Ariyalur district

Ariyalur District is located in critical Tamil Nadu and is 265 K.M. Far from Chennai. The District has a place of 1949 Sq.Km.

The District has Vellar River within the North and Kollidam River in the South and it has no well-marked herbal divisions.

District Ariyalur is blessed with a significant number of places and temples of historical significance. Ariyalur is well known for the temple Gangaikondacholisvarar in Gangaikondacholapuram, the largest temple built during the reign of Rajendra – ITotal Ariyalur area is 684 km2 including 676.67 km2 of the rural area and 7.62 km2 of an urban area. Ariyalur has 2,55,809 inhabitants.

The sub-district comprises 67,703 apartments. The block of Ariyalur comprises about 64 households,

Ariyalur is a town and district headquarters of the district of Ariyalur in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and surrounded by seven cement factories and two sugar factories. The town is situated 310 km (190 mi ) away from Chennai, the state capital.

Transportation

Roads * NH226 — Perambalur-Ariyalur-Thanjavur-Manamadurai * NH 227 — Trichy-Jayankondam-Chidambaram * SH143 — Ariyalur-Thungapuram-Thittakudi Train * Ariyalur(ALU)-04329 222026 * Ariyalur is well connected to major cities such as Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Erode. * 267 km From Chennai Egmore * 70 km From Trichy Junction * 2 km From Bus Stop Ariyalur.

In this district Celeste, LimeStone, Shale, Sand Stone, Canker, and Phosphate nodules arise at various locations inside the district. A limestone of sedimentary beginning has been discovered in Ariyalur and Sendurai Taluks. The Limestone is cement grade to plus cement grade in high-quality and is used inside the cement flowers. Fire Clay is used for the manufacture of ground tiles, stoneware pipes, fireplace bricks, and inside the chemical industry. Jayamkondam in Udayarpalayam Taluk is rich in Lignite, Oil, and Gas reserves. Apart from the above important minerals the common use of minor minerals viz Red Gravel, Brick Clay, filling earth, and Kankar are also located in this District.

Total Area - 1,940.00 square km

Population -7,fifty four,894

District Head Quarters -Ariyalur

Language Spoken- Tamil.

According to the 2011 census Ariyalur district has a populace of 752,481, kind of the same as the kingdom of Guyana or the American state of Alaska. This gives it a ranking of 491st in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 387 inhabitants according to a rectangular kilometer (1,000/squaremi). Its populace boom fee over the decade 2001-2011 was eight.19%. As of 2011, it's far the 1/3 least populous district of Tamil Nadu (out of 32), after Perambalur and Nilgiris.

Agriculture

Sugar cane is grown as a major commercial crop. One non-public sugar manufacturing facility close to keelapalur is functioning within the district with a capacity of crushing 3000 Tonnes in keeping with day. One of the main vegetation in Ariyalur district is cashew. The predominant soil within the district is purple sanding with scattered packers of black soil. This city is composed especially of glade soil. The soil within the district is best proper for elevating dry plants. Rice is also grown in some locations.

Minerals The district is wealthy in mineral deposits. Celeste, Limestone, Shale, Sandstone, Canker, and Phosphate nodules arise at diverse locations within the district. The limestone of sedimentary beginning has been located in Ariyalur and Sendurai Taluks. The Limestone is cement grade to plus cement grade in high-quality and is used in the cement vegetation. Fire clay is used for manufacturing floor tiles, stoneware pipes, hearth bricks, and inside the chemical enterprise. Jayamkondam in Udayarpalayam Taluk is wealthy with lignite, Oil, and Gas reserves. Apart from the above important minerals the common use of minerals viz. Red Gravel, Brick Clay, filling earth, and Kankar also are observed in this district. Limestone fifty-five limestone mining rents have been granted in Ariyalur district in favor of M/s. Tamil Nadu Cements Limited, Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited, M/s. Madras Cements Ltd., M/s. India Cements Limited, M/s. Grasim types of cement, M/s. Dalmia Cements (Bharat) Limited, and M/s. Chettinad Cement constraints are the most important lessees having limestone leases. The final leases belong to private persons. Six important cement plants, five in the non-public sector, and one in public quarter venture exploit the limestone deposits. Other small mine owners and Tvl. Tamilnadu Minerals Limited also is engaging in the exploitation of Limestone. Mini cement flowers installed within the district are defunct because of various technical motives.

