Kallidaikurichi Town Panchayat

Town Profile

  1. Kallidaikurichi Town Panchayat Located 40.00 K.M distance from Tirunelveli District.
  2. Nearest Railway Station Name : Kallidaikurichi , This Railway Station Located 0.50 k.m Distance from kallidaikurichi
  3. Nearest Airport Located in : TUTICORIN
  4. Bus Route Details : : TIRUNELVELI - PAPANASAM
  1. ADHIVARAHA PERUMAL KOVIL - Ward No : 19 - Street Name - SANNATHI STREET
  2. AGASTHIYAR KOVIL - Ward No : 10 - Street Name - AGASTHIYAR SANNATHI STREET
  3. KUMARAR KOVIL - Ward No : 2 - Street Name - KUMARAKOVIL CAR STREET
  4. MANENTHIAPPAR KOVIL - Ward No : 1 - Street Name - THALACHERI
  5. PAGAZHI KOOTHER KOVIL - Ward No : 20 - Street Name - PAGAZHI KOOTHER KOVIL STREET
  6. VEMBADIAMMAN KOVIL - Ward No : 1 - Street Name - VEMBADIAMMAN KOVIL STREET
  7. PAGAZHI KOOTHER KOVIL - Ward No : 20 - Street Name - PAGAZHI KOOTHER KOVIL STREET
  8. SAI BABA TEMPLE - Ward No : 19 - Street Name - VEERAPPA PURAM STREET
  9. VAZHAVANTHA AMMAN KOVIL - Ward No : 19 - Street Name - KANTHAPPA PURAM STREET
  10. RAMAR KOVIL - Ward No : 18 - Street Name - RAMACHANDRA PURAM STREET
  11. ST.ANTHONIYAR CHURCH - Ward No : 4 - Street Name - VADUVAKUDI STREET
  12. CSI CHURCH - Ward No : 13 - Street Name - MELMUGA NADAR STREET
  13. JUMMA MOSQUE - Ward No : 21 - Street Name - PERIYA PALLIVASAL STREET
Festival Name How many Days Celebrated Which Month Celebrated No of Peoples ParticipatedNotified/Non Notified
CAR FESTIVAL1APR1000NOTIFIED
CHITTHIRAI 7TH DAY1APR5000NOTIFIED
THAI POOSAM1JAN3000NOTIFIED
Nearest City Name Direction Distance from Town Panchayat
TIRUNELVELIEast40.00 K.m
-West0.00 K.m
TENKASINorth40.00 K.m
NAGERCOILSouth90.00 K.m

TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT

KALLIDAIKURICHI TOWN PANCHAYAT

TOWN PROFILE

1. History

Kallidaikurichi is aptly named. 'Kal + idai + kurichi' meaning exactly, a village in the midst of hills. In Sanskrit it has been faithfully translated in the 'Bhojanadi' (an astrological treatise) as 'Shilaa - madhya - Hariswam'. In the Thamrabarani Mahatmya of the Matsya Purama, it has been translated as 'Shila - Shalipuram'. Kallidaikurichi must have existed as a hunting village for centuries. Prior to the construction of its famous irrigation canal, the Kannadiyan canal, it might have been just a humble, hunting place for wild animals. Therku Kallidaikurichi (South Kallidaikurichi) in the revenue village still remains mostly a forest of palm trees, within which are patches of rain fed dry lands, interspersed with a few, low and rocky hills. One testimony to the richness of its economy, culture and traditions, is the fact that the people of this hamlet seem to have celebrated many weddings, the streets resonating with the customary Nadaswaram Music. This garnered it a new appellation, given by the Sankaracharya of Sringeri Sri Narasimha Bharathi Mahaswamigal, who called it "Kalyanapuri"—Kalyanam, meaning, wedding in the Tamil language.

Kallidaikurichi is on the border between the Pandya and the Chera countries of the past. The distance, as the crow flies between Kallidaikurichi and Thiruvananthapuram is less than fifty miles (75 km approx.), although the road, either from south via Nagarcoil or from north via Shencottai takes about 100 miles (150 km). A determined and sturdy person can easily climb the bridle paths and move between hills, without undue exertion. The boundary between the Pandya and Chera Kings was subject to frequent changes, this way or that way, depending on who felt the more powerful between the two of them, at any point of time. At times the Pandyas drove deep into Kerala and reaching up to Kanetti near Karunagapally. At other times the Cheras went up to Madurai and beyond. At one point the Cheras held in their hands the entire south India, for a tantalizing brief period of five years. Kallidaikurichi got accustomed to these changes to her fortune, and readily absorbed the characteristics of both streams of culture and language.

