karur
Karur District
| Karur District is located center along the Kaveri & Amaravathi rivers in Tamil Nadu India. The main town in Karur District is the city of Karur. It had a population of 935,686 as of 2001. It is 33.27% urbanized as per Census 2001. The district has a literacy of 81.74%. As per the Vedas the Brahma created the human's first in this Karur known as Karuvur. Karur famous for its International Home-Textiles & Bus body buildings Karur has an online local news channel - Karurtoday.com. |  |
The Pasupatheesvarar Temple sung by Thirugnana Sambhandar, in Karur was built by the Chola kings in the 7th centuryKarur is one of the oldest towns in Tamil Nadu and has played a very significant role in the history and culture of the Tamils. Its history dates back over 2000 years, and has been a flourishing trading centre even in the early Sangam days. It was ruled by the Cheras, Gangas, Cholas, the Vijayanagara Nayaks, Mysore and the British successively. Epigraphical, numismatic, archaeological and literary evidence have proved beyond doubt that Karur was the capital of early Chera kings of Sangam age. And Kongunadu is only the Chera Kingdom that extended up to the western coast till Muziri in Kerala, South India when the empire was at its peak and which the Cheras made it as their main port city. The Chera Kings and Kongudesa Rajakkal were one and the same. In olden days it was called Karuvoor or Vanchi or Vanji during Sangam days. There has been a plethora of rare findings during the archaeological excavations undertaken in Karur. These include mat-designed pottery, bricks, mud-toys, Roman coins, Chera Coins, Pallava Coins, Roman Amphorae, Rasset coated ware, rare rings, etc.
Karur may have been the center for old jewellery-making and gem setting (with the gold imported mainly from Rome), as seen from various excavations. According to the Hindu mythology, Brahma began the work of creation here, which is referred to as the "place of the sacred cow."
Karur was built on the banks of River Amaravathi which was called Aanporunai during the Sangam days. The names of the early Chera kings who ruled from Karur, have been found in the rock inscriptions in Aru Nattar Malai close to Karur. The Tamil epic Silapathikaram mentions that the famous Chera King Senguttuvan ruled from Karur. In 150 AD Greek scholar Ptolemy mentioned Korevora (Karur) as a very famous inland trading center in Tamil Nadu. After the Sangam Cheras, Kongus (Gangas), a Chera related native clan ruled Karur. After them, their arch rivals Cholas conquered Karur and ruled it for next forty years. The Kongus (Gangas) again conquered Karur as vassals of Hoysalas. The Muslim looter Malik Kafur ended the Hoysalas and Vijayanagara empire absorbed Karur. Thereafter, Karur was a part of the Mysore state. The hanging of Tipu and defeat of Dheeran Chinnamalai broke up Kongu Nadu and Karur was absorbed into the Tiruchirapalli district by the British.
Karuvoor Thevar born in Karur, is one among the nine devotees who sung the divine Music Thiruvichaippa, which is the ninth Thirumurai. He is the single largest composer among the nine authors of Thiruvichaippa. He lived during the reign of the great Raja Raja Chola-I. In addition to the famous Siva Temple.,there is a Vishnu Temple at Thiruvithuvakkodu suburb of Karur, sung by famous Kulasekara Alwar, 7th century AD, who was the ruler of Kongu nadu. The same Temple is presumably mentioned in epic Silappadikaram as Adaha maadam Ranganathar whose blessings Cheran Senguttuvan sought before his north Indian expedition.[1]
Later the Nayakars followed by Tipu Sultan also ruled Karur. The British added Karur to their possessions after destroying the Karur Fort during their war against Tipu Sultan in 1783. There is a memorial at Rayanur near Karur for the warriors who lost their lives in the fight against the British in the Anglo-Mysore Wars. Thereafter Karur became part of British India and was first part of Coimbatore District and later Tiruchirappalli District.
Karur is also a part of Kongu Nadu. The history of Kongu nadu dates back to the 8th century. The name Kongunadu originated from the term "Kongu", meaning nectar or honey. Kongu came to be called as Kongu nadu with the growth of civilization. The ancient Kongunadu country was made up of various districts and taluks which are currently known as Palani, Dharapuram, Karur, Nammakkal, Thiruchengodu, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Satyamangalam, Nilgiris, Avinashi, Coimbatore, Pollachi and Udumalpet.
