Karaikudi Explained

Karaikudi
Other Name:Chettinad
Settlement Type:City Corporation
Image Caption:Interior of Athangudi Palace in Karaikudi
Nickname:Chettinad
Pushpin Map:India Tamil Nadu
Pushpin Map Caption:Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu
Pushpin Label Position:right
Coordinates:10.0735°N 78.7732°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Type3:Region
Subdivision Name1:Tamil Nadu
Subdivision Name2:Sivaganga
Subdivision Name3:Chettinad
Established Date:1801
Government Type:City Corporation
Governing Body:Karaikudi City Municipal Corporation
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:94.31
Area Rank:20
Elevation M:118
Population Total:303,291
Population As Of:2023
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:630001 630002 630003 630004 630005 630006
Area Code:04565
Area Code Type:STD code
Registration Plate:TN-63Z
Demographics1 Info1:Tamil

Karaikudi UA is the largest city in Sivaganga district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Karaikudi Municipal Corporation is the 21st largest urban agglomeration of Tamil Nadu based on 2011 census data. It is part of the area commonly referred to as "Chettinad" and has been declared a City Municipal Corporation by the Government of Tamil Nadu,[1] [2] on account of the palatial houses built with limestone called Kaarai veedu. For this reason, the place is sometimes called Kaarai Nagar locally. The reformed urban limit of Karaikudi UA spreads about 113sqkm which undergoes major developments as part of Government Schemes.[3]

Karaikudi comes under the Karaikudi Assembly constituency, which elects a member to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly once every five years, and it is a part of the Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency, which elects its member of parliament (MP) once in five years. The town is administered by the greater Karaikudi special grade municipality. This metropolitan city had a population of 303,291 in 2023. This metropolitan area consists of Karaikudi City Corporation which includes its neighbourhood towns like Kottaiyur, Koviloor, Kandanur, Puduvayal, and Sankarapuram (census town) and villages like Amaravathiputhur, Ariyakudi, Iluppakkudi, Managiri, Mathur, Peyampatti, Thiruvelangudi and Soorakudi.

This city is famous for Karaikudi Kandangi sarees a special type of sarees which come from and are woven in this area. The geographical indication presents the government of India of this Kandangi sarees.[4]  

The Chettinad cuisine originated in the areas around Karaikudi.

It is one of the few towns and cities in List of AMRUT Smart cities in Tamil Nadu selected for AMRUT Schemes [5] from central government and the developmental activities are taken care by the government of Tamil Nadu.[6]

History

The city derives its name from the thorny plant Karai, referred to in ancient literature as Karaikudi, which in modern times has become Karaikudi. The town was established in the 19th century, and the oldest known structure is the Koppudaiya Nayagi Amman Temple.[7] Mahatma Gandhi delivered two speeches in Karaikudi in 1927[8] [9] and Bharathiyar visited Karaikudi in 1919 to participate in an event.[10] After independence, the city saw significant growth in the industrial sector.[7] Karaikudi and surrounding areas are generally referred as "Chettinad".[11] [12] Chettinad comprises a network of 73 villages and 2 towns forming clusters spread over a territory of 1,550 km2 in the districts of Sivagangai and Pudukottai in the state of Tamil Nadu. Karaikudi is the largest town in Sivaganga district. Karaikudi and surrounding areas are very popular for their unique palaces, Chettinad Architecture based buildings and palatial mansions. Kannadasan Manimandapam, Kamban Manimandapam and Thousand windows house are other visitor attractions in Karaikudi.[13]

The first Temple for Mother Tamil, Tamil Thai Kovil is located in Karaikudi and was established in 1993.[14]

Demographics

As calculated for the town extension processes, the district administration office confirmed the population of Karaikudi is 303,291 in 2023.[15] According to 2011 census, Karaikkudi had a population of 181,125 with a sex-ratio of 1,000 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[16] A total of 19,619 children were under the age of six, constituting 10,405 males and 10,214 females. The average literacy rate of the town was 81.48%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[16] The town had a total of 47504 households. There were a total of 60,069 workers, comprising 244 cultivators, 314 main agricultural labourers, 1,303 in household industries, 30,836 other workers, 17,372 marginal workers, 162 marginal cultivators, 2496 marginal agricultural labourers, 1345 marginal workers in household industries and 9,469 other marginal workers.[17] In Karaikudi, Hinduism is the majority religion with 83.9% of the total population, followed by Islam, 11.39%, Christianity, 4.3%, Jainism, 0.05%, Sikism, 0.01% and Others, the rest.

