Madurai Meenakshi Amman Kovil Chithirai Thiruvila Festival 2009 News & Photos
காணக் கிடைக்காத காட்சி இன்று மட்டுமே: மீனாட்சியம்மன் சித்திரை திருவிழாவின் கடைசி நாளான இன்று, நமது அன்னை மீனாட்சியும், தந்தை சுந்தரேஸ்வரரும் வெள்ளி ரிஷப வாகனத்தில் பவனி வருகின்றனர்.
சித்திரை திருவிழாவில் ரிஷபத்திற்கு மட்டும் இரண்டு நாள் இறைவனைச் சுமக்கும் பாக்கியம் கிடைக்கிறது. ஆறாம் திருவிழாவிலும் ரிஷபமே பவனி வந்தது. எதைத் தவற விட்டாலும், ரிஷப வாகன தரிசனத்தை மட்டும் விடவே கூடாது. ஆறாம் திருநாளில் தவற விட்டவர்கள் இன்று அவசியம் தரிசித்து விடுங்கள். அந்தளவுக்கு புண்ணியமான தரிசனம் இது.
ரிஷபம் என்னும் காளை தர்மத்தின் சின்னமாகும். இதன் கட்டான உடல் நமக்கு திட மனது வேண்டும் என்பதையும், கால்கள், எவ்வளவு சுமை இருந்தாலும் அதைத் தாங்கும் தன்னம்பிக்கை வேண்டும் என்பதையும், காதுகள் இறைவனின் திருநாமத்தை மட்டுமே கேட்க வேண்டும் என்பதையும், கண்கள் நல்லதையே பார்க்க வேண்டும் என்பதையும், ஆடும் வால், தீயவற்றை ஒதுக்க வேண்டும் என்பதையும், கழுத்தில் கட்டப்பட்ட கிண்கிணி மணிகள், இறைவனை மந்திரம் சொல்லி வழிபடுவதையும் குறிக்கின்றன.
ரிஷபத்தை "அற விடை' என்பர். "அறம்' என்றால் "தானதர்மம்' மட்டுமல்ல. தர்மம் தவறாமல் வாழ வேண்டும் என்பதையும் குறிக்கிறது. தர்மம் தவறாமல் வாழ்பவரே புண்ணியத்தை அடைவதற்கு தகுதியு டையவர். அதனால் தான் தர்மமே இறைவனை சுமந்து வருவதாகச் சொல்வர். மற்ற தரிசனங்கள் எல்லாருக்கும் கிடைக்கும். ஆனால், ரிஷப தரிசனம் மட்டும் ஏதோ ஒரு பிறவியில் புண்ணியம் செய்திருந்தால் மட்டுமே கிடைக்கும். ரிஷப வாகனத்தில் பவனிவரும் சுவாமியை தரிசித்தால், இவ்வுலகில் என் னென்ன தான தர்மங்கள் உண்டோ, அத்தனையும் செய்த புண்ணியமும் கிடைக்கும்.
இந்த புண்ணியத்தை, தனது அடியார்களுக்கு வழங்குவதற்காகவே சுவாமியும், அம்பாளும் ரிஷப வாகனத்தில் எழுந்தருளுகின்றனர். இந்த அரிய சந்தர்ப்பத்தை நாம் நழுவ விடக்கூடாது. மீனாட்சியம்மைக்கு வைகையின் தென்கரையில் விழா எடுத்து அவளது அருளைப் பெற்று மகிழ்ந்த நாம், சுந்தரராஜப் பெருமாளாகிய அழகரை எதிர்கொண்டு அழைக்க நாளை வடகரைக்குச் செல்வோம்.
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Kovil Chithirai Thiruvila Festival 2009 News & Photos
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam 2009 Photos Madurai Chithirai Festival Pictures Images, Videos, Wallpapers
Posted by Vinoth Kannan S in 2009, Latest News, Meenakshi Amman Kovil, Meenakshi Temple, Photos, Thirukalyanam, Videos, WallPapers
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam 2009 Photos Madurai Chithirai Festival Pictures Images, Videos, Wallpapers
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam 2009 Photos Madurai Chithirai Festival Pictures Images, Videos, Wallpapers
Money for the votes - Election 2009 Latest News Tamilnadu Madurai - ஓட்டுக்குப்பணம் - தேர்தல் ஸ்பெசல் சிறுகதை
Posted by Vinoth Kannan S in DMK Tokens to Bribe Votes, Election 2009, Lastest News, Madurai, Money Votes, Tamil Nadu

'' அடேய் நீங்கள்ல்லாம் நல்லா இருப்பீங்களா! இப்படி வீட்டுக்கு வீடு கவர்ல காசு வச்சு குடுத்து ஓட்டு வாங்கறீங்களே , உங்களையெல்லாம் தட்டிக்கேட்க யாருமே இல்லைனு நினைச்சீங்களா.. இருங்கடா உங்களையெல்லாம் தட்டிக்கேட்க ஒருத்தன் வருவான்டா! ''
எப்போதும் திண்ணையில் அமர்ந்து கொண்டு தினதந்தி படிக்கும் பெரியவர் அவர். தமிழ் சினிமாவில் ரவுடிகளை தட்டிக்கேட்கும் அப்பாவிகளை ஒத்தவர். பெயர் கோதண்ட ராமன். இன்று அளவுக்கதிகமான கோபத்தோடு கத்திக்கொண்டிருந்தார் . இரண்டு நாட்களாகத்தான் இந்த கோபம்.ஓட்டுக்கு பணம் என்று அசுரவேகத்தில் செயலாற்றிக்கொண்டிருந்தன அந்த ஊரில் போட்டியிடும் இரண்டு பிரதான கட்சிகளும் . அதுவும் அவரது தெருவில் கண்ணெதிரே நடப்பதை பார்த்து மிகவும் மனவருத்தத்தில் இருந்தார் அவர்.
