Introduction

Virudhunagar District is an administrative district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The headquarters of this district is Virudhunagar. Virudhunagar district was formed from parts of Tirunelveli and Madurai districts. This district was earlier known as Karmavirer Kamarajar District. The district covers an area of 3445.73. It has a population of 25,39,196 as of 2009. Majority of the population was involved in Industries and agriculture. The Parliamentary Constituency number of Virudhunagar District is 34. The district comprises eight taluks: Aruppukkottai, Kariapatti, Rajapalayam, Sattur, Sivakasi, Srivilliputhur, Tiruchuli and Virudhunagar. Totally there are 600 revenue villages in this district.

The district is bounded by Sivagangai district and Madurai district on the north, Tirunelveli district to the southwest, Kerala state to the west and Theni district to the northwest. The district is divided into 2 revenue divisions - Sivakasi and Aruppukottai.

This district has 9 Town Panchayats - Seithur, Vathirairuppu, Chettiarpatti, Kariapatti, Mamsapuram, Sundarapandiam, Mallankinaru, S.Kodikulam and V.Pudupatti

Virudhunagar is famous for oil and cotton industry. Sivakasi, 20 km from Virudhunagar, is famous for its fireworks and printing presses. Srivilliputtur is very famous for Temples and Palkova.

Demography of Virudhunagar District

According to the 2011 census Virudhunagar district has a population of 1,943,309. The district has a population density of 454 inhabitants per square kilometre. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 10.96 %. Virudhunagar has a sex ratio of 1009 females for every 1000 males and a literacy rate of 80.75 %.

Temples of Virudhunagar District

Temples of Virudhunagar district are some of the most revered ones in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Virudhunagar District is surrounded by Madurai District in the north, Sivagangai District in the northeast, Ramanathapuram District in the east and Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts in the south. Other than being a sacred destination, this district is also a major exported of granites, different grades of limestone and minerals such as clay and gypsum are found. The chief crops are cotton, pulses, oilseeds and millets. Other than the temples of Virudhunagar district, Kamarajar`s House, Pilavakkal Dam near Watrap, Ayyanar falls and Sastha Koil near Thevathanam, Andal Koil at Srivilliputhur, Boominatharkoil and birthplace of Ramana Maharishi at Thiruchuli, Rajapalayam are the major tourist attractions.

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, 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.

Festivals of Virudhunagar District

Pongal, Adiperukku, Karthigai Deepam, Temple Car festival, Chithirai and Brahmostsavam are the chief festivals celebrated in the district. Brahmostsavam is celebrated during the Tamil month of Adi. The temple has a massive car (Ther) with a decorated height of 75 feet. The temple car is the second largest in Tamilnadu next only to the car at Tiruvarur.

Mariamman and Sachi Innachiar koil festivals in Sattur taluk and Vaikasi Visakham in Srivilliputur are the famous festivals of this district. The other important festivals organised in different parts of the district are Iyanar koil festival, vailukanthamman koil festival, perumal koil festival, weekly fair, Panguni Pongal, Kalangada Kanniamman festival, Kannicheri Pudur fair, Koil Pongal, Muthalamman festival, Sundara Mahalingafestival, Purattasi Pongal festival, Peria Mariamman Koil Tookkuzhi, ThaiPongal `Adi Thiru` and Mullai Kottai Mariamman Koil festival.

Tourist places in Virudhunagar District

There are many tourist places in Virudhunagar District that are visited by many people from different places. Important tourist spots in Virudhunagar District are Memorial house of Kamarajar at Virudhunagar, Pilavakkal Dam near Watrap Andal Koil at Srivilliputhur, Boominatharkoil and birth place of Ramana Maharishi at Thiruchuli. The Ayyanar falls is located 15 km from Rajapalayam. Shenbagathoppu and Sastha Koil are also visited by many tourists.

Shenbaga Thoppua forest area about 8 km west from srivilliputtur is a very good option for trekking. The forests are found on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. A variety of flora and fauna are found along the mountain slopes. This sanctuary spreads over 480 square kilometres was established in 1989 at Shenbagathopu in Srivilliputtur taluk. The sanctuary is home to the endangered, arboreal grizzled giantsquirrel Ratufa macrora. There are some waterfalls on the way where people can take bath and enjoy.

Tourist Places in and around Virudhunagar
Virudhunagar is now a district of the Indian state Tamil Nadu. It also headquarters of the district. It was earlier a part of Ramanathapuram district. This was also known as the grocery town. Virudhunagar was under the Pandyas and later passed into the Paligars known as `Palayakararkal` in Tamil. They showed rigid opposition to the colonial supremacy and finally were restrained by the British.

There are various interesting places around Virudhunagar, which can be visited by the tourists. Some of these places are given here:

Aruppukkottai
This place is situated 20 kms from Virudhunagar. It is an important weaving centre and grocery trade centre.

Thiruchuzhi
The name of the place is so because it was saved from being sucked into the earth during the flood. It is situated 33 kms from Virudhunagar. A number of sacred pools can be seen scattered here. The great saint Ramana Maharishi was born here.

Sivakasi
This town of cottage industries manufactures safety matches and fireworks. It is also well known for litho-printing and calendar manufacture. More than 80% of the total3932 match factories can be found here. About 120 litho printing presses are also located here. This place is situated 25 kms from Virudhunagar.

Srivilliputhur
This is the most important tourist attraction because of the ancient Andal temple. Andal, one of the twelve Vaishnavaite saints called Alwars was born here. They are called Alwars because they are immersed in Vishnu Bhakti and Alwar means one who is immersed.

The 60 metre tower of this temple has been portrayed in the emblem of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Vadabhadra Sayi temple here has beautiful sculptures. The carvings are very delicate is more dominant in the brushing of feminine images, Andal`s hair style. The head ornamentation is a speciality of South India. Here, the images of Rathi, Swan, Parasakthi, a lady playing the Veena, a warrior waving his sword are wonderful examples of ornamentations in stones. The sculptor has depicted the scene of the injuring of Soorpanaga`s nose and breast in the Ramayana very beautifully. This temple near Virudhunagar is one of the biggest and has beautiful woodcarvings. It is situated 71 kms from Madurai and about 48 kms from Virudhunagar.

Rajapalayam
This place is situated adjacent to the temple town of Srivilliputhur. It is the coolest place in the district, which is located almost on the Western Ghats. The dogs of Rajapalayam are well known for their fierceness.

Rajapalayam is an industrial centre and famous for teak industry. Here, the well known places are the Gandhi Kalai Mandram and Library.