Kanyakumari district
Kanyakumari district | |
---|---|
Precipitation | 2,382 millimetres (93.8 in) |
Avg. summer temperature | 31 °C (88 °F) |
Avg. winter temperature | 22 °C (72 °F) |
Central location: | 8°03′N 77°15′E / 8.050°N 77.250°E |
Website | kanniyakumari |
Kanyakumari district, officially Kanniyakumari district, is one of the 39 districts of Tamil Nadu state and the southern most district in mainland India. It stands second in terms of population density among the districts of Tamil Nadu.[1] It is also the richest district in Tamil Nadu in terms of per capita income,[2][3] and also tops the state in Human Development Index (HDI), literacy, and education.[4][5] The district's headquarters is Nagercoil.
Kanyakumari district has a varied topography with the sea on three sides and the mountains of the Western Ghats bordering the northern side. Except for a small stretch of land to the east of Kanniyakumari town, almost the entire district is sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea – the only district in Tamil Nadu state facing the Arabian Sea.
Historically,
The district is the birthplace of Ayyavazhi. Many historical assumptions persist in the district and state, which associate sages such as Agastya, Vyasa, Tolkappiyar, Avvaiyar and Thiruvalluvar with the district.
History
The area that comprises the current Kanniyakumari district was a part of the old Ay kingdom of the first and second Sangam ages. Following the decline of the Ay kingdoms, the area became Venad, with its capital
Leger broke through the fortifications and entered Travancore in 1810. In the year 1949, the area became a part of the reestablished
Historically,
The district is the birthplace of
Geography
Location
The district is situated between 77°15' and 77°36' east longitude and 8°03' and 8°35' north latitude. The district has borders with
Kanniyakumari District is divided into two regions: Edai nadu and Nanjinad. Vilavancode and Kalkulam taluks are in the Edai nadu region which consists of full stretched Western ghats. Thovalai and Agastheeswaram taluks are present in the Nanjil nadu region. Aralvaimozhy pass separates these two regions. Also the boundary of these regions is Vaezhimalai (Vaezhi Hills).
Kanniyakumari district has a varied topography with sea on three sides and the mountains of the Western Ghats bordering the northern side. Geologically, the landmass of the district is much younger when compared to the rest of state – faulted as late as 2.5 million years during the Miocene, after which numerous transgression, as well as regression of sea, had shaped the western coast of the district.
Politics
District | No. | Constituency | Name | Party | Alliance | Remarks | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kanyakumari | 229 | Kanniyakumari
|
N. Thalavai Sundaram
|
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | None | |||
230 | Nagercoil
|
M. R. Gandhi | Bharatiya Janata Party | NDA | ||||
231 | Colachel
|
Prince J.G. | Indian National Congress | SPA | ||||
232 | Padmanabhapuram
|
Mano Thangaraj | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | SPA | ||||
233 | Vilavancode
|
S. Vijayadharani | Indian National Congress | SPA | Resigned on 24 February 2024 | |||
Vacant | ||||||||
234 | Killiyoor
|
S. Rajesh Kumar | Indian National Congress | SPA |
Places of interest
Thiruvalluvar Statue
The Thiruvalluvar Statue, or the Valluvar Statue, is a 41-metre-tall (133 ft) stone sculpture of the
Thirparappu Waterfalls
Thirparappu Waterfalls are waterfalls in Kanniyakumari District. It is also known as 'Courtallam of Kanniyakumari'. The Mahadevar Temple is very near to the waterfalls. The waterfalls is 7 km (4.3 mi) from Kulasekaram. Actually the waterfalls is exactly 34 km from city centre, Nagercoil.
Manimedai
Manimedai is situated in the central part of Nagercoil. Manimedai literally means High Clock. It is the symbol of the Nagercoil Town. A clock is placed in a High Clock gauge, so the place becomes Manimedai. The construction of the Clock gauge began in 1892 in the period of Travancore Maharajas. After construction, it was opened by His Highness Sree Moolam Thirunal Varma, the King of Travancore. The clock placed in the gauge was gifted to the English missionary in Nagercoil.