பாமதேக கட்சியின் உறுப்பினர்கள் கையில் கத்தைகத்தையாய் கவருடன் தெனாவெட்டாய் நின்றபடிப் பார்த்துக்கொண்டிருந்தனர்.
''என்ன பெரிசு உடம்பு எப்படி இருக்கு ''
''எனக்கு என்னடா என்பத்தஞ்சு வயசிலயும் கல்லுமாதிரிதான் இருக்கு.. உன்னைத்தான் தான் கொல்லைல கொண்டு போகப்போகுது.. பார்த்திட்டே இருங்க.. எல்லாத்தையும் கடவுள் பார்த்துட்டுத்தாண்டா இருக்கான்''
''யோவ் போயா வென்று , ஓவரா பேசின கைய கால வாங்கிருவோம் ஓடிப்போயிரு ''
சுற்றி பொது மக்கள் வேடிக்கை பார்த்துக்கொண்டிருக்க , தொண்டர் ஒருவன் ''இன்னாமாமா இவன்கிட்ட போய் வாய்லபேசிட்டு '' அவரது சட்டையை பிடித்து அடிக்க பாய்கிறான்.
''மாமா விட்றா..பெரிசுக்கு வேற வேலை இல்ல.. ரெண்டு அடி வச்சா செத்துரும்.. இன்னா பெரிசு பாத்தல்ல பசங்கள ம்னாலே ஆளயே தூக்கிருவானுங்க எப்படியும் ரெண்டு வருஷத்தில செத்துருவ இன்னாத்துக்கு இப்படி அலம்பல் பண்ற மூடிக்கிட்டு பேப்பர் படிச்சிட்டு வீட்டில பில்டர் காபி தருவாங்க அத குடிச்சிட்டு கம்முனு கிடக்கறதுதானே''
''டேய் நீங்கல்லாம் நல்லா இருப்பீங்களா.. விடமாட்டேன்டா நீங்க பணம் குடுத்து ஓட்டு சேக்கறத விடமாட்டேன்டா! இது நான் சுதந்திரம் வாங்கி குடுத்த நாடுடா! ''
''நாங்க இந்த வாட்டியும் ஜெயிச்சு நல்லாத்தான் இருப்போம்.. நீ பொத்திகிட்டு கிட.. ஓவரா பேசினா வாய கிழிச்சிருவோம்!''
தன்னால் ஏதும் செய்ய இயலாத நிலையை நினைத்து கவலையாய் திண்ணையில் வந்து தேமேவென அமர்ந்து கொண்டார்.
பிச்சைக்காரர்கள் போல கட்சித்தொண்டர்கள் ஒரு ஒரு வீடாய் போய் தங்கள் கட்சிக்கு வாக்களிக்குமாறு கவர் கொடுத்து அவரவர் குலதெய்வங்களிடம் சத்தியம் வாங்கிக்கொண்டிருந்தனர். சிலரிடம் வெற்றிலைப்பாக்கிலும் சிலரிடம் பாலிலும் சிலரிடம் கற்பூரம் அடித்தும் சத்தியம் வாங்கிக்கொண்டிருந்தனர். சத்தியமான ஓட்டுக்கள்.
கோதண்டராமனுக்கு வயிறு பற்றிக்கொண்டு வந்தது. கஷ்டப்பட்டு வாங்கித்தந்த சுதந்திரம் இப்படி கவருக்குள் போகிறதே என்று.
முடிவெடுத்துவிட வேண்டியதுதான். இதற்கு மேலும் காத்திருந்தால் நாட்டையே குட்டிசுவராக்கி விடுவார்கள் என்று தனக்குத்தானே பேசிக்கொண்டிருந்தார்.
விடிந்ததும் முதல் வேலையாக போலீஸை பார்க்க வேண்டும் , அவர்களிடம் ஒரு புகார் கைப்பட எழுதித்தர வேண்டும்... இல்லை இல்லை அவர்களும் லஞ்சம் வாங்கிக்கொண்டு விட்டுவிட வாய்ப்பிருக்கிறது. பேசாமல் தேர்தல் கமிஷனுக்கு தந்தி கொடுத்துவிட வேண்டியதுதான்.. இல்லாவிட்டால் கலெக்டரிடம் பேசலாமா! .. ஐ.ஜி.. தாசில்தார்.. பஞ்சாயத்து போர்டு தலைவர் .. யாரிடம் இவர்களை குறித்து புகார் செய்வது.. யாரிடம் சொன்னால் வேலை நடக்கும்.. ஆயிரம் ஆயிரம் குழப்பங்களுடன் தூங்கிப் போனார்.
விடிந்தது..
