Tenkasi
Encyclopedia
Tenkasi pronounced as is a town and a municipality
in Tirunelveli district
in the India
n state
of Tamil Nadu
. It is located in the foothills of the Western Ghats
near the Courtallam
Waterfalls.Tenkasi is also famous for saaral (சாரல் drizzling). During May–August every year, people enjoy saaral in Tenkasi.The main tourist attraction of Tenkasi is Courtallam
, with exotic waterfalls and healing spas.Tenkasi is at the footsteps of Thirikooda Malai (Thiri koodal means the joining of three - convergence of three mountains) - a picturesque place.
from Chennai(Madras) to Shencottah (Sengottai) and a passenger train for Madurai to Shencottah. People of Tenkasi have been consistently demading for overnight train to Coimbatore via Dindigul but Southern Railways neglected this demand for more than 8 years.
A metre gauge
railway belonging to the Southern Railway
goes from Quilon
,Shencottah through Tenkasi to Tiruchendur
, while a broad gauge
branch comes from the mainline junction at Virudunagar. The narrow gauges lines are to be converted to broad gauge under Unigauge.
The metre gauge trains services (Tiruchendur - Shencottah, Quilon - Tenkasi) are stopped for broad gauge conversion.
, Tenkasi had a population of 62,828. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. The average literacy rate is 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy i.e. population is under 6 years of age.
. Buses to Pathanamthitta
, Kollam
and Thiruvananthapuram
all places are operated from here.tourism also main boost to the economic of tenkasi. Tenkasi Rajagopuram and Kuttralam are the main destination for the tourist.
Tenkasi has the other magnificent Kulasekaranathar Temple, which has been in a closed state for ages. There is also a temple pond in middle of the town, adjoining the Kannimaramman Temple. There are a row of houses along the Kannimariamman Temple, famous among them being the Justice and Advocate villas.
Anggalap Parameshwari Temple is in Malayan Street and it is famous for 10 days festival, with Sivarathiri and Alaghu. Esakki Amman Kovil is also located in Malayan street.
The popular jewellery showroom in tenkasi are Rajeshwari jewellers and Haji mustafa jewellers.
In the town of Polegam, the chief town of the Southern Province, and Adi-Dravida called Valente, equally Valiant by name and faith, converted a yogi who at baptism took the name of Rayappan. Now here is what happened to Rayappan still a in the town of Tenkasi.. and Assemblies of God Church, the Roman Catholic Church which is located near the Tenkasi Depot and a number of Protestant churches all around the town.
.
Vidwan L.Shunmuga Sundaram (Tamil Writer)
Orkut communities are there for Tenkasi and Coutrallam such as http://www.orkut.com/Main#Community?cmm=12825802
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in Tirunelveli district
Tirunelveli District
Tirunelveli District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Tirunelveli is the district headquarters. A unique feature of this district is that it encompasses all five geographical traditions of Tamil Literature; kurinji , mullai , marudham , neithal and palai...
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
. It is located in the foothills of the Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
near the Courtallam
Courtallam
Courtallam is a panchayat town situated at a mean elevation of on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. Many seasonal and a few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region...
Waterfalls.Tenkasi is also famous for saaral (சாரல் drizzling). During May–August every year, people enjoy saaral in Tenkasi.The main tourist attraction of Tenkasi is Courtallam
Courtallam
Courtallam is a panchayat town situated at a mean elevation of on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. Many seasonal and a few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region...
, with exotic waterfalls and healing spas.Tenkasi is at the footsteps of Thirikooda Malai (Thiri koodal means the joining of three - convergence of three mountains) - a picturesque place.
Geography
Tenkasi is located at 8.97°N 77.3°E. It has an average elevation of 143 metres (469 ft).Transport
Tenkasi has two bus termini and a railway station. There are daily trains such as the Pothigai ExpressPothigai Express
The Pothigai Express is a train service running between Chennai Egmore and Sengottai on the Southern Railway zone of the government-owned Indian Railways...
from Chennai(Madras) to Shencottah (Sengottai) and a passenger train for Madurai to Shencottah. People of Tenkasi have been consistently demading for overnight train to Coimbatore via Dindigul but Southern Railways neglected this demand for more than 8 years.
