Tiruchendur

Tiruchendur is a municipality located in Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is home to the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, which is one of the Six Abodes of Murugan.^[2][3][4] It is also the only abode of Murugan that is situated on a seashore.

Tiruchendur Tirucheer Alaiwai
Town
Tiruchendur beach
Tiruchendur Show map of Tamil Nadu Tiruchendur Show map of India
Coordinates: 8°29′41″N 78°07′19″E / 8.494600°N 78.121900°E / 8.494600; 78.121900
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
Region	Pandya Nadu
District	Thoothukudi
Government
• Type	Municipality
Area
• Total	24.00 km^2 (9.27 sq mi)
Elevation	32 m (105 ft)
Population  (2011)^[1]
• Total	33,171
• Density	1,400/km^2 (3,600/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Chendoorkaran, Chendooran
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	628215
Telephone code	04639
Vehicle registration	TN-92( TN-69 till Jun17,2015)
Nearest city	Thoothukudi
Sex ratio	1000 : 1018.58 ♂/♀
Literacy	79%
Nearest Airport	Thoothukudi
Lok Sabha constituency	Thoothukudi Formerly with Tiruchendur
Rajya Sabha constituency	Tiruchendur
Website	www.tiruchendhur.com

Etymology

Tiruchendur, a temple town like many towns in the state of Tamil Nadu, is named after the red soil nature of the town Senthoor.

Geography

 

Tiruchendur beach

 

Tiruchendur is located on the shoreline overlooking the Bay of Bengal in the south-eastern part of Tamil Nadu. The suburban villages surrounding the town contain arid, red soil forests that are densely planted with palm trees, cashew plantations, and other crops part of the region.^{[5][failed verification]}

Demographics

As of the 2001 Census of India, Tiruchendur had a population of 33,970.^[6] Males constituted 50% of the population and females 50%. Tiruchendur had an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy was 82%, and female literacy 76%. 12% of Tiruchendur's population was under 6 years of age.

Politics

The Tiruchendur assembly constituency was part of the Tiruchendur (Lok Sabha constituency) until 2009.^[7] After the dissolution of the Lok Sabha constituency in May 2009, the constituency aligned with the Tuticorin Lok Sabha constituency. The current member of the legislative assembly for the Tamil Nadu assembly, elected by the general election 2021, is Anitha R. Radhakrishnan of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.^[8]

Public Administration

Tiruchendur is managed by the Tiruchendur Municipality, which has 21 wards. It is also a taluk headquarters, and there are 10 local bodies and 46 villages that come under the jurisdiction of Tiruchendur taluk.^[9] The District Munsiff Court and Judicial Magistrate Court are located in the town.^[10]

Landmark

Tiruchendur Murugan Temple

 

View of the Thiruchedur Temple gopuram

 

Tiruchendur Murugan Kovil

Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Murugan at the site of the battle. It is one of the six major abodes, or sacred temples,^{[11] [12]} of the Kaumaram religion. The temple, which is built near the seashore, measures 91 m (299 ft) north to south, 65 m (213 ft) east to west, and has a seven-tier gopuram that is 42 m (138 ft) high.^[13][11] The Murugan temple at Tiruchendur was occupied by the Dutch East India company from 1646 to 1648, during the course of their war with the Portuguese.^[14]

Festivals

Festivals are celebrated throughout the year at the temple, including Brahmothsavam in the month of Maasi, Vasanthotsavam for 10 days in Chithirai, Vaikasi Visakam for 12 days and Skandha Sashti in Aippasi. There are two Maha Utsavams called Aavani perunthirunaal and Maasi perunthirunaal conducted and celebrated during Aavani and Maasi. These 12-day festivals occur twice every year.^[15]

Masi Thiruvizha

 

Tiruchendur

Many people congregate for Masi Thiruvizha, a 12-day festival at Tiruchendur. The Kayamozhi Athitha Nadarhal Arakattalai Mandahapadi committee organises functions on the sixth and seventh days of the festival. On the tenth day of the festival, the presiding Lord of the Tiruchendur temple makes a special appearance in Thirunelveli Dakshinamara Nadar Sangam, in Sannidhi Street.

Several thousand devotees worship at the Masi Magam festival of the Sri Subramaniawamy temple at Tiruchendur. The festival was inaugurated by the Athitha Nadar clan several centuries ago and includes ritual performances, like Pali-vidalai eridhal.

Gallery

 

Temple view from Beach

 

Tiruchendur Temple tower

See also

• Virapandianpatnam

References

1. . censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
2. "Welcome To Lord Murugan.com Home Page". Lordmurugan.com. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
3. "Tiruchendur". Thoothukudi.nic.in. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
4. "Murugan Temple Tiruchendu Article". blessingsonthenet.com. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
5. "Historical Incidents of 1639-1651". tiruchendur.org. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
6. . Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
7. (PDF). Tamil Nadu. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
8. "15th Assembly Members". www.assembly.tn.gov.in. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
9. "Tiruchendur Thoothukkudi Tamil Nadu".^{[dead link]}
10. "Taluk Courts | Official Website of District Court Of India". ecourts.gov.in. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
11. Clothey, Fred W. (1978). The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God. Walter de Gruyter. pp. 121–. ISBN 978-90-279-7632-1. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
12. Clothey, Fred W. (1978). The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God. Walter de Gruyter. pp. 121–. ISBN 978-90-279-7632-1. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
13. Knapp, Stephen (1 January 2009). Spiritual India Handbook. Jaico Publishing House. pp. 387–. ISBN 978-81-8495-024-3.
14. "Dutch adventure of 1648". tiruchendur.org. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
15. Pillai, J.M. Somasundaram. "Tiruchendur's Annual Festivals". tiruchendur.org. Retrieved 19 November 2018.

External links

• Tiruchendur Murugan Kovil
• Tiruchendur Muruga

 

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