Toothukudi district General information
Thoothukudi District, also known as Tuticorin District, is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) is the district headquarters. It is also known for Pearl cultivation with abundance of pearls found in the seas of Thoothukudi.
Location
It is situated in the extreme south-eastern corner of Tamil Nadu state and bounded on the north by the districts of Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram, on the east and south-east by Gulf of Mannar and on the west and south-west by the district of Tirunelveli. Total area of this district is 4621 sq. kms. and the administrative headquarters is an Urban agglomeration and also one of the taluk headquarters within the district.
Area and Population
Thoothukudi district has a Geographical area of 4,621 sq.km. and the population is 766823 (2001 census)
Forest
The total extent of forest in the district is 11,012 hectares which works out to 2.47 percent of the total geographical area of the district. A deer sanctuary is maintained in the hills of Vallanad. Except Vallanad and Kurumalai hills, there are no other hills or mountains.
Education
In this district the percentage o effective literacy (excluding children in the age group 1-6) is 74 %.
Entertainment
Thoothukudi is having an All India Radio Station and a Doordharshan Relay Station. There are 42 permanent Cinema theatres, 18 touring theatres, 4 semi - permanent theatres and 3 Open Air Theatres providing entertainment to the people of the district.
Tourist Place
Thoothukudi : This is the district headquarters. Major industries such as SPIC, Chemical Industries, Heavy Water Plant and Thermal Plant are located here. It is also called "Pearl City" in view of the pearl fishing being conducted periodically. The city is also famous for the production of salt.
Here is one Sivan Temple called as Sri Sankara Rameswarar Temple and one Sri Vaikundapathy Temple built by the Pandya King Sankara Pandyan.
One famous Church named as " PANIMAYA MATHA" (Lady Snow) is here. It was built by Portugese in 1714.
Thiruchendur : Thiruchendur is situated on the coast of Mannar. It is 40 Kms from Thoothukudi. It can be reached from Chennai, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Courtallam and Kanyakumari by bus. Nearest airport is in Madurai or Thiruvananthapuram. It can also be reached by train.
Tiruchendur is very popular for the seashore temple of Lord Subramanya. The temple tower and the sculptures of the temple are worth seeing. It is also ideal for see bathing.
The temple is one among the six abodes. Lord Subramanya, after defeating Soorapadma came to this place offered his prayers to Lord Siva. That victory is still celebrated by the pilgrims here during the Tamil Month 'Aippasi' as a festival.
Manapad : This is also located on the sea-shore at the Bay of Bengal about 18 Km, from Tiruchendur. An ancient Roman Catholic Church is here where the Cross is said to have been brought from Jerusalem. This Church is also associated with St. Xavier, the famous missionary from West. Since there are other small temples here this place is called as "Chinna Jerusalem" (Small Jerusalem)
Kazhugu Malai : This place is famous for the Jain cave temple and jain architecture. There is also a Murugan Temple called Kalugasalamoorthy Kovil which belongs to the 18th century.
Ottapidaram : Ottapidaram continues to be a Tourism centre for Freedom fighters, since it is the birth place of the great patriot V.O.Chidambaranar. His house has been converted into a memorial and is preserved by the government.
Ettaiyapuram : During the region of Pandyas at Madurai people from Chadragiri near Chittoor of Andhra Pradesh were brought and posted as "watch keepers (Dhisai Kavalars) of Ilasanadu. This was later called Ettayapuram. When the local chiefs refused to pay the taxes to the Pandya kingdom , Ettappar at Ilasanadu collected the taxes with the help of his army. Later Pandya king appointed Ettappar as a ruler of the place . After the rule of 150 years Ettayapuram was formed in 1565 in this place.
Panchalankurichi: Panchalankurichi, a small but historic village, is 3 Kms. from Ottapidaram and 18 km from Tuticorin. From here the great warrior Katta Bomman Known as "Veerapandiya Kattabomman " raised his voice against the British regime in the 17th Century A.D.
The existing memorial fort was constructed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1974. Sri Devi Jakkammal Temple, the hereditary Goddess of Kattabomman, is located near the fort. The cemetery of British soldiers are seen near the fort. Within the memorial Hall, there are beautiful paintings on the walls depicting the heroic deeds of the saga. The tourists can easily get a good idea about the history of the momentous period from that. The remnants of the old fort is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. At Kayatar, very near to Tirunelveli , there is another memorial for Kattabomman. It is the place where he was hanged.
Korkai Port :Korkai, the ancient Port City of the Pandya Kings of the Sangam period, now identified with the village Korkai (Srivaikundam taluk of Thoothukudi Dt.) has attracted the attention of scholars, historians and archaeologists for more than a century. Although Korkai is recognised as an ancient Port City, it's precise location is still a point of conjecture. Korkai is now remote village, situated 5 km inland. In this article, an attempt is made to locate the port based on field exploration, folk beliefs, and coastal geology and geomorphology.
Athichanallur : In Archaeological point of view, this place has a glorious past and it is located on the bank of the river Tamirabarani. It is assumed that, in ancient times, a civilised habitation was well flourished here. Some monuments i.e., Urns (burnt-clay vessels which were used for burying the dead bodies of the very old people), small mud vessels were found near the river Tamirabarani and they are supportive evidences for the civilisation. This place is now under the supervision of Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.
Vanchi Maniyachi :Original name of the place is Maniyachi which has been renamed as "Vanchi Maniyachi" in memory of the brave freedom fighter Vanchi Nathan, who shot dead the then British Collector of Tirunelveli here.