Industry Eight most important cement factories are located inside the district due to the abundant deposits of limestone. The availability of lignite at Jayankondam and close by locations is a bountiful present of Mother Nature. Geologists remember the fossils which might be excavated as a national property. 5265 commercial units running within the district however 2145 industrial units are registered. Education There are 29 pre-primary schools, 375 primary faculty, one hundred forty center school, seventy-six high schools, fifty-three higher secondary school, 7 teacher schooling institute, 6 artwork, and technological know-how university, 4 ITI Polytechnic, School of Nursing, CBSE college and Engineering College every three institutions. 2 College for special education (Nursing) and one catering college. The literary rate is seventy-two percent in this district male eighty two.1 percentage, lady 62.2 percentage, and Gender hole 19.8 percentage.

Food

Vegetarian cuisine is famous among many of the Tamil human beings and has been so for the reason that ... Are served in a traditional way, using banana leaves in the vicinity of utensils. After eating, the banana leaves are then used as a secondary meal for farm animals. ... Sappadu (an ordinary meal), in conjunction with different Tamil dishes, is served on a banana leaf.

 The Ariyalur area is one of the distinguished producers of rice-based dishes like Puliyodharai, Sambar Sadam, Vegetable rice and Podi sadam. Millet dishes like Kuthiraivali dosai are also prepared. The freshwater fishes from the surroundings of Trichy are famous for their precise flavor.

"Virundhu '' refers to the middle elements of Tamil delicacies offered to the visitors on special events consisting of gala's and marriage ceremonies. Rice staples, tomato rice, Paruppu, sambar, rasam, poriyal, and kootu are introduced with butter or curd to prepare pachadi. Dry and sparkling fruits or vegetables also are used to put together traditional cuisine. They serve salt, pickles, payasam, and avial. After the meal, a banana and betel leaf with areca nuts and limestone paste are used to sell digestion. Before eating conventional delicacies, human beings smooth the banana leaf with water. It is used as a large eating table sheet to serve meals for visitors and a circle of relatives members on which the meals objects are placed.

The district became famous in 2008, whilst theft of 8 idols had been determined from a 9th-century Chola Brihadeeswarar Temple at Gangai Konda Chola Puram turned into determined with the aid of Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) Government of India officers. One of those idols, the Sripuranthan Natarajan Idol, located its way to the National Gallery of Australia. Two of the stolen statues had been consequently returned and are now displayed in the Government Museum at Kumbakonam.

 Tourism

Gangaikondacholapuram Rajendra Chola-I (1012-1044 A.D) son of the Great Rajaraja-I, hooked up this temple after his brilliant victorious march to the river Ganges on Northern India. He was originally referred to as Madurantakam. He assumed the name of Rajendra for the duration of his coronation and persevered to rule alongside his father Rajaraja-I for some time. He executed the splendid title of Cholas called Parakesari. Sri Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal Temple Sri Kaliyaperumal temple is a prime enchantment of Ariyalur. It is located five km far from Ariyalur. This temple is well-known for its "Car competition" (March/April) that's carried out yearly. The human beings of Ariyalur have fun at the festival grandly. This Varadharaja Perumal blessed with prosperity, wealth, fitness, and a long lifestyle. Once it became the area of Chola's dynasty. The vicinity Thirumazhapadi is located on the financial institution of the Kollidam river that is a department of the Cauvery River. The entire surroundings are packed with paddy and sugar cane fields. The famous Shiva Temple is located in Thirumazhapadi. This Temple is called Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy Koil.It additionally has a statue of Thiruvalluvar.One of the tourist areas in ariyalur.This temple is famous for its "nandikesvara thirukalyanam " (March/April) which is conducted every year. The humans of thirumalapadi have fun at the festival grandly. Vettakudi - Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary located in Ariyalur District, 65 km away from Tiruchirappalli and 35 km north of Thanjavur, this hen sanctuary sprawls over 454 Ha. Of area. Waterbirds congregate right here at some stage in November - February. About 50 species of resident and migratory birds are recorded right here. The list consists of varieties of Stork, Pelicans, Heron, Darter, Ibis, Egrets, Coot, Terns, Cormorants, KingFisher, Plovers, and so forth. This is an important temple within the coronary heart of the town. The 'Dasavathara Mandapam' with great sculptures of the 10 avatars of Maha Vishnu, in particular, the Narasimha avatar is worth seeing. The temple automobile that is now in ruins is being rebuilt with the cooperation of the devotees and additionally helped by way of the Government to a super volume. The 'Pancha Loka Vigrahas' of Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita were majestically made and a treat to observe. It is believed that those Pancha Loka Vigrahas are the biggest Idol within the globe. Sivan Kovil is likewise a famous temple. Pradosham worship is attended by many devotees frequently.

