179-520: Moolachel , or Moolachy, is a village in the Kanniyakumari District on the southern tip of India in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is located near Padmanabhapuram Palace, with a few nearby town centres: Thuckalay , Marthandam , and Nagercoil . The population is primarily employed in agriculture. However, recent improvements in education have helped residents to diversify their economic opportunities and emigrate to different countries. This place
358-453: A Teri dune complex extends along the coast; sand dunes also stretch from Manakudi to Sothavilai . Additionally, sandy beaches and isolated boulders define the southern coastline. The Peninsular India is typically described as a highland with faulting on both sides. During the Archaean Eon , the eastern coast experienced faulting, whereas the faulting of the western coast, including
537-777: A banana leaf , and using clean fingers of the right hand to take the food into the mouth. After the meal, the fingers are washed; the easily degradable banana leaf is discarded or becomes fodder for cattle. Eating on banana leaves is a custom thousands of years old, imparts a unique flavor to the food, and is considered healthy. Idli , dosa , uthappam , pongal , and paniyaram are popular breakfast dishes in Tamil Nadu. Palani Panchamirtham , Ooty varkey , Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai , Manapparai Murukku and Srivilliputhur Palkova are unique foods that have been recognised as Geographical Indications . Tamil Nadu has an independent literary tradition dating back over 2500 years from
716-516: A tank called the kalyani or pushkarni . The gopuram is a monumental tower, usually ornate at the entrance of the temple forms a prominent feature of koils and Hindu temples of the Dravidian style. They are topped by the kalasam , a bulbous stone finial and function as gateways through the walls that surround the temple complex. The gopuram's origins can be traced back to the Pallavas who built
895-551: A book on ethics by Thiruvalluvar , is amongst the most popular works of Tamil literature. In the early medieval period, Vaishnava and Shaiva literature became prominent following the Bhakti movement in the sixth century CE with hymns composed by the Alvars and the Nayanars . In the following years, Tamil literature again flourished with notable works including Ramavataram , written in
1074-629: A confederacy of Deccan sultanates . Later, the Nayaks , who were the military governors in the Vijaynagara Empire, took control of the region amongst whom the Nayaks of Madurai and Nayaks of Thanjavur were the most prominent. They introduced the palayakkararar system and re-constructed some of the well-known temples in Tamil Nadu including the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. In the 18th century,
1253-505: A creche and a matriculation school, though people of many religions live there. A government high school and TNEB SubStation/Office are also found in Moolachel. A channel runs across the village with a 1.5-meter-wide gate to drain water at Kollankonam during the flood season. The Glaring Sports Club facilitates the playing of kabbadi, volleyball, and various cultural activities. The club was founded by Mr. Paul D Silas, and other 20 people in
1432-444: A dense palisade of leaves over the water surface. Numerous marshy plants thrive between the reeds and along the margins. The plains, up to an elevation of 200 meters, are characterised by Southern tropical thorny forests . Notable locations within this ecosystem include Anjugramam , Vattakkottai, Kanniyakumari , Marunthuvazh Malai , Colachel , and Kuzhithurai . These forests support a variety of plant life. Common trees found in
1611-599: A large urban settlement, with the earliest artefact dated to 580 BCE, during the time of urbanization in the Indo-Gangetic plain . Further epigraphical inscriptions found at Adichanallur use Tamil Brahmi , a rudimentary script dated to 5th century BCE. Potsherds uncovered from Keeladi indicate a script which might be a transition between the Indus Valley script and Tamil Brahmi script used later. The Sangam period lasted for about eight centuries, from 500 BCE to 300 CE with
1790-786: A marine national park and Guindy , an urban national park within Chennai. Tamil Nadu has 18 wildlife sanctuaries . Tamil Nadu is home to one of the largest populations of endangered Bengal tigers and Indian elephants in India. There are five declared elephant sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu as per Project Elephant –Agasthyamalai, Anamalai , Coimbatore , Nilgiris and Srivilliputtur . Tamil Nadu participates in Project Tiger and has five declared tiger reserves –Anamalai, Kalakkad-Mundanthurai , Mudumalai , Sathyamangalam and Megamalai. There are seventeen declared bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu. There
1969-636: A minor river originates at an altitude of 950 m in the Velimalai hills and passes through Kothanalloor , Kalkulam, Eraniel , Thalakulam and Manavalakurichi before joining the Arabian Sea at Kadiapattanam. Along the way, it merges with the Thuvalar , another small river originating from the Mampazhathurai hills. Mullayar another minor river flows approximately 11 kilometres through Vilavancode taluk and joins
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#17328769832012148-513: A number of temples including the Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai. In the 13th and 14th centuries, there were repeated attacks from Delhi Sultanate . The Vijayanagara kingdom was founded in 1336 CE . The Vijayanagara empire eventually conquered the entire Tamil country by c. 1370 and ruled for almost two centuries until its defeat in the Battle of Talikota in 1565 by
2327-456: A part of a Tamil meal. Coconut and spices are used extensively in Tamil cuisine. The region has a rich cuisine involving both traditional non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes made of rice, legumes , and lentils with its distinct aroma and flavour achieved by the blending of flavourings and spices. The traditional way of eating a meal involves being seated on the floor, having the food served on
2506-636: A part of the Madras Presidency for two centuries. After the Indian Independence in 1947, the region became the Madras State of the Republic of India and was further re-organized when states were redrawn linguistically in 1956 into its current shape. The state was renamed as Tamil Nadu, meaning "Tamil Country", in 1969. Hence, culture , cuisine and architecture have seen multiple influences over
2685-517: A part of the union territory of Puducherry . It shares an international maritime border with the Northern Province of Sri Lanka at Pamban Island . Archaeological evidence points to Tamil Nadu being inhabited for more than 400 millennia, first by hominids and then by modern humans . The state has more than 5,500 years of continuous cultural history. Historically , the Tamilakam region
2864-827: A port named São Tomé near present-day Mylapore in Madras. In 1609, the Dutch established a settlement in Pulicat and the Danes had their establishment in Tharangambadi . On 20 August 1639, Francis Day of the British East India Company met with the Vijayanager emperor Peda Venkata Raya and obtained a grant for land on the Coromandel coast for their trading activities. A year later,
3043-584: A region of low seismic hazard with the exception of the western border areas that lie in a low to moderate hazard zone; as per the 2002 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) map, Tamil Nadu falls in Zones II and III. The volcanic basalt beds of the Deccan plateau were laid down in the massive Deccan Traps eruption, which occurred towards the end of the Cretaceous period, between 67 and 66 million years ago. Layer after layer
3222-435: A rich variety of avifauna , with about 360 species recorded. Notably, 140 out of the 204 species of South Indian Passerine birds are found here. The House Crow is the most common bird, while the jungle crow is less frequently seen. Common babblers include the earthy-brown jungle babbler and the slimmer common babbler found in dry plains. Magpie-robins are usually seen near human habitations. Other common birds include
3401-404: A significant expatriate population. As of 2011 , the state had 3.49 million immigrants. Distribution of languages in Tamil Nadu (2011) Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu, while English serves as the additional official language. Tamil is one of the oldest languages and was the first to be recognized as a classical language of India . As per the 2011 census, Tamil is spoken as
3580-528: A significant portion of this region indicates that the rocks underwent intense isoclinal folding , resulting in repeated bands. These folds align in a northwest–southeast direction and may have subsequently experienced cross-folding. These charnockites also occur as lenses and patches within the khondalites. Additionally, thin Pegmatite bodies and quartz veins intrude the khondalites. Tertiary-age Varkala beds appear as thin cappings south of Kaliyakkavilai near
3759-594: A social context as well as economically. The famous battle of Colachel took place in the district. Later, the Maharajas of Travancore built the forts at Aramboly (Aralvaimozhy) to prevent any invasion from the Carnatic Kings. Key elements of Velu Thampi Dalawa's revolt occurred in the area and the English East India company's army under Col. Leger broke through the fortifications and entered Travancore in 1810. In
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#17328769832013938-591: A term of three years and consisted of 132 Members of which 34 were nominated by the Governor and the rest were elected. The Government of India Act 1935 established a bicameral legislature with the creation of a new legislative council with 54 to 56 members in July 1937. The first legislature of Madras state under the Constitution of India was constituted on 1 March 1952 after the 1952 elections . The number of seats post
4117-627: A type of silk sari made in the Kanchipuram region in Tamil Nadu and these saris are worn as bridal and special occasion saris by most women in South India. It has been recognized as a Geographical indication by the Government of India in 2005–2006. Kovai Cora is a type of cotton sari made in the Coimbatore. Rice is the diet staple and is served with sambar , rasam , and poriyal as