A metre gauge
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
railway belonging to the Southern Railway
Southern Railway Zone (India)
The Southern Railway is the earliest of the 16 zones of the Indian Railways created in independent India. It was created on April 14, 1951 by merging three state railways namely Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway, the South Indian Railway, and the Mysore State Railway. The South Indian Railway...
goes from Quilon
Quilon
Quilon may refer to,* Venad, a former state on Malabar Coast, India* Kollam , Kerala state, India* Kollam district, Kerala state...
,Shencottah through Tenkasi to Tiruchendur
Tiruchendur
Thiruchendur is a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This town has a different name called Thirucheer Alaiwai.-Demographics:...
, while a broad gauge
Broad gauge
Broad-gauge railways use a track gauge greater than the standard gauge of .- List :For list see: List of broad gauges, by gauge and country- History :...
branch comes from the mainline junction at Virudunagar. The narrow gauges lines are to be converted to broad gauge under Unigauge.
The metre gauge trains services (Tiruchendur - Shencottah, Quilon - Tenkasi) are stopped for broad gauge conversion.
Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Tenkasi had a population of 62,828. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. The average literacy rate is 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy i.e. population is under 6 years of age.
Religions
Tenkasi is a highly populated area With Hindus ,Muslims And Christians. People live together with mutual respect for each others religion.Cottage industries
There are some cottage industries also there like gingelly oil mills,coconut oil mills,fiber mills,handloom industry.STS and STK oil brands were famous there.Some years ago they were struggling with financial crunch.Now they have been overcoming those problems and Regaining their status again.Political
- Current MLA of the Tenkasi constituency is famous Actor and politician Sarath KumarSarath KumarSarathkumar Ramanathan is an Indian journalist, film actor, politician, body builder and the current president of the South Indian Film Artistes' Association. He started his career in Tamil cinema playing negative roles, and later played minor roles in other movies. He was first chosen for the...
. - former law minister Mr.E.Subbiah's native village ayiraperi is located very near to Tenkasi.He has been elected as a MLA in AmbasamudramAmbasamudramAmbasamudram is a taluk in Tirunelveli district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The entire taluk had a population of 392,226 as of 2001, with 42.5% classified as rural. The taluk is named for the principal town with the same name...
constituency.Now he is one among the 33 ministers of the Tamilnadu State.
Residential localities
With the ever-growing population, the town has been expanded to include new residential localities:- IlathurIlathurIlathur is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is close to the town of Tenkasi and also 10 km from the wonderful Courtallam water falls.It has the Beautiful Shiva temple Madunathaswami Temple located on the banks of a big lake.. The famous Lord...
- IlanjiIlanjiIlanji is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.It is located between the towns Tenkasi and Shencottah.Ilanji is famous for its pots manufacturing.-Demographics:...
- KottakulamKottakulamKottakulam is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kottakulam is aka Sumaitheernthapuram.-Geography:Kottakulam is located at . It is located next to Ilanji...
- kodikurichi
- Idaikal
- PanpoliPanpoliPanpoli is a small village situated near Sengottai in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India.Panpoli is a beautiful place to visit for its greenish environment, hill views and its humanity....
- Keelapalayam Street
- MelagaramMelagaramMelagaram is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Demographics:, Melagaram had a population of 12,860 according to the Indian census Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Melagaram has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national...
- Nannagaram
- Nainaragaram
- Valliammal Puram
- NGO Colony
- Sambavar VadagaraiSambavar VadagaraiSambavarvadakarai is a Panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Demographics: India census, Sambavarvadakarai had a population of 14,438. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Sambavarvadakarai has an average literacy rate of 54%, lower than the...
- Chocampatty
- Thrikoodapuram
- Vavanagaram
- Parvathipuram - KUDIYIRUPPU
- Subramaniapuram villageSubramaniapuram villageSubramaniapuram is a village in Tenkasi taluk, Tirunelveli district, Tamilnadu state, India . This is an old village which has the name of an Independent fighter Subramaniya Barathiyar. Now this village populated as 2344, i.e.; 45% of male and 55% of female. Illiteracy of 75% . This village is...