Mathur Aqueduct
The Mathur Aqueduct was built to pass the cultivable water between two mountains. Mathur Aqueduct was built between Aruvikkarai and Mudhalaaru in Paraliyaru River. The aqueduct was built by Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Perunthalaivar Thiru Kamarajar. Mathur aqueduct was South Asia's largest aqueduct. The aqueduct is 1,240 ft (380 m) long, 101 ft (31 m) high with 28 giant pillars. It is 3 km (1.9 mi) from Thiruvattar and 26 km from Nagercoil.
Padmanabhapuram palace
Before centuries, the houses that has all the facilities are known as Palaces. The rulers of states, the Kings resides in such Palaces. Padmanabhapuram Palace was once the official residence of Travancore Kings. Padmanabhapuram Palace was built in Kerala styled Architecture with woods. The palace was built in 18th century by Travancore King Thiru Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma. The palace was situated in 6.5 acres in 186 acres fort. The palace is under the control of Kerala Government. The palace is situated just 2 km from Thuckalay.
Udayagiri Fort
Udayagiri Fort was situated just 10 km from Parvathipuram. The fort was situated in 22½ hectares in a place called Puliyoorkurichi. The Fort is maintained by the Ministry of Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu.
Vattakkottai
The word 'Vattakkottai' means Circle Fort and is circular. The Fort was constructed along the seashore in the East coast. The fort was situated in 3½ acres with compound stones constructed for 25 meters in height and constructed by Travancore Army Chief Dilanai. The fort is under the control of the Archaeological Department, Government of India. It is situated 6 km north of Kanniyakumari and 2 km south of Anjugramam.
Vivekananda Rock
Chitharal Jain Rock Cut Temple
It is famous for the Rock-cut temple. Hill rock at Chitharal has a cave containing Rock-cut sculptures of Thirthankaras and attendant deities carved inside and outside dating back to 9th Century A.D by King Mahendra Varman I.[12]
Administrative divisions
For administrative purposes, the district comprises six taluks and nine blocks. There is a municipal corporation in the district which is Nagercoil. There are also four municipalities and 51 Town Panchayats.[13]
At the lower levels of administration, there are 95 village panchayats.[14]
Revenue Divisions and Taluks
Padmanabhapuram Revenue Division
Municipal Corporation
Municipalities
- Padmanabhapuram
- Colachel
- Kuzhithurai
- Kollemcode
Town Panchayats
- Kanyakumari
- Agasteeswaram
- Azhagappapuram
- Kottaram
- Marungoor
- Mylaudy
- South Thamaraikulam
- Suchindram
- Theroor
- Anjugramam
- Aralvaimozhi
- Azhagiapandiapuram
- Boothapandi
- Thazhakudi
- Puthalam
- Thengampudur
- Ganapathipuram
- Aloor
- Thingalnagar
- Eraniel
- Kallukuttam
- Mandaikadu
- Manavalakurichi
- Neyyoor
- Reethapuram
- Vellimalai
- Kappiyarai
- Kothanalloor
- Kumarapuram
- Thiruvithancode
- Mulagumudu
- Valvaithankoshtam
- Vilavur
- Villukuri
- Attoor
- Kulasekaram
- Ponmanai
- Thiruvattar
- Thirparappu
- Verkizhambi
- Karungal
- Keezhkulam
- Killiyoor
- Nalloor
- Palapallam
- Unnamalaikadai
- Pudukadai
- Arumanai
- Edaikodu
- Kadayal
- Kaliyakkavilai
- Pacode
- Pazhugal
Proposed Municipalities
- Kanyakumari
- Suchindram
- Boothapandi
- Eraniel
- Thiruvattar
- Kulasekharam
- Killiyoor
- Melpuram
- Mylaudy
- Anjugramam
Proposed Town Panchayats
Panchayat Unions / Blocks
- Agastheeswaram
- Rajakkamangalam
- Thovalai
- Kurunthancode
- Thuckalay
- Thiruvattar
- Killiyoor
- Munchirai
- Melpuram
Major Towns
The major towns of the district include:
- Agastheeswaram taluk: ,
- Thovalai taluk: Aralvaimozhy
- Kalkulam taluk: Padmanabhapuram, Thuckalay, Colachel, Kalkulam, Thiruvithamcode, Eraniel, Kurunthancode, Thingalnagar
- Thiruvattar taluk: Thiruvattar, Kulasekaram
- Killiyur Taluk: Killiyoor, Karungal
- Vilavancode Taluk:
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1901 | 359,248 | — |
1911 | 422,260 | +1.63% |
1921 | 494,125 | +1.58% |
1931 | 581,851 | +1.65% |
1941 | 676,975 | +1.53% |
1951 | 826,380 | +2.01% |
1961 | 996,915 | +1.89% |
1971 | 1,222,549 | +2.06% |
1981 | 1,423,399 | +1.53% |