4296-595: Is situated along the edge of Manakudi Estaury. Kanyakumari is the only district in Tamil Nadu facing the Arabian sea . Pazhayar , the southernmost river in India, originates from the secondary range of the Western Ghats, draining Mahendragiri peak and nearby estates. Flowing through Thovalai and Agastiswaram taluks, the Pazhayar significantly supports irrigation. Its course spans approximately 37 kilometres, ultimately joining
4475-552: Is a classical dance form that originated in Tamil Nadu and is one of the oldest dances of India. Other regional folk dances include Karakattam , Kavadi , Koodiyattam , Oyilattam , Paraiattam and Puravaiattam . The dance, clothing, and sculptures of Tamil Nadu exemplify the beauty of the body and motherhood. Koothu is an ancient folk art, where artists tell stories from the epics accompanied by dance and music. The ancient Tamil country had its own system of music called Tamil Pannisai described by Sangam literature such as
4654-612: Is abundant in wildlife, with its hill forests showcasing a wide variety of fauna, representing most species of Southern India . The district’s fauna belongs to the Cis gangetic sub-region of the Indomalayan realm , with its hill fauna showing affinities with the Himalayas and the southwestern hill group in Sri Lanka . The district hosts ten orders of mammals . Four species of primates are found in
4833-510: Is adorned with significant avenue trees , including the Banyan , jungle jack , Eugenia , Portia tree , Tamarind and more. Common edible fruits—such as mangoes , jackfruit , custard apple , various plantain varieties , pineapple , guava , and more—contribute to local livelihoods. Oranges , lime , and pomegranate also flourish. Grape cultivation occurs in specific pockets. 329 plant species have been identified across 201 sacred groves in
5012-752: Is at Kanyakumari where the Indian Ocean meets the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats run south along the western boundary with the highest peak at Doddabetta (2,636 m (8,648 ft)) in the Nilgiri Hills . The Eastern Ghats run parallel to the Bay of Bengal along the eastern coast and the strip of land between them forms the Coromandel region. They are a discontinuous range of mountains intersected by Kaveri river . Both mountain ranges meet at
5191-482: Is bound by the Indian states of Kerala , Karnataka , and Andhra Pradesh , and the union territory of Puducherry . It shares an international maritime border with the Northern Province of Sri Lanka at Pamban Island . The Palk Strait and the chain of low sandbars and islands known as Rama's Bridge separate the region from Sri Lanka , which lies off the southeastern coast. The southernmost tip of mainland India
5370-489: Is divided into two revenue divisions: Nagercoil division and Padmanabhapuram division . These divisions are further subdivided into taluks , which are the basic administrative units. Each taluk is managed by a Tahsildar , who handles revenue collection, land records, and local administration. There are nine blocks within these taluks: Agastheeswaram , Rajakkamangalam , Thovalai , Kurunthancode , Thuckalay , Thiruvattar , Killiyoor , Munchirai , and Melpuram . Each block
5549-416: Is famous for scenic views of sunrises and sunsets and it's a good place for site-seeing for visitors. Moolachel is home to CSI Hacker Memorial Church (formerly Hacker Memorial Methodist Church, Moolachy) whose tower (steeple) has been erected by the generous donations of the patron Esquire Richard Facey Hunter (R.F.H.) Crowther in memory of his mother Louisa A. I. A. Crowther, née Hunter. The village also runs
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5728-507: Is found in western Tamil Nadu and parts of the southern coast. Alluvial soil is found in the fertile Kaveri delta region, with laterite soil found in pockets, and saline soil across the coast where the evaporation is high. The region has a tropical climate and depends on monsoons for rainfall. Tamil Nadu is divided into seven agro-climatic zones: northeast, northwest, west, southern, high rainfall, high altitude hilly, and Kaveri delta. A tropical wet and dry climate prevails over most of
5907-480: Is found on grasslands, while the common weaver bird or Baya weaver is seen in coconut groves of valleys and plains. The skylark is often heard in low country and on hills. Three species of sunbirds — Cinnyris zeylanicus, Cinnyris asiaticus , and Loten's sunbird — are frequently found in gardens. Common woodpeckers include the golden-backed woodpecker , the Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker, and
6086-507: Is managed by a Block Development Officer. There is a municipal corporation in the district, the Nagercoil Municipal Corporation , four municipalities and 51 Town Panchayats , which are responsible for urban infrastructure, sanitation , and public services. Rural areas are governed by Panchayats , which are local self-government bodies responsible for village-level administration and development. The District includes
6265-506: Is more intense due to weaker winds. The region’s proximity to the Equator makes it hard to distinctly define the summer season and summers are significantly wetter than winters. Winters from January to February are mild and pleasant, with temperatures rarely dropping below 19°C (66°F). The district lies at the intersection of two distinct climate zones. To the northwest, the Malabar coast , west of
6444-504: Is not suitable for agriculture. The southwest monsoon from June to September accounts for most of the rainfall in the region. The Arabian Sea branch of the southwest monsoon hits the Western Ghats from Kerala and moves northward along the Konkan coast , with precipitation on the western region of the state. The lofty Western Ghats prevent the winds from reaching the Deccan Plateau; hence,
6623-1402: Is one conservation reserve at Tiruvidaimarudur in Thanjavur district . There are two zoos recognised by the Central Zoo Authority of India namely Arignar Anna Zoological Park and Madras Crocodile Bank Trust , both located in Chennai . The state has other smaller zoos run by local administrative bodies such as Coimbatore Zoo in Coimbatore , Amirthi Zoological Park in Vellore , Kurumpampatti Wildlife Park in Salem , Yercaud Deer Park in Yercaud , Mukkombu Deer Park in Tiruchirapalli and Ooty Deer Park in Nilgiris . There are five crocodile farms located at Amaravati in Coimbatore district , Hogenakkal in Dharmapuri district , Kurumbapatti in Salem district , Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in Chennai and Sathanur in Tiruvannamalai district . Threatened and endangered species found in
6802-451: Is one of the most urbanized states in the country with more than 48.4 per cent of the population living in urban areas. As per the 2011 census, the sex ratio was 996 females per 1000 males, higher than the national average of 943. The sex ratio at birth was recorded as 954 during the fourth National Family Health Survey (NFHS) in 2015–16 which reduced further to 878 in the fifth NFHS in 2019–21, ranking third worst amongst states. As per
6981-516: Is responsible for maintaining law and order in the state. As of 2023 , it consists of more than 132,000 police personnel, headed by a Director General of Police . Women form 17.6% of the police force and specifically handle violence against women through 222 special all-women police stations. As of 2023 , the state has 1854 police stations, the highest in the country, including 47 railway and 243 traffic police stations. The traffic police under different district administrations are responsible for
7160-828: Is straddled by the Western Ghats and Deccan Plateau in the west, the Eastern Ghats in the north, the Eastern Coastal Plains lining the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait to the south-east, the Laccadive Sea at the southern cape of the peninsula, with the river Kaveri bisecting the state. Politically, Tamil Nadu is bound by the Indian states of Kerala , Karnataka , and Andhra Pradesh , and encloses
7339-464: Is the chief administrative officer, responsible for overall administration, including law and order , revenue collection , and implementation of government schemes. The Superintendent of Police oversees the police force and maintains law and order in the district. The District Revenue Officer (DRO) assists the District Collector in revenue administration and land-related issues. The District
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7518-420: Is the distinct style of rock architecture in Tamil Nadu. In Dravidian architecture, the temples consisted of porches or mantapas preceding the door leading to the sanctum, gate-pyramids or gopurams in quadrangular enclosures that surround the temple, and pillared halls used for many purposes. These features are the invariable accompaniments of these temples. Besides these, a South Indian temple usually has
7697-606: Is the largest of the two bovines found in the forests, living in rock caves on hills up to an elevation of 5,000 feet. Small herds of bison frequent the sholas and grassy areas around the Muthukuzhi valley and the higher reaches of Asambu. The wild goat is usually confined to grassy slopes. Wild bears are found on the hills and jungles in herds. Additionally, aquatic dolphins and porpoises are found in river mouths and backwaters. Indian pangolins are also present in forests and surrounding valleys. The district’s forests support
7876-508: Is the southernmost state of India . The tenth largest Indian state by area and the sixth largest by population , Tamil Nadu is the home of the Tamil people , who speak the Tamil language —the state's official language and one of the longest surviving classical languages of the world. The capital and largest city is Chennai . Located on the south-eastern coast of the Indian peninsula , Tamil Nadu
8055-435: Is the tenth-largest state in India. Located on the south-eastern coast of the Indian peninsula , Tamil Nadu is straddled by the Western Ghats and Deccan Plateau in the west, the Eastern Ghats in the north, the Eastern Coastal Plains lining the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait to the south-east, and the Laccadive Sea at the southern cape of the peninsula. Politically, Tamil Nadu
8234-579: Is typically wrapped around the waist, with one end draped over the shoulder, baring the midriff, as according to Indian philosophy, the navel is considered as the source of life and creativity. Ancient Tamil poetry such as the Cilappadhikaram , describes women in exquisite drapery or sari. Women wear colourful silk saris on special occasions such as marriages. The men wear a dhoti , a 4.5 metres (15 ft) long, white rectangular piece of non-stitched cloth often bordered in brightly coloured stripes. It
8413-400: Is usually wrapped around the waist and the legs and knotted at the waist. A colourful lungi with typical batik patterns is the most common form of male attire in the countryside. People in urban areas generally wear tailored clothing, and western dress is popular. Western-style school uniforms are worn by both boys and girls in schools, even in rural areas. The Kanchipuram silk sari is
8592-424: Is warm and humid, with significant rainfall during the monsoon Seasons . This tropical climate supports the region’s rich biodiversity and lush landscapes. As part of the Western Ghats , one of the world's eight hottest biodiversity hotspots, this district boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic to the region. The area is home to several endangered and threatened species, including
8771-641: The Velir chiefs. The rulers patronized multiple religions including vedic religion , Buddhism and Jainism and sponsored some of the earliest Tamil literature with the oldest surviving work being Tolkāppiyam , a book of Tamil grammar. The kingdoms had significant diplomatic and trade contacts with other kingdoms to the north and with the Romans . Much of the commerce from the Romans and Han China were facilitated via seaports including Muziris and Korkai with spices being
8950-495: The Chozhans and the Nayaks . A few artefacts have been unearthed by archaeological excavations. It was part of the princely state of Travancore during the colonial times prior to India's independence ; four of the eight tehsils of Thiruvananthapuram district were separated from the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom to form the new district of Kanniyakumari, and they were made the part of Madras Presidency under recommendations from
9129-434: The Dravidian languages and preserves many features of Proto-Dravidian , though modern-day spoken Tamil in Tamil Nadu freely uses loanwords from other languages such as Sanskrit and English. Korean , Japanese , French , Mandarin Chinese , German and Spanish are spoken by foreign expatriates in the state. The LGBT rights in Tamil Nadu are among the most progressive in India . In 2008, Tamil Nadu set up
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#17328769832019308-449: The Independence of India in 1947, the Madras Presidency became Madras state , comprising present-day Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka and Kerala . Andhra state was split from the state in 1953 and the state was further re-organized when states were redrawn linguistically in 1956 into the current shape. On 14 January 1969, Madras state was renamed Tamil Nadu, meaning "Tamil country". In 1965, agitations against
9487-425: The Indian Ocean . Rajaraja brought in administrative reforms including the reorganisation of Tamil country into individual administrative units. Under his son Rajendra Chola I , the Chola empire reached its zenith and stretched as far as Bengal in the north and across the Indian Ocean. The Cholas built many temples in the Dravidian style with the most notable being the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, one of
9666-415: The Indian Parliament . The Madras High Court was established on 26 June 1862 and is the highest judicial authority of the state with control over all the civil and criminal courts in the state. It is headed by a Chief Justice and has a bench at Madurai since 2004. The Tamil Nadu Police , established as Madras state police in 1859, operates under the Home ministry of the Government of Tamil Nadu and
9845-490: The Indian cobra are common, often found in tree hollows and dilapidated houses. Rat snakes are frequently seen and Pythons are found in dry sandy areas. Among amphibians , 34 species of frogs are present, including Rana aurantiaca , Ixalus travancoricus, and Ferguson's toad . The Indian Leaping frog is found around Kiripparai areas. The coastal area is known for its rich variety of fish, with nearly 370 species identified. Whale sharks and Saw fish are abundant in
10024-554: The Kanniyakumari Lok Sabha constituency , which is represented in the Lok Sabha by a Member of Parliament . This constituency is divided into six assembly constituencies, each represented by a Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly . The legislative assembly segments include Kanyakumari , Nagercoil , Colachal , Padmanabhapuram , Vilavancode , and Killiyoor . Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu ( / ˌ t æ m ɪ l ˈ n ɑː d uː / ; Tamil: [ˈtamiɻ ˈnaːɽɯ] , abbr. TN )
10203-1214: The Legume family , the root parasites Aeginetia indica and pedunculata have also been recorded in the region. Moist deciduous forests : These forests occur around Kilaviaru mountains and Kalikesam river near Balamore and Vallachithode at an altitude of about 60 meters. Common trees include Acronychia pedunculata , Alstonia scholaris , Scleropyrum wallichianum , and Vateria indica . Lianas Gnetum and Derris thyrsiflora thrive in these areas. Lithophytic herbs like Begonia floccifera and Begonia malabarica are abundant around Kilaviyaru . Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests : These forests and found in Upper Kodayar , Muthukuzhivayal , and Mahendragiri above 800 meters. These dense, impenetrable forests receive heavy monsoon rains, supporting abundant epiphytic and terrestrial orchids . Tall trees with huge trunks include Aglaia bourdillonii , Cullenia exarillata , Dimocarpus longanetc . Climbers like Embelia basaal and Smilax zeylanica are common along with epiphytes Aeschynanthus perrottetii and Hoya pauciflora . Grasslands : At elevated altitudes in Muthukuzhivayal, Mahendragiri , and Upper Kodayar, distinct grasslands thrive. Within
10382-445: The Mughal empire administered the region through the Nawab of the Carnatic with his seat at Arcot , who defeated the Madurai Nayaks. The Marathas attacked several times and defeated the Nawab after the Siege of Trichinopoly (1751–1752) . This led to a short-lived Thanjavur Maratha kingdom . Europeans started to establish trade centres from the 16th century along the eastern coast. The Portuguese arrived in 1522 and built
10561-417: The Nilgiri mountains which run in a crescent approximately along the borders of Tamil Nadu with northern Kerala and Karnataka, extending to the relatively low-lying hills of the Eastern Ghats on the western portion of the Tamil Nadu–Andhra Pradesh border. The Deccan plateau is the elevated region bound by the mountain ranges and the plateau slopes gently from west to east resulting in major rivers arising in
10740-750: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Nilgiri Hills , the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve in the Agastya Mala - Cardamom Hills and Gulf of Mannar coral reefs. The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 10,500 km (4,100 sq mi) of ocean, islands and the adjoining coastline including coral reefs , salt marshes and mangroves. It is home to endangered aquatic species, including dolphins , dugongs , whales and sea cucumbers . Bird sanctuaries, including Thattekad , Kadalundi , Vedanthangal , Ranganathittu , Kumarakom , Neelapattu , and Pulicat , are home to numerous migratory and local birds. Protected areas cover an area of 3,305 km (1,276 sq mi), constituting 2.54% of
10919-409: The Pahrali and Thamirabarani have their origin in this forest. The forests and jungles of Kanyakumari district host approximately 600 species of timber trees and 3,500 other plant species. The wetlands of Suchindrum and Arumanallur alone support numerous variety of floral and faunal species across hundreds of genera. New species are frequently being identified throughout the region. Out of
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#173287698320111098-433: The Ryotwari system resulted in two severe famines in the Madras Presidency, the Great Famine of 1876–78 and the Indian famine of 1896–97 which killed millions and the migration of many Tamils as bonded laborers to other British countries eventually forming the present Tamil diaspora . The Indian Independence movement gathered momentum in the early 20th century with the formation of the Indian National Congress , which
11277-463: The Silappatikaram . A Pallava inscription dated to the 7th century CE has one of the earliest surviving examples of Indian music in notation. There are many traditional instruments from the region dating back to the Sangam period such as parai , tharai , yazh and murasu . Nadaswaram , a reed instrument that is often accompanied by the thavil , a type of drum instrument , are the major musical instruments used in temples and weddings. Melam
11456-426: The South-west and the North-east monsoons . The region receives moderate rainfall, with the heaviest rains occurring from October to December due to the northeast monsoon which sometimes causes floods. The southwest monsoon, from June to September, also brings some rain, but its effects are less pronounced compared to other parts of India . The average rainfall of the district is 1456.8 mm per annum. From 2005 onwards
11635-510: The Southern Rufous woodpecker . The Malabar whistling thrush , a blue-black bird, is found near hilly streams. Paradise flycatchers often visit shady groves, gardens, and deciduous jungles with bamboo-clad regions. 87 bird species from 39 families and 15 orders, including omnivores , carnivores , piscivores , herbivores , granivores , and nectarivores , such as the Eurasian Spoonbill , Brahminy Starling , Glossy Ibis , Oriental White Ibis and Spot-billed Pelican have been observed around
11814-415: The States Reorganisation Commission in 1956. The Presidency was later renamed Tamil Nadu and Kanniyakumari, today, is one of the 38 districts of Tamil Nadu state. The district is the birthplace of Ayyavazhi . Many historical assumptions persist in the district and state, which associate sages such as Agastya , Vyasa , Tolkappiyar , Avvaiyar and Valluvar with the district. The area that comprises
11993-432: The Swamithoppe saltpans . The House sparrow is commonly found around human habitations. Parrots are mostly seen in hilly and woody areas while various varieties of Kingfishers including White-throated kingfisher , Common kingfisher and Pied kingfisher are found beside inundated paddy fields, ponds, kutcha wells and sandy seashores. Bee-eaters are very common. The Indian blue rock pigeons are seen all over
