Country India Population 208,179 (2001) Languages spoken Tamil, English Area 49.371 km2 | State District Mayor Meena Dev Literacy 95.35% | |
Colleges and Universities Scott Christian College, South Travancore Hindu College, St Xaviers College of Engineering - Chunkankadai, Pioneer Kumaraswamy College, Vins Christian College of Engineering | ||
Nagercoil (Tamil: , lit. "Temple of the Nagas") is a City in the southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu and a municipal Corporation and administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District. The city is situated close to the tip of the Indian peninsula, locked with the Western Ghats on all sides. It was a part of Kerala, the erstwhile Travancore state, till almost a decade after Indias Independence from Britain in 1947. In 1956, it was merged with Tamil Nadu. In its earlier days, the town and its surroundings were known as Nanjilnadu.Nagercoil holds a number of educational institutions, hospitals, offices and industries. It is also the hub of industrial and commercial activity in the district, and a fertile agricultural area that produces cotton and rice. The minerals ilmenite and monazite are mined there. The land is surrounded by hills and lush green paddy fields. It is also known for different varieties of bananas. Nagercoil is a land of great traditional and cultural significance.
Contents
- Map of Nagercoil
- The golden chariot luxury train nagercoil
- History
- Geography
- Economy
- Culture and Traditional cuisine
- Places of interest
- References
Map of Nagercoil
The golden chariot luxury train nagercoil
History
Nagercoil came under the rule of various kingdoms, notably the Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms, at various points in time; historical records reveal that these kingdoms fought over the control of the fertile area of Nanjilnadu and Kottar, a town mentioned in old Tamil writings and maps of ancient India. Archaeological records also show Jain influences in ancient times. Also the literatures reveal the fact that the Nanjil Nadu and Kottar were ruled by Kurunji Nattan (Kuravars) and naga tribe with pandyan origin called Bharathars (Paravar, ancient rulers of Bharatha Varsha), who were called Chandravanshi in North India.
Geography
Nagercoil is situated in the Kanyakumari district of the Indian state Tamil Nadu, which is located on the southernmost tip of India and is surrounded by Tirunelveli on its east and north and by Kerala on its west and northwest.One of the best thing about the climate of Nagercoil is that, it is the only Indian town to receive both the south-west and north-east monsoons. Summers are quite hot here with winters being gentle. It receives more rain than other parts of Tamil Nadu. Summers are pretty humid and temperature reaches at 34 °C easily at that time. Summer months start from March and end in May. Monsoon months are from June till September with an average temperature of about 25 °C during the same time. Winters start from November and ends in February with an average temperature of 22 °C. Although, Nagercoil is located at a distance of only 20 km from Kanyakumari, temperature difference in the day stands at around 3 -4 degrees always.
Economy
A wing of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation is located in Mahendragiri, Nagercoil. ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC),Mahendragiri is equipped with state-of-the-art- facilities necessary for realising the cutting edge technology products for ISRO’s space research program. Formerly, IPRC was known as LPSC, Mahendragiri and taking cognizance of the future growth of the space program of our nation and the concomitant expansion at Mahendragiri, it was elevated as IPRC with effect from February 1, 2014.
Culture and Traditional cuisine
Some of the widely celebrated festivals here are Pongal,which is celebrated for three days, Onam is another Festival widely celebrated among the Malayalam speaking population by drawing the `atha poo (flower decoration) in the floor,
It is home to the famous Nanjilnadu cuisine, which is one of the two famous Tamil cuisines, the other being the Chettinad Cuisine. This cuisine is known for its unique appetizing, savory and delicious Spiced Local Touch. These food traditions are believe to have been passed on through the Chera, Chola and Pandya kings, which was found in literary works like Bhojana Kudhoogalam (Ecstasy of Food), Baga Saastram (Art of Cooking), Tamizhar Uravu (Tamil Kinship), and Marattiar Seppedugal (Maratta Copper Plate Inscriptions). The Nanjinadu seafood cuisine is also having its unique flavour followed widely in the states of Tamil nadu and Kerala. Food prepared here is also a mix of Kerala/Tamil Nadu traditions. Puttu, Appam, Idiappam are popular food items and so are rice murukku, and achu-murukku. Curries here are made with coconut and coconut oil which is now considered Nanjil or Nagercoil style cooking. The modernisation and sophistication that has crept into the present lifestyle has not erased out most of the traditional food culture of the city. But an unique feature is that some traditional rare dishes are becoming endangered or are going extinct, due to the negligance of learning by the future generation. It enjoys a blend of Tamil and Keralite cuisine. Rice is the staple food. Fish is popular and forms a part of everyday meal for many. People generally prefer marine fish to fresh water fish.
The food is generally spicy with coconut an important ingredient in almost all side dishes and curry, very much like that of neighbouring Kerala. Seafood is popular among the people, though there are also many vegetarians in and around the town. Banana & Jack fruit plays a main role in the City.
Places of interest
CSI Home Church, Nagercoil, Nagaraja Temple, Suchindrum Temple, Kanyakumari, Poigai Dam, Udaygiri fort, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Beach. Krishnancoil, situated on the way to Trivandrum on NH-47, is named after a temple where the presiding deity is Lord Krishna in his childhood avatar. This temple is 1.5 km from the center of Nagercoil.
Thirparappu falls, Mathur water canal bridge, Ulakkai water falls, Muttom Beach are some of the other major attractions.
Culture and Traditional cuisine
Some of the widely celebrated festivals here are Pongal,which is celebrated for three days, Onam is another Festival widely celebrated among the Malayalam speaking population by drawing the `atha poo (flower decoration) in the floor,
It is home to the famous Nanjilnadu cuisine, which is one of the two famous Tamil cuisines, the other being the Chettinad Cuisine. This cuisine is known for its unique appetizing, savory and delicious Spiced Local Touch. These food traditions are believe to have been passed on through the Chera, Chola and Pandya kings, which was found in literary works like Bhojana Kudhoogalam (Ecstasy of Food), Baga Saastram (Art of Cooking), Tamizhar Uravu (Tamil Kinship), and Marattiar Seppedugal (Maratta Copper Plate Inscriptions). The Nanjinadu seafood cuisine is also having its unique flavour followed widely in the states of Tamil nadu and Kerala. Food prepared here is also a mix of Kerala/Tamil Nadu traditions. Puttu, Appam, Idiappam are popular food items and so are rice murukku, and achu-murukku. Curries here are made with coconut and coconut oil which is now considered Nanjil or Nagercoil style cooking. The modernisation and sophistication that has crept into the present lifestyle has not erased out most of the traditional food culture of the city. But an unique feature is that some traditional rare dishes are becoming endangered or are going extinct, due to the negligance of learning by the future generation. It enjoys a blend of Tamil and Keralite cuisine. Rice is the staple food. Fish is popular and forms a part of everyday meal for many. People generally prefer marine fish to fresh water fish.
The food is generally spicy with coconut an important ingredient in almost all side dishes and curry, very much like that of neighbouring Kerala. Seafood is popular among the people, though there are also many vegetarians in and around the town. Banana & Jack fruit plays a main role in the City.