1991 | 1,600,349 | +1.18% |
2001 | 1,676,034 | +0.46% |
2011 | 1,870,374 | +1.10% |
source:[15] |
According to 2011 census, Kanniyakumari district had a population of 1,870,374 with a sex-ratio of 1,019 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[16] A total of 182,350 were under the age of six, constituting 92,835 males and 89,515 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 3.97% and 0.39% of the population respectively. The district had a total of 483,539 households. There were a total of 679,620 workers, comprising 12,229 cultivators, 51,350 main agricultural labourers, 21,078 in household industries, 468,001 other workers, 126,962 marginal workers, 3,381 marginal cultivators, 21,517 marginal agricultural labourers, 14,711 marginal workers in household industries and 87,353 other marginal workers.[16]
The average literacy rate of Kanniyakumari in 2011 was 91.75 compared to 87.55 in 2001. If things are looked out at gender-wise, male and female literacy were 93.65 and 89.90 respectively. For the 2001 census, the same figures stood at 90.37 and 84.79 in Kanniyakumari District. The total number of literates in Kanniyakumari District were 1,548,738 of which male and female were 780,541 and 768,197 respectively. In 2001, Kanniyakumari District had 1,308,322 in its district.
Languages
Urban population
Out of the total Kanniyakumari population for 2011 census, 82.33 percent lives in urban regions of district. In total 1,539,802 people lives in urban areas of which males are 761,407 and females are 778,395. Sex ratio in urban region of Kanniyakumari district is 1022 as per 2011 census data. Similarly child sex ratio in Kanniyakumari district was 966 in 2011 census. Child population (0-6) in urban region was 148,570 of which males and females were 75,573 and 72,997.
This child population figure of Kanniyakumari district is 9.93% of total urban population. Average literacy rate in Kanniyakumari district as per census 2011 is 91.96% of which males and females are 93.92% and 90.06% literates, respectively. In actual number 1,279,358 people are literate in urban region of which males and females are 644,109 and 635,249, respectively.
Rural population
As per 2011 census, 17.67% population of Kanniyakumari districts lives in rural areas of villages. The total Kanniyakumari district population living in rural areas is 330,572 of which males and females are 164,938 and 165,634 respectively. In rural areas of Kanniyakumari district, sex ratio is 1004 females per 1000 males. If child sex ratio data of Kanniyakumari district is considered, figure is 957 girls per 1000 boys. Child population in the age 0-6 is 33,780 in rural areas of which males were 17,262 and females were 16,518.
The child population comprises 10.47% of total rural population of Kanniyakumari district. Literacy rate in rural areas of Kanniyakumari district is 90.76% as per census data 2011. Gender wise, male and female literacy stood at 92.39 and 89.16 percent, respectively. In total, 269,380 people were literate of which males and females were 136,432 and 132,948, respectively.
Religion
As per 2011 census, total population of the district is 1,870,374, among them 909,872 (48.7%) are Hindus, 876,299 (46.9%) are Christians, 78,590 (4.2%) are Muslims, 438 (0.02%) are Buddhists, 160 (0.01%) are Sikhs, 156 (0.01%) are Jains, 10 (0.001%) are Others and 4,849 (0.26%) are "not stated".[20] The western talukas of the district are Christian-majority, while the eastern talukas are Hindu-majority. Some of the Hindu population follows Ayyavazhi. Protestants and Catholics are both present in the Christian population, with Protestants largely from the Nadar community and Catholics from the fishermen community. Some Syrian Christians also live here.
Festivals
Mandaikadu Festival
The Mandaikadu festival is celebrated in March by people of the district and by those in Kerala. Traditionally, participants would chant while walking while others would provide them with butter, milk, water, jaggery, and coffee. The festival, which is celebrated for ten days, later became a social function, especially on Sunday.