Geography

Karaikudi is located in Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu State. The Trichy–Rameswaram Highway passes through Karaikudi. The Thennar River flows through South Karaikudi. Karaikudi is located at . It has an average elevation of . The terrain of Karaikudi is predominantly flat. Rocky areas are found in the surrounding areas of Karaikudi town with more rocks towards the western side of the town. The soil is of the hard red lateritic type and is not suitable for cultivation.[18] The water table in the area is generally at depths of and rises to nearly below the ground level during rainy seasons. Since the 1970s, the water supply of the Karaikudi residents has depended on the deeper aquifers.[18] The average maximum temperature is about, and average minimum temperature is about . The annual average rainfall in Karaikudi is about 920mm.

Administration and politics

Elected members
Member of Legislative AssemblyS. Mangudi Indian National Congress[19]
Member of ParliamentKarthi Chidambaram[20] Indian National Congress

Karaikudi was constituted as a municipality in 1928 and was upgraded to a Grade II Municipality in 1973, to Selection Grade in 1988, to special grade in 2013 and City Corporation in 2024.[21] The area of the city is about 94.31 km2[22] comprising the revenue towns of Kottaiyur and Kandanur and nearby villages of Kalanivasal, Sekkalai Kottai, Ilupakkudi Area, Ariyakudi Area, Koviloor, Managiri and Senjai.[23] The Karaikudi municipality has 36 wards and there is an elected councillor for each of those wards.[24] The functions of the municipality are devolved into six departments: general administration/personnel, Engineering, Revenue, Public Health, city planning and Information Technology (IT).[25] The legislative powers are vested in a body of 36 members, one each from the 36 wards.[26] The legislative body is headed by an elected chairperson assisted by a deputy chairperson.[27]

Karaikudi is a part of the Karaikudi assembly constituency and it elects a member to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly once every five years.[28] The current member of the legislative assembly is S. Mangudi from INC party.[19] [29] Karaikudi is a part of the Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency. The current Member of Parliament from the constituency is Karti Chidambaram from the INC.

Law and order in the city is maintained by the Sivaganga sub division of the Tamil Nadu Police headed by a Deputy Superintendent. There are three police stations in the city as North police station, south police station, Azhagappapuram police station are mainly being an all-women police station and town police station. There are special units like prohibition enforcement, district crime, social justice and human rights, district crime records and special branch that operate at the district level police division headed by a Superintendent of Police.[30]

Culture

Landmarks

Some prominent temples around the city are:

Economy

Major Companies and Govt Organisations

Transport

By Air

Nearby airports include Tiruchirapalli International Airport (95km (59miles)) and Madurai Airport (100km (100miles)).

Though this city is well connected by roadways and railways. This town also has an unused airstrip called Chettinad airport also known as Karaikudi airport. This old British era airfield had been used during the world war 2. The government of India is planning to reopen this airfield under the UDAN scheme.[46]

By Rail

Karaikudi Junction railway station is a major rail head serves the city and Devakottai road Railway station, kottaiyur Railway station, Chettinad Railway station, Kandanur puduvayal Railway station are the sub-urban stations around the city.[47]

By Road

The town has two bus terminals namely "Rajaji Bus-stand" aka Old Bus terminal and new bus terminal. Buses that connect the Karaikudi city, nearby villages and smaller towns terminate at the Old bus-stand. The State Transport Corporation Buses To:Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy and near by cities run moffusil buses terminate at the New bus-stand Karaikudi Bus Terminal.

Education

It serves as one of the two headquarters of the Educational District in Sivaganga district. As of 2011, there were government schools and many private schools in Karaikudi and Alagappa university colleges, many private colleges in the city.[48] Alagappa University is located in this town and Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering and Technology is the oldest college here and was established in 1953.[49] Alagappa Government Arts College, Alagappa Polytechnic College, Annamalai Polytechnic College are located in Karaikudi area.

Many educational institutions in the town benefited from donations made by the businessman and philanthropist Alagappa Chettiar, who attended Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Vidyalaya.[50] The school, on Sivan Koil Street, dates back to 1913 and is now SMSV Higher Secondary School for Boys. Some of the known institutions in this area can be referred in List of educational institutions in Karaikudi.