12172-434: The Thengapattanam estaury where it meets the sea. Originating north of Mahendragiri, the Paraliyar , another major river of the district flows southwesterly and passes out of the forest area a mile above Ponmanai where it encounters the Perunchani Dam . The Left Bank Channel supplies water from the Pechipparai reservoir before reaching the weir known as Puthen dam. The ancient Pandyan dam , built in Pandiyan era, across
12351-435: The Thiruvananthapuram District ( Kerala ) in the West. Kanniyakumari district has a varied topography with sea on three sides and the mountains of the Western Ghats bordering the northern side. Geologically, the landmass of the district is much younger when compared to the rest of state – faulted as late as 2.5 million years during the Miocene , after which numerous transgression , as well as regression of sea, had shaped
12530-536: The University of Madras , is the first among the dictionaries published in any Indian language. The 19th century gave rise to the Tamil Renaissance and writings and poems by authors such as Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai , U.V. Swaminatha Iyer , Ramalinga Swamigal , Maraimalai Adigal , and Bharathidasan . During the Indian Independence Movement , many Tamil poets and writers sought to provoke national spirit, social equity and secularist thoughts, notably Subramania Bharati and Bharathidasan. Dravidian architecture
12709-462: The Vellar estuary in the north and Coleroon estuary in the south with mangrove forests. The Pichavaram mangrove forests is one of the largest mangrove forests in India covering 45 km (17 sq mi) and supports the existence of rare varieties of economically important shells, fishes and migrant birds. The state has five National Parks covering 307.84 km (118.86 sq mi)– Anamalai , Mudumalai, Mukurthi , Gulf of Mannar ,
12888-517: The chief minister who has the de facto executive authority. The Indian Councils Act 1861 established the Madras Presidency legislative council with four to eight members but was a mere advisory body to the governor of the presidency. The strength was increased to twenty in 1892 and fifty in 1909 . Madras legislative council was set-up in 1921 by the Government of India Act 1919 with
13067-483: The cuckoo , golden oriole and Indian robin which are frequently noted in dry areas. The tailorbird and the drongo or king crow often visit the countryside. The red-vented bulbul is seen in plains where food is plentiful and at elevations of about 4,000 feet. The Iora is found in gardens and groves. Among Shrikes , the Scarlet minivet is the most common, found in woody areas and evergreen jungles. The Common myna
13246-434: The imposition of Hindi and in support of continuing English as a medium of communication arose which eventually led to English being retained as an official language of India alongside Hindi. After independence, the economy of Tamil Nadu conformed to a socialist framework, with strict governmental control over private sector participation, foreign trade , and foreign direct investment . After experiencing fluctuations in
13425-715: The pariah kite and the Brahminy kite . Among the birds of prey , the White-rumped vulture and the White scavenger vulture are prominent. Water birds are common along coastal backwaters, inundated paddy fields, and tanks. The White-breasted waterhen is often seen in marshy areas overgrown with reeds and bushes, and on the margins of ponds. Storks and Coots are frequently found in inundated paddy fields, tanks, ponds, and rivers. Comb ducks are observed at Suchindram and Theroor wetlands while four other species of ducks are common in
13604-489: The ponds , large associations of lotus and water lilies thrive, along with smaller Limnanthemum plants. Floating plants like Trapa bispinosa and pistia statistis cover water surfaces, often beneath the shade of big banyan trees. Submerged plants, including Ceratophyllum , Utricularia , and Chara , form a close tangle underwater. In shallow tanks and river basins, reeds flourish in marshy soil. These reeds consist of juncus , scirpus , cyperus , and typha , forming
13783-475: The poverty line as per the Multidimensional Poverty Index , one of the lowest rates amongst Indian states. The capital of Chennai is the most populous urban agglomeration in the state with more than 8.6 million residents, followed by Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Tiruppur , respectively. The state is home to a diverse population of ethno-religious communities. According to
13962-601: The sholas and moist deciduous forests , including the Bonnet macaque and Toque macaque at lower altitudes, and the Lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri Langur at elevations above 2,000 feet. The Slender Loris of the order Lemuroidea occurs in the interior forests. Situated at the tail-end of the Central Asian Flyway , the region attracts numerous migratory birds from thousands of miles away. Tigers are found around
14141-490: The 12th century CE by Kambar . After a lull in the intermediate years due to various invasions and instability, the Tamil literature recovered in the 14th century CE, with the notable work being Tiruppukal by Arunagirinathar . In 1578, the Portuguese published a Tamil book in old Tamil script named Thambiraan Vanakkam , thus making Tamil the first Indian language to be printed and published. Tamil Lexicon , published by
14320-521: The 18th century, the British had conquered most of the region and established the Madras Presidency with Madras as the capital. After the defeat of Mysore in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799 and the British victory in the second Polygar war in 1801, the British consolidated most of southern India into what was later known as the Madras Presidency . On 10 July 1806, the Vellore mutiny , which
14499-438: The 1986. The people of Moolachel are famous for making agricultural products such as bananas, coconuts, Ayurvedic medicine plants, vegetables, rubber, peper and (in ancient years) karrupukatti. Important areas in the village are Christu Nager, Manali, Kannankarai Vilai, Kattuvilai, pantivettan parai, Valanvilai and kollankonam, poovan vilai, Keezha Moolachel etc. Moolachel is near Padmanabhapuram Palace. Historically, Moolachel
14678-440: The 2011 census, Hinduism is followed by 87.6% of the population. Christians form the largest religious minority in the state with 6.1% of the population; Muslims form 5.9% of the population. Tamils form a majority of the population with minorities including Telugus , Marwaris , Gujaratis , Parsis , Sindhis , Odias , Kannadigas , Anglo-Indians , Bengalis , Punjabis , and Malayalees . The state also has
14857-432: The 2011 census, Literacy rate was 80.1%, higher than the national average of 73%. The literacy rate was estimated to be 82.9% as per the 2017 National Statistical Commission (NSC) survey. As of 2011 , there were about 23.17 million households with 7.42 million children under the age of six. A total of 14.4 million (20%) belonged to Scheduled Castes (SC) and 0.8 million (1.1%) to Scheduled tribes (ST). As of 2017 ,
15036-761: The 3rd century BCE. The available literature from the Sangam period was categorised and compiled into two categories based roughly on chronology: the Patiṉeṇmēlkaṇakku consisting of Eṭṭuttokai and the Pattupattu , and the Patiṉeṇkīḻkaṇakku . The existent Tamil grammar is largely based on the 13th-century grammar book Naṉṉūl based on the Tolkāppiyam. Tamil grammar consists of five parts, namely eḻuttu , sol , poruḷ , yāppu , aṇi . Tirukkural ,
15215-547: The Black Rock estate which descend to lower reaches during October and November, occasionally entering bordering villages. Panthers inhabit moist deciduous forests and often prey on domesticated animals. Bears usually reside at elevations above 3,000 feet but sometimes descend to lower levels. Wild dogs are found in the lower hills of the Muthukuzhi valley, while the Indian Grey Mongoose and Jungle Cats are common in
15394-566: The British era followed the style. By the early 20th century, art deco made its entry in the urban landscape. After Indian Independence, Tamil architecture witnessed a rise in Modernism with the transition from lime-and-brick construction to concrete columns. Tamil Nadu is a major centre for music, art and dance in India. Chennai is called the cultural capital of South India. In the Sangam era, art forms were classified into: iyal (poetry), isai (music) and nadakam (drama). Bharatanatyam
15573-662: The Foreshore sandy areas, species like Spinifex littoreus , Ipomoea pes-caprae (Sweet), Sesuvium portulacastrum , Trianthema portulacastrum , Atriplex repens , Cyperus rotundus , Mollugo cerviana , Tephrosia purpurea , T. hirta , Pedalium murex and various Portulaca species shall be found. In marshy backwater areas, Suaeda nudiflora , Salicornia brachiata , and Arthrocnemum indicum are frequently found. Backwaters near river mouths and connecting canals are often thickly fringed with Pandanus tectorius . Acrostichum aureum and Excoecaria agallocha are common in shallow waters. In
15752-537: The Indian Bison, Indian Rock Python, Lion-tailed Macaque, and Nilgiri Tahr. The Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary , a protected area covering 457.78 km , is situated in the northern and north-western parts of the district. It constitutes the southern section of the Agastyamalai region, bordered by Kerala's Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary to the west and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve to the east. Seven rivers including
15931-687: The Kanniyakumari district was transferred to Madras State on 1 November 1956. The changes that were effected between the taluks and the villages as on 1 October 1956 are furnished in the fly-leaf to Table A-I. An extreme agitation by Tamil speaking residents under the leadership of Marshal Nesamony took place for including Kanniyakumari within Tamil Nadu . Eventually the merger happened in 1956 based on language reorganisation of states . Historically, Nanjilnadu (Agastheeswaram and Thovalai taluks) and Eda Nadu (Vilavancode and Kalkulam taluks) which comprises
16110-686: The Kodayar, creating the Pachipparai lake. With a rocky bed, steep banks, sharp curves, and frequent falls, the Kodayar remains largely untamed except for a few kilometres near its end. The Tirparappu Waterfalls along this river stands at approximately 13 meters. After covering 32 kilometres in Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks, the Kodayar merges with the Paraliyar to form the western Tambaraparani. It flows southwest through Kuzhithurai , Munchirai and evantually into