At the fork of roads leading to Sathanur, sixty-two km from Trichy, a rusty signboard stating “Kalmara Poonga (Fossil Tree Park) factors up to the sky. A girl farmer stacking dried corn stalks on her two-wheeler sets us at the right course to the prestigious petrified tree, and included monument of the Geological Survey of India (GSI).

The wealth of herbal history

Just a few minutes earlier, we had exited the Tiruchi-Chennai motorway and stopped by means of the roadside in Kozhakalnatham village to respect its badlands topography — land formations marked via ravines, steep gullies, and jagged towers of sand and rock. These other-worldly outcrops are truly a sizable marine graveyard dating again hundreds of thousands of years to the Cretaceous era and the primary markers of the wealth of herbal history in this vicinity this is spread throughout at the least four districts — Ariyalur, Perambalur, Trichy and Cuddalore.

Field museum

Around 25 kilometers away is Varanavasi, which we attain by way of skirting through the Perambalur toll road and Ariyalur city roads. A swanky new field museum (on a one-acre web site) has arisen here on a 100-acre campus, its dome glowing within the harsh sunshine.

Digging a predicament

With fossils mendacity inside easy to attain, and no apparent sign of government restrictions on land-use or mining, trading in prehistoric stays is a worthwhile enterprise here. “It’s a Catch-22 scenario. Without the economic pastime, it's miles hard to adopt mass diggings and excavations that would unearth the fossils from exclusive strata. As a rustic, we've by no means given fossils any precedence aside from the gas we procure from them. I desire there had been resources and price range allocated to keep as minimum samples,” says Vaishnavi Sundar, an independent filmmaker whose 2015 crowd-funded documentary Unearthing the Treasures of Ariyalur is taken into consideration as the primary such film in the region.

Hotels in Ariyalur

Rolex resort

superstar MSR hotel

Sri Ramajeyam Lodge

PSN Grand INn

Hotel Kanakabhishegam

Comfort Inn

Restaurants

Maruthi Restaurant

Food junction

 Banana LEaf

Hotel Shri Garden

Shri Balaji Bhavan

Devi Mess

Hotel Jeeva

Madurai Muniyandi vilas

Devi Coffee bar

Vadivasal Kudil Restaurant

Nilla soru Kudil Restaurant

Muthu Briyani Restaurant

Tourism Pilgrimage

Vaithiyanatha Swamy Temple at Thirumazhapadi, Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal Kovil at Kallankurichi, Siva Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Guruvayurappan Kovil and so on., are a number of the most vital Hindu Shrines within the District.The GangaikondaCholapuram Shiva Temple (Brihadeshwara Temple) built by way of Rajendra Chola son of Raja Raja Chola is almost a miniature of Thanjavur Brihadeeswara Temple. Elakurichi located at a distance of 32 Kms from Ariyalur is famous for the Adaikala Matha Church built with the aid of the well-known Catholic Missionary Constantino Joseph Beschi popularly referred to as VEERAMA MUNIVAR.

Eight main Cement factories are placed in the district because of the abundant deposits of limestone. The availability of Lignite at Jayankondam and nearby locations is a bountiful present of Mother Nature. Geologists recollect the Fossils which might be excavated as countrywide property.

