Thuraiyur

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Thuraiyur | type = city | state_name = Tamil Nadu
district = Tiruchirappalli
latd = 11 |latm = 10 |lats = 7
longd= 78 |longm= 37 |longs= 16
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude =
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 30,998| population_density =
area_magnitude= 14.55 km²
area_total =
area_telephone = 04327(XXXXXX)
postal_code = 621010
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website = www.thuraiyur.com
footnotes =

Thuraiyur is a town and a municipality in Tiruchirappalli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Thuraiyur Municipality - It has upgraded as III Grade Municipality from Town Panchayat on 17.01.1970. It was upgraded to II Grade Municipality in May 1998.

History

Thuraiyur – Once upon a time, this place was ruled by the Zamindars and the people called them as ‘ thurai mars’. Like wise the place called as ‘thurai oor’ and derived as ‘Thuraiyur’ now.

Vyrichettipalayam, village is in Thuraiyur zone. This village is one of the Palayam (Administrative zones created during Nayakar rule) in Thuraiyur Taluk. This village was ruled by local chieftain by name Vyrichetti. His statue is still in Vyrichettipalayam Kamatchiamman temple. Ariyanatha Mudhali (powerful chief minister of Madurai king Thrirumala Nayakkar) made lot of donations to this temple. This information is in copper inscription.

Demographics and Geography

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Thuraiyur had a population of 30,998. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Thuraiyur has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 67%. In Thuraiyur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. As per 2003-04 survey, about 39% of the people are living below poverty line.

Thuraiyur town is located 43 km North West of Trichy and 120 km South East of Salem. It is connected toHighway (NH-45 Chennai - Trichy Road) by Perambalur, which is about 38 km from Thuraiyur. Namakkal is located within a radius of 60 km. Thuraiyur is surrounded by Pachamalai and Kollimalai, which are sometimes included as a part of Eastern Ghats.

Economy

Two decades back agriculture was the main occupation of people. Paddy and Cholam are the predominant crops. But now, the indigenous economy of this town is based on agricultural products and jewelleries. Thuraiyur economy has witnessed a significant role played by the handloom manufacturers. With the advancement of powerlooms, it has lost its significance. But still, handloom is one of the main occupation among the people of Thuraiyur. Also many present generation young men are leaving this town to metropolitan cities like Chennai and Banglore in search of greener pastures like high end software services and information technology.

Places of Interest

Temples

Thuraiyur is also famous for the temple Prasanna Venkatasalapathi, situated in the Thuraiyur-Perambalur road. Prasanna Venkatasalapathi temple lies at the top of Perumalmalai that lies 960 feet above ground level in Pachamalai hills, 3 km from Thuraiyur in Tiruchirappalli district.

This temple is said to be constructed by the grandson of Karikala Chozhan. The kings are later named as Karuppannar and Veeraswamy and they are worshiped in the temple. Musical pillars are available. Hundreds of devotees take part in the Girivalam procession around the Perumalmalai hillock on all full-moon days.

Also Thuraiyur is famous for its Nandhikeshuvarar aalayam, (a shiva temple) and a Vishnu temple which were built many centuries before.

Education

Zamindhar higher secondary school is one of the very famous schools in Thuraiyur. One of the great leaders of Tamilnadu Kamaraj during his drive to educate his people funded Thuraiyur Zamindhars to start this school. Almost 50% of the present population in Thuraiyur and in the neighbouring villages would have studied in this school. This school is also very famous for its liberal encouragement of sports.

Other good schools in Thuraiyur are: Sengunthar higher secondary school, Sowdambika matriculation higher secondary and many other nursery and primary schools.

Sowdambika was started by sambamurthi ten years back.It has a well infrastructure but they are still constructing.Last year,10th students had 100% results.

Jayaram engineering college is located just ten kilometers from Thuraiyur. Nehru memorial college in Puthanampatti just twelve kilometers from Thuraiyur. It was a started by local businessman who was a great visionary and philanthropist.

Swami vivekananda Higher Secondary school. Vairichettipalayam, is located just 15 km from Thuraiyur. This is ancient Educational institution of this place., This school has been Managed by Mr.Arangarajan M.A.

Irrigation

Thuraiyur is one of the very few towns in Tamilnadu that has a high grade water management system in place. During rainy season, water from the nearby hills fill the Periya Eri (bigger lake), and it is used to irrigate the nearby agricultural lands. When the lake reaches its maximum level, arrangements are made to drain the excess water into the nearby teppakulam through an underground canal. A canal runs through the heart of the city from Periya Eri to Chinna Eri (smaller lake), to irrigate fields in the southern side of Thuraiyur.

Transport

Thuraiyur is well connected by road with the neighbouring district capital Trichy and also with Namakkal,Perambalur, Karur and Salem. We could find buses to Trichy every five minutes during daytime. Thuraiyur is well connected with the neighbouring villages.one can find lot of mini buses to travel from town to nearby villages.

The nearest railway station is Trichy, about 45 km from Thuraiyur.The nearest airport is also at Trichy.

Notable People

Thuraiyur M.Rajagopala Sharma was from Thuraiyur and is considered to be a very original and outstanding composer and carnatic music vocalist.

Adhimoolam (One of the great Artist in India) was born in Keerambur 5 km from Thuraiyur. He died on January 2008 in Chennai.

References