97-633: Sirkazhi ( [ˈsiːɾkaːɻiː] ), also spelled as Sirkali and Siyali , is a municipal town in Mayiladuthurai district in Tamil Nadu , India. It is located 13 km (8.1 mi) from the coast of the Bay of Bengal , and 250 km (160 mi) from the state capital Chennai . Sirkazhi was a part of Thanjavur district until 1991 and has later been part of Nagapattinam district . The town covers an area of 13.21 km (5.10 sq mi) and in 2011 had
194-501: A broadband internet service The town has a government hospital, 12 private hospitals, clinics and medical shops. During the British Raj, Shiyali (present-day Sirkazhi) was the headquarters of a separate administrative division, or taluka. In 1972 the town was declared a third grade municipality, and was upgraded to a second grade municipality in 1980. The municipality has 24 wards, each of which has an elected councillor. The functions of
291-782: A Pandya queen from 3rd century BCE representing a confederacy of the Tamil countries. Madurai , in south Tamil Nadu, was the most important cultural centre in south India as the core of the Tamil speakers. Megalithic relics such as menhirs, dolmens, urn burials, stone circles and rock-cut chambers/passages can be found in south India. Burial goods include iron objects, ivory ornaments, Black-and-Red Ware and even some Roman Imperial coins. The so-called "velir" hill chieftains are assumed to be associated with these megalithic burials. Greek and Latin accounts (early centuries CE), coins with legends in Tamil-Brahmi script, and Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions suggest
388-510: A battle fought near Kumbakonam. By c. 897 CE , Chola king Aditya I was the master of the old Pallava, Ganga and Kongu countries. It is a possibility that Aditya I conquered the Kongu country from the Pandya king Parantaka Viranarayana (r. 880–900 CE). Parantaka I , successor to Aditya, invaded the Pandya territories in 910 CE and captured Madurai from king Maravarman Rajasimha II (hence
485-760: A battle with Pandyas. Maravarman Kulasekhara I (1268) defeated an alliance of the Hoysalas and the Cholas (1279) and invaded Sri Lanka . The venerable Tooth Relic of the Buddha was carried away by the Pandyas. During this period, the rule of the kingdom was shared among several royals, one of them enjoying primacy over the rest. An internal crisis in the Pandya kingdom coincided with the Khalji invasion of south India in 1310–11. The ensuing political crisis saw more sultanate raids and plunder,
582-531: A bloody battle here. During the 7th–8th century, there were widespread disputes between the Hindu sects of Saivism and Vaishnavism . Tirugnanasambandar and Thirumangai Alvar, belonging to Saivism and Vaishnavism, respectively, and both natives of Sirkazhi, had disputes over their religious compositions and theologies during the period. The Chola Kings ruled over the region for more than four centuries, from 850 to 1280, and were temple patrons. There are 41 inscriptions from
679-559: A formal submission to Maravarman Sundara I and acknowledged his overlordship. Attempts by the next Chola king Rajaraja III (1216 – 46 CE ) for self-rule (to stop the Pandya invasion into the Chola country ), with the help of the Hoysalas king Narasimha II (r. 1220 – 1238 CE), resulted in a battle between the Pandya and Hoysala forces at Mahendramangalam on the Kaveri Valley . Maravarman Sundara I
776-591: A gift of rock-cut beds, to a Jain ascetic. It is assumed that the people found in the Mangulam inscription, Nedunjeliyan, Kadalan, and Izhanchadikan predate rulers such as Talaiyanganam Nedunjelyan and Palyaga-salai Mudukudimi Peruvaludi. Kharavela , the Kalinga king who ruled during c. 1st century BCE, in his Hathigumpha inscription , claims to have destroyed an old confederacy of Tamil countries ("the tamira–desa–sanghata") which had lasted 132 years, and to have acquired
873-514: A large number of pearls from the Pandyas. Silver punch-marked coins with the fish symbol of the Pandyas dating from around the same time have also been found. The early historic Pandyas are celebrated in the earliest available Tamil poetry . The poems refers to about twelve Pandya rulers. According to tradition, the legendary Sangams ("the Academies") were held in Madurai under the patronage of
970-538: A population of 34,927. It is administered by a second grade municipality . Sirkazhi is part of the Cauvery delta region and agriculture is the major occupation. Roads are the main means of transportation; the town has 51.47 km (31.98 mi) of district roads, including a national highway. The town is believed to be of significant antiquity and has been ruled by the Medieval Cholas , Later Cholas , Later Pandyas ,