''டேய் மாமா என்னடா இந்தாளு வீடு இப்படி கிடக்கு.. ''
'' தெரிலயே மாமா ''
''இன்னாடா கிழவன் என்னானான் ''
கோதண்டராமனின் பேரன்கள் இருபுறமும் கைத்தாங்கலாக அவரை தூக்கி கொண்டு வெளியே வந்தனர். உயிர் இருந்தது. ஆனால் உடலெங்கும் அடி . முகமெல்லாம் வீங்கி இருந்தது. சட்டையெல்லாம் கிழக்கப்பட்டிருந்ததது.
''இன்னா மாமா கிழவன்னு கூட பாக்காம அடிச்சிருக்கானுங்க.. '' தொண்டன் ஆச்சர்யமாய் கேட்டான்.
''நம்மாளுங்க அடிக்கலயே.. அட்சிருந்தாலும் சொல்ருப்பானுங்க .. யாரா இருக்கும் மச்சி பாக்கவே பாவமா இருக்குடா.. எவன்டா இந்தாள இந்த அடி அடிச்சது.. நம்ம முத்துவுக்கு போன் போடு அவன்தான் நேத்திக்கு ரொம்ப டென்சனான்''
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அடுத்த நாள் தினப்பத்திரிக்கையில் கொட்டை எழுத்துக்களில் தலைப்புச் செய்தி.
சுதந்திர போராட்ட வீரர் மீது கொலை வெறி தாக்குதலில் ஈடுபட்ட பொது மக்கள். முன் விரோதம் காரணமா?
டீக்கடையில் இந்த செய்தியை படிக்கும் ஒருவர்.
'' கிழவனுக்கு வேணும்யா.. அவன் கட்சி அவன் கொள்ளையடிச்ச காச மக்களுக்கு குடுக்கறான்.. இவனுக்கு இன்னா வந்துச்சு.. இவன் இன்னாத்துக்கு குடுக்காதனு நடுவுல நிக்கறான்.. எனக்கு வேற மூணு நாளாச்சு இன்னும் கவரு வரல.. போய் ஒரு எட்டு கட்சி ஆபீஸாண்ட பாத்துட்டு வந்துடறேன்.. ''
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Madurai Meenakshi Chithirai Brahmotsavam Festival, Chithirai Brahmotsavam Images, Photos, Wallpapers, News, Free Download
Posted by Vinoth Kannan S in Chithirai Festival, Free Downloads, Images, Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Kovil, Meenakshi Temple, Photos, Thirukalyanam, WallPapers

Chithirai Brahmotsavam Festival or the Chithirai Festival is the 12 days annual festival celebrated at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple at Madurai or more popularly Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple in Tamil Nadu. Chithirai Festival or Chitra Festival is celebrated every year on the Tamil month of Chithirai or Chitirai (April – May). In 2009, the Chithirai Brahmotsavam Festival starts on 26th April 2009 and the festival will conclude on 7th May 2009.
The major highlight of the Chithirai Brahmotsavam Festival is the “Meenakshi Thirukalyanam” or celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar on the tenth day of the festival. In 2009, the Meenakshi Thirukkalyanam is celebrated on 5th May 2009.
Here is the detailed Festival Calendar for Chithirai Festival 2009 at Madurai Meenakshi Temple
3rd May 2009 - Goddess Meenakshi Pattabhishekam or coronation of Goddess Meenakshi Amman
4th May 2009 - Annai Meenakshi Thikku Vijayam (procession of Goddess Meenakshi)
5th May 2009 - Meenakshi Thirukkalyanam (celestial wedding or Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi Amman)
6th May 2009 - Therottam or Car Festival
7th May 2009 - Theertha Festival or Theerthavari – Chithirai Festival concludes
One of the highlight of the Chithirai Festival is the procession of Lord 'Kallazhagar' or Lord Vishnu, the brother of Goddess Meenakshi, who proceeds from Azhagarmalai to Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple to give away his sister in marriage to Lord Sundareshwar. The procession of Lord Kallazhagar on gleaming real-gold horse chariot starts from the Azhagar Hills, around 30 km from Madurai, to Madurai Meenakshi Temple. The 'Kallazhagar' entering the river Vaigai is a beautiful sight to witness.
Therottam or Car Festival is celebrated on the 11th day of the festival. The Chithirai Festival at Madurai Meenakshi Temple concludes on the 12th day, celebrating Theerthavari or Theertha Festival. On this day Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi takes procession on the four Masi streets in the morning and evening.
Madurai Election 2009 Latest News DMK announces poll line-up, fields Azhagiri from Madurai
Posted by Vinoth Kannan S in Election 2009, Madurai, Madurai Arasial, Madurai DMK, Madurai Politics, Tamil Nadu
Lok Sabha Elections 2009 - Providing uptodate coverage of general elections 2009, general election, india general election, lok sabha election 2009, india's general election, indian lok sabha elections, general elections in india, general election 2009 in india, india 2009 election, indian parliament election, daily news update, polling dates, views, features, comments and news analysis, discussion boards, opinion polls and glimpses of 09 elections in india
DMK announces poll line-up, fields Azhagiri from Madurai
Chennai: The ruling DMK Sunday announced candidates for 21 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's elder son M K Azhagiri has been fielded from the Madurai seat.
The list also includes union ministers T R Balu, A Raja and S S Palani Manickam from Sriperumbudur, Nilgiris and Thanjavur seats respectively, and former union minister Dayanidhi Maran from the Central Chennai seat. Dayanidhi Maran is Karunanidhi's grand nephew.
