Bodinayakkanur

Demographics

According to 2011 census, Bodinayakanur had a population of 75,676 with a sex-ratio of 1,018 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929. A total of 6,544 were under the age of six, constituting 3,334 males and 3,210 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 7.61% and .03% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the town was 76.18%, compared to the national average of 72.99%. The town had a total of 20333 households. There were a total of 30,234 workers, comprising 1,117 cultivators, 6,602 main agricultural laborers, 621 in household industries, 18,623 other workers, 3,271 marginal workers, 89 marginal cultivators, 1,574 marginal agricultural laborers, 134 marginal workers in household industries and 1,474 other marginal workers.

As per the religious census of 2011, Bodinayakanur had 93.% Hindus, 5.61% Muslims, 1.3% Christians, 0.01% Sikhs, 0.01% Jains and 0.05% following other religions.

History

Bodinayakanur is the second largest and most populated city in Theni district; the city is the taluk headquarters. Due to the weather and natural beauties, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, called the city as "South Kashmir". A town located on the foothills of the Western Ghats, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu in India. This town is surrounded by the ranges of the Western Ghats on three sides, offering spectacular views of the Ghats. Theni, the nearest market town is 16 km from Bodi.

During the nineteenth century, Bodinayakanur was an important place in the Nayakar rule. There is a small palace built by the Bodanayakar. This palace has been built with the Jaipur Palace in mind. Bodinayakkanur is the "Cardamom Capital of India".

Origin of the name

In early days, it's called by the name Thenkasiyampathi(Tamil#தென்காசியம்பதி). The history behind the new name of the town is interesting. The town was named as Bodayanayakkanur, after the person Bodayanayakkar, who ruled the place. Later it got transformed to Bodinayakanur.

Location

Bodinayakanur is situated at the foothill of the Western Ghats in Theni district. It is located on the Cochin-Madurai-Rameswaram National Highway 85 (India). It is accessible by the road from Chennai, Madurai and various parts of the State. Bodinayakanur was connected with Madurai by meter-gauge railway until December 2010 after which the service was stopped for gauge conversion to broad gauge.

Conversion of all meter-gauge lines to broad-gauge - "Project Unigauge" of the Indian Railways - is the avowed goal to have seamless operations across the length and breadth of India without any disruptions or change of trains due to track gauge difference.

Since the closing down of the track at the end of 2010, the gauge conversion has been plagued by very meager funds allocation by the Railway administration. As a result, more than five years have passed with the track conversion woefully short of completion.Now current budget 2016 announced survey from Dindugal-Sabarimala Railway line.

Economy

The main business is agriculture. Paddy, Sugarcane, Banana, Corn, Maize are some of the main crops planted here. The climate is very good. The average temperature in daytime is 25 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius. It is on the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The major plantation crops here is Silk Cotton, Mango, Pepper, Coffee, Tea, and Cardamom.. Athiyuthu, Anakarai two hilly areas are located to the north of Bodinayakanur.This place is famous for high-quality coffee production. The coffee cultivation in these areas was carried out for more than 250 years.Cardamom and silk cotton are the major export goods.

Film Shooting

Bodinayakanur is the preferred destination for film shooting in Tamil Nadu besides Ooty and Kodaikanal. The locations in and around Bodi abound in scenic locations. Recent Tamil films like Pithamagan, Avan Ivan, Mynaa, Kumki, Vettai, Settai, Dheena, Bodinayakanur Ganesan, yaa yaa and Sundhara pandiyan were all shot in this location.

Politics

Bodinayakkanur assembly constituency is part of Theni (Lok Sabha constituency).

Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa, was elected for the first time as Member of Legislative Assembly from Bodinayakanur Constituency.
The former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, is the Member of Legislative Assembly from Bodinayakanur Constituency

Picnic Spots

Near by hill station location are Kurangani,Central Station,Topstation,Agamalai,Bodi mettu and Kozhuku Malai.Kotakudi Plantation which is located in Kozhuku Malai, where the world highest grown tea are cultivated.