1067-560: A war of succession for control of the empire. It seems that Maravarman Kulasekhara wanted Vira Pandya to succeed him (who in turn was defeated by Sundara Pandya after a short period). Unfortunately, the Pandya civil war coincided with the Khalji raids in south India. Taking advantage of the political situation, the neighbouring Hoysala king Ballala III invaded the Pandya territory. However, Ballala had to retreat to his capital, when Alauddin Khalji's general Malik Kafur invaded his kingdom at
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#17328735488681164-594: Is Tiruchirapalli Airport which is 160 km (99 mi) from Sirkazhi. The first English school in the town was the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission School, which was opened by the Lutheran Mission in 1896. The Lutheran mission was the earliest Protestant mission founded in Tanjore (present-day Thajavur) by Rev. C.V. Schwartz in 1778 to promote Christian knowledge in the region. Of
1261-511: Is also called Hanyuewang . It is several thousand li to the southeast of Tianzhu (northern India) ...The inhabitants are small; they are the same height as the Chinese ;... The darkest man is here the most highly esteemed and [considered] better than the others who are not so dark. Let me add that in very truth these people portray and depict their gods and their idols as black and their devils white as snow. For they say that god and all
1358-455: Is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam . There is a separate shrine for Sambandar celebrating the miracle of Parvathi suckling the child Sambandar when he was crying for milk. Shiva is worshipped in three different forms; the Shivalingam (Bhrammapureeswarar), Uma Maheswarar (Toniappar) at the middle level, and Bhairavar (Sattanathar) at the upper level. The original temple was enlarged during
1455-542: Is implementing underground drainage and the current sewerage system is through septic tanks and public conveniences. Roadside drains carry away untreated sewage, which is released into the sea or accumulates in low-lying areas. Sirkazhi comes under the Sirkazhi Telecom Circle of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India's state-owned telephone and internet services provider. BSNL also provides
1552-609: Is known to have fought battles with the Pallavas, the Gangas, and probably with the Pandyas too, on the Kaveri basin. Kirtivarman II (r. 744/5–55 CE), the last Chalukya king, managed to lose to his southern countries as a result of his battles with the Pandyas. Pandya kings Maravarman Rajasimha I (r. 730–65 CE) and Nedunjadaiyan/Varagunavarman I (r. 765–815 CE) threatened Pallava king Nandivarman II Pallavamalla (r. 731–96 CE) who had managed to defeat
1649-469: Is listed as one of the ancestors in the Velvikudi Inscription of Nedunjadaiyan Varaguna-varman I (Jatila Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan). The Greek ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya , Megasthenes mentions Queens of Pandyas as 'Pandaia' and locates them in the south of India extending into the ocean. It consisted of 365 villages which met the needs of the royal palace each day of the year. He described
1746-464: Is located 95 km (59 mi) north-east of Thanjavur , 24 km (15 mi) north of Mayiladuthurai and 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Chidambaram . The town experiences long summers and short winters,and receives an average yearly rainfall of 1,250 mm (49 in), mainly from the north-east monsoon between October and December. Its close proximity to the sea means that Sirkazhi receives more rainfall than neighbouring towns. Sirkazhi
1843-574: Is part of the Cauvery delta region and has irrigation channels, called the Kollidam channels, which carry water from the rivers and provide a rich deposit of fertile silt before reaching the sea. The soil is black and contains fertile alluvial sediment. The area's main crop is rice ; other crops grown in the area are coconut , tamarind and neem . The landscape mostly consists of plain lands with fields and small portions of scrub jungle. Antelope , spotted deer , wild hog , jackal and fox are present in
1940-537: Is part of the newly created Mayiladuthurai district. Sirkazhi is located at 11°14′N 79°44′E / 11.23°N 79.73°E / 11.23; 79.73 , on the eastern flank of the Kumbakonam-Shiyali ridge, which runs along the Kollidam River . Sirkazhi has an average elevation of 5.18 m (17.0 ft) above sea level and is located at 13 km (8.1 mi) west of Bay of Bengal . It
