Aruppukottai City

About:

Aruppukottai town lies 50 km south of Madurai city and 20 km East of Virudhunagar town on the Tuticorin - Madurai National Highway road Extension No.49B, being a First Grade Municipality with an area of 14.96 sq. km. The town has a population of 83999 as per the 2001 census.

Aruppukottai acts mainly as an Educational and Commercial hub for the surrounding areas, mainly villages. There is an Engineering College, Two Arts & Science Colleges and more than five Schools of Higher Secondary level. It is noted for its cotton industries and limestone industries.

Sathyamoorthy Bazaar, Main Bazzaar, Kasukadai Bazaar, Nadar West & East street, Velaikottai are the main town areas. Chockalingapuram, Sengunthapuram, Kulandaivelpuram, Anna nagar, Aziz nagar, Periyar Nager, Periya Theru, Maravar Theru, Thammandh Theru, Kalla Theru, Puliam Patty, Chinna Puliampatti & Peria PuliamPatti, Vadugar Kottai, Velayuthapuram, Thirunagaram, Valavanthapuram, Mani Nagaram, Therku Theru, Agraharam, Ramasamy Puram, Amman Kovil Theru, Chekkadi, Palayampatty Old Jameen Palace.

Aruppukottai acts mainly as an Educational and Commercial hub for the surrounding villages. It is noted for its cotton industries mainly spinning mills. Rice mills and limestone industries, hand loom, power loom, printing press, and some small scale industries such as school note book and daily calendar manufacturing. Hand loom, power loom is the main job in Vellaikottai area. Saliyars, mudaliyars & chettiars hasve weaving as the main work. Major employers are spinning mills, weaving sectors (handloom & powerloom), rice mills, private transport and government sector apart from agriculture.

We can reach the Temple city Madurai within one hour from Aruppukottai. Sri Ramana Maharishi was born in Tiruchuli near Aruppukottai town. The name evolved from 'Arumbu Kottai' which means Fort of Jasmines. The small villages & towns surrounding Aruppukottai are famous for production of Jasmine flowers. It is also called as United Streets of Aruppukottai (USA). In every public exams, Aruppukottai Educational District occupies the first position in overall pass percentage

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

History of Aruppukottai City:

From the 19th century AD, District Collectors and Judges appointed by the British controlled the area. In 1910, the District of Ramanathapuram was created for reasons of administrative convenience, by carving-out territories from Madurai and Tirunelveli Districts. In 1948, after India attained independence, the zamins were abolished.

In 1985, the Ramanathapuram District was trifurcated to create the districts of Ramanathapuram, Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar Tirumagan(later renamed Sivaganga) and Kamarajar District (later renamed Virudhunagar District).

The District headquarters is Virudhunagar town. It covers an area of 4232 sq. km. and is divided into 8 taluks, namely Aruppukkottai, Kariapatti, Rajapalayam, Sattur, Sivakasi, Srivilliputur, Tiruchuli and Virudhunagar.

Educational Institutions Aruppukottai City:

Municipal Schools:

* Municipal Primary School, South Street
* Municipal Primary School, Ramasamypuram
* Municipal Middle School, Weavers Colony
* Municipal Middle School, Madurai Road
* Municipal Middle School, West Car Street

Government Aided Schools:

* Vellakkottai Sengunthar Primary School
* C.S.I. Primary School, Puliampatti
* C.S.I. Town Primary School, Pandalgudi Road
* C.S.I. Boarding Middle School, Madurai Road
* S.B.K. Primary School
* Hindu Nadar Middle School
* Devangar Primary School, South Street
* Devangar Middle School, Puliampatti
* Devangar Town Middle School, Telephone Road
* Devangar Middle School, Chokkalingapuram
* Sengunthar Thirunagaram Primary School
* Velayuthapuram Saliar Mahajana Middle School
* Vellakkottai Saliar Mahajana Middle School
* Kammavar Primary School, Puliampatti
* Kammavar Ramanujar Middle School, Puliampatti
* Prince of Wales Institute Primary School, Pandalkudi Road
* MECA Primary School, Valavandapuram street, Madurai Road

High Schools:

* S.T.R.N. Government High School, Pandalkudi Road
* Sengunthar High School, Thirunagaram

Higher Secondary Schools:

* Devangar Higher Secondary School
* Devangar Girls Higher Secondary School
* Senghunthar Higher Secondary School, Vellaikottai
* SBK Higher Secondary School * SBK Girls Higher Secondary School
* CSI Girls Higher Secondary School
* Saliar Mahajana Higher Secondary School
* Al-Ameen Muslim Higher Secondary School

