PUDUKKOTTAI
Founded By : Raghunath, Raja Of Tondaimandalam
Was Formerly : One Of The Princely States Of India
Main Attractions : Sri Kokaraneswara Temple, Government Museum, Sittannavasal
Pudukkottai district, located in the southeastern part of
the state is one of the new districts formed after the 1971 census, on
14th January, 1974. It is one of the small districts of Tamil
Nadu with an area of 4,661-sq-kms. Pudukkottai district is bounded
by Tiruchirappalli in the north,
Thanjavur in the northeast,
Bay of Bengal in the east and Ramanathapuram in the south. It has a
coastline of about 39-km. The headquarters of the district is Pudukkottai.
Pudukkottai was founded by Raghunath, Raja of Tondaimandalam (the region
around the ancient port of Tondi on India's southeastern coast).
Industries include peanut (groundnut) oil and sesame oil extraction.
The
History Of Pudukkottai
Pudukkottai was formerly one of the princely states of India. It was a
unique state with all sovereign powers in reign by the Maharaja of
Pudukkottai. Pudukkottai state comprised of three Taluks(also spelt as
Talukas), viz, Alangudi, Tirumayam and Kulattur, with its headquarters at
Pudukkottai.
Pudukkottai was under the control of the Muslims during the first half of
the 15th century, the Naickers in the middle of the 15th century, and the
Moghuls in the 17th century. During the last half of 17th century, the
Marathas of Thanjavur ruled Pudukkottai area along with their territory in
Thanjavur district.
Later, Pudukkottai came under the suzerainty of the Thondaiman kings. The
Thondaiman kings ruled Pudukkottai state till 1948, i.e., before it was
merged with the union of the Government of India on 3rd March, 1948.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Sri Kokaraneswara Temple
The rock cut cave temple of Sri Kokaraneswara and Brahadambal at
Thirukokarnam is of Mahendravarma Pallava's period. It is a famous temple
and often visited by tourists.
Government
Museum
Situated at Thirukokarnam, the museum is located at a distance of 5-km
from Pudukkottai railway station. The rare collections in the section of
Geology, Zoology, Paintings, Anthropology, Epigraphy, Historical Records,
etc. are very interesting.
Sittannavasal
Pudukkottai is 53-km from Tiruchirappalli and 57-km away from Thanjavur.
Pudukkottai was a princely state in the 17th century AD and it has rich
reserves of archaeological and cultural remains at Kodumbalur,
Narthamalai, Kudumianmalai, Kunnandarkoil, Sittannavasal, Thirumayam and
Avudaiyarkoil.
Sittannavasal located 16-km north west of Pudukkottai town, is a
celebrated Jaina centre having a cave inhabited by monks in the 2nd
century BC and a rock-cut temple of the 7th century AD. The cave contains
stone beds of an early Brahmi record and some 7th century AD inscriptions.
The rock-cut temple has exquisite sculptures and paintings of the 9th
century A.D. The Archaeological Survey of India protects both the
monuments.
The Anna Agricultural Farm And Agriculture Research Institute
The Anna Agricultural Farm and Agriculture Research Institute in
Pudukkottai are interesting places often visited by tourists. In fact
these institutions took shape as a result of the special efforts of the
former Director of Census Operations, Shri K. Chockalingam who was the
then Collector of Tiruchirappalli in the pre-bifurcation period of the two
districts of Tiruchirappalli and
Pudukkottai.
EXCURSIONS
Kodumbalur
Also known as "Moovarkoil", Kodumbalur is 36-km from
Pudukkottai and 42-km from Tiruchirappalli. It was formerly the seat of
Irukkuvelirs, who were related to the Cholas. Of the three shrines of
Moovarkoil only two exist now. Boodhi Vikramakesari built these temples in
the 10th century AD. The architecture of the temple is unique among south
Indian temples. The sculptures of Kalarimurthi, Gajasamharamurthi
Ardhanariswara (also spelt as Ardhanareeshwara), Gangadaramurthi, etc. are
interesting masterpieces of art. Nearby is the Muchukundeswarar temple of
the early Chola period.
Viralimalai
Sanctuary
Viralimalai is a small town situated at a distance of 30-km from
Tiruchirappalli and 40-km from Pudukkottai. It is famous for its Murugan
temple and the Peacock sanctuary. The town is bestowed with a large number
of wild peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple.
Narthamalai
Narthamalai is a place of historical importance and the headquarters of
the Mutharaiya chieftains. An earliest structural stone temple, circular
in shape, built by the Mutharaiyar and the Vijayalaya Choleeswaram cave
temple built by the Vijayala Chola, the first king of the later Cholas are
located here.
Tirumayam
Tirumayam, a Taluk(also spelt as Taluka) headquarters is 19-km from
Pudukkottai, the district headquarters. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams
and has two cave temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
Mahendravarman and Narasimhavarman Pallava built the cave temples, which
lie adjacent to each other.
Avadaiyarkovil
Avadayar Koil, previously known as "Thiruperunthurai" is an
important Shivasthala located at a distance of 8 miles from the Arantangi
railway station and about 48-km. from Pudukkottai . The sculptural work of
the temple is exquisite. It is perhaps the best architectural marvel in
South India.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest airport is at
Tiruchirappalli, 50-km away.
Rail: Pudukkottai lies on the
Chennai
Rameswaram railway line and
is connected to places like Tiruchirappalli,
Madurai, and
Thanjavur.
Road: Pudukkottai is connected to
Rameswaram,
Madurai,
Tiruchirappalli,
Thanjavur and all other nearby
towns by road. Tourist taxis and city buses are available for local
transportation. Local buses cover all tourist centres in and around
Pudukkottai.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available at the luxury and economy class hotels and lodges in Pudukkotai.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Adi Pooram Festival (July - August) at Sri Kokarneswarar Brahadambal Temple, Thirukokarnam and Manikkavasagar Festival at Avudayarkoil are celebrated every year in a grand manner.
SHOPPING
Handloom Silk papiermache, Cane-made articles, and Korai mats are the articles to shop at Pudukkotai.
BANKS
Canara Bank
3068, East Main Street, Pudukkottai.
Central Bank of India
North Main Street, Pudukkottai
State Bank of India
East Main Street, Pudukkottai
Indian Bank
Rajagoplapuram, Pudukkottai
P.D.C.C Bank Ltd
East Main Street, Pudukkottai
HOSPITALS
Anwar Hospital
Balamani Nursing Home
Dharmabalan Hospital
E.S.I. Hospital
Government Hospital
Government Women's Hospital
Meenakshi Poly Clinic
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 12-sq-kms
Population: 99,058 (1991 Census)
Latitude: N 9°50 - 10° 40'
Longitude: E 78°25' - 79°15'
Altitude: 87.78 metres (288 feet)
Clothing: Light Cottons
Languages Spoken: Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Urdu
STD Code: 04322
Climate: Tropical
Temperature Range (deg C):
Summer- Max 37.1ºC, Min 36.4ºC
Winter- Max 21.3ºC, Min 20.1ºC
Rainfall: 908 mm
NEARBY CITIES
Alangudi - 18-km
Chennai - 336-km
Sivaganga - 156-km
Sivakasi - 180-km
Thanjavur - 56-km
Tiruchcharappalli - 50-km
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