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Sivakasi

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Sivakasi
Sivakasi
city
Map
Population
 (2001)
 • Total
72,170
For the film, see Sivakasi (film).

Sivakasi (Template:Lang-ta) is an active town and a municipality in Virudhunagar district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the capital of India’s firecracker industry with about 8,000 factories, big and small, producing 90 percent of the total fireworks output. Now they want to change the name of this town as Sivakaasi as some astrologer felt that fire accidents are due to the name spelled in English?

If the name spelled in English is the trouble maker, and astrological effects are only for English alphabets, then better avoid that language from official use Instead of spending money in changing the name, let government and people concentrate on following strict safety norms.


Linked to gigantic printing presses with in-house studios and artists, Sivakasi produces a kaleidoscopic range of colourful, kitsch posters and calendar art for millions in India. The town is famous all over India for its fireworks factories. There are almost 400 manufacturers based in this industrial city.

The town is also known for its powerful printing industry and match-making industries. It was given the nickname "Kutty Japan" ('Mini Japan' in English) by Jawaharlal Nehru. Nearby towns are Srivilliputtur, Sattur and Thiruthangal.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census[1], Sivakasi had a population of 72,170. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Sivakasi has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 72%. In Sivakasi, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

Sivakasi --- "Shivalingam brought from Kasi"

Sivakasi has a history of more than 600 years. Between 1428 and 1460 AD, King Harikesari Parakkirama Pandian, then king of Madurai, ruled the southern region of Madurai. According to History, he wanted to construct a temple for Lord Shiva at Tenkasi(south kasi). Therefore he went to Kasi Varanasi and worshiped Lord Shiva there and brought a Shivalingam from there. While returning to his palace with the prized lingam, he took rest under a grove of Vilva trees, which are favored by Shiva. The cow which carried the Shivalingam refused to move from that point which prevented the carrying of the lingam to Tenkasi. The king realized that the wishes of Lord Shiva were different from his own and placed the lingam in the place where the cow had halted. The place which was sanctified by the "Shivalingam brought from Kasi" henceforth came to be called Sivakasi. After that king build another temple in Tenkasi for SIVA.

"Kasi Viswanatha Swamy" Temple

Later on, King Pandia and King Thirumalai Naicker contributed to the expansion of this temple and named it "Kasi Viswanatha Swamy" Temple. The period of construction was between the 15th and 16th centuries. Aanaiappa Gnani reconstructed this temple. Under the rule of the Naickers, the temple was developed even more. In 1659, the Ratham (the temple chariot for processions during festival times) was constructed by Muthu Veerappa Naicker.

Pathira Kali Amman - a 'Kaval Deivam'

File:SivakasiTemple2.jpg
Sivakasi Patirakali amman Temple

Its home to the tallest tower ever built in Tamil Nadu for Pathira Kali Amman - a 'kaval deivam' (protecting goddess). The temple is maintained by Sivakasi Nadar Devasthanam committee. "Kumbabhishekam" for this temple was held on 11-06-1987. "Kumbabhishekam" for the "Raja Gopuram" (Main Tower) was held on 7-7-1995. Raja Gopuram has the length of 66 feet, width of 44 feet and the height of 110 feet of 7 stages. The base was constructed by stone, for 30 feet with 100 sculptures in 6 years. 80 feet of 7 stages was constructed with 30 architects within a period of 1½ year. 'Powrnami Puja' is celebrated grandly on the full moon day. Large numbers of people come to worship the Goddess. There is a very beautiful garden in this temple, and it impresses the visitors to a greater extent.

Panguni Pongal and Chithirai Pongal

Every year Panguni Pongal and Chithirai Pongal festivals are celebrated for the Deity "Mariamman" and "Badrakaaliamman" on April and May respectively. Both the festivals lasts for ten days from the day of Flag Hoisting in the respective temples.

In Chithirai Pongal 5th and 6th day celebrations are very famous because of its "Art Direction" which usually is a replica of a temple's interior decoration in front of Shivan tepmle in the town. On that time exhibition will also be organised by the local "Uravin Murai Group". 8th day festival is "Kayiru Kuthu" (Piercing threads around the hips). On that day people in the town use to paint their face and body with black and white dots and go to the respective temples. 9th day festival is the Therottam (CAR FESTIVAL). Everyone in the town gather together and pull the two RATHAS through all the four ratha veedhis(Streets). And for the final day festival sweets like "Karupatti Mutaai" and "Vellai Mutaai" will be available in box made of dry palm leaves.

Geography

Sivakasi is located at 9°27′N 77°49′E / 9.45°N 77.82°E / 9.45; 77.82[2]. It has an average elevation of 101 metres (331 feet). Sivakasi experiences dry and pretty hot weather throughout the year. The town gets scanty rainfall during the monsoon.

Industry

Sivakasi's industries grew out of the economic struggles of India in the 1960s. Without government aid, the local people constructed matches, fireworks, and printing industries, which today contribute 80% of India's total safety matches production, 90% of India's total fireworks production, and 60% of India's total offset printing solutions. It is one of the highest Sales/Excise/Customs Duty paying towns, and has achieved 100% employment.Child Labour was once high during the 80's, but now it's completely eradicated.

