil literature works
* K. S. Krishnan (Kariamanikkam Srinivasa Krishnan), co-discoverer of the Raman Effect for which his mentor, C. V. Raman, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930
* Former Chief Justice Of Tamil Nadu, Justice K Veeraswami
* Late M.L.A Thamarikani.
* K. M. Irulappan, noted linguist and anthropologist known for translating ancient Sanskrit, Hebrew and Greek literature and publishing numerous books in Tamil and other languages
# Dr. T. Ramasami - Current Secretary, Ministry - Dept of Science & Technology, New Delhi and Ex Director of CLRI, Chennai

Transport

The best time to visit this town is during the Margazhi Thirunal (dec-jan)and the Adi Thirunal (July-August)which are very popular and provide a rare experience of the traditional temple festivals some of them unique to this town.

Air

The nearest Domestic Airport is Madurai(approx 70 km) that is well connected to Chennai international airport. Srivilliputtur is around 1.5 hours from Madurai Airport by Taxi.

Rail

The Chennai-Tenkasi (Podhigai) Express runs daily to this town . Summer special trains are available from Virdhunagar Jn in summer(April-June).A daily passenger train service is also available from Madurai.

Bus

Buses to Srivilliputtur are there from Periyar and Mattuthavani bus stands of Madurai. Buses from both places are available every 20 mins. Buses to Srivilliputtur from Tirunelveli,Virudhunagar starting from the main bus stand are also available for every half an hour. Buses from various main places in Tamil Nadu to Srivilliputtur are also available frequently.

Restaurants

Hotel Kathiravan - On East car street, also known as 'Kothandam Pillai kadai', Good for Veg.

Suresh Parotta Stall - Near Bus Stand, Good for Non-Veg.

Padayappa Hotel - Opposite to Indian Bank, Good for Idli.

Arasan Hotels - Good for Non Vegetarian.

References

External Links

* [http://www.gupthamatches.com Guptha Match Works]