Country India District Thanjavur PIN 613104 Elevation 64 m | State Tamil Nadu Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) Telephone code 91-4362 Population 12,567 (2001) | |
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Weather 33°C, Wind E at 11 km/h, 47% Humidity | ||
Thirukkattupalli (Ancient name: Melaithirukattupalli) is a small ancient agricultural town near Thiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. This place has a big Shiva temple called Theeyadiappar Temple, (also known as Agneeshwarar). This temple is referred to in ancient Tamil literature, and plays a part in the history of Chola dynasty. This place is 14 kilometres from Grand Anicut - an ancient dam and the oldest water-diversion structure in the world still in use. This is a central market town for several surrounding villages.
Contents
Demographics
As of 2001 India census"Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01. , Thirukkattupalli had a population of 12,567. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Thirukkattupalli has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 71%. In Thirukattupalli, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Rivers
This town is in the bank of the rivers Kaveri and Kodamurutti, both distributaries of the upstream Kaveri river. The Kodamurutti separates from Kaveri at Thirukkattupalli.
Shiva Temple
This Shivastalam is located on the Southern bank of the river Kudamurutti; and is located 8 km North of Budalur, near Thanjavur. Tiruppoonturutti is 11 km east of here. Melaitthirukkaattuppalli is considered to be the 9th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri.
Inscriptions from the period of Raja Raja I & other Chola Emperors and the Pandya and Vijayanagar periods are found here. This temple was part of an old fort captured by the British in 1771; it was recaptured by Hyder Ali in 1781.
This temple with 3 prakarams(outer courtyard) occupies an area of about an acre. The sanctum is located lower than the ground level.
Four worship services are offered each day, and the annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Pankuni.
Shiva: Theeyadiappar/Agneeswarar Ambal: Vaarkonda Mulaiyammai, Soundara Nayaki Vriksham: Vanni Theertham: Surya Theertham
This temple is currently under renovation.
Legend
Legend has it that one of the queens of a Chola monarch (of Uraiyur/Tiruchirappalli) was a devotee of Shiva, and when Uraiyur got submerged in a sandstorm, she managed to find solace in Thirukkattuppalli (here) where Shiva blessed and relieved her of the scorching heat which ravaged the region.
Schools
There is an old higher secondary school named Sir Sivaswamy Ayyar Higher Secondary School in the town which is celebrating its 100th year. There is other school which teach in English medium named Rev. Fr. Lourdu Xavier Matric. Hr. Sec. School, and also there is a Government high school.
Railway Station
The nearest railway station is in Budalur, about 8 kilometres from the town.
Airport
The nearest airport is in Trichy.
Keelaithirukkattupalli
There is another place which is also called as Thirukkattupalli. This is located adjacent to Poompuhaar and Tiruvenkaadu is known as Keezhtirukkaattuppalli to distinguish it from Melaithirukkaattuppalli. Keezhaittirukkaattuppalli is considered to be the 12th in the series of Tevara Stalangal on the northern banks of the river Kaveri in the Chola region of Tamil Nadu...