State Minister for Local Administration and Karunanidhi's younger son M K Stalin said that over half the candidates are new faces.
"As promised by our leader Kalaignar (Karunanidhi), more than 50 percent of the candidates are new faces. Our campaign strategy and introduction of candidates will follow shortly," Stalin said.
The list also names candidate for the Kanyakumari constituency indicating that demands from the Congress have been rejected by the DMK leadership. The DMK is in an electoral alliance with the Congress and VCK. The party will field candidates on 21 of the state' 39 seats. Meanwhile, the main opposition AIADMK chief Jayalalitha met over 3,000 candidates in her party headquarters Saturday and conducted short interviews. DMK chief Karunanidhi and other party leaders had met 540 prospective candidates for three days before announcing the list.
Madurai Chithirai Festival (Thiruvila) 2009 Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple (Kovil). Images, Wallpapers, News
Posted by Vinoth Kannan S in 2009, Chithirai Festival, Chithirai Thruvila, Images, Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Kovil, Meenakshi Temple, News, Videos, WallPapers
The much awaited Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple Chithirai Brahmotsavam Festival start today. Chitra Festival is the world famous festival in South India. This festival indicates the cooperation of Saivism (religion depict to Lord Shiva) and Vaishnavism (religion depict to Lord Vishnu). In tamil, we say சித்திரை பெருவிழா (Chithirai Peruvizha), சித்திரை திருவிழா (Chithirai Thiruvizha), etc. On this occasion, Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi would take procession on four masi streets both morning and evening.
Chitra Festival Agenda:
26.04.2009 - Flag hosting and Start of the Festival
03.05.2009 - Goddess Meenakshi Pattabhishekam
04.05.2009 - Annai Meenakshi Thikku Vijayam
05.05.2009 - Celestial Wedding of Lord Sundareswarar With Meenakshi (Meenakshi Thirukkalyanam)
06.05.2009 - Car (Chariot) Festival, Therottam, Thiruther
07.05.2009 - Theerthavari, Festival Ending
08.05.2009 - Arulmigu Kallazhagar Edhir sevai
09.05.2009 - Arulmigu Kallazhagar at Vaigai River in Golden Horse
This stunning spectacle is a street procession at the Chithira Festival in Madurai. The 10 day festival is one of the biggest celebrations in the city. It commemorates the wedding of Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi (Lord Vishnu's sister).
Legend has it that Lord Vishnu came to Madurai, mounted on a golden horse, to witness the wedding. The festival recreates this event. This year it is being held from April 26 to May 7, at the Meenakshi Temple.
Chithirai festival, or Chitra festival, is one of the most important annual festivals held at the world famous
The Chithirai festival begins with flag hoisting ceremony.
The most important rituals associated with the festival are
- the coronation of Meenakshi Amman on the eighth day,
- procession of Goddess Meenakshi on the ninth day,
- Thirukalyanam or celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar on the tenth day,
- the car festival on the 11th day and
- the Theertha festival is celebrated on the 12th day with the Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi going round Masi streets and blessing the devotees.
Maha Kumbabishekam Meenakshi Amman Kovil Madurai Latest Pictures, Videos and Wallpapers 2009 Free Download
Posted by Vinoth Kannan S in 2009, Free Downloads, Images, Madurai, Maha Kumbabishekam, Meenakshi Amman Kovil, Meenakshi Temple, Pictures, Videos, WallPapers
The Maha Kumbabishekam and Maha Samprokshanam of the temple is going to be held on Wednesday, April 08, 2009. A special Yagasala has been arranged at Aadi street of the temple. Around 12 crores have been said to have been spent on the renovation and the work will continue. The temple glitters in all its grandeur and the event is nothing short of spectacular.