Kollemcode Festival
The Kollemcode Tookam festival is another famous festival celebrated by the people of the district and also by the people from the nearby Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state. It is celebrated for 10 days during the month of March/April with the famous Child Tookam taking place on the 10th day corresponding to Meena Bharani as per the Malayalam calendar.
The "ezhunnalath" or elephant procession festival of Alappancode Sree Eeswarakala Bhoodhathan Temple located at Anducode is also another major festival of the district. It is the largest elephant festival of Tamil Nadu and is often considered Tamil Nadu' Thrissur Pooram.
Ayya birthday Celebration
The
Onam is also celebrated in many places throughout Kanniyakumari district, especially in the western part of the district.Sucheendrum temple car festival
the religious significance of the Thanumalayan Temple stems from the fact that the main statue of linga represent Siva (Sthanu), Vishnu (maal) and Brahma (Ayan) (as well as giving the temple its name). The representation of the three central gods of Hinduism in one linga makes it unique in India. The 10-day Car Festival celebrated in this temple during between December and January every year attracts crowds of thousands of people. Special worship practices are followed and the festival images of Sthanumalayan, Aram valartha Nayagi and Vinayagar are taken in the temple car around the streets of the temple. Another festival known as Teppam is celebrated during between April and May every year. The Sanskrit work Sucindrastalamahatmya gives a full-fledged legendary account of the origin and development of this temple.[27]
Kottar, St. Francis Xavier's temple festival
Church records indicate that St. Xavier Church was built in 1600. In 1865, the Shrine of Mary was renovated and enlarged. In 1930, the church was raised to the status of a cathedral. The annual festival is celebrated during November – December lasting for 10 days. The people from various place and near by state kerala people also join during the festival. During the festival other religious people also Get together. and helping to organize the Festival by vaious ways.
Kanya Kumari, Bagavathi Amman temple festival
- Chitra Pournima Festival: on the Full moon day in May
- Navaratri festival: 9 day festival in (September–October). The music artists get an opportunity to offer their artistic skill to the goddess by performing in the Navarathri Mandapam.
- Vaisakha festival: 10-day festival in May–June culminating by a Thoni Ezhunellathu in May–June. During this festival Devi will be taken in procession both in the morning and evening, during Aaraatu the eastern door is opened. On the ninth day, the Thoni Ezhunellathu takes place. Devi will be taken round the water on the western part in a boat.[28]
- Kalabham festival: The idol is smeared in Sandal paste in the last Friday of the month of Karkidaka or Aadi, in July–August.[29]
Onam festival
Onam is an annual harvest and cultural festival related to Hinduism that is celebrated mostly by the people of Kerala. The people of Kanyakumari district also celebrate this fest (formerly Kanyakumari district was part of Kerala). The date of Onam celebration is based on the Panchangam and falls on the 22nd Nakshatra Thiruvonam in the month Chingam of the Malayalam calendar, which in the Gregorian calendar falls between August and September.[30][31]
Kuzhithurai Vavubali Exhibition
annual Karkida Vavu Bali (Shradham for the ancestors held during the Mahalaya Amavasai) ceremony that is held here during July/Aug (Malayalam month Karkidakam). Along with the religious ceremony during this time, the famous annual exhibition fair - Vavubali Mela / Exhibition - was started by Shri. T.C Kesava Pillai, MLC from Kuzhithurai in the 1900s. Today this is continued by the Kuzhithurai Town Municipality.[32] The people from various place and near by state kerala people also join during the festival. During the festival other religious people also Get together.
Marungoor Soora Samharam and mylaudy Arattu fest
The
Transport and highways
Roadways
There are two major
SETC Buses
The government transport body
TNSTC Buses
Another government transport body known as
KSRTC Buses
The
andRailways
There is a railway station located at
Airways
The nearest international airport is
Education
According to the 2011 Census, Kanyakumari has a literacy rate of 91.7%, compared to Tamil Nadu's literacy rate of 80.1%. The district has recorded the highest male literacy rate of 92.4% and the female literacy rate of 89.2% in rural areas, as well as the highest female literacy rate of 90.1% in urban areas.[35]
The district is home to many well-established institutions like colleges such as
Forests
Of the total district area of 1671.3 km2, government forests occupy an area of 504.86 km2 which comes to about 30.2 percent of the geographical area of the district.[36]
Flora and fauna
The
Rainfall
Achankadu hill is the tallest mountain peak in the district with a height of 1828 m. Hilly regions like Upper kodayar, Muthukuzhivayal and Achankadu hills receive more than 5000mm of annual rainfall which makes the region one of the wettest regions in Tamil Nadu. Kanniyakumari town which is located on the leeward side with no tall mountain ranges receives less rainfall in the district.