16289-550: The Manakkudy Lagoon at Thamaraikulam . Notable places along the river include Boothapandi , Thalakudi , Vadasseri, Nagercoil , and Suchindram . Kodayar originates east of Valia Malai peak within the southern part of the Muthukuzhivayal plateau and flows southwest through a wild tract. Two streams—one from Motavan Pothai and the other from Thacchamala hills—contribute to this river. The Pechiparai Dam intercepts
16468-554: The Manakudy, Thengapattanam Munchirai backwater area, Barringtonia racemosa , Ixora coccinea , and Nauclea missionis thrive. Closer to the shore, Neptunia and Hygrophila grow intermingled with Aeschynomene aspera , Ludwigia , and Ipomoea reptans . More than 100 species, spanning across 90 genera and 46 families including Adenanthera pavonina , Ficus religiosa , Psidium guajava , Ocimum tenuiflorum , Waltheria indica , Dendrobium macrostachyum and Sida acuta were recorded in
16647-588: The Paraliyar in Kalkulam taluk, along with the Pandyan Kal and related irrigation works, constitute one of the region's ancient irrigation systems. About a kilometre downstream from the Pandyan dam, the river meets the 250-year-old Puthen dam. The river runs through the Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks and covers 37 kilometres before joining the Kodayar near Thiruvattar , forming the western Thamirabarani River . Valliyar
16826-498: The Sangam era. Early Tamil literature was composed in three successive poetic assemblies known as the Tamil Sangams , the earliest of which, according to legend, were held on a now vanished continent far to the south of India. This includes the oldest grammatical treatise, Tolkappiyam , and the epics Cilappatikaram and Manimekalai . The earliest epigraphic records found on rock edicts and hero stones date from around
17005-681: The Tamil country was divided between the Pallavas and the Pandyas. The Pallavas were finally defeated by Chola prince Aditya I in the 9th century CE. The Cholas became the dominant kingdom in the 9th century under Vijayalaya Chola , who established Thanjavur as Chola's new capital with further expansions by subsequent rulers. In the 11th century CE, Rajaraja I expanded the Chola empire with conquests of entire Southern India and parts of present-day Sri Lanka and Maldives , and increased Chola influence across
17184-454: The Transgender welfare board and was the first to introduce a transgender welfare policy, wherein transgender people can avail free sex reassignment surgery in government hospitals. Chennai Rainbow Pride has been held in Chennai annually since 2009. In 2021, Tamil Nadu became the first Indian state to ban conversion therapy and forced sex-selective surgeries on intersex infants , following
17363-504: The Western Ghats and flowing east into the Bay of Bengal. The coastline of Tamil Nadu is 1,076 km (669 mi) long, and is the second longest state coastline in the country after Gujarat . There are coral reefs located in the Gulf of Mannar and Lakshadweep islands. Tamil Nadu's coastline was permanently altered by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. Tamil Nadu falls mostly in
17542-889: The Western Ghats while tropical dry forests and scrub lands are common in the interior. The southern Western Ghats have rain forests located at high altitudes called the South Western Ghats montane rain forests . The Western Ghats eco-region is one of the eight hottest biodiversity hotspots in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site . There are about 2,000 species of wildlife that are native to Tamil Nadu, 5640 species of angiosperms (including 1,559 species of medicinal plants , 533 endemic species, 260 species of wild relatives of cultivated plants, 230 red-listed species), 64 species of gymnosperms (including four indigenous species and 60 introduced species) and 184 species of pteridophytes apart from bryophytes , lichen , fungi , algae , and bacteria . Common plant species include
17721-458: The Western Ghats, experiences heavy rainfall during the summer monsoon from June to September. In contrast, the southeastern coast, starting from Kanyakumari , has a semi-arid climate due to the limited impact of the summer monsoon. However, the retreating monsoon from October to December brings more rain, though its effects are somewhat reduced by the proximity of Sri Lanka . Unlike other districts in Tamil Nadu , it receives rainfall both from
17900-488: The annual rainfall is estimated to be 1006 mm. The driest month is February and the greatest amount of precipitation occurs in November. Humidity levels are relatively high, especially during the monsoon seasons, contributing to a humid and warm atmosphere. June has the highest relative humidity, while February has the lowest. November experiences the most rainy days, whereas January has the fewest. Overall, Kanyakumari’s climate
18079-541: The area. The Indian pond heron is abundant in paddy fields and ponds. Flamingos including Greater flamingos could be spotted across the Rajakkamangalam and Manakudi estuary throughout the year. The region’s reptiles include crocodiles , tortoises , turtles , lizards , and snakes . There are two species of crocodiles , nine species of chelonians , 33 of lizards , and 74 of snakes . The King Cobra frequents rivers and streams in shola forests. The Viper and
18258-538: The chief minister of the Madras Presidency. In 1944, Periyar transformed the Justice party into a social organisation, renaming the party Dravidar Kazhagam , and withdrew from electoral politics. After independence, the Indian National Congress dominated the political scene in Tamil Nadu in the 1950s and 1960s under the leadership of K. Kamaraj , who led the party after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru and ensured
18437-690: The coast. The basement rocks are covered by a sequence of soil types, including red soil , lateritic soil , clay , river alluvium , coastal alluvium, and black and red sandy soils . These soil layers have thicknesses ranging from 1 metre to 1.5 meters in most locations. The underlying geological terrain belongs to the Peninsular Gneiss . The coastal belt around Kanyakumari, Kovalam , and Vattakottai contains recent-age formations, including Calcareous sandstones , limeshells , and Kankary Limestone . Lateral deposits, including sand, zircon , rutile , ilmenite , and garnet , are commonly found along
18616-663: The company built Fort St. George , the first major English settlement in India, which became the nucleus of the British Raj in the region. By 1693, the French established trading posts at Pondichéry . In September 1746, the French captured Madras during the Battle of Madras . The British regained control of Madras in 1749 through the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle and resisted a French siege attempt in 1759. The British and French competed to expand
18795-574: The current Kanniyakumari district was a part of the old Ay kingdom of the first and second Sangam ages. Following the decline of the Ay kingdoms, the area became Venad, with its capital Padmanabhapuram located North, North West of Nagercoil. The wealth of the Nanjilnadu beckoned many invaded kings including the Nayaks during the reign of Umayamma Rani . The Venad region was in anarchy before Marthanda Varma ascended
18974-420: The decades immediately after Indian independence, the economy of Tamil Nadu consistently exceeded national average growth rates from the 1970s, due to reform-oriented economic policies. In the 2000s, the state has become one of the most urbanized states in the country with a higher Human Development Index compared to national average. Tamil Nadu covers an area of 130,058 km (50,216 sq mi) and
19153-603: The directions of the Madras High ;Court. In 2019, the Madras High Court ruled that the term "bride" under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 includes trans-women, thereby legalizing marriage between a man and a transgender woman. Tamil women traditionally wear a sari , a garment that consists of a drape varying from 5 to 9 yards (4.6 to 8.2 m) in length and 2 to 4 feet (0.61 to 1.22 m) in breadth that
19332-600: The district and state, which associate with sages namely Vyasa , Agastya , Tolkappiyar , Avvaiyar and Valluvar . The district is situated between 77°15' and 77°36' east longitude and 8°03' and 8°35' north latitude. The district has borders with Tirunelveli district in the North & North East, the Gulf of Mannar in the East, the Indian Ocean in the South, the Arabian Sea in the West and
19511-878: The district are lush and virgin and is 75 million years old. The forest of this region comes under Boothapandy Mahendra-giri Reserve forest and is managed by the District Forest Officer with Headquarters at Nagercoil . The jungles host around 600 species of gigantic timber trees and 3,500 other plants, many of which hold significant economic value. Notable timber trees include teak , rosewood (blackwood), Jungle Jack , Malabar ebony , Adina cordifolia , Karumaruthu , and Vengai . Softwood varieties like Bombax ceiba and glossy-leaved jack are also abundant, along with reeds , bamboos , and sandalwood . Plantations of cardamom and tea thrive at higher elevations, while pepper , rubber , ginger , and turmeric flourish in lower areas. Due to various local geological factors,
19690-455: The district. Elephants are abundant in the upper reaches of Asambu and Veerapuli reserves and are occasionally spotted around Kodayar, Perunchani and Balamore areas. Deer are seen throughout the hilly forests, with three species present: The Spotted Deer , Sambur , and the Barking Deer . The Muthukuzhi valley and the entire Asambu region are favoured by Sambur deer. The Gaur
19869-592: The district. These species belong to 251 genera within 110 families. Among them, 12 are categorised as rare, endemic , and threatened . One out of every seven species found in the groves of the region are rare. Notably, Alpinia galanga , Gloriosa superba , Nymphaea pubescens , Hemidesmus indicus , Kaempferia galanga , and Rauvolfia serpentina are endangered while Justicia beddomei , Leea indica , and Petiveria alliacea are considered rare. Furthermore, species such as Indigofera uniflora , Naregamia alata , Ochlandra scriptoria , and Osbeckia aspera are endemic to
20048-532: The district. Ticks of the genus Ixodes are commonly found in grasslands. Among arthropods , insects such as Ranatra , Cybister , Earwigs , Prodasineura , Hydrometra , Cockroaches , leaf insects , Grasshoppers , and Crickets are notable. Kanyakumari District was officially formed on 1 November 1956, as a result of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 , which aimed to reorganise state boundaries based on linguistic lines. The District Collector