- Kizhapuliyur
- Mela pattakurichi
- Kela pattakurichi
- Velayuthapuram
- SundarapandiapuramSundarapandiapuramSundarapandiapuram is a panchayat town in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Demographics: India census, Sundarapandiapuram had a population of 7705. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Sundarapandiapuram has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the...
- Ramachandrapattanam
- KuthukalvalasaiKuthukalvalasaiKuthukalvalasai is a village and a Gram Panchayat in Tirunelveli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the Rural Area which is Far Of 2 KiloMeters From Tenkasi, 6 KiloMeters From Courtallam & 9 KiloMeters From Thirumala Temple ....
- Vedamputhur
- KadayanallurKadayanallurKadayanallur is a second largest city and a Ist Grade Municipal town municipality in Tirunelveli District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu of India....
- VallamVallamVallam is a panchayat town in Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.-Geography:Vallam is located at . It has an average elevation of 75 metres .-Demographics:...
- Vadakarai
- UllarÜllarÜllar is an Estonian masculine given name.People named Üllar include:*Üllar Jörberg , singer*Üllar Kerde , basketball coach*Vahur-Üllar Kersna , journalist*Üllar Peterson, historian...
- Viswanathapuram-thachankudiyiruppu
- Muthumalaipuram
- PavoorchatramPavoorchatramPavoorchatram is a town in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, India.- Geography :Pavoorchatram situated in the foothills of Western Ghats, between Tuticorin and Quilon highway National highway. Pavoorchatram is east of Tenkasi and west of Tirunelveli, on the Tenkasi-Tirunelveli State Highway...
- Thippanampatty
- Thip-Meenachipuram
- Velappanur
- Sivanadanur
- ThirumalapuramThirumalapuramThirumalapuram is a Village Panchayat in Chityal Mandal of Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh, India.Thirumalapuram is also called Thirumalapur...
- Iyyanoor(The King of Tenkasi)
- Achenputhur
- Pullukkattu valasai,Famous for chithirai festival
- kilangadu famous temple gangaiku vaitha amman temple
- Sinthamani
- Ayikudi
- Min Nagar
- Vanchi Nagar
- melagaram
- Ravanasamudram
Business
Tenkasi is a place where most of the people were agriculturists and their commercial activity is much related to agriculture.Tenaksi is the gateway of Tamil Nadu to southern townships of KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. Buses to Pathanamthitta
Pathanamthitta
Pathanamthitta is a large town and a municipality situated in the central Travancore region in the state of Kerala, south India, spread over an area of 23.50 km2. It is the administrative capital of Pathanamthitta district. The city has a population of 38,000...
, Kollam
Kollam
Kollam , often anglicized as ', is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city lies on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake on the Arabian sea coast and is situated about north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram...
and Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
all places are operated from here.tourism also main boost to the economic of tenkasi. Tenkasi Rajagopuram and Kuttralam are the main destination for the tourist.
Temple
Tenkasi (South Kasi) is famous for its Ulagamman Temple and its Shiva Temple. The Ulagamman temple was built by Parakrama Pandian, but was shattered by lightning. In the 1990s, the temple was restored with much financial assistance of Sivanthi Adithan and others, and it was given a fresh coat of paint again in 2006 by the same philanthropists. However, the first few feet from the ground has not been painted as that part appears to have survived the lightning. The gopuram or the entry gateway remains among the highest in southern Tamil Nadu.And it is the second higest gopuram in TAMILNADU.The main deity here is Kasi Viswanathar (Shiva). This temple has three Sannidhis [a unique aspect] - Sivan, Amman and Murugan Sannidhis. This temple has beautiful sculptures and also has musical stone pillars, that emit notes of different pitch when tapped with fingers. The entrance is really grand, with heavy steps. One could view the majestic Temple Gopuram even while entering the town. The Gopuram of the temple welcomes pilgrims with a pleasant cool breeze straight from the nearby Thirikooda Malai.Tenkasi has the other magnificent Kulasekaranathar Temple, which has been in a closed state for ages. There is also a temple pond in middle of the town, adjoining the Kannimaramman Temple. There are a row of houses along the Kannimariamman Temple, famous among them being the Justice and Advocate villas.