Economy
Agriculture
Utilization of land area in Karur district is up to 44.59%. 4.76% of the land area remains as other uncultivated land. 2.74% is forest area in Karur district. Black soil is the predominant soil type in this district accounting for 35.51% followed by laterite soil for 23.85%. The remaining 20.31% is sandy, coastal and alluvium soil. The main crops are paddy, banana, sugarcane, battle leaf, grams & pulses, tapioca, kora grass, groundnuts, oilseeds, tropical vegetables, garland flowers, and medicinal herbs.
Home textiles
Karur is famous for its home textiles. Karur has a niche in five major product groups — bed linens, kitchen linens, toilet linens, table linens and wall hangings. Overall Karur generates around Rs.6000 crores in foreign exchange through direct and indirect exports.[citation needed] Allied industries like ginning and spinning mills, dyeing factories, weaving etc., employs around 300,000 people in and around Karur.
On the international textile map, Karur has become synonymous with hand-loom made-ups first as Tirupur in the hosiery product. The weaving industry came to Karur from Kerala and has earned a reputation for its high quality hand-loom products today. Hand-loom Exports from Karur began on a modest scale with just 15 exporters in 1975 and today Karur has 1000s of exporters and the products are supplied to world leading chain stores like WalMart, Target, IKEA, Ahlens etc.
The hand-loom products being exported have been broadly classified under three heads viz., kitchen, bathroom and bedroom furnishing items. Some of the hand-loom made-ups exported from Karur are Bedspreads,Sheet sets, Towels, Floor rugs, Tea towels, Napkins, Aprons, Kitchen towels, Pot holders, Plate mats, Bathmats, Tea mats, Curtains, Pillow, Quilt covers, Shower curtains.
Paper
TNPL is promoted by the Government of Tamil Nadu with loan assistance from the World Bank. Today TNPL is the largest producer of bagasse based paper in the world and the 2nd largest paper producer in Asia. TNPL produces 230,000 tons of Printing & writing paper and consumes 1 million tones of bagasse every year.
Bus body building
Karur is a renowned center for bus building industries. This is a unique feature of Karur and almost 90% of south Indian private bus bodies are being built here. The total business is estimated to be around Rs.750 crore per Annam.
Cement
Karur is also home to Chettinad Cements. It has an installed production capacity of 600,000 tons per annum, with another 1.1 million tons expansion in the pipeline.
Sugar
EID Parry has a sugar factory in Pugalur, Karur. It has a capacity of 4000 TCD per year. It also has a 22 MW co-generation Power plant, with TNPL.
Banking
Karur is the home town of India's oldest private scheduled banks, The Karur Vysya Bank and The Lakshmi Vilas Bank.
Nylon nets
HDPE filament and associated product manufacturing. Its mainly for the fruit fields of Himalayas. Above 50% of nylon net in India is made here only.
Gem stones
The Karur belt also produces some very good Cats eyes, Feldspar, Moonstones, Aquamarines, Sapphires, Jasper and beryl.
Revenue Divisions | 2 |
Taluks | 4 |
Blocks | 8 |
Corporation & Municipalities | 4 |
Town Panchayats | 11 |
Revenue Villages | 203 |
Panchayat Villages | 158 |
Contents[hide] |
[edit] Demographics
This Village panchayat has around 750 homes with a population of 2797 [3]. The total male population is 1465 and female population is 1514. The majority of the population are Kongu Vellalar Gounders, and the rest are Mudaliyar, Dalits and few other castes.
[edit] Geography
The Thirukkattuthurai village is 3 kilometers north-west from the town Velayuthampalayam which is located 11°4'48"N 78°0'1"E at average elevation of 125 meters (413 feet).
[edit] Climate
The highest temperature is in early May to early June usually about 34°C, though it usually exceeds 38°C for a few days most years. Average daily temperature during January is around 23°C, though the temperature rarely falls below 17°C. The average annual rainfall is about 725 mm. It gets most of its seasonal rainfall from the north-east monsoon winds, from late September to mid November.
