Virudhachalam

Etymology

The name Vriddhachalam is obtained from two Sanskrit words - vriddham which means "old" and achalam which means "mountain". Similarly it has a name as Pazhamalai, pure tamil. As per geography the oldest mountain is under ground at Vriddhachalam. Evidence is NLC India LTD,(formerly Neyveli Lignite Corporation),which operates the largest open cast Lignite mines in India.

Geography

Vriddhachalam is located at 11.50°N 79.33°E / 11.50; 79.33. It has an average elevation of45 m (148 ft).

Demographics

According to the 2011 census, Virudhachalam had a population of 73,585 with a sex ratio of 985 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929. A total of 7,735 were under the age of six, constituting 4,041 males and 3,694 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 16.76% and .44% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the town was 77.57%, compared to the national average of 72.99%. The town had a total of 18209 households. There were a total of 26,153 workers, comprising 609 cultivators, 2,257 main agricultural labourers, 644 in house hold industries, 18,988 other workers, 3,655 marginal workers, 77 marginal cultivators, 409 marginal agricultural labourers, 245 marginal workers in household industries and 2,924 other marginal workers. As per the religious census of 2011, Virudhachalam had 85.72% Hindus, 10.78% Muslims, 3.23% Christians, 0.06% Sikhs, 0.01% Buddhists, 0.07% Jains, 0.13% following other religions and 0.01% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.

Places of interest

This is one of the oldest towns in Cuddalore district. The ancient Lord Siva temple (Pazhamalai Nadhar Temple) is located in the heart of town. The temple was constructed by one of the chola empires. It has five big towers - one in the middle, the remaining representing the four directions. The famous Kolanjiappar Temple is located 3 km away from the town. Both of them are located near Cuddalore - Salem highway in Virudhachalam. Vriddhachalam Railway junction is one of the most important railway junctions which connects Chennai - Madurai line to Salem, Cuddalore and Pudhucherry. Vriddhachalam is famous for its ceramic industry. The industry with an industrial estate which only consists of the ceramic and refractory manufactures is exclusive in Vriddhachalam. Ceramic industrial estate is situated only at Vriddhachalam in the whole Tamil Nadu. A polytechnic college especially for ceramic technology is also situated only in Vriddhachalam for the whole Tamil Nadu. A special research center for the research of cashew and byproducts is situated in Vriddhachalam.

Virudhagireeshwarar Temple @ Pazhamalai Nadhar Temple

This is the 41st Devaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 9th sthalam in Nadu Naadu. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Iraivan: Virutha gireeswarar, Pazhamalai Nathar

Iraivan: Viruthambigai, Periya Nayagi, Balambigai

Some of the important features of this temple:

Politics

MLA of Vriddhachalam assembly constituency is V.T. Kalaiselvan. During the 2009 general elections, Virudhachalam was a part of Cuddalore (Lok Sabha constituency) that had the following six assembly segments. Tittakudi (SC), Vridhachalam, Neyveli, Cuddalore, Panruti and Kurinjipadi. Before 2009, Cuddalore (Lok Sabha constituency) composed of the following assembly segments:Ulundurpet (SC), Nellikkuppam, Cuddalore, Panruti, Rishivandinam and Sankarapuram. The Lok Sabha seat has been held by the Indian National Congress for eight terms during 1951–56, 1971–77, 1977–80. 1980–84, 1984–1989, 1989–91, 1991–96, and 2009–present, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for four times during 1962–1967, 1967–71, 1999-04, and 2004–09, Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam once during 1998–99, Tamil Maanila Congress once during 1996-2001 and an independent during 1957–62, The current Member of Parliament from the constituency is A. Arunmozhithevan from AIADMK. Vriddhachalam Constituency is the place where Vijaykanth the leader of DMDK become MLA for the first time. G. Bhuvaraghan of INC was MLC of Vriddhachalam at the period of 1962 to 1971 who have developed town with the current advantages like bridges, government schools for boys and girls, government arts college, Government Printing Press Etc., Vriddhachalam is a first grade municipality with 34 municipal wards and 34 municipal councillors. The current chairman of the municipality is Mr. Arulazhagan M.A who was elected in the by-election after the demise of Mr. Ranganathan municipal chairman and Ex MLA, Vriddhachalam LA.