Anggalap Parameshwari Temple is in Malayan Street and it is famous for 10 days festival, with Sivarathiri and Alaghu. Esakki Amman Kovil is also located in Malayan street.
Restaurants & lodges
Sri krishna tourist home,Akshya restaurant(formerly Thavamani hotel),arvind restaurant,Saral Resort,Esakki Highway Resort,Monkey Restaurant, Chellappa Hotel,KIngs Restaurant (Lodging) are the familiar places for tourist who are coming to the kutrallam and intharuvi,puliaruvi,old kutrallam etc...Theatres
There are cinema halls for entertainment.Bhagyalakshmi groups run 6 theatres in Tenkasi including three with A/C.Some are upgraded with QUBE system.- PSS multiplex Screen 1,Screen 2 & Screen 3.
- Bhagyalakshmi (Currently not running).
- Padmam.
- Thaibala.
- Bharathan.
Shopping
Tenkasi is the main shopping & entertainment hub for the villages around tenkasi and for the tourists coming for courtallam falls in season. The main shopping items available here are textiles, building materials, jewels, groceries, vegetables, etc. The biggest & popular textile showroom in tenkasi is Bombay Stores which celebrated its 75th anniversary recently other textile showrooms includes ALN, Haji Mustafa, K S A emporium,Fores collections, Bharni Silks & Ponraj Textiles.The popular jewellery showroom in tenkasi are Rajeshwari jewellers and Haji mustafa jewellers.
Schools
Tenkasi also boast of many well reputed schools. There are good number of schools in Tenkasi and Courtallam- ICI Govt Boys Hr Sec School,Tenkasi.(Facebook Page)
- Government Higher secondary school,Melapavoor.
- TPS Govt Boys Hr Sec School,Pavoorchatram
- Avvaiyar Govt Girls Hr Sec School,Pavoorchatram
- St.Micheals Girls Higher secondary School
- Thirumathi Manjammal Girls Hr Sec School
- CMS Mac Whitter Middle School
- Ponnambalam Middle School
- Kalaivani Vidyalaya, Melagaram
- Nehru Nursery and Primary School
- Nehru Higher Secondary School
- Mela Muttharamman Primary School
- Surya Nursery and Primary School
- TDTA primary School, Vallam
- Thomson Primary School
- Kattu Bava high School
- Hindu Marava Middle school,kodikurichi
- Ramaswany Pillai Higher Secondary school,Ilanji
- M.M.Higher Secondary School, Idaikal
- M.K.V. Kandasamy Nadar Matric School
- A G Matriculation School
- Emmanuel Matriculation Higher Sec School, melagaram
- Bharath Montessori Matriculation Higher sec School, Coutrallam
- Hilton Matriculation Higher sec School,Old Coutrallam (Website of Hilton Alumni Association)
- Seventh Day Adventist Matriculation School
- Parasakthi Higher Secondary School, Coutrallam
- Sri Prasakthi Vidhayala, Coutrallam
- R C High school
- Tiruvalluvar Primary school
- AG Hr sec school
- Hameediya school
- Musthabia school
- Oxford metriculation school
- Milton Nursery And Primary School
- Deva Nursery And Primary School
- subash matriculation school
- Hindu primary school(Keezhapuliyoor)
- Hindu Higher Secondary School
- Government Higher secondary school,Pullukkattuvalasai
Computer Education Institute
- CSS Computer Education,Vaikkal palam,Tenkasi(+914633 220575)((http://www.csstenkasi.weebly.com )).
- APTECH
- NIIT
- Raj Computer Education
- Apollo Computer Education
- Sha Computer Education
Colleges
- Sri Ram Nallamani Yadava College of Education, Tenkasi
- Al - Hidhaya Women's Teacher Training Institute, Tenkasi
- Arulmigu Senthil Andavar Polytechnic College, Tenkasi
- S. Chattanatha Karayalar College of Pharmacy, Tenkasi
- Sri Parasakthi College for Women, Courtrallam
- MSPVL Polytechnic CollegeMSPVL Polytechnic CollegeMSP Velayutha Nadar Lakshmithaiammal Polytechnic College is a polytechnic college offering Diploma courses. Situated at Sivagamipuram, Pavoorchatram, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu, it was established in 1985 by MSPV Charities Trust. Four of its seven courses are accredited for three years by...