DMK ‘tokens’ in Madurai to bribe voters
Posted by Vinoth Kannan S in DMK Tokens to Bribe Votes, Madurai, Madurai Arasial, Madurai DMK, Madurai Politics, Politics
MADURAI: The DMK unit here is reportedly adopting a new technique to bribe voters. It is scientific. And it is done through tokens. It is perhaps a foolproof method to ensure that the money is not pilfered. The matter came to light when a DMK functionary, engaged in distributing tokens, unknowingly issued tokens to some media persons. Here’s how the system allegedly works: party workers visit each house in each street and understand the pulse of the voters. They thus create a comprehensive database of each street. The database includes the names of the voters, caste, political inclination and demands, if any. After completing the survey, they distribute a copy of the party candidate M K Azhagiri’s manifesto to each voter. The manifesto contains a unique serial number, name and address of the voter. This is the token. The activist who distributes the token makes an entry in the master list of the people who have received them. The token is distributed to all voters, cutting across party lines. Each voter is then told to visit the party office at a specified time to collect his share of the money for the vote. One of the local DMK functionaries was reportedly seen distributing money in Cholai Azhagupuram. He was heard telling the voters there that they had planned to give away up to Rs 2,000 per vote.Another local DMK functionary, who was seen distributing these tokens, told the voters that they had introduced the token system as the party had been receiving complaints that the money did not reach a few voters in the same street but was promptly delivered to the house next door. He said that people took money when offered and later commented that taking money did not bind them to exercise their vote only to the ‘rising sun’. When asked why this system was introduced, he said it would not only facilitate prompt distribution of money but could also track the areas that had neglected ‘Anja Nenjar’ by exercising their vote for another party
Flights From Madurai Airport - Departure Flight Schedule
Posted by Vinoth Kannan S in Airline, Airpot, Flights, Kingfisher, List, Madurai, Paramount Airways, Schedule
Flights From Madurai Airport - Departure Flight Schedule
| Destination | Flight | Rating | Airline | Scheduled | Gate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAA Chennai | IT 4914 | Kingfisher | 7:55 AM | Scheduled | ||
| MAA Chennai | IT 4914 | Kingfisher | 7:55 AM | Scheduled | ||
| MAA Chennai | I7 402 | Paramount Airways | 8:00 AM | Scheduled | ||
| MAA Chennai | 9W 3522 | Jet Airways (India) | 8:40 AM | Scheduled | ||
| MAA Chennai | IC 672 | Indian Airlines | 1:40 PM | Scheduled | ||
| MAA Chennai | AI 9672 | Air India | 1:40 PM | Scheduled | ||
| MAA Chennai | I7 404 | Paramount Airways | 2:00 PM | Scheduled | ||
| MAA Chennai | I7 480 | Paramount Airways | 5:45 PM | Scheduled | ||
| MAA Chennai | IT 4924 | Kingfisher | 7:40 PM | Scheduled | ||
| MAA Chennai | IT 4924 | Kingfisher | 7:40 PM | Scheduled | ||
| MAA Chennai | I7 458 | Paramount Airways | 8:35 PM |
Madurai From Flight Number GATE Entrances Madurai has only one Departure Gate, so passenger doesn't need to panic. All the visitors will be stopped outside the departure GATE. Some airlines like Paramount have attendees who can unload your luggage from the car take it to the check in counter from Departure entrance. The service absolutely free, you don't need to pay anything. No visitor will be allowed after the departure entrance. You can pay Rs 500/= and get into Departure visitor lounge. And stay with your loveable until the security check has been called off.
Kodai Kanal Best Tourist Place in Madurai Tamil Nadu India - Reviews & Photos - From Wikipedia
Posted by Vinoth Kannan S in Best Place, India, Kodai Kanal, KodaiKanal, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Tour, Tourist, Tourist Places
Coordinates: Kodaikanal was established in 1845 as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains. [3] Much of the local economy is based on the Hospitality industryserving tourism. It is not known who first used this name or what they intended it to mean.The word Kodaikanal is formed from the two Tamil words Kodai and Kanal. Kanal Kanal means seeing. By pronouncing with short Tamil o as Kodi, means Summer. Thus, Kodai Kanal means it is as good as getting water in desert for summer heat .[4] Another Tamil word for creepers is Valli, the honey collecting daughter of the chief of the Veddas mountain tribe. The chief and his wife prayed to the Mountain God for a girl-child and their prayers were answered when the chief found a new-born girl child during a hunting expedition. As she was found among creeper plants, they named the child Valli and she grew up as princess of the tribe in Kurinji and became the consort of lord Murugan. [5]The romantic traditions of Murugan in Sangam literature are thus associated with the name Kodaikanal. The Forest of Creepers was the English language meaning given in 1885 during the early western habitation of the place,[6] and is still accepted. [7] The earliest residents of Kodaikanal were the Palaiyar tribal people. The earliest specific references to Kodaikanal and the Palani Hills are found in Tamil Sangam literature of the early Christian era.[8] Modern Kodaikanal was established by American Christian missionaries andBritish bureaucrats in 1845, as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of theplains. [9] In the 20th century a few elite Indians came to realise the value of this enchanting hill station and started relocating here.[10] Tourism has been impacted by industrial pollution issues including the closure of a mercury factory owned by Unilever's Indian subsidiary Hindustan Unilever after evidence of widespread mercury pollution.