VIRUDHUNAGAR AREA & GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION

Geographical Area

Area 4243 Sq. Km.

North Latitude Between 11 00' and 12 00'.

East Longitude Between 77 28' and 78 50'.

Population:

Census2001 Total Male Female Excess Over 1991 Percentage Increased

POPULATION 17,51,548 8,70,820 8,80,728 1,86,511 11.90 %

LITERATES 11,52,516 6,50,601 5,01,915 3,04,389 65.79 %

IMPORTANT INDUSTRIES IN THE DISTRICT:

Match factories at Sivakasi, Sattur ,Virudhunagar.

Fire works ,Off-set Printing Presses at Sivakasi.

Nib Industry at Sattur

Ginning, Spinning & Weaving Mills, Rajapalayam.

Madras Cements, Thulukkapatti.

Tamilnadu Cements, Alangulam.

Tamilnadu Asbestos, Alangulam.

Bolts and Nuts (T.V.Sundaram Fastners) Aaviyur.

THE EXPORT & IMPORT COMMODITY

Export : 1. Cardamom, 2. Crackers, 3. Chillies ,Oil 4. Matches

Import : 1. Tin Sheet

IMPORTANT PILGRIMS CENTRES:

Andal Thirukkovil, Srivilliputur.

Irukkankudi Mariamman Temple, Sattur.

Boominathar temple, Thiruchuli.

Srinivasaperumalkoil (Thenthiruppathi) at Srivilliputur.

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Aruppukottai.

IMPORTANT TOURIST CENTRES:

Memorial house of Kamarajar at Virudhunagar.

Pilavakkal Dam near Watrap.

Andal Koil at Srivilliputhur.

Boominatharkoil and birth place of Ramana Maharishi at Thiruchuli.

Ayyanar falls - 15 km from Rajapalayam.

Shenbagathoppu - Alagarkoil near Srivilliputur.

Sastha Koil - Near Thevathanam, Rajapalayam.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS:

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. A tank known as Mukkulam is also found here which is said to be the same used by Andal to perform Margazhi festival during her life.

Mariamman and Sachi Innachiar koil festivals in Sattur taluk and VaikasiVisakham in Srivilliputur are the famous festivals of this district. The other important fair/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.

Edible Items

Virudhunagar - Famous for Oil Parotta

Sattur - Cucumber, Karasevu

Srivilliputur - Milk Cova