20227-490: The districts of Tamil Nadu . It is also the richest district in Tamil Nadu in terms of per capita income, and also tops the state in Human Development Index (HDI), literacy, and education. The district's headquarters is Nagercoil . Kanyakumari district has a varied topography with the sea on three sides and the mountains of the Western Ghats bordering the northern side. Except for a small stretch of land to
20406-553: The east of Kanniyakumari town, almost the entire district is sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea – the only district in Tamil Nadu state facing the Arabian Sea . Historically, Nanjinad and Edai Nadu, which comprise the present-day Kanniyakumari district, were ruled by various Tamil and Malayalam dynasties: the Cheras , the Ay / Venad / Travancore dynasty, the Pandyans ,
20585-590: The eastern areas. Several rose varieties flourish in well-tended gardens. Of the Spices , the Kanyakumari clove which accounts for 65% of India's clove production is produced around Maramalai , Karumparai and Velimalai areas above Veerapuli Reserve and Mahendragiri hills of the district. Cardamom , black pepper , ginger , turmeric and other spices too thrive here. Tuberous plants like sweet potato , arrow-root , and tapioca yield edible roots. The hedges in
20764-514: The entire sea coast of Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari district experiences a tropical climate , characterised by warm temperatures throughout the year as per the Köppen climate classification . The district generally has high temperatures year-round, with average highs ranging from 29°C to 33°C (84°F to 91°F) and average lows from 23°C to 26°C (73°F to 79°F). The Summer from March to May is typically hot, with temperatures often exceeding 34°C (93°F). The heat
20943-623: The era. Tamil classic Tirukkural by Valluvar , a collection of couplets is attributed to the same period. Around the 7th century CE, the Kalabhras were overthrown by the Pandyas and Cholas, who patronised Buddhism and Jainism before the revival of Saivism and Vaishnavism during the Bhakti movement . Though they existed previously, the period saw the rise of the Pallavas in the sixth century CE under Mahendravarman I , who ruled parts of South India with Kanchipuram as their capital. The Pallavas were noted for their patronage of architecture:
21122-437: The first Indian Governor General of India post independence, was from Tamil Nadu. The state has produced three Indian presidents, namely, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan , R. Venkataraman , and APJ Abdul Kalam . As per the 2011 census , Tamil Nadu had a population of 72.1 million and is the seventh most populous state in India. The population is projected to be 76.8 million in 2023 and to grow to 78 million by 2036. Tamil Nadu
21301-532: The first language by 88.4% of the state's population, followed by Telugu (5.87%), Kannada (1.78%), Urdu (1.75%), Malayalam (1.01%) and other languages (1.24%) Various varieties of Tamil are spoken across regions such as Madras Bashai in northern Tamil Nadu, Kongu Tamil in Western Tamil Nadu , Madurai Tamil around Madurai and Nellai Tamil in South-eastern Tamil Nadu. It is part of
21480-537: The first series of Polygar wars. The Maruthu brothers along with Oomaithurai , the brother of Kattabomman, formed a coalition with Dheeran Chinnamalai and Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja , which fought the British in the Second Polygar War. In the later 18th century, the Mysore kingdom captured parts of the region and engaged in constant fighting with the British which culminated in the four Anglo-Mysore Wars . By
21659-410: The foremost temples of the era built by Rajaraja, and Gangaikonda Cholapuram , built by Rajendra. The Pandyas again reigned supreme early in the 13th century under Maravarman Sundara I . They ruled from their capital of Madurai and expanded trade links with other maritime empires. During the 13th century, Marco Polo mentioned the Pandyas as the richest empire in existence. The Pandyas also built
21838-722: The forested areas, each river basin— Kodayar and Pahrali —encompasses approximately 30 square miles of grasslands. Common grass species in this region include Chrysopogon orientalis , Eulalia phaeothrix , Themeda trimula , and Zenkeria sebastinei . Amidst the grasses and rocky crevices, one can find beautiful orchids and Impatiens flowering alongside ferns. Additionally, other herbaceous plants such as Acrotrema arnottianum , Centratherum rangacharii , Exacum travancoricum , Leucas vestita , Linum mysorense , Hedyotis purpurascens , Heracleum candeolleanum , and Senecio ludens thrive. On dripping rocks, Utricularia purpurea and Utricularia reticulata are commonly observed. The Hills of
22017-1011: The forests in the Kanyakumari division encompass 14 distinct types, based on the Champion and Seth's classification ranging from lush tropical wet evergreen forests to tropical thorn forests, all within a relatively small area. The region hosts a diverse array of plant species, with its natural vegetation encompassing southern thorn forests , dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests, semi-evergreen forests, and evergreen hill sholas interspersed with grassy downs . Dry deciduous forests : These forests, ranging from an altitude of 200 to 600 meters occur in regions like Keeriparai , Mangolamottai (lower Kodayar), Maruthaparai ( Kulasekaram ), Ulakkaruvi , and Kuttiyar. Tree and shrub species include Adina cordifolia , Cochlospermum religiosum , Dillenia pentagyna Hydnocarpus laurifolius , Lannea coromandelica and Terminalia chebula etc. Desmodium triangulare of
22196-550: The geographic area and 15% of the 22,643 km (8,743 sq mi) recorded forest area of the state. Mudumalai National Park was established in 1940 and was the first modern wildlife sanctuary in South India. The protected areas are administered by the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the government of India and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department . Pichavaram consists of a number of islands interspersing
22375-405: The grasses, ephemeral annual herbs and herbaceous perennials emerge during favourable seasons. In the sheltered valleys, extensive paddy cultivation sustains the region. Paddy remains the staple food crop. Tapioca , the second most important food crop, thrives primarily in Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks. Palmyrah and coconut groves dot the plains and coastal regions. The landscape
22554-570: The group of monuments in Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram . The Cholas later expanded the same and by the Pandya rule in twelfth century, these gateways became a dominant feature of a temple's outer appearance. The state emblem also features the Lion Capital of Ashoka with an image of a Gopuram on the background. Vimanam are similar structures built over the garbhagriha or inner sanctum of
22733-504: The hilly terrain of the district have led to a diverse vegetation profile, showcasing distinct representations of different land types. The highest hill within the district is Mahendragiri (1654 meters) in Thovalai taluk , situated on the border between Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts. Kalmalai (900 meters), Moliyadi (700 meters) located at the head of old Kulasekaram reserved forest area and Tadakai malai (960 meters) are some of
22912-434: The inland peninsular region except for a semi-arid rain shadow east of the Western Ghats. Winter and early summer are long dry periods with temperatures averaging above 18 °C (64 °F); summer is exceedingly hot with temperatures in low-lying areas exceeding 50 °C (122 °F); and the rainy season lasts from June to September, with annual rainfall averaging between 750 and 1,500 mm (30 and 59 in) across
23091-873: The interior plains include Cassia siamea , Dichrostachys cinerea , Morinda pubescens , Thespesia populnea , Ficus bengalensis , Mangifera indica , Alstonia scholaris , Pongamia pinnata , and Calophyllum inophyllum . Shrubs and under shrubs like Crotalaria gigantea , Cassia auriculata , Vitex negundo , Crotalaria striata , and Dodonaea viscosa are abundant. Beneath the shade of these shrubs and trees, herbaceous plants such as Rhinacanthus nasutus , Asystasia gangetica and Vernonia cinerea thrive. Climbers like Pterolobium hexapetalum , Lantana camara , Cissus quadrangularis , Aganosma cymosa , Coccinia grandis , Pergularia daemia and Jasminum angustifolium are also frequently encountered in this ecosystem. The coastal areas face unique challenges due to factors like sandy soil, aridity , scanty rainfall, and strong winds. In
23270-437: The largest among the Indian states. The state has three biosphere reserves , mangrove forests, five National Parks , 18 wildlife sanctuaries and 17 bird sanctuaries . The Tamil film industry , nicknamed as Kollywood, plays an influential role in the state's popular culture. The name is derived from Tamil language with nadu meaning "land" and Tamil Nadu meaning "the land of Tamils". The origin and precise etymology of
23449-464: The leeward region (the region deprived of winds) receives very little rainfall. The Bay of Bengal branch of the southwest monsoon heads toward northeast India, picking up moisture from the Bay of Bengal. The Coramandel coast does not receive much rainfall from the southwest monsoon, due to the shape of the land. Northern Tamil Nadu receives most of its rains from the northeast monsoon . The northeast monsoon takes place from November to early March, when
23628-585: The low country and jungles. Jackals and foxes are also common. The South Indian Hedgehog is found throughout the district. Bats are very common, with four different species present. Among squirrels , the Palm Squirrel is most commonly found in the countryside, while the Malabar Squirrel inhabits the jungles. The Indian Porcupine is found throughout the forests. Rats , mice , and hares are very common, with Black rat and Mus booduga found across
23807-511: The main source of history during the period coming from the Sangam literature. Ancient Tamilakam was ruled by a triumvirate of monarchical states, Cheras , Cholas and Pandyas . The Cheras controlled the western part of Tamilkam, the Pandyas controlled the south, and the Cholas had their base in the Kaveri delta. The kings called Vendhar ruled over several tribes of Velala (peasants), headed by