2037-498: Is that the word pandya is derived from the ancient Tamil word "pandu" meaning "old". The theory suggests that in early historic Tamil lexicon the word pandya means old country in contrast with Chola meaning new country , Chera meaning hill country and Pallava meaning branch in Sanskrit . Another theory is that the word Pandya is derived from the Sanskrit word Pandu to mean white or pale, in reference to king Pandu and
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#17328735488682134-482: Is the longest ruling dynasty in the world. The rulers of the three Tamil dynasties were referred to as the " three crowned rulers (the mu-ventar) of the Tamil Region " in the southern part of India . The origin and the timeline of the Pandya dynasty are difficult to establish. The early Pandya chieftains ruled their country ( Pandya Nadu ) from the ancient period, which included the inland city of Madurai and
2231-678: Is the oldest bank in Sirkali. All major nationalised banks and private banks have branches in the town, and all have atms . The National highway NH-32 connects Chennai and Thoothukudi through Chidambaram , Cuddalore and Nagapattinam passes through Sirkazhi. Sirkazhi has outer bypass road to ease the transport of heavy vehicles in the town. Sirkazhi municipality has 51.5 km (32.0 mi) of roads: 18.3 km (11.4 mi) of BT roads, 30.4 km (18.9 mi) of cement roads, 2.2 km (1.4 mi) of water-bound macadam surface and 0.6 km (0.37 mi) of other roads. Bullock carts are
2328-538: Is thought of ruling the whole western and northern coast of Sri Lanka from her capital Kudiramalai , where remains of what is thought of as her fort are found. She is sometimes seen as an incarnation of the Pandya associated gods, Meenakshi and Kannagi . The medieval Pandya kings were claimed to have belonged to the Chandra-vamsa or the Lunar Race . They claimed Pururavas and Nahusha as ancestors. Pururavas
2425-500: The Akananuru and the Purananuru collections, there are two major works – Mathuraikkanci and Netunalvatai – which give a glimpse into the society and commercial activities in the Pandya country during the early historic period. The Purananuru and Agananuru collections contain poems sung in praise of various Pandya rulers and also poems that were claimed to be composed by
2522-559: The Cheras , Pandyas and Satiyaputras . These polities, possibly not part of the Maurya empire, were on friendly terms with Asoka: The conquest by dharma has been won here, on the borders, and even six hundred yojanas (5,400–9,600 km) away, where the Greek king Antiochos rules, beyond there where the four kings named Ptolemy , Antigonos , Magas and Alexander rule, likewise in the south among
2619-558: The Chola country were effectively checked by the Hoysalas . Jatavarman I ( c. 1251 ) successfully expanded the kingdom into the Telugu country (as far north as Nellore ), south Kerala, and conquered northern Sri Lanka . The city of Kanchi became a secondary capital of the Pandyas.The Hoysalas, in general, were confined to the Mysore Plateau and even king Somesvara was killed in
2716-581: The Cholas , the Pandyas , and as far as Tamraparni river. (Major Rock Edict No.13), Ven. S. Dhammika translation Everywhere within the conquered province of King Piyadasi (Ashoka), the beloved of the gods, as well as in the parts occupied by the faithful, such as Chola , Pandya , Satiyaputra , and Keralaputra , even as far as Tambapanni (Ceylon) and within the dominions the Greek (of which Antiochus generals are
2813-677: The Pallava country , and Sri Lanka . The Pandyas fell into decline with the rise of the Cholas of Thanjavur in the 9th century and were in constant conflict with the latter. The Pandyas allied themselves with the Sinhalese and the Cheras against the Chola Empire until it found an opportunity to revive its frontiers during the late 13th century. The Pandyas entered their golden age under Maravarman I and Jatavarman Sundara Pandya I (13th century). Some early efforts by Maravarman I to expand into
2910-485: The Pandavas . Apart from these derivations mentioned, several other theories do appear in historical studies. According to the ancient Tamil legends , the three brothers Cheran , Cholan and Pandyan ruled in common at the southern city of Korkai . While Pandya remained at home, his two brothers Cheran and Cholan after a separation founded their own kingdoms in north and west. Epic poem Silappatikaram mentions that