Flora
The Kanniyakumari Districts forests have
Fauna
Animals on the hills of the district include
The Mahendragiri hills (about 4,000 ft (1,200 m) above sea level) are occupied by elephants, tigers, leopards and deer .[citation needed]
The Western Ghats in Marungoor,
The
The district also has a Wildlife Sanctuary and a Birds Sanctuary.[37]
Lakes
See also
References
- ^ Kumari second most urbanised TN district – South India – Tamil Nadu – ibnlive
- ^ "தமிழ்நாட்டின் முதல் 5 பணக்கார மாவட்டங்கள் இவை தான்.. கண்டிப்பா சென்னை, கோவை இல்லை".
- ^ http://www.tn.gov.in/dear/State%20Income.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ Ramakrishnan, T. (17 May 2017). "Kanniyakumari tops HDI rankings". The Hindu.
- ^ "TN's literacy rate at new high". 22 March 2012.
- ^ "Keeladi Excavation – A Revelation That Rewrites The History of Tamil Nadu – Tamilnadu Tourism". 22 October 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Districts Details | Tamil Nadu Government Portal". tn.gov.in. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/5670/1/22065_1961_TRI.pdf page 14
- ^ "Tamil Nadu Election Results 2021: Here's full list of winners". CNBCTV18. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu Election Results 2021: Full list of winners". www.indiatvnews.com. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "Biography of Swami Vivekanand". newstrend.news. 22 April 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Chitharal Jain Rock Cut Temple | Kanniyakumari District, Government of TamilNadu | India".
- ^ "Local Bodies | Kanniyakumari District, Government of TamilNadu | India". Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Development | Kanniyakumari District, Government of TamilNadu | India". Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901
- ^ a b "District Census Handbook 2011 - Kanniyakumari" (PDF). Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
- ^ "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Tamil Nadu". Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
- ^ "Nagercoil slang was my biggest challenge: Vijay Sethupathi". The Times of India. 16 January 2017.
- ^ "Kanniyakumari History".
- ^ a b "Table C-01 Population by Religion: Tamil Nadu". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
- ^ The Daily Thanthi, Nagercoil Edition, 5/4/2006.
- ^ "Dina Malar". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
- ^ ""Thousands of people witnessed the Vaikasi car festival at Vaikundar temple at Swamithoppu..."". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 June 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2008.
- participated in the Car festival."
- participated in the Car festival."
- participated in the Car festival."
- ^ "Thousands participate in Suchindram car festival". The Hindu. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Kanyakumari Temples of Tamilnadu". templenet. 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^ "India". Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^ "Onam Festival – Onam in India, Onamfestival.org". www.onamfestival.org. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ISBN 978-0-7748-0187-4.
- ^ "Vavubali Exhibition,Kuzhithurai".
- ^ "The longest train journey in India". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Census of India 2011 - Tamil Nadu - Series 34 - Part XII A - District Census Handbook, Kanniyakumari (Report). 2014.
- ^ Tamil Nadu Forest Department Archived 23 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Forests.tn.nic.in. Retrieved on 2013-07-28.
- ^ GRUBH, SHAILAJA ROBERT (1 February 2003). "Sanctuary in the lowland plains". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 21 August 2003. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
Further reading
- U. Sivaraman Nair (1955). Travancore-Cochin Language Handbook (1951) (PDF). Travancore-Cochin Government Press.
- U. Sivaraman Nair (1952), 1951 Census Handbook- Trivandrum District (PDF), Trivandrum: Travancore-Cochin Government Press
- P. K. Nambiar (1965), 1961 Census Handbook- Kanyakumari District (Volume I&II) (PDF), Directorate of Census Operations, Madras
- Government of India (2014–15), District Census Handbook – Kanniyakumari (Part-A) 2011 (PDF), Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu
- Government of India (2014–15), District Census Handbook – Kanniyakumari (Part-B) 2011 (PDF), Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu