Ariyalur - General Information
Ariyalur is an administrative district in the state of Tamilnadu in India. The district headquarters is located at Ariyalur. The district encompasses an area of
1,949.31 km² and had a population of 752,481 as per the 2011 census. Ariyalur is
noted for its cement industries and has huge reserves of lignite. Gangaikonda Cholapuram built by the King Rajendra
Cholan of Chola
Empire, an UNESCO World Heritage
site is situated in the district.
Ariyalur is a town and district headquarters of Ariyalur
district in the South
Indian state of Tamil
Nadu. The town is located at a distance of 310 km
(190 mi) from the state capital Chennai.
Ariyalur is believed to have obtained its name
from Hari Nindra Oor, meaning the place where Hindu god Vishnu had his presence. Ariyalur was a part of the
erstwhile Trichinopoly District until India's
independence in 1947 and Tiruchirappalli district until 1995, Perambalur district until 2007 and
subsequently a part of the newly formed Ariyalur district. The town is a part
of the fertile Cauvery Delta and the major profession in the town is
agriculture.
Ariyalur is administered by a municipality established
in 1994. As of 2011, the municipality covered an area of
7.62 km2 (2.94 sq mi) and had a population of 28,902.
Roadways are the major mode of transportation to the town and it also has rail
connectivity. The nearest seaport is Karaikal
port, located 95 km (59 mi) away, while the
nearest airport is the Tiruchirappalli International
Airport, located 76 km
(47 mi) away from the town. It is rich in limestone resources.
Ariyalur town can be recommended as a stopover town for
those who are traveling from Chennai to Madurai, Trichy (Tiruchirapalli),
Bangalore (Bengaluru) or Coimbatore.
Legend
According to legend, Ariyalur was called Hari
Nindra Oor, meaning the place where Hindu god Hari (Vishnu) stood. The nine avatars of Hari carved out of single
stone are found in the Alanthurayar Kothandaramaswamy Temple at Ariyalur.
Geography
Ariyalur District is located in central Tamil Nadu and
is 265 K.M. away from Chennai. The District has an area of 1949 Sq.Kms.
It is an inland district without any coast line. The
District has Vellar River in the North and Kollidam River in the South and it
has no well marked natural divisions.
History
Ariyalur district was carved out of Perambalur district
on January 1, 2001. But, it was merged with Perambalur district on March 31, 2002. Ariyalur district was re-carved
on November 23, 2007. The district is bordered by the districts of Cuddalore to
the north and north-east, Nagapattinam to the east, Thanjavur to the south and
south-east, Tiruchirapalli to the south-west and Perambalur to the west.
Ariyalur district has a very rich and glorious past. Its
antiquity dates back to the period of Prehistoric Civilization which flourished
about 2 lakh years ago.
Under
the Sea:
Before the advent of the human activities in the area
covered by the district, it was submerged under the Sea. Later, due to the
changes in climatic conditions, the sea water receded towards the east and thus
emerged the present land made metamorphic rocks belonging to the gneiss family.
This rocky soil is made up of sedimentary and gypsum rocks that belong to
different geological periods. These changes took place around 15 million years
ago in what is termed by geologists as the Cretaceous age.
Following the changes including the receding of the sea,
various species that lived in the sea and the sea shore that were submerged
under the gutter and swamp became fossils. Thus Ariyalur district is a
veritable Palaeo-Zoological – Garden and is often nick named as the ‘Mecca of
the Geological Researchers’. Various types of fossils of wood, animal and plant
species have been unearthed in the District. Dinosaur eggs have been discovered
at Kallakurichi mines and Ninniyur and thus the district is a treasure house of
fossils of ancient species.
Prehistoric
Period (B.C.200000 TO A.D 300):
The people of prehistoric period lived in the area
covered under the District. Traces of their culture in the form of Paleolithic
and Neolithic tools and the megalithic urns and potteries have been discovered
from Ninniyur, Ottakovil, Vilangudi, Vikkiramangalam, Ariyalur, Kilakulathur,
Elakurichi, Tirumalapadi, Pottakollai-Thathanur, Gunamangalam, Melapaluvur,
Kandirai Theertham and Thular.
Sangam
Period (B.C. 500 TO A.D. 300):
During the Sangam period, Ariyalur was under the rule of
the Cholas of Uraiyur and the Malavar Chief of Kollimalai which was ruled by
Ori, who was famous for his prowess in archery. The people of Malavar clan
lived in Thirumalapadi region and it also served as an army camp of the Malavar
Chief. Thirumalapadi and Oriyur owe their existence to the rule of the Malavas
over Ariyalur.
