Sivakasi

Sivakasi
Little Japan of India
Nickname(s): 
Little Japan of India, Cracker City of India
Sivakasi is located in Tamil Nadu
Sivakasi
Sivakasi
Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu
Sivakasi is located in India
Sivakasi
Sivakasi
Sivakasi (India)
Coordinates: 9°27′12″N 77°48′09″E / 9.453300°N 77.802400°E / 9.453300; 77.802400
Country India
State Tamil Nadu
DistrictVirudhunagar
Revenue DivisionSivakasi
TalukSivakasi
Founded byHarikesari Parakkirama Pandian
Named forThe deity Shiva and the city Kashi (Varanasi)
Government
 • TypeMunicipal Corporation
 • BodySivakasi Corporation
Area
 • Total46.27 km2 (17.86 sq mi)
Elevation
127 m (417 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total160,047[1]
DemonymSivakasian Sivakasikaran
Languages
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
626123, 626124, 626189, 626130
Telephone code04562
Vehicle registrationTN 67, TN 84, TN 95
Websitevirudhunagar.nic.in

Sivakasi is a city in Virudhunagar District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The city is known for firecrackers and match factories that produce 70% of the country's produce. The printing industries in Sivakasi produce 30% of the total diaries produced in India. The industries in Sivakasi employ over 25,000 people and the estimated turnover of the firecracker, match making and printing industries in the city is around 20 billion (US$240 million). The major issues in the city are the frequent accidents in the firecracker factories and the high level of child labour.

Sivakasi was established in the 15th century during the reign of the Pandya king Harikesari Parakkirama Pandian. The city was a part of Madurai and has been ruled at various times by Later Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Chanda Sahib, Carnatic kingdom and the British. A major riot during the British Raj took place in 1899.

Sivakasi has a dry weather, making it suitable for dry crops like cotton, chillies and millets. Badhrkali Amman temple is the most prominent landmark of Sivakasi, and the temple festivals constitute the major festivals of the city. AJ and Hatsun Indoor Stadium has a coaching center for badminton and is the major sporting venue of the city. Sivakasi is a part of Sivakasi constituency and elects its member of legislative assembly every five years, and a part of the Virudhunagar constituency that elects its member of parliament. Sivakasi is locally administered by a municipal corporation which covers an area of 6.8 km2 (2.6 sq mi). Roadways is the major mode of transport to the city, while it has also got rail connectivity. As of 2021, Sivakasi has an estimated population of 160,047.[2]

  1. ^ "Census India". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  2. ^ https://www.tniuscbe.org/download/go/go2209.pdf [bare URL PDF]