[edit] Education
The schools in Thirukkattuthurai panchayat & major schools of nearby Panchayats are
Rural-Primary :
Panchayat Union Elementary School, Karaipalayam [Thirukkattuthurai Panchayat]
Panchayat Union Elementary School, Kattipalayam [Thirukkattuthurai]
Panchayat Union Elementary School, Thirukkaduthura [Thirukkattuthurai]
Rangasamy Aided Primary School, Nadaiyanur [Thirukkattuthurai]
Rural - Higher secondary :
Rangasamy Goundar Higher Secondary School, Nadayanur [Thirukkattuthurai]
Urban - Primary :
Mathy Nursery Primary School, Velayuthampalayam [Punjaipugalur Panchayat]
Urban - Secondary :
Krishna Matric School, Velayuthampalayam [Punjaipugalur]
Urban - Higher Secondary :
Government (B) Higher Secondary School, Pugalur [Punjaipugalur]
Government (G) Higher Secondary School, Pugalur [Punjaipugalur]
T N P L Matric Higher Secondary School, Kagithapuram [TNPL pugalur Panchayat]
In recent days because of increased awareness the kids go to nearby TNPL Matric School, Pugalur (accredited with Five Star Status by Bharathidasan University, Trichy) and Pugalur Boys and Girls High School for better education of course including Rangasamy Gounder Higher secondary School.
M. Kumarasamy College of Engineering (MKCE), Thalavapalayam, 639 113, is a land mark on the National High way No.7, located on the Karur – Salem route. It is located 9 kilometers away from Thirukkattuthurai. The college is affiliated to the Anna University, Chennai and also approved by the All India Council of Technical Education, New Delhi. It is the major engineering college close to this village. This village panchayat has recently produced many engineering graduates being employed by big multinational companies. Kandaswami Kandar's College, Paramathi Velur is the Arts & Science college situated 6 km from this village. But this college comes under Nammakkal district.
[edit] Economy
The main dominant form of employment is in agriculture. The main crops grown are Sugarcane, paddy, plantain, yuca or manioc (Maravalli kizhangu), groundnut and Corn. In recent days coconut trees have become more popular. Many people are also working in TNPL Company. Some go to Karur to work in textile industry. Farmers Market (ulavar santhai) is in Velayuthampalayam (3 km) where farmers used to sell their agricultural commodities during morning time and also during every Thursday evening vendors in and around Velayuthampalayam sell domestic commodities in Velayuthampalaym Market near to municipality building.
Major household departmental stores nearby are New colombu stores, Navaladi stores and Pugali super market in Velayuthampalayam.
[edit] Governance
The area is governed by Directorate of Village panchayat which has President, Vice-President, 1 councilor (per ward) and 9 members (for three wards). They are the elected representatives of the village. Elections are conducted once in 5 years. Village Code of Thirukkattuthurai Village Panchayat is 12.[4]
[edit] Banking & other Facilities
The village panchayat has also one public library in Nadayanur. Water from Cauvery River is pumped through motor (maintained by the village) to agriculture fields of the village. Village Ration shops are in Thirukkattuthurai and Aalamarathumeydu from where pulses, fuel, domestic commodities are bought by village people. The playgrounds and sports material to that is established through the Rural Development Department for the village panchayat. In this village panchayat there are two banks Tamil Nadu co-operative Society in Aalamarathumeydu and Indian overseas bank in Nadayanur.
Other banks available are Indian Overseas Bank, Kandampalayam (2.5 km), Bank Of India, Velayuthampalayam (3 km), State Bank of India, Pugalur branch in Kagithapuram (4.5 km).
[edit] Vigilance & Emergency
Police station : Nearby police station is located at velayuthampalayam (3 km).Contact number of Inspector is 91-4324-270444
Fire & Rescue Service : It is located in velayuthampalayam-Pugalur branch (3 km).Contact number is 91-4324-270400
Ambulance Service : Contact 108 / Rotary Club Of Karur 91-4324-234588
[edit] Healthcare
There is Government General Hospital [5] at the footsteps of Pugali Malai in Velayuthampalayam. There are two main private hospitals on the Karur-Velur highway which has inpatient services. There are many small clinics run by several doctors. The medical services are well supported by clustered medical stores in the junction of velayuthampalayam. For major medical and surgical services, the public go to one of the places (Paramathy Velur, Karur, Erode, Coimbatore, and Trichy).
[edit] Entertainment & Festivals
Most of the town residents have access to almost all Television channels. One has to travel to 'Karur' (21 km) or 'Paramathi Velur' (4 km) to watch a movie in theatre.
There are 3 Theatres in Paramathi Velur:- Abirami theatre [Contact no: 91-4268-220420,9344828275], Ganesa theatre and Siva theatre. In Karur there are 10 theatre and its details can be found later.
The Thirukkattuthurai village has Pillaiyar temple, Maariyamman temple and Maruthaiveeran temple (Dalits). Pookuli festival of Maariyamman temple - twice in a year during December, April month (walk of devotees over red hot wooden piece) will be there in Thirukkattuthurai and devotees in and around this village will get together.