3007-629: The Rashtrakutas in the Deccan. The Pandyas took on the growing Pallava ambitions in south India, and from time to time they also joined in alliances with the kingdoms of the Deccan Plateau (such as with the Gangas of Talakad in late 8th century CE). In the middle of the 9th century, the Pandyas had managed to advance as far as Kumbakonam (north-east of Tanjore on the Kollidam river). Sendan (r. 654–70 CE),
Sirkazhi - Misplaced Pages Continue
3104-704: The Vijayanagar Empire , the Marathas and the British . The Tamil trinity of Carnatic music; Arunachala Kavirayar (1711–78), Muthu Thandavar (1525–1600) and Marimutthu Pillai (1712–87), originated from Sirkazhi. The Saiva saint Tirugnanasambandar , foremost of the Saiva Nayanars, was born here in the seventh century. Thirumangai Alvar Kaliyan (Thirumangai) was born in Thirukuraiyalur near Sirkazhi. The history of
3201-578: The 32 schools in Sirkazhi, there are nine municipal schools. There are three higher secondary schools, three middle schools, fourteen primary schools and three matriculation schools in the town. There are two arts and science colleges, BEST College of Arts and Science and Vivekananda College of Arts and Science. Srinivasa Subbaraya Polytechnic College (locally called Puttur Polytechnic) is located in Puttur , 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Sirkali. Electricity supply to
3298-429: The 4th to 3rd centuries BCE, the dynasty passed through two periods of imperial dominance, the 6th to 10th centuries CE, and under the 'Later Pandyas' (13th to 14th centuries CE). Under Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I and Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I , the Pandyas ruled extensive territories including regions of present-day South India and northern Sri Lanka through vassal states subject to Madurai . Pandya dynasty
3395-503: The 5th century CE) mentions a Pandya king in the context of Prince Vijaya 's (543–505 BCE) arrival in Sri Lanka with his 700 followers. ...Nelcynda is distant from Muziris by river and sea about five hundred stadia, and is of another kingdom, the Pandian. This place [Nelcynda] also is situated on a river, about one hundred and twenty stadia from the [Arabian] sea.... ...the kingdom of Panyue
3492-603: The Abode of the Tamils). The three chiefly lines of early historic south India – the Cheras, Pandyas and Cholas – were known as the mu-vendar ("the three vendars"). They were traditionally based at their original headquarters in the interior Tamil Nadu ( Karur , Madurai and Uraiyur respectively). The powerful chiefdoms of the three ventar dominated the political and economic life of early historic south India. The frequent conflicts between
3589-595: The Chera, the Chola and the Pandya are well documented in ancient (the Sangam ) Tamil poetry. The Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas also controlled the ports of Muziris (Muchiri) , Korkai and Kaveri respectively (for the trade with the Graeco-Roman world). The gradual shift from chiefdoms to kingdoms seems to have occurred in the following period. The famous inscription of king Kharavela at Hathigumpha (mid-first century BCE ) mentions
3686-550: The Chola country (even as far as Nellore ), to Sri Lanka and to south Kerala . He was also successful in confining the Hoysala control to the Mysore Plateau (the ancient Chola country was now overrun by the Pandyas ). Kanchi functioned as the second major city in the kingdom. In his conquests, Jatavarman Sundara I assisted joined number of Pandya royals such as Jatavarman Vira Pandya. Jatavarman Sundara I subdued Rajendra II around 1258–1260 CE and made him pay tribute. The rule of
3783-400: The Chola country and southern Tamil speaking portions of Hoysala kingdom. He also invaded Sri Lanka, ruled by Bhuvanaikabahu I, who "carried away to the Pandya country the venerable Tooth Relic", and the wealth of the island. Sri Lanka remained under Pandya control until c. 1308–1309 CE. After the death of Maravarman Kulasekhara I (1310), his sons Vira Pandya IV and Sundara Pandya IV fought
3880-447: The Chola kingdom had shrunk to the size of a small principality (its vassals in the extreme south had proclaimed their independence). It is a possibility that Pandya ruler Vira Pandya defeated Chola king Gandaraditya and claimed independence. Chola ruler Sundara Parantaka II (r. 957–73) responded by defeating Vira Pandya I in two battles (and Chola prince Aditya II killed Vira Pandya on the second occasion). The Pandyas were assisted by