Nursery, Primary, Convent and Matriculation Schools:

* Lions Junior Nursery and Primary School
* Sri Sowdambiga Convent Matriculation School
* Junior Cambridge Primary and Matriculation School
* Joseph Carmel Convent Matriculation School
* Seventhday Adventist Primary and Matriculation School
* Sivananda Vidyalayam Matriculation School
* K.S.S Thiagarajan Memorial Primary and Matriculation School
* Ambigai Vidhyalaya Nursery And Primary School
* Gandhi Vidhyalayam Matriculation School, Ramasamy Nagar
* Bharathi Balar Primary School, Ramasamy Nagar
* Venkateswara Vidhyalaya Nursery and Primary School, Rajiv Nagar
* B.P.V. Sala Middle School, Palayampatti
* Saliar Mahajana Nursery School

Colleges:

* Devanga Arts College
* SBK Arts & Science College
* Sree Sowdambiga College of Engineering

Polytechnic:

* Sri Sowdambika Polytechnic college

ITI:

* Sri Jayavilas Memorial Subburaj Industrial training Center, Gandhi Nagar
* Vivekanda ITI, Kalkuruchi
* Vinayaka ITI, Peria Vallikulam

Langauge

Culture:

Thai Pongal:
Kolam taken in a house in Aruppukottai during Thai pongal festival.During the Pongal festival kolam Rangoli is very famous in Aruppukottai. The month of "Margazhi" was eagerly awaited by young women in Aruppukottai to showcase their skills by covering the entire width of the road with one big kolam! It was indeed a test of mastery, as one cannot repeat a pattern for 30 days.On Bhogi night, young women will be drawing kolam by spending their entire night. Next day morning they will be roaming their closest streets to see kolams in all houses.

Car Festival:
Aani therottam is very famous of about thousand years at Sri Chokkanathar Samedha Meenakshi Amman Kovil at Chokkalinga Puram every year car festival is celebrated on Tamil month of Aani June end or July first week. People go with family to temple and enjoy the festival from near by villages also, much crowd of Hindu pilgrims pray lord while at roads very Devotional function of the entire city Hindu peoples and they gave every day Mandagapadi To Temple from each castes. This is making Hindu peoples unity. During that festival the areas around the temple is like heaven. All the family members get together & attend the festival. It is the biggest function in Aruppukottai.
During this festival always exhibition is conducted in Devangar Higher Secondary School. Several entertainment programs will be there. These are conducted by all caste mambers. Chettiars, Saliyars, Mudaliyars, Thevars etc.

Theppa Thiruvizha:
Aruppukottai has two theppam (artificial tanks to replenish ground water) in the center of the town. One is close to SBK schools. Another one is near to Sri Chokkanadha Samedha Meenakshi Amman Kovil, Chokkkalinga Puram. If these theppam are filled during the kaarthigai month (mid-November to mid-December), theppa thiruvizha will be celebrated here. This festival is celebrated during the Karthigai day in Karthigai month. God in a car will be floated in the theppam.

Panguni Thiruvizha:
Every year Panguni Thiruvizha town festival similar to famous Chithirai Pongal in Maduari is celebrated here at Mariamman Temple.It features month long exhibition, people carrying Agni Chatti fire pots walking on fire and many. Some people use to carry 21, 51 or 101 fire pots. During this period many migrated families to other towns and cities too return to native town to participate in the mass celebration.Exhibition During the Panguni Thiruvizha, exhibition will be conducted in S.B.K. Higher Secondary School's playing ground which acts as a meeting ground for various relatives and friend to share their social aspects and participate and witness local Tamil Nadu's good cultural programmes. The exhibition serve to bring better bond among the various social groups of Aruppukottai town. This is being organized by Aruppukottai Nadar Uravinmurai Trust.

