Marakkanam is a `panchayat town` situated in Viluppuram district of the southern state of India, Tamil Nadu. It is well connected to the state capital Chennai. Marakanam is situated in the north of Pondicherry at a distance of 40 kms and in the east of Tindivanam at a distance of 30 kms. It is perched at a height of 14 metres (45 feet) above mean sea level. The places near Marakkanam are Tindivanam, Kalpakkam, Koonimedu, Murukkery, Brahmadesam, Nallalam, Soonambedu and Kadapakkam.
History of Marakkanam
The town was connected to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh through the Buckingham Canal, a 420 km long fresh water navigation canal. The 110 km Stretch from Marakkanam to Chennai is called South Buckingham Canal. It was constructed by the British Raj. The canal is said to be an important waterway during the late nineteenth and the twentieth century.
Demographics of Marakkanam
On the basis of 2001 India census, the town had a population of 19,153 of which the males constitute 50% and females 50%. In the town, 13% of the population was under 6 years of age. On the basis of the report of the same year, Marakkanam had an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy was 70%, and female literacy was 52%. The town has a good number of schools including Government Higher Secondary School, Government Girls High School, St. Joseph`s Primary School, Panchayat Union Elementary School, ALM Matticulation School, J.M.J. Matriculation School and Ramakrishna Matriculation School.
Economy of Marakkanam
The major resources of economy in the town comprise of salt production, fishing, agriculture and real estate.
Religious Spots of Marakkanam
The well-known Churches of Marakkanam include Lord Jesus Christ`s Prayer House, A.G Church, Our Lady of Maduranayaguy Church and Christ Church. The major Masjids in the town are Jamia Masjid, Thazhan Kadu Masjid, Chetti Nagar Masjid, Seiyyankuppam Masjid, Koonimedu Masjid, and Firdaws Nagar Masjid.
Connectivity to Marakkanam
The nearest railhead is the Tindivanam Railway Station and the Chennai International Airport is the nearest airport. Marakkanam is also well connected via buses. The buses that ply through ECR via Kovalam, Mamallapuram, Kadapakkam and Chennai to Pondicherry are connected to this town. Also, some government buses connect the town to Chennai and Pondicherry via Chengalpattu, Madhuranthagam, Soonambedu and Allathur.
