Budalur

Budalur (pronounced as 'boodhaloor') is a small town in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located at 22 km to the west of Thanjavur and around 45 km to the east of Thiruchirapalli (called as Trichy). There are 3 rivers passing through Budalur namely "Vennaaru", "Anandha Cauvery" and "Grand Anaicut Canal" (also called "Pudhaaru").

Culture

Budalur stands as a witness for Tamilian Culture. Jallikattu is a very famous event conducted with the cooperation of people from the surrounding villages during Pongal festival. Also many specialists in "Silambaatam"(Tamilian Martial Art), "Karakaatam"(Rural Dance Method) are available in the nearby villages. Another special festival here is Aadi Perukku. People used to go to river on that day and spend the evening there with their families and friends.

Transport

The most significant landmark of Budalur is its Railway Station that was built by the British people some 160 years ago. Except Jan Sataapthi, all other trains that pass through the station will stop there for passengers. Some 30 years ago, this was a small village with much less population and the major occupation was agriculture. But now lot of other businesses are available and the life style of people has also changed. The major change is due to the easiness to travel provided by Railway Station.

There are lot of roadways from Budalur to reach the main towns of Thanjavur and Trichy. There are lot of buses available from major towns and other villages to Budalur. Most of the people use two-wheelers. There are taxi stands, load vehicle stands and a vegetable market available around the railway station. A petrol bunk (sicsic) is available near the Agraharam Street (the street of Brahmins).

Schools

There are 3 Matriculation Schools (Our Lady of Health Matriculation School-A Christian Convent, Vidhya Matriculation School, Wesley Matriculation School), 2 Government Elementary Schools, a Government Girls Higher Secondary School and a Government Higher Secondary School. Budalur is the main educational center for lot of small villages around it.

Offices

A sub-Registrar's Office in Budalur covers more than 80 villages in Budalur Circle. Also the major office of Budalur is the Panchayat Union Office (formerly called as Block Development Office) that connects Budalur with 40 major village panchayats with 90 smaller villages. There is a Public Works Department Office and an Assistant Educational Office. The Primary Health Care Centre (PHC) in Budalur serves a lot of village people, free of cost. The PHC contains sophisticated Operation Theatre, Beds and Scanning facilities to help people in case of urgency.

Temples

The place Thiruvaiyaru, which is famous for its "Thiyagaraja Aaraadhanaa" (Carnatic Music Concert), is located at 24 km from Budalur. There are 7 main temples for Lord Shiva(2), Lord Vijaya Kothanda Raama, Lord Murugan, Goddess Naachiyaaramman, Lord Ganesh and Lord Ayyanar. One of Lord Shiva's temple is called as Aabathsahaayeswara (God who helps during problems) temple, which was constructed by Raja Raja Chola (who built Thanjavur "Big temple"), is located in a vast landscape in Kovilpathu (a sub-division of Budalur). This temple has got songs from Ancient Devotees of Lord Shiva like Sundarar etc,.

The world famous Poondi Matha Bascillica (a Catholic Shrine), is located in 9 km from Budalur. Also there is a mosque and 2 churches in Budalur. In total, Budalur maintains secularism.

External links

* http://www.tageo.com/index-e-in-v-25-d-m2905322.htm
* http://tnmaps.tn.nic.in/blks_info.php?dcode=21&blk_name='Budalur'&dcodenew=13&drdblknew=2
* http://www.tnau.ac.in/dr/zonepdf/SouthZone-Aruppukottai.pdf
* http://wikimapia.org/641494/