Namagiripettai

Geography

Namagiripettai நாமகிரிப்பேட்டை is located at 10th kilometer from Rasipuram while travelling towards Attur on SH79 at foot hill of Kolli Hills , Map reference. It has an average elevation of 273 metres (895 feet).

History

Namagiripettai is town punchayat has historic market place for near by villagers , Namagiripettai got its name from (Namagiri+Pettai) meaning Namagiri is a form of Hindu goddess Lakshmi also called Namagiri Amman + Pettai (Tamil:பேட்டை(பெ): புறநகர்; நகரத்தருகிற் சந்தைகூடும் ஊர்ச்சார்பு; சந்தையூர்; பிரயாண வண்டி முதலியன தங்குமிடம்) meaning Market Place also called Santhai.

It is located at foot hill of kolli hills is famous for its Lord Shiva temple, said to have been constructed by King Valvil Ori in the 1st or 2nd century. It is believed that the temple possesses a secret path to the Arapallishwarar (Lord Shiva temple) at top of Kolli hills, which is famous for medicinal herbal plants and natural honey

The Kolli Hills are featured in several works of classical Tamil literature such as Silappathigaram, Manimekalai, Purananuru and Ainkurnuru. The region was ruled by Valvil Ori around 200 AD, who is praised as one of the seven great philanthropists of ancient Tamil Nadu. His valor and marksmanship are sung by several poets, and his exploits are a popular part of folklore. Ori is said to have killed a lion, bear, deer and a boar with a single arrow.

The jackfruit grown on these mountains is known for its taste and fragrance and is often soaked in wild honey that is also harvested from these mountains. The mountains are covered by lush green vegetation in the spring and monsoon, and are streaked with streams which add to the natural beauty. There are three reserved forests that are controlled by the Government of Tamil Nadu, namely Ariyur Solai, Kundur Nadu, Pulianjolai It is not correct to regard the name kolli hills as being due to the incidence of deadly diseases such as malaria!It is because early literature records the existence of an image called kollippavai on top of these hills.This image was believed to represent the spirit of a maiden who lured wayfarers by her beauty and then killed them. The mountain is a site of pilgrimage, because of the Arapaleeswarar temple, which is believed to have a secret path to the Shiva temple in Rasipuram. This Shiva temple is said to have been built by Valvil Ori in the 1st or 2nd century when he ruled this area. "Arappaleeswara sathakam" is the poem which praises the Lord Arappaleeswarar. It is believed that this temple exists during the Sangam period itself.

Economy

Namagiripettai is main Market place for near by Farmers/Villager to market their agriculture produces like Turmeric, Tapiaco, Sugar Cane, Paddy, Millets etc., from here we Supplies or Distributes all grown crop products to near by city Namakkal, Salem, Erode and also to Chennai, here we have every friday santhai for farmer to sell their grown fruits, vegetables and foods, also has number of sago factories for the production of sago foods, starch and than has some Exports business on all these products

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Namagiripettai had a population of 21,447. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Namagiripettai has an average literacy rate of 59%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 67%, and female literacy is 51%. In Namagiripettai, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education

Government Higher Secondary School, Namagiripettai, Greenworld Excel School(CBSE), Moolapallipatti, Sri Vani Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Thoppatty

Religious places

Namagiripettai has a number of Hindu temples.Sri Mariamman Temple, dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, has an annual festival Chithirai Ther Thiruvizha (தேர்) during the Tamizh month of Chithirai(April-May) as called mariamman festival, Sri Swami Perumal Temple, Thulukka Soodamani Ammam at R. Puduppatti is quite famous. The place was fertile with green fields. A farmer, while tilling the land found a place bleeding. He brought all the people and while digging the place, they found a swayambu deity. Mother spoke through one of Her devotees to build a temple for Her in the place. People did it. Later, they built a temple installing an idol of Mari Amman. People pray to Mari Amman for cure from all the diseases and those with vision problems in particular.The temple is opened from 7.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Notable people