Ilanji

Demographics

In the 2001 Indian census, Ilanji reported a population of 9,423. Males constituted 51% of the population and females 49%. Ilanji had an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. The male literacy was 75%, and female literacy was 57%. In 2001 in Ilanji, 10% of the population was under 6 years of age.

By the 2011 census, 10,325 people were reported as living in Ilanji.

It has the prestige of having 3 MLAs for Tenkasi assembly constituency and one district board president for the whole Tirunelveli district which comprised Tuticorin and Trinelveli districts put together at that time.

Geography

The word 'Ilanji' has a number of meanings including a water body. The village has three lakes very close to it. This is the only place which receives both south-west and north-east monsoon.

Geographically, Ilanji is the centroid of a triangle whose three corners are the towns of Senkottai, Courtallam and Tenkasi, each of which is located approximately 3 km (2 mi) from Ilanji. As a result, some people call it "Triplet City" in Tirunelveli district. It is also bounded by two rivers, the Sitraru (Therkaru) and the Kundaru (Vadakkaru). It's also said that at one point in time, a river flowed through the town.

Sites

ThiruvilanjiKumaran Koil, a beautiful temple for Lord Murugan overlooking fields and farms is the main temple of Ilanji. In addition the town boasts of other temples including Keela Koil, Pillayar Koil, Perumal Koil, Sri Krishnan Koil, Sitrattu Veerimman Koil (also known as Sithai Amman Koil)and Kali Amman Kovil Temple.

Notable people

I.S.Ramaswamy Pillai who started the Ramaswamy Pillai Higher Secondary School at Ilanji in the year 1916 as a primary school. I.S. Sethuramalingam Pillai, Late Headmaster, Ilanji Ramaswamy Pillai High School, was a recipient of the Tamil Nadu State Government's "Nalla Aasiriyar Virudhu" (Good Teacher Award, 1970). Eswara Konar is a farmer who was also well known for his rheumatoid arthritis treatment (Siddha medical system). Land lord P. Nallakannu chettiar is a prominent farmer who was well known for his agricultural activities and innovative cultivation of new crops.

Other prominent natives include, Rao Bahadur I.C. Eswaran Pillai (District Board Chairman), I.K. Subramania Pillai (Member of Legislative Assembly), I.A. Chidambaram Pillai (Member of Legislative Council and Member of Legislative Assembly), I.A. Velayutham Pillai who was the Chief Executive of Ilanji bank which was later mearged with Bank of Madura which is at present ICICI Bank, V. Subramanian who was the Executive of a nationalized bank was popularly known as VS in the banking sector, Dr. P.N. Muthiah, Dean, Madurai Kamaraj University, Dr. V. Gomatinayagam Dean Annamalai University, Director of Distant Education Annamalai University. Mr Thamburaj Pandian who as chief of the Senior Citizens' Forum along with Sri V. Subramanian and Sri I.S. Deivengaperumal has pioneered the meals programme which facilitates provision of ready-to-eat food at the doorsteps of many senior citizens in the area. He is the son-in-law of Sri. Durairaj Pandian a legislator of the erstwhile Madras State.m.a srinivasa pandian (union chairman tenkasi, trasty thiruchendur).

Schools

Temples

Tourist Spots

Transport

Ilanji as said is the centroid of Tenkasi Shecottah and Courtallam triangle, finds all the buses (that is from Tenkasi to Shencottah) to stop. There are two stops namely Chowkai (buses not going via Courtallam from Tenkasi to Shencottah stops here), west ilanji bus stop(buses going via Courtallam from Tenkasi to Shencottah stops here) which serves as the North and South extremes of the village.

Businesses

Miscellaneous

Ilanji is also famous for a sweet called “bozhi” which is prepared of dal, jaggery and is prepared without coconut.

In popular culture

Owing to its scenic beauty, Ilanji has featured in many films.