Kuthalam

Kuthalam is located in Nagapattinam district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a panchayat town also known as `Kuttalam.` It is located at a distance of 290 km south of Chennai. Few villages located nearby are Villianallur, Mathirimangalam, Komalroad, Ancharvarthalai, Mekkirimangalam, Kshethirabalapuram, Thiruvezhangudi and others.

Economy of Kuthalam
The main source of income of the residents of Kuthalam is agriculture. A small plant has been constructed by the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) of India in the suburbs for extracting Natural Gas resource from the Kaveri River Basin. The local people are also engaged in money lending business at exorbitant interest rates.

Educational Institutions in Kuthalam
Kuthalam has established several schools for imparting education. Some of the important schools located here as well as in the vicinity are New Star Matriculation School, Ganapathy Middle School, St. Mary`s Maticulation School, Sri Solishwara Middle School, Raj Matriculation School, Shri Saraswathy Vidyalayam, Dr. G.S.Kalyanasundaram Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Government Higher Secondary School for Boys and Girls and others.

Pilgrimage Centres in Kuthalam
Uthavedeeswarar Temple also known as `big temple` is an important pilgrimage centre here. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Every Sunday during the Tamil month of Karthigai the idol is taken out for procession till the Kaveri River and special puja is conducted. A grand celebration, `Kada Muzhukku` is organised on the last Sunday of the month. People from the nearby villages assemble for the celebrations. Pongal is celebrated in Kuthalam on a grand scale. Several other temples are also located in the vicinity. Thirumanancheri, dedicated to Meenakshi Sundareswarar is the most important amongst them. It is believed that worshipping in this temple resolves marital problems. The temple is located at a distance of 15 km west of Mayiladuthurai and 5 km away from Kuthalam on the northern side. The holy Kaveri River merges with the Bay of Bengal through Kuthalam.

Kuthalam is well connected by different modes of transport. By road Kuthalam can be reached from Chennai via the East Coast Road through Puducherry. Several local and private buses ply between Mayiladuthurai and other towns passing through Kuthalam. The nearest national airport is located at Trichy and the nearest international airport is situated in Chennai.