Copper coins of the Sangam Cholas have been found at
Ariyalur. Vilandai in Udaiyarpalaiyam taluk was the Capital of the chief
Vilandai Vel who was defeated by Kochenganan, the last ruler of the Sangam Age.
It was also the Head Quarters of Vilandaikurram which formed a part of
Irungolappadi region which was ruled by Irungovel of Pidavur who was a
contemporary of Karikalachola.
Pallava
period (6-9th Century A.D):
The present day Ariyalur district formed a part of the
Pallava Empire. Coins of Mahendravarman Pallava were found at Govindapuram near
Ariyalur. A stone sculpture of Srivatsam (Lakshmi) of the period of the
Pallavas is preserved in the Kondandaramaswamy temple in Ariyalur and this
sculpture attests the existence of the temple during the Pallava period. The
Devaram trios Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar who lived during the periods of Mahendravarman,
Narasimhavarman visited the temples in Kilappaluvur, Thirumalapadi and Govindhaputhur
and praised the Deities of the temples in their Devaram hymns.
Imperial
Chola period (A.D. 850-1279):
The area comprising of the present day Ariyalur district
remained under the rule of the Imperial Cholas from the beginning of their rule
to the end. More than 450 inscriptions of the Chola Kings from Aditya – I
(871-907) to Rajendra – III (1246-1279) are available in this district. They
throw flight into the political, social, economic, and religious and cultural
life of this region under the Cholas. Melapaluvur was the capital of the
Paluvettaraiyar Chiefs who ruled Ariyalur region as the feudatories of the
Cholas from Aditya–I to Rajendra – I. Gangaikondacholapuram in Udaiyarpalaiyam
taluk became the capital of the Chola empire from the period of Rajendra-I.
From 1027 to 1279 it was the imperial capital of the Cholas for the entire
South India and from Rajendra – I to Rajendra – III, 16 Chola Kings ruled from
this city. Tirumalapadi and Vikkiramacholapuram (modern Vikkiramangalam) became
the palace resorts for the Cholas.
Many mercantile towns such as Rajagambiracholapuram
(modern Rayampuram), Jayankondacholapuram, Kollapuram, Avanikandarvapuram
(modern Kilaiyur) and Madurantakapuram (modern Periyathirukonam) were located
in this district during the Chola period. These towns became the centre for
itinerant trade merchant guilds of Manigramam, Ainnurruvar, Valanjiyar and
Anjuvannam. Many temples were built in this district during the Chola period.
Beautiful examples are in Tirumalapadi and Kilaiyur (Aditya – I), Kilappaluvur
(Parantaka – I), Kamarasavalli (Sundara Chola), Govindhaputhur (Uttama chola),
Sendurai (Rajaraja – I), Sennivanam, Periyathirukonam, Gangaikondacholapuram
(Rajendra – I) and Sripurandan (Rajaraja – III).
Under
Pandyas & Hoysalas:
Jatavarman Sundarapandian invaded the Chola country and
captured it. Maravarman Kulasekara Pandya – I (1268-1318) captured the capital
Gangaikondacholapuram in A. D. 1279 and brought this district under his
control. 49 inscriptions of the Pandyas show their rule over this area from
A.D.1255 to 1370.
Hoysala kings Viranarasimha, Virasomesvara and Ramanatha
held sway over this area for some time and helped the Chola king Rajaraja – III
from the attack of the Pandyas. Thirumalapadi and Kamarasavalli were the places
of the army camps of the Hoysalas.
Under
Vijayangar Empire (1371 - 1685) & Palayam Chiefs (A.D. 1550 - 1817):
More than 60 inscriptions show the rule of the
Vijayanagar Kings over this area. A record of A.D. 1372 from Muttuvancheri
shows the rule of the Vijayanagara king Kampana over this district. A line of
more than 7 Chiefs of the Kachchiyaraya of Vilandai ruled over Ariyalur region
as subordinates of the Vijayanagar kings. In A.D. 1573 one Arasunilaiyitta
Krishnappa Malavarayar founded the rule of Ariyalur Palayam as a subordinate of
the Gingee Nayak and Sriranga – I of the Vijayanagar. Up to A.D. 1817, 16
Chiefs ruled from Ariyalur. They built many temples and patronized art and
letters.
Similarly one Chinna Nalla Kalatkal Tola Udaiyar founded
the rule of the Palayakkars of Udaiyarpalaiyam. They also patronized art and
letters and built beautiful palaces and temples in Udaiyarpalaiyam which still
exists recalling the glorious rule of this family in this district.
Under
Bijapur Sultans, Marathas, Carnatic Nawabs & British:
The Bijapur Sultans also held sway over this area.