23986-532: The major parts of the Kanyakumari district, occurred later—approximately 25 million years ago—during the early Miocene era . Subsequent transgressions and regressions of the sea led to the formation of various sedimentary layers. Over time, the sea receded, resulting in uplifted land masses. Evidence of this uplift includes deeply entrenched streams, waterfalls, high hanging valleys, alluvial flats, and marine sediment patches at higher elevations. Notably, shelly limestone formations in Kanyakumari further support
24165-521: The massive gopuram , ornate towers at the entrance of temples, originated with the Pallava architecture . They built the group of rock-cut monuments in Mahabalipuram and temples in Kanchipuram . Throughout their reign, the Pallavas remained in constant conflict with the Cholas and Pandyas. The Pandyas were revived by Kadungon towards the end of the 6th century CE and with the Cholas in obscurity in Uraiyur ,
24344-401: The most industrialised states, with the manufacturing sector accounting for nearly one-third of the state's GDP. With its diverse culture and architecture, long coastline, forests and mountains, Tamil Nadu is home to a number of ancient relics, historic buildings, religious sites, beaches , hill stations , forts , waterfalls and four World Heritage Sites . The state's tourism industry is
24523-628: The most prized goods along with pearls and silk . From 300 CE, the region was ruled by the Kalabhras , warriors belonging to the Vellalar community, who were once feudatories of the three ancient Tamil kingdoms. The Kalabhra era is referred to as the "dark period" of Tamil history, and information about it is generally inferred from any mentions in the literature and inscriptions that are dated many centuries after their era ended. The twin Tamil epics Silappatikaram and Manimekalai were written during
24702-678: The name Tamil Nadu to denote the region. Archaeological evidence points to the region being inhabited by hominids more than 400 millennia ago. Artifacts recovered in Adichanallur by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) indicate a continuous history from more than 3,800 years ago. Neolithic celts with the Indus script dated between 1500 and 2000 BCE indicate the use of the Harappan language . Excavations at Keezhadi have revealed
24881-464: The national parties usually aligning as junior partners to the major Dravidian parties, AIADMK and DMK. M. Karunanidhi became the leader of the DMK after Annadurai and J. Jayalalithaa succeeded as the leader of AIADMK after M. G. Ramachandran. Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa dominated the state politics from the 1980s to early 2010s, serving as chief ministers combined for over 32 years. C. Rajagopalachari,
25060-495: The new district of Kanniyakumari in 1956 following the demands of reunion made by the Tamil speaking majority people (about 70% of the population), who feels that their feelings were suppressed by the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom which has Malayalam-majority population. The four taluks were made the part of then Madras State under recommendations from the States Reorganisation Commission in 1956. The Madras State
25239-474: The notable hills in the district. The mountainous terrain in the northern and eastern portions of the district contains an extensive plateau amidst elevated hilltops. While most of the hills have steep slopes, some exhibit a more gradual spread. While the area is predominantly agricultural, numerous plantations and few handloom industries thrive in this region. The central area of the district, particularly Agastiswaram taluk, consists of vast plains. This includes
25418-526: The plains at Vellimalai , Mylaudy and Derisanamcope . The district features an extensive 68-kilometer coastline. Predominantly regular in its configuration, the coast showcases notable projections toward the sea at locations such as Kanniyakumari, Muttam , and Erayanthurai. Additionally, there are a few minor sea ports. The ancient port of Colachel stands as the sole natural port on the west coast of Tamil Nadu while Kanyakumari serves as another minor port, primarily catering to tourists. Another minor port at
25597-453: The plains. Among game birds , the Jungle fowl is common around the Asambu forests in the Azhagiapandiapuram range. Francolinus is often seen in thorny scrubby areas . Two main varieties of owls are the Spotted owlet and the Barn owl , which occasionally stray into the countryside and perch on house tops. Other varieties include the Brown fish owl and the Indian great horned owl . Two important species of kites in this district are
25776-466: The present Kanniyakumari district. The district were ruled by various dynasties: Venad Kingdom , Travancore Kingdom , the Cheras , the Cholas , the Ays and the Nayaks . A few artefacts were unearthed by archaeological excavations in parts of the district. The district was part of the princely state of Travancore during the colonial times prior to India's independence ; four of the eight tehsils of Thiruvananthapuram district were separated to form
25955-408: The re-organization in 1956 was 206, which was further increased to 234 in 1962. In 1986, the state moved to a unicameral legislature with the abolition of the Legislative Council by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council (Abolition) act, 1986. The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is housed in the Fort St. George in Chennai. The state elects 39 members to the Lok Sabha and 18 to the Rajya Sabha of
26134-429: The region consist of a variety of thorny or succulent shrubs. Among them are the Screw-pine , Prickly-pear , Pineapple , Agave , and Euphorbia . Additional hedge plants include Jatropha , Pithecolobium , Casuarina , Sesbania , Erythrina , Pongu , and Lantana . Climbers , most of which have leafy growth, overgrow these hedges. Other than the xerophytic vegetation, the district also hosts hydrophytic flora. In
26313-485: The region features two main rock groups: the Khondalites , and Charnockites while a third group, Migmatites is also found. The Khondalites, composed of garnetiferous Sillimanite - Graphite Gneisses and Garnet - Biotite gneisses , dominate a significant portion of the district. The Charnockites are exposed in areas between Padmanabhapuram , Aralvaimozhi , Kulasekaram , Thuckalay , and Rajakkamangalam . The distinctive occurrence of feldspathic granites across
26492-439: The region harbour a unique xerophytic flora, adapted to arid conditions. At higher elevations, large grasses like Andropogon , Panicum , lemon grass , and fodder grass thrive, creating a verdant carpet. Closer to the base, shrubby forms—such as species of Phoenix , Cycas , and Inthai—find their niche. Abundant bamboo clumps (including Ochlandra ) and dense cane growths (both bamboo family members) abound. Sheltered beneath
26671-409: The region include the grizzled giant squirrel , grey slender loris , sloth bear , Nilgiri tahr , Nilgiri langur , lion-tailed macaque , and the Indian leopard . Chennai is the capital of the state and houses the state executive , legislative and head of judiciary . The administration of the state government functions through various secretariat departments. There are 43 departments of
26850-685: The region. Once the dry northeast monsoon begins in September, most precipitation in India falls in Tamil Nadu, leaving other states comparatively dry. A hot semi-arid climate predominates in the land east of the Western Ghats which includes inland south and south central parts of the state and gets between 400 and 750 millimetres (15.7 and 29.5 in) of rainfall annually, with hot summers and dry winters with temperatures around 20–24 °C (68–75 °F). The months between March and May are hot and dry, with mean monthly temperatures hovering around 32 °C (90 °F), with 320 millimetres (13 in) precipitation. Without artificial irrigation, this region
27029-596: The sacred groves along the south-west coast of the district. The vegetation in the cape area is typically xerophytic . Acacia planifrons groves characterise this region. Within the Acacia woods, cacti , agave , and aloe grow, accompanied by a ground cover of typical xerophytic herbs, including various grasses. Moving to the inland sandy areas, these regions are characterised by xerophytic plants such as Euphorbia tirucalli , Jatropha curcas , Jatropha gossypiifolia , Cleome aspera , Chorispora tenella , Aerva lanata , Phyla nodiflora , and Zornia diphylla . The district
27208-609: The sacred groves of the district. Around 60 species of medicinal plants thrive in the district. These include the medicinal weeds such as Abrus precatorius , Abutilon indicum , Acalypha indica , Achyranthes aspera , Acorus calamus , Aloe vera , Alternanthera sessilis , etc., and those found around the sacred groves include Atalantia monophylla , Atalantia racemosa , Mesua ferrea , Commelina benghalensis , and Sterculia urens . Showy or scented flowers—such as Kolunthu , Chempakam , henna , Ceylon Jasmine Nanthiarvattam , Asokam , and more—adorn gardens and natural spaces of
27387-408: The seas, along with flatfish , Prawns , Shrimp , and Crabs . Rock oysters form dense colonies at Kovalam , and a small octopus species is found under rocks at Cape Comorin. The sacred chank is found in large quantities here. At Cape Comorin, two species of top shells Trochus radiatus and Trochus costatus are abundant. Various poisonous insects, including Scorpions and Spiders , are found in
27566-529: The selection of Prime Ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi . C. N. Annadurai , a follower of Periyar, formed the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1949. The Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu led to the rise of Dravidian parties that formed Tamil Nadu's first government, in 1967 . In 1972, a split in the DMK resulted in the formation of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) led by M. G. Ramachandran . Dravidian parties continue to dominate Tamil Nadu electoral politics with
27745-755: The state and the departments have further sub-divisions which may govern various undertakings and boards. The state is divided into 38 districts , each of which is administered by a District Collector , who is an officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) appointed to the district by the Government of Tamil Nadu. For revenue administration, the districts are further subdivided into 87 revenue divisions administered by Revenue Divisional Officers (RDO) which comprise 310 taluks administered by Tahsildars . The taluks are divided into 1349 revenue blocks called Firkas which consist of 17,680 revenue villages. The local administration consists of 15 municipal corporations , 121 municipalities and 528 town panchayats in