[11] To date no proper clean-up operation has been mounted. The town of Kodaikanal sits on a plateau above the southern escarpment of the upper Palni Hills at 2,133 meters (6,998 ft), between the Parappar and Gundar Valleys. These hills form the eastward spur of the Western Ghats on the Western side of South India. It has an irregular basin as its heartland, the centre of which is now Kodaikanal Lake a 5 kilometers (3 mi) circumference manmade lake. Meadows and grasslands cover the hillsides. Gigantic Eucalyptus trees and shola forests flourish in the valleys. Mighty rocks and cascading streams. rise up from the valleys. There are many high waterfalls and ubiquitous gardens and flower beds in bloom.[10] Neighbouring villages & towns North of the town, high hills that slope down into the villages of Pallangi and Vilpatti stand guard. On the east the hill slopes less abruptly into the lower Palnis. A precipitous escarpment facing the Cumbum Valley is on the south. On the west is a plateau leading to Manjampatti Valley, Indira Gandhi National Park, theAnamalai Hills and the main body of the Western Ghats. The economy of Kodaikanal is predominantly run by tourism.[12] The town's infrastructure changes every year in preparation for the peak tourist season. Major roads are converted into one-way lanes to regulate the constant inflow of traffic and special police are brought in for the safety of the tourists and protection of local businesses. Hotels are often fully booked during the high season, and remain virtually empty during the off-season. Due to the rapid development of nearby cities such as Madurai and Coimbatore, the town is starting to enjoy year-round tourism. There are at least 50 hotels catering to all categories of tourists[13] and over 30 south & north Indian, continental, western and Chinese restaurants, and many more small eateries and tea stalls. There are at least six retail bank branches and five automated teller machines (ATM) in Kodaikanal. The Bank of India has a branch and ATM at S.G.J Thangadurai Building, Anna Salai. The Canara Bank has a branch and ATM at CLS book shop complex, Anna Salai. The Central Bank of India branch is at M M Street, Law's Ghat Road, Perumalmalai. The Indian Bank has a branch and ATM at Anna Salai. The State Bank of Indiahas a branch at Anna Salai and also has an ATM on Lake Road, outside Kodaikanal International School [14]. The Union Bank of India has a branch at Naidupuram and also has an ATM on the 1st Floor of Municipal Shopping Complex opposite the Old Bus Stand, Anna Salai.[15], [16] The Kodaikanal Co-operative Land Development Bank, The Kodaikanal Co-operative Urban Bank at Anna Salai and the Madurai District Central Co-operative Bank at Post Office Road offer only local Commercial banking services.[17] There is an excellent bazaar where residents, local villagers and tourists come buy woollen clothing, flowers, fresh grocery, meat, handicrafts, hot snacks, cheap toys, medicinal herbs and oils, hardware, dry goods and cooking fuels. The cosmopolitan nature of Kodai is evident on Anna Salai, the main business street, where it is common to see local villagers, European and American students and backpackers, foreign retirees and families from other parts of India, all mixed together in their common activity of shopping. Plums, pears, chillies, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, garlic and onions are cultivated by terrace farmers in surrounding villages.[18] Most are trucked to other parts of India and some are sold in the local market. Popular tourist souvenirs include handicrafts, home-made chocolates, postcards and Eucalyptus oil. [19] The two major medical facilities are the Van Allen Hospital and the Government Hospital. These hospitals treat patients with common ailments and injuries and perform child delivery and care, but are not equipped with modern medical equipment for complicated diagnoses and surgeries. In April 1915, Dr.Van Allen raised funds to construct the first unit of the hospital at the entrance of Coaker's walk. It was named after him. Facilities got updated from time to time and now it has X-ray machine, well equipped pathological lab, and operation theatre with blood transfusion facilities. It's working Hours are Monday to Friday : 9.30 to 11.30 a.m, 2.30 to 4.30 p.m, Saturday : 9.30 to 11.30 a.m. Government Hospital is situated on the hillside near Rock cottage on lower shola road. It was a small municipal hospital until 1927. Now it has X-ray, Dental, Maternity ward and other facilities.[20] Air and water-borne mercury emissions have contaminated large areas of Kodaikanal and surrounding forests. A study conducted by the Department of Atomic Energy confirmed that Kodaikanal Lake has been contaminated by mercury emissions.[21], [22] Kodaikanal is renowned for the Kodaikanal International School and the Kodaikanal Public School [23] The other schools are: St. Peters Matriculation Higher Secondary School [24], Zion Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Bhavan's Gandhi Vidyashram, Brindavan Matric Higher secondary School, St. Joseph's Public School , St. Xavier's High School and St. John's Girls Higher Secondary School. The two colleges here are Kodaikanal Christian College and Sacred Heart College. Mother Theresas University is distinctive as India's only university devoted to exclusively women's issues.[25] [26] [27] Recently a new engineering college specializing in Information Technology, Kodaikanal Institute of Technology under Anna University, has been established 22 kilometers (14 mi) below Kodaikanal town. It has a 25 acres(10.1 ha) Wireless networked campus including of state-of-art Laboratories, Digital Library & Learning Management System, 24/7 high-speed 8 Mbit/s Internet facility and a Hostel.[28] Since Kodaikanal was founded by the American and European Missionaries, Christian churches are abundant in Kodaikanal. They include Church of South India - opposite Bryant Park, Gorapur, Lake End, La Salette, Lutheran Mission, Sacred Heart - Munjikal, Saint Antony’s - Antonyar Kovil street, Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Joseph's, Saint Mary's and Saint Peter’s - Cockers Walk road. Amongst the most popular is Union Church with a large Tamil congregation and Margaret Eddy Memorial Chapel at Kodai International School with lively services in a typically American style and distinctive stone architecture. There are many Hindu Temples in Kodaikanal including the Durgai Amman Kovil, Kurinji Andavar Kovil,Mariamman Kovil, Observatory Murugan Kovil and Vinayagar Kovil. The Muslim mosques are Ellis Villa and Munjikal. There is an active community of Tibetan Buddhist refugees. Kodaikanal has several clubs and civil society organizations operating for social, charitable and environmental goals. Established clubs in Kodaikanal are the Kodaikanal Lions Club (est. 1985) under the jurisdiction of Lions Clubs International (district 324B); Kodaikanal Boat Club (est. 1890) with nearly 650 permanent members;Kodaikanal Golf Club (est. 1895) with over 600 members and an 18 hole golf course, spread over 143 acres (0.58 km2); and The Indian Club (est. 1915) on Poet Thyagarajar road.