2. Physical Socio-Economic Feature :

Kallidaikurichi is a Selection grade Town panchayat  in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu in Ambasamudram Assembly Constituency and Tirunelveli Parliament Constituency. Kallidaikurichi is located at 35 Km from Tirunelveli and 45 Km from Tenkasi. It is in the foot hills of Western ghats. It is situated in the bank of upper river which is one of the source of water for the river Tamirabarani. Kallidaikurichi town is located at South Latitude and East Longitude. This town is main centre for around 10 hamlets. The total area of Town Panchayat is 6.56 Sq.Km. This Town Panchayat consists of 21 number of Wards.

3. Demographics :

As of 2011 census, Kallidaikurichi had a population of 26398. Males 12853 and Females 13545. Kallidaikurichi has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 62.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 74%. In Kallidaikurichi , 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

4. Historical Significance of the Town :

Kallidaikurichi, endowed with a rich heritage, is dotted with many ancient Hindu shrines in each street in each gramam of the village. These are of ancient temple architecture style having high-rise gopurams (ornamental gateways of temples) with intricate sculptures, heralding the past glory of this region. Muthuswami Dikshitar, the Great carnatic composer, whose songs abound with geographic and iconographic references, sings of the curative properties of the river Thamiraparani. To him, the Goddess at Tirunelveli, is Hima-saila-sutaa (daughter of the mountain snow). The local language is Tamil. Adivaraha Perumal temple represents the principal deity of the present day Kallidaikurichi.

Adhivaraha Perumal Temple :

Aadhivaraga moorthy temple which was dedicated to Lord Vishnu are ancient temples of this place. Muthuswami Dikshitar, the Great carnatic composer sung song (Gupera pathistitham...) on the Aadhivaraga moorthy swamy. Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May, Swing festival in connection with Aadi Pooram in July-August, Navarathri in September-October and Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

As a tradition, Thayar and Sri Andal have their shrines separately in prakara on both sides in Perumal temples.  Here, Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi are in separate shrines in the prakara.  Great celebrated musician and composer Sri Muthuswami Dishithar had authored many Keerthanas-Songs on Adhi Varaha Perumal.  The temple has many Garuda Sevas as many devotees organize this event as their prayer commitment. Devotees perform special Tirumanjanam for Lord offering sweet pudding-Sarkarai Pongal- and arrange Garuda Seva – Lord appearing on His eagle vehicle Garuda. Lord Varahamurthi blesses the devotees with His consort Mother Bhoomadevi on His lap. Tirumanjanam is performed to Lord with water drawn from Tambiraparani river only. The priest fetching the water from Tambiraparani is accompanied by auspicious music.

 

5.  Festivals of the Temple at Kallidaikurichi

Festivals are conducted at Kallidaikurichi temple mostly through out the year – The important ones being follows: -        

Name of the Festival

Duration

Month

Thai Poosam 

10 days

Jan – Feb

Chitra Pournami

10 days

Mar – Apr

Vaikasi Visakam

1 day

May – June

Kanda Sasthi    

6 days

Oct – Nov

Karthigai Deepam 

1 day

Nov – Dec

6. Trade :

Rice is the main crop here. Other crops are groundnut (peanuts), chilies (red pepper) and cotton, though these are seen less frequently nowadays. Kallidaikurichi and appalam are almost synonymous. Appalam making is a major cottage industry here. It is nationally known for its quality and taste and is sent almost all over India.

7.  Nearby Places :

Thamiraparni River :

The perennial river Thamiraparni flows through Kallidaikurichi. Originating from the Pothigai nearby, it flows down to Bay of Bengal after traveling for about 125 kilometers. In the hills there are many beautiful water falls - Courtallam Falls, Banatheertham Falls, Agasthiar Falls, Manimuthar Falls and a few more. All these are very enjoyable tourist spots. Bathing under these falls is very exhilarating and is considered very good for health.

Manjolai Hills :

The Manjolai Hills are about 40 km from this village. This place is rich in natural beauty with tea plantations adding to its greenery. With elevations ranging from 1000 to 1500 Metres, the Manjolai area is set deep within the Western Ghats within the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the Tirunelveli District. Located on top of the Manimutharu Dam & the Manimutharu Water Falls, the Manjolai area comprises tea plantations and small settlements around the tea plantations, the Upper Kodaiyar Dam and a windy view point called Kuthiravetti.