Kovilpatti (கோவில்பட்டி in
Tamil), also known as Kovilpatti, is a town
municipality in Thoothukudi District in the Indian
state of Tamil Nadu
.
It is the second largest town in Thoothukudi District.
It was the largest
Taluk in terms of revenue villages in India
but recently it was split into Ettayapuram
and Kovilpatti Taluks. Now Elaiyarasanendal
and some other villages have been added to Kovilpatti taluk.
Demographics
India census, Kovilpatti had a population of 87,458. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Kovilpatti has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 70%. In Kovilpatti, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Geography
Kovilpatti is located at . It has an average elevation of
106 metres (347 feet).
Kovilpatti is a fast growing town in Tuticorin District with
prominent commercial and industrial activity, including a large
number of match factories, textile mills and factories
manufacturing crackers. It is the gateway for entrants to
Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts from the north and west,
located 100 km south of Madurai city, 55 km north of
Tirunelveli Town and 60 km north-west of Tuticorin.
Kovilpatti
is situated on the National Highway No.7 which connects Varanasi
in the North
and Kanyakumari
in the South. The town lies approximately
658 m
above mean sea Level,
which gives a unique geographical look to this town. It has a small
hill to its south east known as Swarna Kathiresa Malai. The deity
is Lord Muruga. Because of its height, the town is airy. The postal
Pincodes are 628501 and 628502.
Climate and rainfall
The climate of Kovilpatti town is hot and dry temperatures range
between a maximum of 37°C and a minimum of 22°C. April to June are
the hottest months and the lowest temperatures are recorded during
the months of December and January. Temperatures start rising
towards the end of February. The town receives a low rainfall
compared to the district average and the annual rainfall varies
from 964 mm to 228 mm during past decades. The mean
annual average rainfall for the town is approximately 840 mm.
Majority of the rainfall is received by the town during the
North-east monsoon in the months of October to December.
Town development and growth
The town started its development earlier than 1876. The
introduction of the Southern Railway, the establishment of Lakshmi
Mills (1926), Loyal Textiles (1891), establishment of Government of
Headquarters Offices (1911)etc., induced the physical growth of the
Town.
The Lakshmi
Millsand
The Loyal Millsare the major industrial establishments
in Kovilpatti which provides both direct and indirect employment to
around 25000 people.
Kovilpatti is famous for
match works (Safety
Matches) and
fireworks, and is often called
the "Matchless City of Matches".
It is the largest manufacturer of match
boxes in India and second only to Sivakasi
in the
manufacture of fireworks. In a day, more than 500 trucks carry loads
of finished safety matches and fireworks to all parts of India, and
to the ports of Tuticorin and Chennai
for
exports. Because of its strategic location, Kovilpatti has
emerged as an industrial town. Two large Kovilpatti textile mills,
Lakshmi Mills and Loyal Mills, are each 75 years old. Kovilpatti
Agricultural Research Station is one of the most highly regarded
agricultural research centres in Tamil Nadu.
Kovilpatti is also known for Hockey. 'The Kuppusamy Naidu Memorial
Tournament' happens every year for around 15 days and hockey teams
from all over India participate in this tournament.
Kovilpatti is very well known for 'Kadalaimittai'(sweet peanut
cake).This is made out of
groundnut/peanut
and other added flavours.
Annarathna
Match Industries, Rose Matches (P) Limited,
Comorin Match Industries, Liberty Match Company (P)
Ltd., East India Match Industries, Kamachi Match Works &
Prabhat Match Factory are a few top companies manufacturing Safety
Matches in this town.PLASTIC INDUSTRIES :Kovilpatti in now fast
developing in plastic industries in Tamil Nadu.Excel polymers is
manufacturing soft pvc tubing and lamination grade film.
excelpoymersIn
this temple, a group called "Lok Veer Ayyapa Seva Sangam " founded
by a man called "Chellanatha Subramainan" founder for the
"Annadhanam", which means, free food distribution, is doing a lot
of good social deeds for more than 35 years by which at least 5000
people are enjoying the blessings of lord ayyapa.Most of people
involved in lot of social activities.
Manufactured matches from Kovilpatti are delivered to all the
states of India and also abroad. Consequently, transportation plays
a major role in Kovilpatti.
Notable people born in and around Kovilpatti
Olympian Muthuswamy Weigt lifter
Institutions
Schools
- The Lakshmi Mills Higher Secondary SchooL
- Kammavar girls Higher secondary school
- K.R.A.Vidyasaram
- CKT Matriculation Higher Secondary School
- Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School
- V.O.C Govt Higher Secondary School
- Viswakarma High School
- Nadar Higher Secondary School
- Nadar Middle School
- Kamaraj Matriculation Higher Secondary School
- John Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School
- St. Pauls Matriculation Higher Secondary School
- Seventh Day Adventist Matriculation Higher Secondary
School
- A.V Higher Secondary School
- The Counian Matriculation Higher Secondary School
- Everest Mariapa Higher Secondary School
- Parvathi High School, Illuppaiyourani.