Making of Bomb Shells

Sivakasi may be called as "A town of three industries", namely

  • Printing / Offset Printing Press
  • Pyrotechnics (Fireworks) & Crackers
  • Safety Matches & Colour Matches

Sivakasi town has an astounding number of offset printing machines - the second largest number in the world, next only to Gutenberg, a city in Germany. Shri K. S. A. Arunagiri Nadar was responsible for bringing Printing in this town, and hence became known as "The Founder of Printing" in Sivakasi.

Ayya Nadar and his brother Shanmuga Nadar founded the match industry and several colleges. Of notable importance are Srinivas Fine Arts - the designers and manufacturers of Nightingale stationeries and Thilakaraj Textiles, founded in 1969, a leading reputed Textile Showroom.

Apart from printing and fireworks, Granite(yellow) quarrying takes place in a small level in Thiruthangal, near Sivakasi. There has been a number of protests by the residents against quarry owners as quarrys lie in close proximity to residential areas.

Culture

Busy street in Sivakasi

The town's population is predominantly Hindu, although there are many Muslim schools and a few churches. The annual thiruvizha(during April and May) festivals for Mariamman and Patrakaliamman temples are very popular among the people. Annual exhibition is organised by Nadar uravinmurai committee in SHNV School attracts lot of crowd with enthusiasm to witness cultural events. Sivakasi has an active Lion's Clubs, Rotary Clubs and the Inner Wheel clubs for enterprising women.

The 'Traditional Nandavanam' maintained within the Pathirakaliamman temple complex is very traditional and maintaining its old tradition till today. Lot of peacocks and peahen persist in the Garden without any industrious involvement will move your time machine back to the olden days.

During Dinner, the localites have a simple supper with Rice, Milk and crispy "Pakkoda" in most of their homes. Karrupatti (sweet candy made from Palm tree) mittai and Vellai mittai (made from kalgandu sweet candy), is also a favorite snacks in Sivakasi. "Kara Sev" is another spicy & crispy snacks, mostly made from Sattur, which is 15 km, away from Sivakasi.

Famous Food Items / Cuisine at Sivakasi

People in Sivakasi are very passionate about food.

  • Parota is a very famous food in Sivakasi. The gravy used with Parota is very unique to Sivakasi. You can get good Parota in and around the town in the evening. There are a lot of restaurants serving Parota like Vijayam Mess, Mini Mess, Master Parota, and many roadside eateries.
  • Sivakasi is famous for its Pakoda. Nobody in Sivakasi will eat meals without Pakoda (without Pakoda, it's an incomplete meal). It was Velayutha Nadar who made Sivakasi famous for Pakoda.
  • Milk Rice (Paal Sadham) is a unique dish of Sivakasi. People mostly eat Milk Rice for dinner with Pakoda. Even in marriage parties and hotels, Milk Rice is served for dinner.
  • During festival seasons, sweets like Karupatti Mittai (made with rice flour and palm jaggery) and Vellai Mittai (made with rice flour and sugar) are sold in sweet shops in the town.
  • Coronation Bakery is very famous for its quality bread, rusk and sponge cake (a cake which resembles a tea cake).
  • You can get Boli (a sweet made of maida, jaggery and Bengal gram) in the roadside shops along with Rice Puttu and Sundal.
  • For Karthigai festival, people of Sivakasi prepare Laddu with groundnut and jaggery.
  • People of Sivakasi cook a lot of different mouth-watering dishes (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian).
  • Idly with Kothukari (a Khurma with minced meat and spices) is a very famous breakfast item. Kari Chukka (fried goat meat) with rice is a delicacy.

Transportation

Sivakasi is served by town bus service, which provide connectivity within the town, suburbs and places 20 km in the radius of Sivakasi. There are even private operated MINI-Bus services that connects almost every street in and around Sivakasi town.

By Road

The government transport operates air-conditioned AC buses everyday to Chennai. And the Town is well connected with major cities like Coimbatore, Madurai, Tuticorin, Bangalore. There are also private bus services operated on daily basis to all major cities.

By Train

The Podhigai Express (2662) that travels from Sengottai to Chennai Egmore halts everyday at 20.53 in Sivakasi (SVKS) and it reaches Chennai at 07.05. The same train (2661) leaves from Chennai everyday at 20.50 and halts everyday at 06.24 in Sivakasi. Due to heavy demand in the route the southern railways announced a special train (0609 & 0610) Sengottai Express that runs on every Saturday and Sundays respectively.

There is also a passenger train running To Madurai via Virudhunagar, Tirumangalam at 08.53, 14.02 and 18.00 which connects to Sengottai via Tenkasi, Srivilliputhur, Rajapalayam, Sankarankoil at 07.00, 11.25 and 17.30 daily.

By Air

The nearest airport is in Madurai and Tuticorin. One can easily take a bus to Madurai and get a flight from there to connect to other parts of the state.

