Kulithalai is located in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a town and a municipality located along the National Highway 67. The town is located at 10.56°N 78.25°E and has an average elevation of 86 m. in the year 1994 the town was granted the municipality status. Kulithalai assembly constituency is part of Perambalur Lok Sabha constituency.
Demography of Kulithalai
According to the Indian census report of 2001, Kulithalai had a population of 26,126. The males constitute 50% and females constitute 50% of the population. The average literacy rate is 78%. It is higher than the national average of 59.5%. The male literacy rate is 84%, and female literacy rate is 73%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age in Kulithalai.
Pilgrimage Centres in Kulithalai
Srivilliputtur has several pilgrimage centres visited by devotes from nearby places. Some of the temples located here are mentioned below:
Kadambar Kovil
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located on the Kaveri River. The temple is known for its high Gopuram as well as the stone walls that enhance the beauty of the temple. The temple celebrates the Thai Poosam festival in the Tamil month of Thai.
Mariamman Kovil
The temple celebrates the festival of Thiru Therr Vizha every year. During the festival people bathe in the holy Kaveri River and carry water to the temple for Abhishekam. Devotees perform many rituals like Alagu i.e. piercing, Pookuli Midhithal i.e. walking on fire and Agni Chatti i.e. pot with fire.
Aiyar Malai
It is a hill located at a distance of 10 km in the southern direction of Kulithalai. Rathinagireeshwarar another form of Lord Shiva resides atop the hill. Devotees need to climb 1000 steps to reach the temple.
Thiru Eengoinathar Mala
i
It is a small hill situated at a distance of 3 km in the northern side of Kulithalai. It is regarded as the abode of Lord Shiva. Devotes cross the Kaveri River using the bridge that connects Musiri and Kulithalai.
Karpatthur Shivan Temple
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located at a distance of 7 km on the western side of Kulithalai.
Neelamega Perumal Temple
The temple is regarded as one of the oldest shrines in Kulithalai. According to history the temple is thought to have been constructed by the rulers of the Pallava Dynasty. Later it was renovated by the rulers of Chola Dynasty and Pandya Dynasty.
Manathattai Perumal temple and Vaiganallur Perumal Temple are other well-known temples located here.
Educational Institutions in Kulithalai
Kulithalai has established several schools and colleges to fulfil the educational needs of the children residing in the town. Some of the important schools here are St. Dominic Savio Matric School, Annai Namagiri Mazhalaiyar Thodakkappalli, St. Dominic Savio Matric. School, Manathattai Govt. Middle School, Kadambar Koil Govt. Middle School, Govt. Boys Hr.Sec. School, Maariyamman Govt. Middle school, Govt. Girls Hr.Sec. School, Little fairy`s matriculation school and others. Other than these there are few primary schools also like bharathi vidhyalaya nursery school.
Kulithalai is well connected with all modes of transport. One of the oldest railway stations located here is the Kulithalai railway station. Trains from towns like Coimbatore, Chennai, Mysore, Tiruchy, Bengaluru, Erode and Mangalore pass through this town.