Ariyalur district has a very rich and superb past. Its antiquity dates again to the period of Prehistoric Civilization which flourished approximately 2 lakh years ago.

Before the appearance of the human activities within the vicinity included with the aid of the district, it was submerged underneath the Sea. Later, due to the changes in climatic situations, the ocean water receded towards the east and as a result, emerged the present land made metamorphic rocks belonging to the gneiss own family. This rocky soil is made up of sedimentary and gypsum rocks that belong to distinct geological intervals. These adjustments befell around 15 million years in the past in what's termed by means of geologists because of the Cretaceous age.

Following the adjustments along with the receding of the ocean, diverse species that lived in the sea and the seashore that were submerged below the gutter and swamp became fossils. Thus Ariyalur district is a veritable Palaeo-Zoological Garden and is frequently nicknamed as the ‘Mecca of the Geological Researchers’. Various varieties of fossils of timber, animal, and plant species have been unearthed inside the District. Dinosaur eggs had been found at Kallakurichi mines and Ninniyur and as a consequence, the district is a treasure residence of fossils of historical species.

Ariyalur District includes Revenue Divisions viz., Ariyalur and Udayarpalayam, Four Taluks viz., Ariyalur, Sendurai, Udayarpalayam and Andimadam (Andimadam Taluk is formed as consistent with G.O.(Ms) No. 167 Revenue(RA1(1)) Department dated: 08-05-2017) comprising of 195 Revenue Villages. The District has six blocks viz. Ariyalur, Thirumanur, Sendurai, Jayankondam, Andimadam, and T.Palur comprising 201 Village Panchayats. There are two Municipalities viz. Ariyalur & Jayankondam and two Town Panchayats viz. Udayarpalayam & Varadarajanpettai.

The historical name of this village changed into Mannuperumpaluvur, Periya Paluvur and Melai Paluvur. It turned into the capital of the Paluvettaraiyar Chiefs who have been from Kerala and ruled Ariyalur vicinity as feudatories of the Chola Kings from Aditya I to Rajendra Chola I. Paluvettaraiyar Kumaran Kandan, Kumaran Maravan, Kandan Amudan, and Maravan Kandan were a number of the crucial Kings of this family. The Sundareswarar temple in this area dates back to the duration of Aditya Chola – I. Its call changed into Pagaividai Ishvaram.

The jap part of this village is called Kilaiyur which was referred to as Avani Kandarvapuram during the length of the Cholas. It changed into a mercantile metropolis of itinerant trade guilds. The Siva temple at Kilaiyur turned into known as Avani gandarva Isvaram and constructed in A.D. 884 during the 13th 12 months o f Aditya –I with the aid of Paluvettaraiyar chief Kumaran Kandan. This temple is one of the best stone temples and one of the exceptional preserved early Chola temples presenting different architectural styles with an array of stunning and charming sculptures. Chola Kings had marital alliances with the Paluvettaraiyar family. Parantaka Chola married Arumolinangai who changed into the daughter of the Paluvettaraiyar Chief Kumaran Maravan and the Chola King Arinjaya Chola was born to this princess. Uttamachola (970-986) additionally married a princess of this circle of relatives. Panchavanmadevi, wife of Rajaraja –I become additionally a native of Avani Gandharva Puram and she or he became a dancing girl of the temple. The Chola Kings seem to have had their minting manufacturing facility at this Capital.

This region fashioned part of the capital of the Paluvettaraiyar. It was called as Sirupaluvur, a Brahmadeya village in Kunra Kurram. Poems to the Alandurai temple here were sung via Thirugnanasambandar throughout the seventh Century A.D. It is said that the Sage Parasurama did penance on this region and got rid of his sins of getting killed by his Mother. This temple was worshipped by the Malayali Brahmins all through the period of Saint Sambandar. It was constructed of stone for the duration of the length of Parantaka Chola – I and Uttama Chola.

