Kovilpatti

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Kovilpatti
type = town
latd = 9.17 | longd = 77.87
locator_position = right
state_name = Tamil Nadu
district = Thoothukudi
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 106
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 87,458
population_density =
area_magnitude = sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
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Kovilpatti (கோவில்பட்டி in Tamil) is a town municipality in Thoothukudi / Thoothukudi District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

It is the second largest town in Thoothukudi District in Tamil Nadu, India. It was the largest Taluk in terms of revenue villages in India but recently it was split into Ettayapuram and Kovilpatti Taluks.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Kovilpatti had a population of 87,458. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kovilpatti has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 70%. In Kovilpatti, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Geography

Kovilpatti is located at coord|9.17|N|77.87|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/25/Kovilpatti.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kovilpatti] ] It has an average elevation of 106 metres (347 feet).

Kovilpatti is a fast growing town in Tuticorin District with prominent commercial and industrial activity, including a large number of match factories, textile mills and factories manufacturing crackers. It is the gateway for entrants to Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts from the north and west, located 100km south of Madurai city, 55km north of Tirunelveli Town and 60km north-west of Tuticorin.

Kovilpatti is situated on the National Highway No.7 which connects Varanasi in the North and Kanyakumari in the South. The town lies approximately 658m above mean sea Level, which gives a unique geographical look to this town. It has a small hill to its south east known as Swarna Kathiresa Malai. The deity is Lord Muruga. Because of its height, the town is airy. The Postal Pincode is 628501.

Climate and Rainfall

The climate of Kovilpatti town is hot and dry temperatures range between a maximum of 37oC and a minimum of 22oC. April to June are the hottest months and the lowest temperatures are recorded during the months of December and January. Temperatures start rising towards the end of February. The town receives a low rainfall compared to the district average and the annual rainfall varies from 964 mm to 228 mm during past decades. The mean annual average raifall for the town is approximately 840 mm. Majority of the rainfall is received by the town during the North-east mansoon in the months of October to December.

Town development and growth

The town started its development earlier than 1876. The introduction of the Southern Railway, the establishment of Loyal Textiles (1891), establishment of Government of Headquarters Offices (1911), Lakshmi Mills (1926) etc., induced the physical growth of the Town.

The Loyal Textile Mills [http://www.loyaltextiles.com Loyal Mills] and The Lakshmi Mills [http://www.lakshmimills.com Lakshmi Mills] are the major industrial establishments in Kovilpatti which provides both direct and indirect employment to around 25000 people.

Kovilpatti is famous for match works (Safety Matches) and fireworks, and is often called the 'Matchless City of Matches'. It is the largest manufacturer of match boxes in India and second only to Sivakasi in the manufacture of fireworks. In a day, more than 500 trucks carry loads of finished safety matches and fireworks to all parts of India, and to the ports of Tuticorin and Chennai for exports. Because of its strategic location, Kovilpatti has emerged as an industrial town. Two large Kovilpatti textile mills, Lakshmi Mills and Loyal Mills, are each 75 years old. Kovilpatti Agricultural Research Station is one of the most highly regarded agricultural research centres in Tamilnadu.

kovilpatti is also known for Hockey. 'The Kuppusamy Naidu Memorial Tournament' happens every year for around 15 days and hockey teams from all over India participate in this tournament.

Kovilpatti is very well known for 'kadalaimittai'(sweet peanut cake).This is made out of groundnut/peanut and other added flavours.

Annarathna Match Industries, Aruna Match Works, Rose Matches, Comorin Match Industries, Liberty Matches, Nagajothis International and East India Match Industries are a few of the top companies manufacturing Safety Matches in this town.

In this temple, a group called "Lok Veer Ayyapa Seva Sangam " founded by a man called "Chellanatha Subramainan" founder for the "Annadhanam", which means, free food distribution, is doing a lot of good social deeds for more than 35 years by which at least 5000 people are enjoying the blessings of lord ayyapa.Most of people involved in lot of social activities.

Manufactured matches from Kovilpatti are delivered to all the states of India and also abroad. Consequently, transportation plays a major role in Kovilpatti, and there are larger number of cargo movers and fleet owners based in the city. Many automobile shops, cargo contractors and trading companies have occupied the town in the past two decades.

Revolution of Match Industries

There are many mechanized match factories emerging in and around Kovilpatti, due to labour shortages in the Frame Filling Division and Wax and Chemical Dipping Division. But other processes, such as box filling, labeling and packing are done by hand by the existing women workers.

Notable people born in and around Kovilpatti

* Subramanya Bharathi, nationalistic poet
* V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, freedom fighter
* Veerapandiya Kattabomman, freedom fighter
* Konangi, writer

Institutions

Schools

* V.O.C Govt Higher Secondary School
* Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School
* The Lakshmi Mills Higher Secondary School [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?num=20&ie=UTF8&oe=utf-8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=9.165887,77.855569&spn=0.008209,0.012488&t=h&z=17&msid=106573862972579001511.0004540d57f17a9c1e7e8]
* Viswakarma High School
* Nadar Higher Secondary School
* Nadar Middle School
* Kamaraj Matriculation Higher Secondary School
* St. Pauls Matriculation Higher Secondary School
* Kammavar girls Higher secondary school
* John Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School
* Seventh Day Adventist School
* A.V Higher Secondary School
* The Counian Matriculation Higher Secondary School
* K.R.A.Vidyasaram
* CKT Matriculation Higher Secondary School
* Everest Mariapa Higher Secondary School
* Parvathi High School, Illuppaiyourani.

