Vriddhachalam
Thirumudhukundram, Pazhamalai | |
---|---|
Municipality | |
Nickname(s): Virudhai,Ceramic City | |
Coordinates: 11°30′N 79°20′E / 11.50°N 79.33°E | |
Country | India |
State | Tamil Nadu |
District | Cuddalore |
Government | |
• Type | First Grade Municipality |
• MLA | M.R.R.Radhakrishnan |
Elevation | 45 m (148 ft) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 73,585 |
Languages | |
• Official | Tamil |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
Vehicle registration | TN-91( TN-31 till Jun17,2015) |
Virudhachalam, also called Vriddhachalam, is a Municipality and taluk headquarters in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The ancient name of this town is Thirumudhukundram.[1][2] As per the 2011 census, the town had a population of 73,585 of which 37,066 are males while 36,519 are females. Population of children in the ages of 0-6 is 7735 which is 10.51 % of the total population.[3] The Virudhagiriswarar temple (or Pazhamalai Nadhar Temple) dedicated to Lord Shiva is located in the heart of town.[4] This is the 41st Sivan temple to be sung about in Thevāram and 9th Temple to be sung about in Nadunādu[5] Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Siva of this temple. The temple was constructed by one of the Chola Emperors. The famous Kolanjiappar Temple is located 3 km away from the town. Both of them are situated near Cuddalore - Salem highway in Virudhachalam. The temple has been mentioned in the travalogue Tirtha Prabandha written by Madhwa saint Vadiraja tirtharu in sixteenth century.
Virudhachalam Railway junction is one of the most important railway junctions which connects Chennai - Madurai line to Salem, Cuddalore, and Puducherry.
Vriddhachalam is famous for its ceramic industry. The industry with an industrial estate that only consists of ceramic and refractory manufactures is exclusive in Virudhachalam. The ceramic industrial estate is situated only at Virudhachalam in the whole of Tamil Nadu. A polytechnic college, especially for ceramic technology, is also only located in Virudhachalam for the entire Tamil Nadu. A unique research center for the research of cashew and byproducts is situated in Virudhachalam.[6]