Education

Sivakasi has very good educational institutions both for secondary education as well as professional studies. It has many schools, and colleges most of which are owned and run by private and some are government aided institutions. Every institutions here in Sivakasi stride for discipline and integrity of students.

Aspiring people gave much importance to studies so they start many schools and colleges in and around Sivakasi - all community people are educated in here without any partiality.

Engineering Colleges

Arts and Science Colleges

Polytechnics and ITI

B.Ed., and Teacher Training Colleges

Schools

  • Annamalai Nadar Unnamalai Ammal Higher Secondary School
  • Sivakasi Hindu Nadar Victoria Higher Secondary School
  • Sivakasi Hindu Nadar Victoria Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Yennarkay Ravindran Thilagavathy Vidhyasala YRTV
  • Lions Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • VSK Duraisamy Nadar Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Sri Metha Jain Public School
  • Jaycees Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Kamarajar Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Sri Vinayagar Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Sivakasi Muslim Higher Secondary School
  • Sivakasi Muslim Elementary School
  • CMS Girls High School, Satchiyapuram
  • C.S.I School for Mentally Retarded, Satchiyapuram
  • Municipal High School
  • Ragland Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Seventh Day Adventist Matriculation School
  • Coronation Girls Higher Secondary School
  • Sivakasi Hindu Nadar Girls Higher Secondary School
  • A.V.M.Marimuthu Nadar Higher Secondary School, Vilampatti
  • Amman Kovil Patti Govt High School

Schools at THIRUTHANGAL

  • Kalaimagal Hr.Sec.School.,
  • S.N.G. Girls' Hr. sec. school
  • K.M.K.A. Matric Hr.sec. school
  • Glory Hr.Sec.School
  • Thiruthangal Lions Hr,Sec. School
  • Muthumari matric hr. sec. school
  • S.R.N. govt. hr. sec. school

Holy Places in Sivakasi

  • Sri Anandha Udhanda Madaswamy Kovil
  • Swamy Kasi Viswanatha Thiru Kovil (Sivan Kovil)
  • Murugan Kovil
  • Pathira Kali Amman Thiru Kovil
  • Maari Amman Thiru Kovil
  • Sakkammal Thiru Kovil
  • Kadai Kovil
  • Kamatchi Amman Kovil
  • Kachakara Amman Kovil
  • Perumal Kovil
  • Ayyappa Swamy Thiru Kovil
  • Karrupa Swamy Kovil
  • UmaMaheshwari Amman Thiru Kovil
  • 2 Churches and
  • 6 Mosques, 5 Dargas
  • Sivakasi Church of God, church
  • Carmel Prayer Fellowship Church

Recreation

Sivakasi has Seven theaters that recreate people in the town.

  • Big Cinemas
  • Palaniandavar Theatre
  • Thangamani Theatre
  • Rasi Theatre
  • Laksham Theatre and
  • Murugan Theatre
  • Chinnakanni

Clubs & Associations

  • Lions Club
  • Rotary Club (4 clubs)
  • Y's men Club
  • Sivakasi Arts Club
  • Majestic Club
  • Fire Works Association
  • Master Printers Association
  • Match Industries Association
  • Tax Payer's Association
  • Tamil Nadu Fire Works and Amorcess Manufacturers Association
  • Sivakasi Chamber of Commerce
  • JCI sivakasi
  • YESYoung Entrepreneur's School, Sivakasi Chapter

Hotels & Lodges

  • Nadar Lodge
  • Bala Krishna Lodge
  • Thai Lodge
  • Arun Lodge
  • Sapna Lodge
  • Sangeetha Lodge
  • Pandiyan Lodge
  • Palaniappa Mansion
  • Bell Hotels & Lodging
  • Bala DOSA Corner
  • Karpagam Hotel
  • Kali Das Mess
  • Vijayam Mess
  • Hotel Palson
  • Hotel Murugesh
  • Hotel Aruna & Vasanth
  • Hotel Chidambaram
  • Appans Hotel
  • Master Porotta Stall
  • Sridevi Mess
  • Hotel Rathna's
  • Sri Sivasakthi A/C Lodge
  • Sakthi Lodge

Banks in Sivakasi

  • Allahabad Bank
  • Axis Bank
  • Bank of India
  • Bank of Baroda
  • Bharat Overseas Bank
  • Canara Bank
  • Catholic Syrian Bank
  • Central Bank of India
  • ICICI Bank
  • Indian Bank
  • Indian Overseas Bank
  • Indusind Bank
  • Kamarajar District Central Co-operative Bank
  • Lakshmi Vilas Bank
  • Pandian Grama Bank
  • Sivakasi Co-operative Urban Bank
  • Sivakasi Co-operative Land Bank
  • State Bank of India
  • State Bank of Travancore
  • Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank
  • UCO Bank
  • Union Bank of India
  • Corporation Bank

Politics

Now Sivakasi is not a Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu.

References

  1. ^ Template:GR
  2. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Sivakasi

4. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/04/09/stories/2008040951202100.htm

Recent news

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