The antiquity of this vicinity is going again to the Sangam Period. It turned into an army camp of the valiant Malavar

Clan of the Sangam Age and hence referred to as Malavar-padi and later as Thirumalapadi. The Siva temple of this region called Vaidyanatha Swami was worshipped and sung via the Devaram Nayanmars viz., Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar. It turned into an additionally visited by Ayyadigal Kadavarkon who praised it in his hymns of Shetravenba. This saint has been recognized with the Pallava king Simhavarman(540-558), the grandfather of Mahendra Varman Pallava (598-630). It is thought that the Deity of this vicinity seemed in the dream of Saint Sundarar and requested him to visit this location and reward Him and therefore the saint got here to this temple and sung peons in his famous Thevaram hymns ‘Ponnar minyan’.

The famous pageant celebrated in this Temple is the marriage for Nandi (Nandi kalyanam). It is a popular perception in this region that impediments in getting married can be overcome in the event that they see the marriage festival of Nandi Devar.

The Sundareswarar temple with goddess Valambal in this village was built for the duration of Sundra Chola in A.D. 962. Local traditions say that it turned into the area in which Rathi did penance and got again her husband Manmatha and therefore the village is called Kama-Rathi-Valli. A village referred to as Alagiya Manavalan is located east of this village. It is held that it was named after the beautiful husband of Rathi i.E., Alagiyamanavalan (beautiful husband-manmadhan.) A beautiful bronze image of Rathi is also preserved in this temple.

Another tale preserved in this temple is that Karkotaka, the serpent King, got relieved of his curse with the aid of worshipping Lord Siva in this village and subsequently the God of the temple is known as Karkodaka Isvaram. A slab with figures depicting this lore is also preserved on this temple. There are more than forty inscriptions of Chola, Pandya and Hoysala durations in this temple. Inscriptions mention this temple as Tirunallur Sreekovil Mahadevar, Tirunallurparamesvarar and Tirukkarkotaga Isvarattu Mahadevar. Inscriptions confer with this village as Kumudavalli Chaturvedi Mangalam a brahmadeya in Mirai kurram. There are beautiful sculptures and bronzes of the Chola period in this temple.

Govinda Puttur, a village in Udayarpalayam taluk, is located on the northern bank of the Kollidam River. The Siva temple in this village is referred to as Ganga Jadadisvarar and Saint Appar and Sambandar who lived at some point of the length of Mahendravarma Pallava praised the Deity of the temple of their Thevaram hymns.

From their songs we come to recognize that Parthan (Vijayan, son of King Pandu of Mahabharatha) worshipped Siva in this vicinity and was given a boon from the God. The celestial cow (kamadhenu) additionally worshipped the God at this region with the aid of pouring its milk over the Sivalinga and therefore the area became called ko– karanda – puttur, and later became Govindaputtur. Inscriptions of Chola, Pandya and Vijanagar kings are engraved on the partitions of the temple. The present temple was constructed of stone in A.D.980 in the course of the length of Uttama Chola (970-986) by using his officer Ambalavan Paluvur Nakkan, who changed into a local of Kuvalalapuram(modern Kolar in Karnataka). The temple is preserved with stunning sculptures and bronzes of early Chola length. Inscriptions refer to this vicinity as Vijayamangalam, a Brahmadeya village in Sri Parantaka Chaturvedi Mangalam. A Devaram hymn of saint Sambandar is engraved at the beginning of a file of Rajendra – III on this temple.

During the reign of Rajendra – I, this village got here into lifestyles and was referred to as as Vikkiramacholapuram, after the surname of the king. Inscriptions of Vikramachola, Kulothunga–II and Kulothunga-III suggest that this location turned into a sub capital for the Chola kings who resided within the royal palace in this place and issued royal orders granting lands to many temples within the Chola united states.

During the Chola length Vikram Cholapuram became also a well-known change and mercantile centre of the itinerant exchange guilds. Beautiful Jain and Buddha sculptures of Chola length is likewise preserved in this village.

The present Siva temple of this village is known as Rajendra Cholisvaram and dates again to the length of Rajendra Chola – I (1012-1044).