[edit] Pugali Malai
The temple in Pugalur situated north west of Karur dedicated to Lord Murugan on a small hill at Velayuthanpalayam and there are many inscriptions about Chera since Karur is the administrative capital of Chera Dynasty. It is situated 3 km from Thirukkattuthurai. Every year during the first week of February month []Thaipusam]] is celebrated in this temple. During which devotees take Kavadi to this temple and at that night Theru (Temple Cart) with Lord Muruga in it is moved around the hill by people with the help of Chain.
[edit] Kodumudi Temple
Sthala Puranam (Mythology)
A well known divine story of the temple starts with the combat between Aathisesha and Vaayu ( God of lie and element 'air'). This war pulses the holy Meru (Divine hill) and makes one Apex into five pieces, after this war the five pieces of the apex changes into five Swayambulinga Sivasthalas. These five sthalas are considered as five types of precious stones as follows:
Emerald - Thirueengoimalai (nearer to Musiri) Red - Thiruvannarmalai Blue - Kuttraalam Manickam - Sivaaya Malai Diamond - Kodumudi
Obligations for marriages, child birth, covers a maximum part of prarthana, nexly people those suffering from physical and mental diseases are strongly believing this sthala for their remedy.Vanni Tree (The tree is a 3000 year old living tree.).Festivals in this temple are in Chithirai, Aadi,Aavani, Aipasi,Karthikai, Markazhi,Thai, Maasi,Panguni of Tamil months. In addition to Aadipperukku where lighted lamps are set afloat in the river Cauvery.
Kunchitapaada Natarajar has both his feet on the ground, in contrast to the raised left foot and the lion faced pillars testify to Pallava contributions.
[edit] Transport
The town has numerous modes of transport such as the Private Mini Bus. Government run buses and private buses are adequate in Aalamarathumeydu (1.6 km) and Velayuthampalayam (3 km) from Thirukkattuthurai. Most of the people commute by bi-cycles or two wheeler motorcycles.
The nearest airport are in Trichy (90 km) and Madurai (156 km). Major Airport are located at Coimbatore (112 km). The nearest major sea port is at Cochin (259 km), Thoothukudi (365 km) and Chennai (353 km).
[edit] Nearby Railway Station
The nearby town Pugalur (Code: PGR) has a railway station which is well connected to Erode, Coimbatore, Trichy, Chennai, Madurai, Tuticorin, Palakad, Thrisur, Ernakulum, Bangalore and Mysore. Both passenger trains and express trains pass through this station. This railway station is 5 km from Thirukkattuthurai.
Totally 10 trains stops & passes through Pugalur railway station. They are
| Train No | Train name | Source Station | Destination Station | Arrival-Departure time at Pugalur | Main stations Via |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6865 | ERNAKULAM EXP | NAGORE (NCR) | ERANAKULAM JN (ERS) | 22:04 - 22:05 | Nagappattinam - Thanjavur – Trichy – Karur – Pugalur – Erode – Tiruppur – Coimbatore – Palakkad – Thrisur – Aluva – Ernakulam |
| 6232 | MAILADUTURAI EXP | MYSORE JN (MYS) | MAYILADUTURAI J (MV) | 01:44 - 01:45 | Mandya – Kengeri – Bangalore – Dharmapuri – Salem – Erode – Pugalur – Karur – Trichy – Kumbakonam – Kutralam – Mayiladuthurai |
| 6108 | MAQ CHENNAI EXP | MANGALORE CNTL (MAQ) | CHENNAI EGMORE (MS) | 18:51 - 18:53 | Kumbla – Kasaragod – Kanhangad – Payangadi – Kannur – Mahe – Vadakara – Kozhikode – Tanur – Kuttippuram – Shoranur Jn – Palakkad – Coimbatore – Tiruppur – Erode – Pugalur – Karur – Trichy – Ariyalur – Villupuram – Tambaram – Chennai Egmore |
| 6107 | MS MANGALORE EXP | CHENNAI EGMORE (MS) | MANGALORE CNTL (MAQ) | 06:39 - 06:40 | Chennai Egmore – Tambaram – Villupuram – Ariyalur – Trichy – Karur – Pugalur – Erode – Tiruppur – Coimbatore – Palakkad - Shoranur Jn – Kuttippuram – Tanur - Kozhikode – Vadakara – Mahe – Kannur – Payangadi – Kanhangad – Kasaragod – Kumbla – Mangalore central |
