Tiruvaikuntam
Thiruvaikuntam | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Thiruvaikuntam | |
| Nickname: Tiruvai | |
  Tiruvaikuntam Location in Tamil Nadu, India | |
| Coordinates: 8°37′N 77°56′E / 8.62°N 77.93°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Thoothukudi |
| Area | |
• Total | 8.3 km2 (3.2 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 17 m (56 ft) |
| Population (2001) | |
• Total | 16,214 |
| • Density | 2,000/km2 (5,100/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
Tiruvaikuntam, also referred to as Srivaikuntam is a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the banks of the river Thamirabarani.
Thiruvaikuntam has a temple dedicated to Vishnu, known as Tiruvaikuntapathi Swami, with a lofty gopuram. The Thiruvengada Mudaiyar Mandapam is rich with sculptures of Yallis, elephants and warriors. The Ekadasi Mandapam, which is opened on Vaikunta Ekadasi days, contains sculptures. During the period of conflict between the East India Company forces and Veera Pandiya Kattabomman, the temple served as a fort. The Kailasanathaswamy temple is another important temple and contains six inscriptions of the times of Kattabomman.[citation needed]