3977-660: The Chola kings in the temple that record various gifts like land, sheep, cow and oil to the temple. The region fell under the control of Pandyas in 1532 and later became part of the Thanjavur Nayak kingdom . The region was conquered in 1674 by Ekoji I (1675–84), the Maratha enemy of the Nawab of Bijapur and half-brother of Shivaji (1674–80). The town and the region became part of the British East India Company during
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4074-407: The Cholas ended c. 1279 with Rajendra III. The Pandya attacked the Hoysalas in the Kaveri and captured the fort of Kannanur Koppam. Hoysala king Somesvara was forced to fall back into the Mysore Plateau. The Hoysala king, pressed by enemies from north and south, "assigned" the southern half of his kingdom to his younger son Ramanatha (r. 1254–1292 ). Somesvara was eventually killed by
4171-501: The Gangas in c. 760 CE . Varagunavarman I invaded the Pallava country and conquered the Kongu country (western Tamil Nadu) and Venadu (south Kerala). King Srimara Srivallabha (r. 815–62 CE) sailed to Sri Lanka, subjugated and overpowered King Sena I, and sacked his capital Anuradhapura (the Panya invasion of Sri Lanka followed a period of vassalage). However, Srimara Srivallabha
4268-459: The Kaveri river was severely weakened by this move (and straightened the position of the Pallava ruler Nripatunga). Pandya ruler Varaguna-varman II (r. c. 862–880 CE ) responded by marching into the Chola country and facing a formidable alliance of Pallava prince Aparajita, the Chola king Aditya I and the Ganga king Prithvipati I. The Pandya king suffered a crushing defeat ( c. 880 CE ) in
4365-473: The Kulasekharas, and the Cholas, under Rajadhiraja II and Kulottunga III , joined in and took sides with any of the two princes or their kins. Pandya kings (10th century–first half of 11th century CE): The Pandya empire included extensive territories, at times including large portions of south India and Sri Lanka . The rule of the empire was shared among several royals, one of them enjoying primacy over
4462-566: The Pallava territory was reduced by the encroachment from the Pandyas from the south (and Rashtrakutas and the Telugu-Cholas from nand orth). Pallava king Nandivarman III (r. 846–69 CE) was able to defeat the Pandyas and Telugu-Cholas (and even the Rashtrakutas) with the help of the Gangas and the emerging Cholas. (Varaguna-varman I) While the Pandyas and the Rashtrakutas were busy engaging
4559-513: The Pallavas, with the Gangas and the Simhalas (Sri Lanka) also in the mix, the Cholas emerged from the Kaveri delta and took on the chieftains of Thanjavur (the Mutharaiyar chieftain had transferred their loyalty from the Pallava to the Pandya ). The Chola king Vijayalaya conquered Thanjavur by defeating the Mutharaiyar chieftain around c. 850 CE . The Pandya control north of
4656-557: The Pandya in 1262 CE. Ramanatha managed to recover Kannanur and hold against the Pandya power. Jatavarman Sundara I also came into conflict with the Kadava ruler Kopperunjinga II . It seems that Bana (Magadai) and Kongu countries came under the Pandya rule during the wars against the Hoysalas and the Kadavas. Jatavarman Sundara I also fought the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati (1199–1262 ). Sri Lanka
4753-630: The Pandyas. Several Tamil literary works, such as Iraiyanar Agapporul, mention the legend of three separate Sangams and ascribe their patronage to the Pandyas. Pandya rulers from early historic south India Pandya rulers – such as Nedunjeliyan , the Victor of Talaiyalanganam, and Mudukudimi Peruvaludi, the Patron of Several Sacrificial Halls ("the Palyaga-salai") – find mention in several poems (such as Mathuraikkanci ). Besides several short poems found in
4850-400: The Sri Lanka forces of King Mahinda IV. Chola emperor Rajaraja I (r. 985–1014 CE) is known to have attacked the Pandyas. He fought against an alliance of the Pandya, Chera and Sri Lankan kings, and defeated the Cheras and "deprived" the Pandyas of their ancient capital Madurai. Emperor Rajendra I continued to occupy the Pandya kingdom, and even appointed a series of Chola viceroys with
4947-465: The anthology of Tevaram hymns from then on, commencing with "Todudaiya Seviyan". Sambandar refers the town as "Kazhi" in his verses. It was called Shiyali during British rule , and after Independence , it was renamed "Sirkazhi". The earliest mention of Sirkazhi is found in the history of the Chola king Kocengannan from the Sangam Age (3rd century BCE to 4th century CE), who is believed to have won