Ariyalur is known for the Gangaikondacholisvaram temple in Gangaikondacholapuram, the biggest temple constructed at some stage in the reign of Rajendra–I in Ariyalur vicinity. Following the conquest of the Gangetic plains in A.D. 1023 Rajendra–I constructed an extraordinary city referred to as Gangaikondacholapauram and a Shiva temple Gangaikondacholisvarar and a lake Chola Gangam in commemoration of his victory. The area, the temple and the lake (Chola Gangam) are the dwelling embodiments of the heroism of the Tamils who unfurled the Chola‘s Tiger flag on the banks of the River Ganges. He additionally shifted his capital from Thanjavur to this newly constructed city. From its length to the cease of the Chola own family rule in A.D.1279 this town was the capital for the Chola Empire for a period of 256 years. The giant stone temple which he constructed in this vicinity is a rich repository of lovely sculptures of central Chola length. This city is celebrated inside the literature of Muvar ula of Ottakuthar and Kalingattuparani of Jayamkondar.

ARIYALUR – KODANDARMASWAMY KOVIL

A Vishnu temple referred to as Kodandarama Swamy kovil exists in Ariyalur. Though the presiding deity in this temple is Srinivasaperumal it is popularly called as Kodandaramaswamy kovil because of the life of a shrine wherein Rama, Lakshmana and Sita are enshrined.

The temple faces the east. The predominant shrine is dedicated to Srinivasa Perumal and His two consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. It has a garbhagriha (15 ft square) and ardha mandapa (17 ft lengthy) and Maha Mandapa.

The Kothandaramar shrine is a later addition that is built of chalk stone and attached with the ardha mandapa of the main temple with the aid of facing the south. Inside the shrine is set up the stone sculptures of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita on a Pitha and bronze photos of them also are in the shrine. It is said that the idols were found from the Kollidam river financial institution close to Vikramangalam and taken right here by means of a Chief of Ariyalur who constructed a shrine and hooked up the deities in it. In front of the main temple is built a spacious mandapa called Dasavatara mandapa. Four rows of pillars (20 toes heigh) with 10 pillars in every row are installed within the mandapa. In these pillars the figures of the 10 avatars of Vishnu are carved out. The parent is about 6.6 feet high. At the entrance of the row, the sculptures of a Chief and his Queen also are carved out. The complete complex is surrounded via a raised compound wall and a 6 storied Gopura (90 ft height) is built at the doorway. The basement of the Gopura is constructed of chalk stone and the top stories are constructed of brick and mortar. A shrine for Garuda is built in front of the Gopura. A tank called Kodanda pushkarani is excavated in the southern aspect of the temple.

VETTAKUDI – KARAIVETTI BIRD SANCTUARY

The Karaivetti Birds Sanctuary with a place of 453.Seventy one ha. Has been notified underneath segment 18(1) of Wildlife Protection Act 1972 as in keeping with Government Order No.219 E & F (FR.VI) Dept dt. 10.06.1997. The sanctuary is largely an irrigation tank that gets water from the Mettur dam from September onwards which is supplemented via the northeast monsoons from October till January.

The sanctuary is one of the maximum essential freshwater feeding ground for migratory water birds

within the state of Tamil Nadu. One of the biggest tanks inside the country, it has recorded the most important congregation of water birds among all of the tanks in the kingdom. Of the 188 species of birds recorded within the sanctuary, eighty two are water birds. Among the critical visitors to the tank is the endangered Bar Headed Goose. The excellent time to go to the sanctuary for chook looking is September-March.

ELAKURICHI

Elakurichi is one of the most well-known locations of Ariyalur district. It is a sacred pilgrimage region for the Roman Catholics. Constantine Beschi (popularly known as Virama Munivar) from Italy got here to Ariyalur place and unfold Chirstianity among A.D. 1710 to 1742.The Adaikala Matha temple right here changed into built through him. With the blessings of the Holy Mother Mary he cured a dangerous ailment of the Ariyalur Palayakarar. Pleased with the aid of the carrier of Veeramamunivar the Chief granted 60 acres of land to the temple. An inscription engraved on a stone slab written in A.D. 1763 is preserved in this Church makes a mention of this provision.

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Our people will receive you and take you on a walk at the ariyalur airport. You may make breaks in between for photos and if you have the time, there are plenty of opportunities to pay a visit to local locations.