Colleges

* G.Venkataswamy Naidu College:It is the only Government Aided College in Kovilpatti. This Institution was founded in 1966 by the philanthropist Trust "G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Trust" for Medical Relief and Education. This institution has been serving the rural population for more than four decades. Great many Professors like Arasu Narayanasamy Naidu served in this institution. Professor A. Petchy who died in an accident in the service of Arivoli iyakkam served in the Dept of English. Prof K. Perumalsamy, an activist of Tamil Nadu Science Forum and a pioneer member in Madurai Kamaraj Manonmanium Sundaranar University is serving as Head of the Dept of Physics in this College.
* National Engineering College
* Lakshmi Ammal Polytechnic
* K.R College of Arts & Science
* SSDM Arts & Science College

Temples

Shenbagavalli Amman Temple

The Shenbagavalli Amman Temple, is the famous temple in Kovilpatti. The town was developed around this temple. King Shenbagavendhan built the temple. Poovanathaswamy (Lord Shiva) is also an important deity along with Shenbagavalli Amman.

Lord Krishna kovil

Lord Krishna Temple is very old temple in kovilpatti. This temple is located nearer to market place. Navarathri festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Purrattisi, a month long festival during the Tamil month of Margazhi, and Tamil New year celebrated at the start of Tamil month Chitirai are the important festivals in this temple.

Swarnamalai Murugan Kovil

This is a murugan temple situated on a hill top. A panaromic view of the town can be seen from the top of the hill. Best time to visit: 5pm to 8.30 pm. The temple is 82 years old, but now has been reconstructed. Local folklore has it that this temple was build with sand taken from Kandy kathir kamar temple in Srilanka. Parking facilities are available.

Sri Patrakalli Amman Kovil

This is a famous temple, located at centre of town. Chittirai thiruvizha that happens for around 2 weeks is the notable festival about this temple.

Mookkarai Vinayager Kovil

This temple is located in the border of the town, Just near the National highways leading to Tuticorin. The temple is build around a Big tree and all the statues are the natural projections from this tree.

Sri RajaGopalaswamy Temple

The Temple located at Ayyaneri village which is 6 km far away from kovilpatti. Two great festivals vaighasi and Kannan Piraphu is being celebrated every year. Temple is more than 50 years old and these festivals celebrated by ayyaneri people with zeal and full desire. An event called "Vazhukumaram" is being conducted during every Kannan Piraphu festival.

Kalvi Vinayagar Temple

The Temple located at GVN College Campus which is 5 km far away from kovilpatti. Vinayagar Chathurthi Festival is being celebrated every year.

Potti Amman Temple

Potti Amman Temple is the famous temple located in Idaiseval village near to Kovilpatti. This temple is located on lakeshore of south end of village. Goddess Potti Amman blesses people here. Its very Famous Temple for Telugu Speaking people in this area.

Places of Interest

Ettayapuram

It is situated about 15 km from Kovilpatti in east. The place is important as a cotton growing centre. Ettayapuram is famous historically as it was the place where the great freedom fighter Kattabomman of Panchalankuruchi fought against the British and also famous, because it is the birth place of National poet “Bharathi” the famous freedom fighter. A mandapam has been constructed in memory of the poet “Bharathi”. A library is located in that building. The ruins of Ettayapuram Jamin palace. The Manimandapam of Bharathiyar , The Birth house of Bharathiyar, The memorial of Sri Muthusamy Deikshidar. One of the three Karnatic poets are the important tourist places of the Ettayapuram.

Kalugumalai

Kalugumalai (or) “The Hill of Vulture” is situated on the road connecting Kovilpatti and Sankarankoil. It is massive done of rock with 300 feet height approximately which can be seen from a far of place. The place of is famour for its rock cut temple called “vetuvankoil”. A temple dedicated to lord Subramaniya Swamy is also located at the foot of the rock.

Panchalankuruchi

Panchalankuruchi is situated three kilometers, north of Ottapidaram. The famous freedom fighter Kattabomman ‘s fort is located here .At present only the remaining of fort is seen in the site. Since it has been destroyed by the British of late in 1975, the Government of Tamilnadu have constructed a fort in Panchalankurich in memory of the freedom fighter.

Sankarankoil

The Lord Siva and Gomathiamman temple is famous here. “Adithapasu” festival effects large crowds during July or August of every year. This town is situated west of Kovilpatti and attracts, Pilgrims, devotes in and around districts.

Theatres

* Shanmuga (DTS)
* Sathyabama (or) Narayanaswamy (Partly A.C./DTS)
* Moorthy
* Ramasamy (Quibe Digital System)
* AKS (Quibe Digital System)
* Lakshmi (DTS)

Media

There are local several channels available in Kovilpatti. Among them KCV, SATHYA TV are interactive and interesting.

B00ks published

A book on biography of great patriot comrade Harkishan sing surjeet titled "sudar vittu prakasikum sivappu natchathiram" was published on the eve of marriage reception of Miss P. RAVATHY- R. BHARATHIRAJA by Prof MUTA K.Perumalsamy on 20.08.08

External links

* http://www.kovilpatti.com [Matchless Portal of Match City]
* http://www.gvncsfc.org [GVN College(SFC),Kovilpatti]
* http://www.maniindiatech.com [Mani India Technologies Pvt Ltd.,]
* http://www.deepakmatches.com
* http://www.kamalahospitals.com
* http://www.originalprintingpress.com
* http://www.comorin-matches.com

References

* http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kovilpatti/