Utility services

Electricity supply to Karaikudi is regulated and distributed by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). The town along with its suburbs forms the Sivaganga Electricity Distribution Circle.[51] Water supply is provided by the Karaikudi Municipality from seven borewells is located at Sambai Oothu (Artesian aquifer).[52] As per the municipal data for 2011, about 45 metric tonnes of solid waste were collected. The underground drainage system in the city is on board at process and the sewerage system for disposal of sullage is through septic tanks, open drains and public conveniences.[53] The municipality maintained a total of 46.55km (28.92miles) of storm water drains in 2011.[54] As of 2011, there was one government hospital and 13 private hospitals in the town.[55] [56] The municipality operates one daily market namely the Anna Daily Market and there are three weekly markets (Uzhavar Santhai) that cater to the needs of the town and the rural areas around it.[57]

References

https://www.postalindia.in/division/tamilnadu-madurai-karaikudi

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Government Order on Heritage Towns. Directorate of Town and Country Planning, Government of Tamil Nadu, India. 31 July 2013.
  2. News: Service . Express News . CM Stalin announces creation of 4 new corporations in TN, total goes up to 25 . 29 April 2024 . The New Indian Express . 16 March 2024 . Chennai . en.
  3. Web site: [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://karaikudilpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/VOL-2-FINAL-COPY-ADOBE-EDITEDorganized-KARAIKUDI.pdf New updates from Government of Tamilnadu for Karaikudi LPA ].
  4. Web site: November 12, 2019. Sruthi. Raman. TN's Kandangi sari gets GI tag. What does this mean for the state's handloom market?. 2020-11-25. The Times of India. en.
  5. Web site: Tufidco .
  6. Web site: Directorate of Town and Country Planning, Government of Tamil Nadu. tcp.tn.gov.in.
  7. Web site: Historical Moments . Karaikudi Municipality . 2011 . 2013-08-08.
  8. Web site: Mahatma Gandhis Message on Khadi . Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal / Gandhi Book Centre, 299, Tardeo Road, Nana Chowk, Bombay 400007 India . 23 July 2013 .
  9. Pushpa Joshi (2002) Gandhi on Women: Collection of Mahatma Gandhi's Writings and Speeches on Women, Navajivan Publishing House,
  10. Malarmannan article on Madhabhimana Sangam in Thinnai e-zine, 17 Jan 2011, http://www.thinnai.com/index.php?module=displaystory&story_id=21101175&format=html
  11. Book: Government of Burma 1930a, Report of the Burma Provincial Banking Enquiry Committee, 1929-30, Volume I: Banking and Credit in Burma, Rangoon. Superintendent of Government Printing. 1930.
  12. Book: P., Siegleman. 1962. Colonial Development and the Chettyar: A Study in the Ecology of Modern Burma, 1850-1941, unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of Minnesota.
  13. Web site: 2011. Places of interest in Karaikudi. 2013-08-08. Karaikudi Municipality.
  14. News: Dinamalar Jan 14, 2012. Dinamalar. https://web.archive.org/web/20140226134614/http://www.dinamalar.com/News_Detail.asp?Id=385854&Print=1. dead. 26 February 2014. 31 July 2013.
  15. Web site: [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://karaikudilpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/VOL-2-FINAL-COPY-ADOBE-EDITEDorganized-KARAIKUDI.pdf Added population as per new portal created by government ].
  16. Web site: Census Info 2011 Final population totals. Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. 26 January 2014.
  17. Web site: Census Info 2011 Final population totals - Karaikkudi. 2013. Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 26 January 2014.
  18. Web site: Karaikudi Municipal Council. General info on the KMC. Department Of Municipal Administration And Water Supply. 20 July 2011.
  19. Web site: MLA of Karaikudi . Government of Tamil Nadu . 2016 . 2016-06-29.
  20. Web site: General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2009, name and address of the elected members of parliamentary constituencies in Tamil Nadu . Government of Tamil Nadu. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220706/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/tnmp/mptn-ls.htm. 2016-03-03. 2012-12-29 .
  21. News: City Municipal Corporation . 15 March 2024 . www.thehindu.com . website . www.thehindu.com . 15 March 2024.