[29] In 1890, the Kodaikanal Missionary Union (KMU) was formed to enable missionaries of the various demominations to come together for recreation and to develop mission strategy and outreach in cooperation with each other. In 1923 it built an Edwardian style clubhouse with large central hall for social events and afternoon teas, 6 tennis courts, a reading room, and other spaces for meetings.[30] With the decline of missionary activity in India, the KMU was wound up in the 1980s, and the property was turned over to Kodaikanal International School. The KMU library with many valuable old books besides newer materials, is still functioning in one room, and provides something of a social venue. The valuable original KMU archives materials have been incorporated into the archives of the school, which has hired an archivist and is in process of converting the whole original KMU building into an archives and display center for the school and the community.[31] (2008) Kodaikanal has several Social service societies which promote local trade and increase employment of rural villagers in the town's periphery by participating in its tourism fueled growth. These include the Kodaikanal People Development Group (KOPDEG) which has been successful in providing employment for marginalized women and marketing their products. The Made-in-India tagged products from Kopedeg are unique to Kodaikanal and are targeted at foreign tourists who regularly buy them as souvenirs.[32] The Cottage Crafts Shop at Anna Salai, is run by the voluntary organisation, Coordinating Council for Social Concerns in Kodai (CORSOK). They sell goods crafted by development groups and uses the commission charged to help the needy.[19] In 1994 the "Potter's Shed" was inaugurated. This pottery and craft Shop in Kodaikanal has made and sold hundreds of thousands of fine pieces of locally made pottery. All profits from this business are contributed to the Bethania Kids, Center For Children with Disabilities.[33] The Kodaikanal Lake Protection Council and Vattakkanal Organization for Youth, Community and Environment (VOYCE) are active in preserving Kodaikanal's environment. Plastic bags are banned and almost all shops and roadside vendors heed the rule and use recycled paper bags in fear of a social reprisal. Local hotels have also participated in improving the environment by placing garbage cans all across the town, with their prominent donated by signs acting as silent salesmen.[34] Kodaikanal has several scenic natural attractions which are enjoyed by its visitors and make it a popular romantic destination for newlyweds. These are described in order of distance from the bus-stand. Kodaikanal Lake, 0.5 km (0.3 mi) from the bus stand, is an artificial, roughly star-shaped 45 ha (60 acres)lake built in 1863. It is recognized as Kodaikanal's most popular geographic landmark and tourist attraction. Rowboats and pedalos can be hired at the Kodaikanal Boat Club with its main entrance near the only five-star hotel in Kodaikanal, The Carlton. Horses and bicycles can be hired beside the lake for short periods. The 5 kilometers (3 mi) path that skirts the periphery of this lovely lake is a favourite walk for the locals and tourists alike. Bryant Park, Just east of the lake and 0.5 km (0.3 mi) from the bus stand, is a wonderfully maintained 20.5 acres (8.3 ha) botanical garden. The park was planned and built in 1908 by a forest officer from Madurai, H.D.Bryant, and named after him. With 325 species of trees, shrubs and cactuses, the park is a rainbow of stunning flowers during the peak season. A large section is dedicated to nearly 740 varieties of roses. There is a 1857 Eucalyptus tree and a Bodhi tree which adds a religious significance to the park. Ornamental plants are cultivated in a nursery for sale. The park organizes horticultural exhibits and flower shows every summer, to coincide with the peak season. Entrance fee to the park is nominal and it is open all year.[35] Coaker's Walk, 0.5 km (0.3 mi) from the bus-stand, constructed by Lt.Coaker in 1872, is a 1 kilometers (0.62 mi) paved pedestrian path running along the edge of steep slopes on the southern side of Kodai. The walk, winding around Mount Nebo, starts in front of the Van Allen hospital, running parallel to the Van Allen Hospital Road and joins the main road beside St.Peter's Church, providing a stunning panoramic view of the plains. On a clear day one can view as far as Dolphin's Nose in south, the valley of the Pambar River in the southeast, Periyakulam town and even the city of Madurai. A fascinating rare phenomenon called Brocken spectre can be witnessed, when a person can see his shadow on the clouds with a rainbow halo. This occurs when the sun is behind the viewer and clouds and mist are to the front. There is an observatory with a telescope halfway along the walk. Entrance fee to the walkway is nominal and it is open all year.[36] Bear Shola Falls, 3 kilometers (2 mi) from the bus-stand, is a tall waterfall in a Reserve forest. The final approach to this quiet area is a gently climbing foot-path. Green Valley View, (formerly called Suicide Point) 5.5 kilometers (3 mi) from the bus-stand and near the golf course, has an excellent panoramic view of the plains and a sheer drop of 1,500 meters (4,921 ft) overlooking the Vaigai Dam to the south. The stairway leading up to it is highly commercialized and lined with rows of shops to tempt tourists.