Sherkan Lodhi ruled this area from his capital at Valikandapuram. In 1741 the
Marathas invaded Tiruchirappalli and took Chanda Saheb as captive. Chanda Saheb
succeeded in securing freedom in 1748 and soon got involved in famous war for
the Nawabs place in the Carnatic against Anwardeen, the Nawab of Arcot and his
son Mohammed Ali.
Mohammed Ali annexed the two palayams of Ariyalur and
Udayarpalayam located with troops were in the Ariyalur district on the grounds
of default in payment of Tributes and failure to assist him in quelling the
rebellion of Yusuf Khan. In November 1764, Mohammed Ali represented the issue
to Madras Council and obtained military assistance on 3 January 1765. The
forces led by Umdat-Ul-Umara and Donald Campbell entered Ariyalur and captured
it. The young Poligar together with his followers there upon fled to
Udayarpalayam. On 19 January the army marched upon Udayarpalayam. The Poligar’s
troops were defeated and the palayams were occupied. The two poligars fled
their town and took refuge in Tharangampadi, then a Danish Settlement. The
annexation of the Palayam gave the Nawab un-interrupted possession of all his
territories extending Arcot to Tiruchirapalli.
Vijaya Oppila Malavarayar accepted the suzerainty of the
Nawabs. During the Carnatic wars in A. D. 1755 and 1757 the French attacked
Ariyalur. But the British sent an army to protect the Ariyalur Palayakar. In
A.D. 1780 the two Palayams sought the help of Hyder Ali and got rid of the yoke
of the Nawabs. But later after the defeat of Hyder Ali by the British the
Palayakars accepted the rule of the British and paid Peshkas to them. Lastly,
when the Carnatic was made over to the British in 1801 Ariyalur and Udaiyarpalaiyam
became the Zamindari under the British and it was also abolished in 1950 after
the Independence.
In the freedom struggle also Ariyalur District has
played a very significant role. Ariyalur Sabapathi Pillai, Natesa Ayyar,
Ganapathi Reddiyar, Natarajan Pillai, Eravangudi Padmanathan, Ariyalur
Manogirao, Kuppusamy, Abaranji, Appasamy, Virabadran, Rangarajan,
Vikkiramangalam, Alagesam Pillai, Manakal, Sadasivam Pillai were some of the
prominent freedom fighters from this district.
After
Independence:
The district became famous in 2008, when thefts of 8
idols were discovered from a 9th century Chola Brihadeeswarar Temple at Sripuranthan was
discovered by Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI) Government of India officials. One of these idols, the Sripuranthan Natarajan Idol found its way to the National Gallery of Australia. Two of the stolen statues were consequently returned
and are now displayed in the Government Museum at Kumbakonam.
Ariyalur District came into existence by the bifurcation
of Perambalur District as per G.O.Ms.No.683 Revenue RA1 (1) Department dated
19.11.2007. It is bounded on the North by Cuddalore, South by Thanjavur, East
by Cuddalore and Thanjavur and West by Perambalur and Tiruchirapalli districts.
Ariyalur has been functioning as a separate District since 23.11.2007.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census Ariyalur district has a population of 752,481, roughly equal to the nation of Guyana or the US state of Alaska. This gives it a ranking of 491 in India (out of a
total of 640). The
district has a population density of 387 inhabitants per square kilometer
(1,000/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 8.19%. Ariyalur has
a sex ratio of 1016 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy
rate of 71.99%. As of 2011 it is the third least
populous district of Tamil Nadu (out of 32),
after Perambalur and Nilgiris.
Administrative Units
Ariyalur District consists of two Revenue Divisions
viz., Ariyalur and Udayarpalayam, three Taluks viz., Ariyalur, Udayarpalayam
and Sendurai comprising of 195 Revenue Villages. The District has six blocks
viz. Ariyalur, Thirumanur, Sendurai, Jayankondam, Andimadam and T.Palur
comprising of 201 Village Panchayats. There are two Municipalities viz.
Ariyalur & Jayankondam and two Town Panchayats viz. Udayarpalayam &
Varadharajanpettai.
Economy
Big industrial houses like Birla’s (Ultra
Tech Cement), India cements, Dalmia
cements, Madras cements have their cement units here. Tamil Nadu government's
TANCEM factory is in Ariyalur and is the first factory to establish the cement
production in Ariyalur.
Sugar cane is grown as a major commercial crop. One
private sugar factory near keelapalur is functioning in the district with a
capacity of crushing 3000 Tonnes per day.
One of the main crops in Ariyalur district is cashew.
The pre-dominate soil in the district is red sanding with scattered packers of
black soil. This town consists mainly of glade soil. The soil in the district
is best suited for raising dry crops. Rice is also grown in some places.