, Pavoorchatram
- J.P. College of Engineering,Ayikudy,Tenkasihttp://www.jpcollege.org/
- J.P. college of arts and science,Tenkasi
- T.D.T.A.D.S. Daniel Rajammal College of Education for women, Ilanji
Notable residents
- Politician S. Peter AlphonseS. Peter AlphonseS. Peter Alphonse is an India politician and presently serving Member of the Legislative Assembly. He was elected to Tamil Nadu legislative assembly twice from Tenkasi constituency in 1989 and 1991 elections as an Indian National Congress candidate...
ex-Member of the Legislative Assembly. He was elected to Tamil Nadu legislative assembly twice from Tenkasi constituencyTenkasi (State Assembly Constituency)Tenkasi is a state assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu. Elections and winners in the constituency are listed below. It is part of the Tenkasi Lok Sabha constituency.- Madras State :- Tamil Nadu :- References :...
in 1989Tamil Nadu state assembly election, 1989The ninth legislative assembly election of Tamil Nadu was held on 21 January 1989. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam won the election and its leader M. Karunanidhi, became the Chief Minister. It was his third term in office...
and 1991 electionsTamil Nadu state assembly election, 1991The tenth legislative assembly election of Tamil Nadu was held on 24 June 1991. The Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam - Indian National Congress alliance won the elections in a landslide and ADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa became the chief minister. This was her first term in office...
as an Indian National CongressIndian National CongressThe Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
candidate from Kadayanallur constituencyKadayanallur (State Assembly Constituency)Kadayanallur is a state assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Tenkasi Lok Sabha constituency.- Madras State :- Tamil Nadu :- References :...
in 2006 electionTamil Nadu state assembly election, 2006The thirteenth legislative assembly election, of Tamil Nadu was held on May 8, 2006. It was held for all 234 constituencies to elect the government in the state of for the following five years. The votes were counted three days later on May 11, 2006 and all the results were out by the end of the day...
Religious Institutions
- Tenkasi has 18 Jummah Masjids in different location including Masjid Rahman and Masjid Thowqeeth (run by JAQH - Jamiyathu Ahlil Quran val Hadeed - movement for follower of Quran & Sunnah) all the Masjids conducting lot of social welfare program such, Anti- interest movement, Anti-dowry conference, education aids and awareness, free medical camps etc...
Churches
- There are many churches in Tenkasi. The Most popular church among them of people's choice is St. Michael’s Church which is considered one of the most Sacred places in South India. Christianity was already there in the 17th Century. It is mentioned in the annual Letters of 1662-1665. Fr.Antony De Proenca in 1662 and Fr. Balthazar De Costa in 1663 preached there the Gospel. There was belief among the people about the angels apparition. People possessed by Evil Spirit, many other disorder get cured. People of all religion come here for worship Pope Pius X has came and worship in this church will have 40 days.
In the town of Polegam, the chief town of the Southern Province, and Adi-Dravida called Valente, equally Valiant by name and faith, converted a yogi who at baptism took the name of Rayappan. Now here is what happened to Rayappan still a in the town of Tenkasi.. and Assemblies of God Church, the Roman Catholic Church which is located near the Tenkasi Depot and a number of Protestant churches all around the town.
Politics
Tenkasi assembly constituency is part of Tenkasi (Lok Sabha constituency)Tenkasi (Lok Sabha constituency)
Tenkasi is a Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu. The seat is reserved for scheduled castes.-Assembly segments:Tenkasi Lok Sabha constituency is composed of the following assembly segments :...
.
Vidwan L.Shunmuga Sundaram (Tamil Writer)
Orkut communities are there for Tenkasi and Coutrallam such as http://www.orkut.com/Main#Community?cmm=12825802