| 6731 | MYSORE EXP | TUTICORIN (TN) | MYSORE JN (MYS) | 22:59 - 23:00 | Maniyachchi Jn – Kovilpati – Virudunagar Jn – Madurai Jn – Karur Jn – Pugalur – Erode – Salem – Dharmapuri – Bangalore – Mandya – Mysore Jn |
| 6231 | MYSORE EXPRESS | MAYILADUTURAI J (MV) | MYSORE JN (MYS) | 22:24 - 22:25 | Kutralam – Kumbakonam – Trichy – Karur – Pugalur – Erode – Salem – Dharmapuri – Bangalore – Kengeri – Mandya - Mysore |
| 6866 | ERS NAGORE EXP | ERANAKULAM JN (ERS) | TIRUCHCHIRAPALI JN (TPJ) | 05:29 - 05:30 | Ernakulam - Aluva – Thrisur – Palakkad – Coimbatore – Tiruppur – Erode – Pugalur – Karur – Trichy – Thanjavur – Nagappattinam – Nagore |
| 6732 | TUTICORIN EXP | MYSORE JN (MYS) | TUTICORIN (TN) | 04:14 - 04:15 | Mandya – Bangalore – Dharmapuri – Salem – Erode – Pugalur - Karur Jn - Madurai Jn - Virudunagar Jn – Kovilpati - Maniyachchi Jn – Tutukudi |
| 6610 | NAGERCOIL EXPRESS | COIMBATORE (CBE) | NAGERCOIL JN (NCJ) | 23:19 - 23:20 | Tiruppur - Erode Jn - Pugalur - Karur - Dindigul Jn - Madurai Jn - Virudunagar Jn - Kovilpatti - Tirunelveli - Valliyur - Nagarcoil Jn |
| 6609 | COIMBATORE EXPRESS | NAGERCOIL JN (NCJ) | COIMBATORE (CBE) | 04:14 - 04:15 | Nagarcoil Jn – Valliyur – Tirunelveli - Kovilpatti - Virudunagar Jn - Madurai Jn - Dindigul Jn – Karur – Pugalur - Erode Jn - Tiruppur – Coimbatore Jn |
[edit] Communication
BSNL, Aircel, Airtel, Reliance, Vodafone, Tata DoCoMo are the communication providers to this town. The well penetrated landline connections are provided by BSNL again. The availability of internet is mostly dial-up connection. Now BSNL has provided broadband internet connection. Post office nearby is Nadayanur Branch post office 2.5 km.Others are Velayuthampalayam Sub post office 3 km and other Sub post office at TNPL Kagithapuram. Nearby Head post office is in Paramathy Velur (Nammakkal District) 4 km from Thirukkattuthurai.
[edit] Industries
Nearby industries are.
[edit] Paper
Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Ltd is promoted by the Government of Tamil Nadu with loan assistance from the World Bank. Today TNPL is the largest producer of bagasse (sugarcane waste from Sugar mills) based paper in the world and the 2nd largest paper producer in Asia. TNPL produces 230,000 tons of Printing & writing paper and consumes 1 million tones of bagasse every year. It is located 4.5 kilometers away from this village.
[edit] Sugar
EID Parry India(pvt) Ltd has a sugar factory in Pugalur, about 8 kilometers away from this village. It has a capacity of 4000 TCD per year. It also has a 22 MW co-generation Power plant, with TNPL.
[edit] Polling Station
Panchayat Union Primary School, Thirukkattuthurai North facing remains as the polling station for this village and covers areas including Aalamarathumeydu, Karapalayam, Nadayanur and Kattipalayam.
[edit] Tourist Spot
Nearby tourist spot is Kolli hills in Namakkal district around 52 km from Thirukkattuthurai.Kolli Hills is famous for its herbals and this place is untouched by commercial tourism.
It is very beautiful place which is a part of Eastern Ghats. Semmedu is headquarters of Kolli hills. It is about 1300m in height with 70 hair pin bends. Spots must be visited in Kolli hills are Vasaloorpatty Boat House in Solakkadu, Botanical Garden in Semmedu,Masila Falls also called as Akasa Gangai which forms river Aiyaru, Arappaleeshwarar temple and Melkalingam Ettukaiamman Koil.And don't forget to get Jackfruit and pineapple.
Accommodations in Kolli hills are 1. Nallathambi Resorts at highest point of hill 2. Arrow Mansion near semmedu bus stand 3. Wild Orchid Camp (earlier Kolli hills resort) near petrol bunk 4. PA Holiday Inn, semmedu