Eight major Cement factories are located within the
district due to the abundant deposits of limestone. The availability of Lignite
at Jayankondam and nearby places is a bountiful gift of Mother Nature.
Geologists consider the Fossils that are excavated as national assets.
Minerals & Mining
The District is rich in mineral deposits. Celeste, Lime
Stone, Shale, Sand Stone, Canker and Phosphate nodules occur at various places
in the district. Limestone of sedimentary origin has been found in Ariyalur and
Sendurai Taluks.
The Limestone available here is cements grade to plus
cement grade in quality and is used in the cement plants. Fire Clay is used for
the manufacture of floor tiles, stoneware pipes, and fire bricks and in the
chemical industry. Jayamkondam in Udayarpalayam Taluk is rich in Lignite, Oil
and Gas reserves.
Apart from the above major minerals the common use minor
minerals viz Red Gravel, Brick Clay, filling earth and Kankar are also found in
this District.
Utility Services
Electricity supply to Ariyalur is regulated and
distributed by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). The town along with its suburbs forms the
Trichy Electricity Distribution Circle. Water supply is provided by the
municipality of Ariyalur from Kollidam river through three schemes with head works of two
of them is located at Thirumanur. In the period 2010–2011, a total of 2.3 million litres
of water was supplied everyday for households in the town.
There are three bore wells and 356 water fountains in
the town that serve as the source of groundwater. About 11 metric tonnes
of solid waste are collected from Ariyalur every day by door-to-door collection
out of the 15 metric tonnes generated and subsequently the source segregation
and dumping is carried out by the sanitary department of the municipality. The
coverage of solid waste management had an efficiency of 73% as of 2001.
There is limited underground drainage system in the town
and the major sewerage system for disposal of silage is through septic tanks,
open drains and public conveniences. The municipality maintains a total of
25.16 km (15.63 mi) of storm water drains in Ariyalur, out of which
7.93 km (4.93 mi) are open drains and 17.23 km (10.71 mi)
are unpaved drains.
There is a government hospital and twelve private
hospitals and clinics that take care of the health care needs of the
citizens. There are a total of 1,501 street lamps in Ariyalur: 361 sodium
lamps, 1,139 tube lights and one high mast beam lamp. The municipality
operates one daily market that has 46 shops and a weekly market that cater to
the needs of the town and the rural areas around it.
Pilgrim Centres
Vaithiyanatha Swamy Temple at Thirumazhapadi, Kaliyuga
Varadaraja Perumal Kovil at Kallankurichi, Siva Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram,
Guruvayurapparkovil etc. are some of the most important Hindu Shrines in the
District. The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Siva Temple (Brihadeeshwara Temple) built
by Rajendra Chola son of Raja Raja Chola is almost a miniature of Thanjavur Brihadeeshwara
Temple. Elakurichi located at a distance of 32 Kms from Ariyalur is famous for
the Adaikala Matha Church built by the famous Catholic Missionary Constantine
Joseph Beschi popularly known as VEERAMA MUNIVAR.
Destinations & Activities
Ariyalur District has a host of places of worship.
Elakurichi is a revered pilgrimage site for Roman Catholics. Constantine Beschi
(prevalently known as Virama Munivar) from Italy came to Ariyalur region and
spread Christianity between 1710 and 1742. He built the renowned Adaikala Matha
Church.
Kondandaramaswamy Koyil’s presiding deity is
Srinivasaperumal. The temple gets its name because of the existence of a shrine
dedicated to Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. The main shrine is dedicated to
Srinivasa Perumal and His two consorts - Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Gangaikondacholisvarar Temple in Gangaikondacholapuram
is the largest temple built during the reign of Rajendra–I in the Ariyalur
region. Subsequent to the takeover of the Gangetic plains in 1023 AD,
Rajendra–I built a grand city called Gangaikondacholapuram and a Shiva temple
Gangaikondacholisvarar and a lake Chola Gangam in celebration of his success.
The temple will wow you thanks to its magnificent sculptures. UNESCO has
declared it a World Heritage Monument.
Thirumalapadi is a historic place dating back to the
Sangam Period. It was an army camp of the heroic Malavar clan of the Sangam
era. Thus it was called Malavar-padi which subsequently became Thirumalapadi.
Vaidyanatha Swami Temple here is a renowned Shiva temple. The Nandi Kalyanam
festival here is illustrious as legend has it that that those who face problems
getting married will overcome them if they witness this famous festival.
Karaivetti Birds Sanctuary is a great spot for nature
enthusiasts and bird aficionados. This bird lover’s paradise is essentially an
irrigation tank that receives water from Mettur Dam and is a significant
freshwater feeding ground for migratory waterbirds.