27924-419: The state had the lowest fertility rate in India with 1.6 children born for each woman, lower than required for sustaining the population. As of 2021 , the Human Development Index (HDI) for Tamil Nadu was 0.686, higher than that of India (0.633) but ranked medium. As of 2019 , the life expectancy at birth was 74 years, one of the highest amongst Indian states. As of 2023, 2.2% of the people live below
28103-510: The state tree: palmyra palm , eucalyptus , rubber, cinchona , clumping bamboos ( Bambusa arundinacea ), common teak , Anogeissus latifolia , Indian laurel , grewia , and blooming trees like Indian laburnum , ardisia , and solanaceae . Rare and unique plant life includes Combretum ovalifolium , ebony ( Diospyros nilagrica ), Habenaria rariflora (orchid), Alsophila , Impatiens elegans , Ranunculus reniformis , and royal fern . Important ecological regions of Tamil Nadu are
28282-405: The surface high-pressure system is strongest. The North Indian Ocean tropical cyclones occur throughout the year in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, bringing devastating winds and heavy rainfall. The annual rainfall of the state is about 945 mm (37.2 in) of which 48 per cent is through the northeast monsoon, and 52 per cent through the southwest monsoon. The state has only 3% of
28461-411: The temple but are usually smaller than the gopurams in the Dravidian architecture with a few exceptions including the Brihadisvara Temple in Thanjavur . The Mugal influence in medieval times and the British influence later gave rise to a blend of Hindu , Islamic and Gothic revival styles, resulting in the distinct Indo-Saracenic architecture. Several buildings and institutions built during
28640-490: The theory of land uplift in this area. The uplift likely occurred in stages, rejuvenating older streams. The wind gap at Mekkode resulted from river piracy, where the Paraliyar was captured by the Kodayar , possibly during the Tertiary period . The straight west coastline, uninterrupted by breaks, suggests faulting during the Pliocene epoch . Similarly, changes in the Kodayar river's course—from northward to northeast to southwest indicate faulting along its path. Geologically,
28819-419: The throne in 1729 CE. Under their rule anarchy was dominant in Kanniyakumari region. However, Marthanda Varma brought a sense of disorder under control by annexing the nearby territories, putting down the feudal lords and establishing the strong state of Travancore . He had also bought some portions of Kanniyakumari from the then viceroy making it the southern boundary. Under his rule, the district improved in
28998-436: The total land area of 168,356.216 hectares, approximately 48,423 hectares are covered by forests. Reserved forests account for 44,799 hectares, while 3,605 hectares are unclassed forests. Additionally, there are 19 hectares of reserved lands. Most of the forests in the district are situated on slopes of hills and plateaus, benefiting from high rainfall and serving as catchment areas for numerous streams and rivers. The forests in
29177-482: The trade which led to Battle of Wandiwash in 1760 as part of the Seven Years' War . The Nawabs of the Carnatic surrendered much of their territory to the British East India Company in the north and bestowed tax revenue collection rights in the South, which led to constant conflicts with the Palaiyakkarars known as the Polygar Wars . Puli Thevar was one of the earliest opponents, joined later by Rani Velu Nachiyar of Sivagangai and Kattabomman of Panchalakurichi in
29356-435: The traffic management in the respective regions. The state is consistently ranked as one of the safest for women with a crime rate of 22 per 100,000 in 2018. Elections in India are conducted by the Election Commission of India , an independent body established in 1950. Politics in Tamil Nadu was dominated by national parties till the 1960s. Regional parties have ruled ever since. The Justice Party and Swaraj Party were
29535-412: The two major parties in the erstwhile Madras Presidency. During the 1920s and 1930s, the Self-Respect Movement , spearheaded by Theagaroya Chetty and E. V. Ramaswamy (commonly known as Periyar), emerged in the Madras Presidency and led to the formation of the Justice party. The Justice Party eventually lost the 1937 elections to the Indian National Congress and Chakravarti Rajagopalachari became
29714-426: The urban areas, and 385 panchayat unions and 12,618 village panchayats , administered by Village Administrative Officers (VAO). Greater Chennai Corporation , established in 1688, is the second oldest in the world and Tamil Nadu was the first state to establish town panchayats as a new administrative unit. In accordance with the Constitution of India , the governor is a state's de jure head and appoints
29893-434: The water resources nationally and is entirely dependent on rains for recharging its water resources. Monsoon failures lead to acute water scarcity and severe drought . Forests occupy an area of 22,643 km (8,743 sq mi) constituting 17.4% of the geographic area. There is a wide diversity of plants and animals in Tamil Nadu, resulting from its varied climates and geography. Deciduous forests are found along
30072-426: The way to the Aralvaimozhi Pass. Notably, the perfectly detached Kattadimalai stands out as a prominent rocky mass. Continuing southward, a broken rocky spur shapes into Marunthuvazh Malai , situated approximately 7 kilometres northwest of Kanyakumari . The Vellimalai in Kalkulam taluk and the Maruntuvazh malai in Agastheeswaram taluk are important isolated hills. The variations in altitude and climate across
30251-581: The western Tambraparani near Thikkurichi. The district features diverse topography with its northern and western regions consist of hilly terrain and forests, while the southeastern and central parts are characterised by agricultural lands. Along the southern border lies an extensive sea-shore interspersed by valleys and plains. The coastal uplands of the district are characterised by rocky outcrops and rugged coastlines, with notable Teri sand dune complexes. The coastlines of Kanyakumari , Theerthakkarai , Muttom , and Kadiyapattanam are especially rocky. In Muttom,
30430-403: The western coast of the district. The district can be categorised into three natural divisions: Within the northern mountainous range of the district lies the scenic sanitarium of Muthukuzhivayal . South of Peermedu , this range stands out due to its significant breadth. The rugged landscape boasts bluff ridges and conical peaks, forming a continuation of the Western Ghats that stretches all
30609-559: The word Tamil is unclear with multiple theories attested to it. In the ancient Sangam literature , Tamilakam refers to the area of present-day Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh . Tolkāppiyam (2nd to 1st century BCE) indicates the borders of Tamilakam as Tirumala and Kanniyakumari . The name Tamilakam is used in other Sangam era literature such as Puṟanāṉūṟu , Patiṟṟuppattu , Cilappatikaram , and Manimekalai . Cilappatikaram (5th to 6th century CE) and Ramavataram (12th century CE) mention
30788-465: The year 1949, the area became a part of the reestablished Travancore Cochin state. The people of Agasteeswarem, Thovalai, Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks, which formed the southern divisions of the former district of Trivandrum , were predominantly Tamil speaking people. The present Kanniyakumari district was historically part of the erstwhile Travancore State. Four Tamil-speaking taluks viz., Vilavancode, Kalkulam, Thovala and Agastheeswaram which now form
30967-409: The years and have developed diversely. As of December 2023 , Tamil Nadu had an economy with a gross state domestic product (GSDP) of ₹ 27.22 trillion (US$ 330 billion), making it the second-largest economy amongst the 28 states of India. It has the country's 9th-highest GSDP per capita of ₹ 315,220 (US$ 3,800) and ranks 11th in human development index . Tamil Nadu is also one of
31146-443: Was based on an idea propagated by the members of the Theosophical Society movement after a Theosophical convention held in Madras in December 1884. Tamil Nadu was the base of various contributors to the Independence movement including V. O. Chidambaram Pillai , Subramaniya Siva and Bharatiyar . The Tamils formed a significant percentage of the members of the Indian National Army (INA), founded by Subhas Chandra Bose . After
31325-412: Was famous for Silambam , Kaliai and vermakalai. This Kanyakumari district location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Kanyakumari district Kanyakumari district , officially Kanniyakumari district , is one of the 38 districts of Tamil Nadu state and the southernmost district in mainland India . It stands second in terms of population density among
31504-411: Was formed by the volcanic activity that lasted many years and when the volcanoes became extinct, they left a region of highlands with typically vast stretches of flat areas on top like a table. The predominant soils of Tamil Nadu are red loam , laterite , black , alluvial and saline . Red soil, with a higher iron content, occupies a larger portion of the state and all the inland districts. Black soil
31683-410: Was inhabited by Tamil-speaking Dravidian people , who were ruled by several regimes over centuries such as the Sangam era triumvirate of the Cheras , Cholas and Pandyas , the Pallavas (3rd–9th century CE), and the later Vijayanagara Empire (14th–17th century CE). European colonization began with establishing trade ports in the 17th century, with the British controlling much of the state as
31862-456: Was later renamed Tamil Nadu in 1969 and Kanniyakumari, today, is one of the 38 districts of Tamil Nadu state. The district is the birthplace of Ayyavazhi , the henotheistic belief initiated by Hari Gopalan Seedar , one among the 5 prime disciples of Ayya Vaikundar . The social, religious and cultural history of the 19th century Kanniyakumari district is intrinsically inter-twined with those of Ayyavazhi. Many historical assumptions persist in
32041-429: Was the first instance of a large-scale mutiny by Indian sepoys against the British East India Company, took place in Vellore Fort . After the Indian Rebellion of 1857 , the British Parliament passed the Government of India Act 1858 , which transferred the governance of India from the East India Company to the British crown, forming the British Raj . Failure of the summer monsoons and administrative shortcomings of
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