[37] Shenbaganur Museum of Natural History, 6 kilometers (4 mi) from the bus-stand, founded in 1895, is open to the public for viewing their outstanding taxidermy collection of more than 500 species of animals, birds and insects and a living collection of over 300 exotic orchid species. The museum is affliated withLoyola College in Chennai and exhibits artifacts of the ancient Palaiyar tribes people whose descendants still live in these hills.[38] Kodaikanal Solar Observatory 6 kilometers (4 mi) from the bus-stand on Observatory Road, at 2,343 meters (7,687 ft) is the highest location near Kodai. The first observations were commenced here in 1901.[39]Former Director John Evershed, discovered the phenomenon of radial motion in sunspots, now known as theEvershed effect. The Kodaikanal Terrestrial Telescope can view a grand panorama including: Sothupparai Dam, Vaigai Dam, Periyakulam and Varaha river. This Indian Institute of Astrophysics facility has a comprehensive Astronomical Science museum with organized public tours, access to the astronomy library, and scheduled night-time telescopic sky viewing. It is open daily to the public during peak season, and a few hours each Friday the rest of the year.[40] Pillar Rocks, 8 kilometers (5 mi) from the bus-stand, is a set of three giant rock pillars which stand 122 meters (400 ft) high. [41] Managed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, The viewpoint can be crowded but is not commercialized. There is an excellent public garden adjacent to the viewpoint. Guna caves, made popular by the Tamil movie Guna, previously called Devil’s Kitchen, are deep bat-infested chambers between the three gigantic boulders that are the Pillar Rocks. The deep narrow ravines of the caves are now closed to public due to the trajic deaths of twelve youths there.[citation needed] These dangerous caves are highly protected now, and tourists can see sections of the cave system from afar.[42] Silver Cascade, 8 kilometers (5 mi) from Kodaikanal at a wide bend in the long and winding Laws Ghat Road, at altitude 1,800 meters (5,906 ft), is a 55 meters (180 ft) waterfall formed from the outflow of Kodaikanal Lake.[43]The water quality is reportedly poor and not good enough for bathing.[44] This impressive waterfall is a popular stop for first-time visitors. There are a few souvenir and fruit vendors and many monkeys here. There is also a smaller but more serene waterfall below the bridge which crosses the stream here. Dolphin's Nose, 8 kilometers (5 mi) from the bus stand, is flat rock projecting over a breathtaking chasm 6,600 feet (2,000 m) deep. It is an undisturbed area 1 kilometers (1 mi) down a very steep rocky trail beginning soon after Pambar Bridge. Orange juice vendors along the trail offer a welcome rest stop. Beautiful views of steep rocky escarpments rising from the plains can be seen. The old village of Vellagavi can be reached through a rugged bridle path here. A short paved walkway leads from the road here toPambar falls (which is also locally addressed as 'Liril Falls' after the famous Liril Soap Advertisement filming in 1985). [45] Kurinji Andavar Murugan temple, 4 kilometers (2 mi) from the bus-stand, is famous for its Kurinji flowerwhich blossoms in the area only once every 12 years. The deity here is called Sri Kurinji Easware, who is in fact Lord Murugan. This temple was built in 1936 by a European lady, who on coming to India, converted to Hinduism. She changed her name to Leelavathi and married a Mr.Ramanathan. She is also known as Lady Ramanathan. This temple is under the management of Arulmighu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Thiru Kovil, Palani.[46] Almost all distances from Kodaikanal are calculated with the lake as the central point of reference. The nearest airports are Madurai (135 kilometers (84 mi)), Trichy (200 kilometers (124 mi)) and Coimbatore(170 kilometers (106 mi)). The nearest Railway stations are Palani Railway Station (64 kilometers (40 mi)) north, Kodai Road Station (80 kilometers (50 mi)) south east and Dindigul Railway Junction (100 kilometers (62 mi)) east.[47] The 2 - 3 hours drive to Kodai via the steep and winding Ghat roads from Batlagundu or Palani is a memorable experience. Travelers may stop at turnouts on the road and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Palani hills.[48] There is a 28 km shortcut from Periyakulam to Kodaikanal viaKumbakarai under construction. Bicycle rentals, taxis, vans and limited city buses are available.[49] Rickshaws are not available.[50] The unique flowering plant 'Kurunji'(Strobilanthus Kunthanus) that last bloomed in 2004, is nature's gift to Kodaikanal. Kodaikanal located amidst the folds of the verdant Pali hills is one of the most popular serene hill stations in India, which mesmerises any visitor and is frequented all through the year. Kodai is situated at an altitude of about 2,133-m high and covers an area of 21.45-sq-km. The hill town is renowned for its educational institutions of international repute. The hill-plantain fruits and plums are known for their freshness and taste. Berijam lake, one among the beautiful lakes of South India, spreads over an area of 24 hectares.Kodaikanal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Kodai "
KodaikanalCountry India
State Tamil Nadu District(s) Dindigul Established 1845 [1] Nearest city Madurai 121 km (75 mi) Chairman S. Mohamed Ibrahim Vice Chairman Thiru.P.Chelladurai Population
• Density32,931 (2001)
• 1,100 /km2 (2,849 /sq mi)Sex ratio M 51% F 49% ♂/♀ Literacy 66% 1991% Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) Area
• Elevation21.45 km² (8 sq mi)
• 2,133 m (6,998 ft)Climate
• Precipitation
Temperature
• Summer
• Winter
• 1,650 mm (65 in)
• 19.8 °C (68 °F)
• 8.3 °C (47 °F)10.235°N 77.486°EKodaikanal (Tamil: கோடைக்கானல்) is a city[2] in the hills of Taluk division of Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Kodaikanal is referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" and has a long history as a retreat and popular tourist destination. It's a lot cooler in temperature than lower elevation cities such as Chennai.
Contents
[hide][edit]Etymology
[edit]History
[edit]Geography
North-West:
PollachiNorth:
PalaniNorth-East:
PerumalmalaiWest:
MunnarKodaikanal East:
DindigulSouth-West:
BodinayakkanurSouth:
TheniSouth-East:
Periyakulam[edit]Economy
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