- Shyamala hr Secondary School Illuppaiyourani
* Edustar Junior School
- Edustar International School
Colleges in and around Kovilpatti
- G.Venkataswamy Naidu College
- SRNM Arts & Science College
- National Engineering College
- Unnamalai Institute of Engineering and Technology
- Lakshmi Ammal Polytechnic
- K.R College of Arts & Science
- Oscar Catering Institute
- SSDM Arts & Science College
- V.Thangapandian Memorial Pasumpon Teacher Training
Institute
- Edustar Foundation
Temples
- SHENBAGAVALLIAMMAN TEMPLE: The statue of amman is very high and
appealing. The annual Car Festival and Theertha vari are very
famous around the area. People throng for the festival.
- Krishna Temple, It is located at main part of the town.
- KATHIRESAN TEMPLE: This temple is situated in a hillock. The
deity is Lord muruga called Kathiresan. One one cave is situated
another side of the hillock. On the entrance one stone is like the
gate carved like the opening. People say that the tunnel is up to
Ettayapuram Jaminthaar,s bungalow. But nobody ventured to go into
the cave.
- PALANI ANDAVAR KOIL : This temple as the name suggests is for
Lord Muruga.
- RAM ANUMAN TEMPLE: This is the temple for the Lord Anjeneya. It
is located in Kovilpatti Byepass road Ram anuman Nagar.
- Pathirakali Amman Koil: This temple is located in kadalaikara
street. And the main god is Pathirakali Amman.
Churches
- St. Joseph Church
- St.Pauls Church
- Jesus With Us Church
- Maranatha Biblical Church
Places of Interest
Ettayapuram
It is situated about 15 km from Kovilpatti in east. The place
is important as a cotton growing centre. Ettayapuram is famous
historically as it was the place where the great freedom fighter
Kattabomman of Panchalankuruchi fought against the British and also
famous, because it is the birth place of National poet “Bharathi”
the famous freedom fighter. A mandapam has been constructed in
memory of the poet “Bharathi”. A library is located in that
building. The ruins of Ettayapuram Jamin palace. The Manimandapam
of Bharathiyar, The Birth house of Bharathiyar, The memorial of Sri
Muthusamy Deikshidar. One of the three Karnatic poets are the
important tourist places of the Ettayapuram.
Kalugumalai
Kalugumalai (or) “The Hill of Vulture” is situated on the road
connecting Kovilpatti and Sankarankoil. It is massive done of rock
with 300 feet height approximately which can be seen from a far of
place. The place of is famour for its rock cut temple called
“vetuvankoil”. A temple dedicated to lord Subramaniya Swamy is also
located at the foot of the rock.
Panchalankuruchi
Panchalankuruchi is situated three kilometres, north of
Ottapidaram. The famous freedom fighter Kattabomman's fort is
located here .At present only the remaining of fort is seen in the
site. Since it has been destroyed by the British of late in 1975,
the Government of Tamil Nadu have constructed a fort in
Panchalankurich in memory of the freedom fighter.
Sankarankoil
The Lord Siva and Gomathiamman temple is famous here. “Adithapasu”
festival effects large crowds during July or August of every year.
This town is situated west of Kovilpatti and attracts, Pilgrims,
devotes in and around districts.
Idaiseval
It is situated about 12 km from Kovilpatti in South.
Theatres
- Shanmuga (Qube Digital System)
- Sathyabama (or) Narayanaswamy (DTS & Partly A.C.)
- Moorthy
- Ramasamy (Qube Digital System)
- AKS (Qube Digital System)
- Lakshmi (DTS)
Media
There are local channels available in Kovilpatti that serves the
public with latest happenings in & around the kovilpatti
city
Politics
Koilpatti assembly constituency was a part of
Sivakasi . As per order of
the
Delimitation Commission
in respect of the
delimitation of
constituencies in the Tamil Nadu, the Kovilpatti assembly
constituency will be a segment of the new
Thoothukkudi .
Delimitation was made effective for all elections in the state of
Tamil Nadu that is held on or after 19 February 2008.
References
External links
- http://www.kovilpatti.com [Matchless Portal of Match City]
- http://www.gvncsfc.org [GVN College (SFC), Kovilpatti]
- http://www.kamalahospitals.com
- Homepage of Kovilpatti Municipality
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