How to reach Aruppukottai City:

Tourist Attraction of Aruppukottai City:

Kalainathaswamy Temple :
Kalainathaswamy Temple is one of the major temples of Virudhunagar district, located at Pallimadam and Vira Pandya had built this somber shrine (Pallipadai) at Pallimadam for his brother Sundara Pandya, a famous Pandya ruler. Earlier known as Pallippadai Sundara Pandya Isvaramudayar Kovil, this shrine is now called Kalainathaswamy Kovil. It is a unique funereal temple of its kind during the era of Pandya Nadu. Srivilliputtur temple, located in Srivilliputtur town in Tamil Nadu is believed to be the birthplace of Andal, the wife of Lord Vishnu. Andal, also the author of Tiruppaavai, is known to celebrate the collection of 30 poems. This temple is one among the holiest of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Virudhunagar district dedicated to Lord Vishnu.The temples of Virudhunagar district are all situated in higher elevation, similarly the temple tower of Kalainathaswamy Temple one among the tallest towers in TamilNadu, is twelve-storeyed and rises to a height of 192 ft. Features delicate carvings. In the north eastern segment of the temple complex is the Vatapatrasayee temple, this temple boasts shrines dedicated to each of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Tirumeninathar Temple:
Tirumeninathar Temple, one of the best-known temples of Virudhunagar district is located at Tiruchuzhiyal and spans an area of about 45000 square feet. The temple deity is Tirumeninathar. The Sthala teertham is Pralaya teertham. Saint Sundarar is said to have composed pathigams in praise of the lord. Main festivals celebrated here are the grand Brahmotsavam in Panguni (mid March - mid April), Palani Andavar festival in Thai (mid January - mid February), and the Amman Tapas festival in the month of Aadi (mid July - mid August). The temples of Virudhunagar district are visited by thousands of pilgrims every year.

Bhuminathaswamy temple:
Tiruchuli is located on the southern bank of the Gundar. The Bhuminathaswamy temple at Tiruchuli is counted among the 14 famous Shaiva centres in Pandya nadu. Its located 40 Kms. East from Virhdunagar, 45 Kms South from Madurai. Name of God is Bhuminathar, Godess is Thunaimalai Amman. Its deity has been venerated in the hymns sung by Shaivite Nayanar Sundaramoorthy and Sekkilar. The temple has undergone extensive renovations and the present complex accommodates a number of shrines built over time within the high boundary walls constructed during the reign of Muthuramalinga Setupati.Swami Vivekananda was stayed three days in this temple due to the flood of Gundar river in his yatras.

Pallimadam:
Pallimadam is situated on the outskirts of Tiruchuli on the eastern bank of the river Gundar. Sundara Pandya, a 10th century AD Pandya ruler, famous for his erudition, died while visiting Pallimadam. He was buried there and his younger brother Vira Pandya (AD 946-966) erected a sepulchral shrine (pallipadai) over his grave. The temple was known as Pallippadai Sundara Pandya Isvaramudayar koil. It is now called Kalainathaswamy koil. The name Pallippadai has over the years been corrupted to Pallimadam. This sepulchral temple is the only one of its kind in Pandya nadu.

Ramana Maharishi Ashram:
Sri Ramana Maharishi was born in 30.12.1879 at Thiruchuli. His mother is Thirumathi. Azhagammal, father is Thiru. Sundaram Iyer. He was lived in the house of 'Sundara Mandhiram".Arul Migu Thirumeni Nadha Swamy temple is situated on the State Highways of Srivilliputur to Parthipanur. this temple is ten of the Pandiya's Thalam out of fourteen in Tamil Nadu. This temple has 9 kinds of Theerthas and 8 kinds of lingas.Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharishi was born at Tiruchuli. An ashram was established in 1988 on the banks of the river Gundar to propagate his teachings.

Aruppukkottai town:
Aruppukkottai is a renowned weaving centre. Both handloom and powerloom weaving are undertaken. In the handloom sector both silk and cotton sarees are woven. The powerloom units weave towels, sarees, lungis, bedsheets and bedcovers. Units for spinning yarn as well as units for dyeing yarn have been established here.

Kullursandai reservoir:
The Kullursandai reservoir on the Kowsiga mahanadi, a tributary of the Arjuna nadi. Is being developed into a picnic spot. Boasting facilities are offered at the reservoir which also attracts numerous water birds in the months of August to February.

Guhanparai:
Guhanparai is located on the road to Kalugumalai from Vembakkottai. A small hillock to the west of the village is called Guhanparai and the village takes on the same nomenclature. There is a small natural cavern at the foot of the hillock, which is believed to have been used as a shelter by Jain monks. A 10th century AD Vatteluttu inscription on a rock of the hillock states that a monastery Munnurruvarperumpalli was established in the name of Munnurruvar kovilpillaigal (servants of the palace).

Irukkangudi:
Irukkangudi is located to the east of Sattur, at the confluence of the Arjuna nadi and the Vaippar. The Mariamman koil, located close to the confluence, is a popular spot for devotees. The Panguni Uttiram is an important festival celebrated in the month of Panguni for 21 days

Mariamman Koil:
The Mariamman temple in the town was constructed in 1923. The Panguni Uttiram, celebrated in the month of Panguni for 21 days at this temple, is the main festival of the town and its surroundings.

Kamaraj’s House:
The house where the great leader Kamaraj was born has been converted into a memorial. The rooms are adorned with photographs of the leader at every stage of his life. A few of his clothes, his watch as well as articles used by him are displayed.

Sivakasi town:
Sivakasi is famous for its match and fireworks units as well as for printing. Some of the most advanced printing units in the country are located here offering state of the art, world class facilities. 70% of the total production of matches and fire works in India are manufactured mainly in the towns of Sivakasi and Sattur.

Tiruthangal:
Tiruthangal is located on the road from Virudhunagar to Sivakasi. The area around the town has been under almost continuous occupation since 4000 BC. Three Sangam age poets - Mudakkorranar, Porkollan Vennahanar and Athireyan Sengannanar were said to have lived at Tiruthangal. The ancient name of the town was Thangal. The town is mentioned in the Silappadikaram

On top of a low hillock in the town there is a structural temple Ninranarayanaperumal koil originally constructed during the Early Pandya period. The temple is considered one of the 108 sacred sites of the Vaishnava faith. Bhuthathalvar and Tirumangaialvar have sung hymns in praise of the temple. A bronze image of Tirumangaialvar was installed in the temple in the 10th century AD. The Ninranarayanaperumal koil was renovated in the 13th century AD and completely rebuilt in the Nayak period.

Vembakottai:
The Vembakottai Reservoir System receives water from 7 distributaries of the Vaippar. These streams originate in the eastern slopes of the Western ghats. The reservoir is a scenic spot ideal for picnics. It is being developed into a tourist spot with landscaped gardens and boating facilities.

Andal , Vadabadrasayi koil:
Godha, or Naachiyaar or Andal was born in Srivilliputur - Thiruvilliputur - a beautiful village slowly turning into a town. Srivilliputur is on the Virudhunagar - Thenkasi train route, about 65 km. south of Madurai, very well-connected by road with Madurai, Tenkasi, Tirunelveil, Sivakasi and Sattur.

The Lord of Srivilliputtur is known as Vatapatrasayi or Rangamannar. The banyan tree leaf - which is known as Vatapatram, on which the Lord rests in the form of a baby during deluge.Srivilliputur is one of the 108 sacred Vaishnavite kshetras. The town is famous for the Vadapadrasayi temple, Which houses the Andal temple. The Nayak Kings constructed the Vatapatrasayi temple. But its story goes a long way back to Pandiya times, when moved by her devotion, Lord Krishna married the poetess-devotee Andal.. The Vadapadrasayi temple consists of three major portions. The northern portion hasthe Pallikonda Perumal shrine (Vishnu in reclining posture). The Andal shrine occupies the southern portion.

Shenbagathope Grizelled Squirrel Sanctuary:
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 sq. kms. 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 100m to 2010 m above sea level. The sanctuary is home to the endangered, arboreal grizzled giant squirrel Ratufa macrora. This greyish brown squirrel weighs 1 to 1.8 kg. and is the size of a small cat. It measures about 73.5 cms. from nose to tail with the tail being 36 – 40 cm. 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 0.197 hectare

Pilavakkal Dam:
The Pilavakkal dam on the river has two sections- the Periyar dam and the Kovilar dam. The areas surrounding the dam sites have been landscaped into beautiful gardens. Facilities like boating are offered to tourists. This is an ideal picnic spot.

Ayyanar falls:
Ayyanar falls is located on the eastern slopes of the western ghats. The falls located in the midst of scenic green vegetation is a popular location for picnics. The best season to visit the falls is from September to January.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Aruppukottai City:

Arockiaraj Hotel a/c:43, Madurai Road,Virudunagar, Tamil Nadu,India,Ph:04562 420044

Hotel Carnation:Thoappu Street, Virudhunagar,Tamil Nadu

Hotel Vijay:122, Tirupparankunram Rd, Vasantha Nagar, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu,Ph:045 22336321

Royal Court:Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu,Ph:045 2435 6666

Useful Links:

http://municipality.tn.gov.in/Aruppukkottai/abcity_Place%20of%20interest.htm

Aruppukottai City