  22. Web site: [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://karaikudilpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/VOL-2-FINAL-COPY-ADOBE-EDITEDorganized-KARAIKUDI.pdf New updates as per new portal created for Karaikudi LPA from Government ].
  23. Web site: Karaikudi Municipal Council. Department Of Municipal Administration And Water Supply. 31 Dec 2012.
  24. Web site: About the municipality. Karaikudi municipality. 2012-12-29. 2011.
  25. Web site: Commissionerate of Municipal Administration. Commissionerate of Municipal Administration. 2012-12-29. 2006.
  26. Web site: Councillors of municipality. Karaikudi municipality. 2012-12-29. 2011.
  27. Economic and political weekly, Volume 30. 2396. Sameeksha Trust. 2012-12-29. 1995.
  28. Web site: List of Assembly Constituencies. 2010. 2012-12-28. Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu state government.
  29. Web site: Partywise Comparison Since 1977. Election Commission of India. 2012-12-29. 2011.
  30. Web site: Karaikudi Police. Karaikudi municipality. 2012-12-29. 2011.
  31. Web site: Very well maintained Sivan temple - Reviews, Photos - Sivan Koil - Tripadvisor. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210115225740/https://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g1026932-d15052450-r715759470-Sivan_Koil-Karaikudi_Karaikudi_Taluk_Sivaganga_District_Tamil_Nadu.html . 15 January 2021 .
  32. Web site: Koppudai Amman Temple - Karaikudi Koppudai Amman Temple Photos, Sightseeing -NativePlanet.
  33. News: Ariyakudi: where the deity appeared for His devotee. S.. Prabhu. 2019-11-07. The Hindu. 2019-11-09. en-IN. 0971-751X.
  34. Web site: Ainootreeswarar, Mathur, Sivaganga. 22 December 2021.
  35. News: All set for 'manjuvirattu' at Siravayal. Staff. Reporter. The Hindu . 16 January 2020. www.thehindu.com.
  36. News: Rangarajan, R.S. . Heritage Tourism-BL Print Edition 2/2/2006. The Hindu. 2 August 2013.
  37. Web site: Architectural Heritage Safeguard. World Monuments Fund, 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2412, New York, NY. 31 July 2013.
  38. Web site: District Administration supports heritage museum. https://archive.today/20130804123616/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-05-05/india/27871407_1_minja-yang-houses-district-collector. dead. 4 August 2013. The Times of India. 2 August 2013.
  39. Web site: Karaikudi: A magnificent Chettinad town with glorious history, tradition. 26 July 2019. www.dtnext.in.
  40. Government of India 2011, Geographical Indications Journal No. 38, Geographical Indications Registry, Intellectual Property Rights Building, GST Road, Guindy, Chennai 600032, India
  41. News: Sivaraman, R. GI tag. The Hindu. 2 August 2013.
  42. News: Kandangi Saree weavers. The Hindu. 2 August 2013.
  43. News: Varanashi, Sathya Prakash. Legacy of Athangudi tile. The Hindu. 4 August 2013.
  44. Web site: IOB. Indian Overseas Bank. 30 July 2013.
  45. Web site: Unions - Tamilnadu Co-operative Milk Producers' Federation Limited . 2024-04-12 . aavin.tn.gov.in.
  46. News: 2017-02-27. Chettinad Group ready to support efforts for mini airport. en-IN. The Hindu. 2020-11-25. 0971-751X.
  47. Web site: Karaikudi Railway. 25 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100410144604/http://southernrailway.gov.in/sr/passing.jsp/. 10 April 2010. dead.
  48. Web site: Educational Institutions. Karaikudi municipality. 2012-12-29. 2011.
  49. Web site: Karaikudi. Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering and Technology. 30 July 2013.
  50. Web site: Rajesh . Govindarajulu . Life of Dr. Alagappa Chettiar (1909 - 1957) - The Verandah Club . 2024-01-20 . theverandahclub.com . en.
  51. Web site: Important Address. Indian Wind Power Association. 2012-12-29. 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20121016045943/http://www.windpro.org/pdf/MISC/TNEB%20Address.pdf. 16 October 2012. dead.
  52. Web site: Water Supply Details. Karaikudi Municipality . 2011. 2012-12-29.
  53. Web site: Waste management programme. Karaikudi Municipality. 2012-12-29. 2011.
  54. Web site: Storm water drains. Karaikudi Municipality. 2012-12-29. 2011.
  55. Web site: Hospitals in Karaikudi. Karaikudi Municipality. 2012-12-29. 2011.
  56. Web site: Karaikudi street lights. Karaikudi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu. 2011. 2012-12-29 .
  57. Web site: Karaikudi markets. Karaikudi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu. 2011. 2012-12-29 .

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