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#17328735488685044-482: The basis for the town's name as "Sirkali". In ancient times, this town had twelve different names, including Brahmapuram, Venupuram, Thonipuram, Kazhumalam, Pugali, Sirkazhiswaram Shri Kali and Kazheesirama Vinnagaram . According to Hindu legend, during one of the biggest deluges that submerged the planet earth, Hindu god Shiva is said to have carried the 64 arts on a raft (called Thoni in Tamil). The presiding deity in
5141-656: The constituency is M. Sakthi from the ADMK. In the national parliament, Sirkazhi is a part of the Mayiladuthurai (Lok Sabha constituency) . Law and order in Sirkazhi is maintained by the Mayiladuthurai sub-division of the Tamil Nadu Police , headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police. There is a police station in the town. There are special units like prohibition enforcement, district crime, social justice and human rights, district crime records and special branch that operate at
5238-444: The continuity of the Pandya dynasty from the 3rd century BCE to early centuries CE. The early Pandyas, along with the Cheras and the Cholas, were eventually displaced by the Kalabhra dynasty . The Pandya kingdom was revived by king Kadungon (r. 590–620 CE ) towards the end of the 6th-century CE. In the Velvikudi inscription , a later copper-plate, Kadungon appears as the "destroyer" of the "anti-Brahmanical" Kalabhra kings. With
5335-436: The decline of the Kalabhra dynasty, the Pandyas grew steadily in power and territory. With the Cholas in obscurity in Uraiyur , the Tamil country was divided between the Pallavas of Kanchi and the Pandyas of Madurai. From the 6th century to the 9th century CE, the Chalukyas of Badami , the Pallavas of Kanchi , and the Pandyas of Madurai dominated the politics of south India. The Badami Chalukyas were eventually replaced by
5432-405: The defeat of a confederacy of the "Tramira" countries which had been a threat to Kalinga. It also remembers the precious pearls brought to the capital as booty from the "Pandya" realm. The Pandya chiefdom was famous for its pearl fisheries and silk industry. Korkai and Alagankulam are believed to have been the exchange centres of the Pandyas. Korkai, a port at the mouth of the river Tambraparni,
5529-442: The district and enters the sea here. Most of the northern border with Cuddalore is formed by the Kollidam River . As of 2020 , it comprises the following taluks: At the time of the 2011 census, Mayiladuthurai district had a population of 918,356, of which 176,568 (19.23%) lived in urban areas. Mayiladuthurai district has a sex ratio of 1029 females per 1000 males and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 32.31% and 0.23% of
5626-399: The district level police division, headed by a Superintendent of Police. The Bhramapureeswarar temple , also called Sattainathar temple, is an ancient temple complex dedicated to Shiva, and has three Shiva shrines. The temple is mentioned in the Saiva canonical work, Tevaram , by Thirugnana Sambanthar , Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar , the foremost Saivite saints of 7th–8th century CE and
5723-493: The emblem of the Pandyas was that of a fish . Indian traditions such as the Great Epics and the Puranas often associate southern India with Sage Agastya (who had his ashrama in the south). Agastya appears prominently in medieval Tamil literature also. Folklores attribute Alli Rani (meaning "the queen Alli") as one of the early historic rulers of the Pandyas. She is attributed as an "amazonian queen" whose servants were men and administrative officials and army were women. She
5820-402: The jungles and outlying areas of the town. Crow and ordinary game birds are found in large numbers in the town. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea, megathrust earthquake that occurred on 26 December 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra , Indonesia, triggering a series of devastating tsunamis along coastal fringes of the Indian Ocean. Nagapattinam district
5917-433: The loss of south Kerala (1312), and north Sri Lanka (1323) and the establishment of the Madurai sultanate (1334 ). The Pandyas of Ucchangi (9th–13th century) in the Tungabhadra valley were related to the Pandyas of Madurai. According to tradition, the legendary Sangams ("the Academies") were held in Madurai under the patronage of the Pandyas, and some of the Pandyan rulers claimed to be poets themselves. Pandya Nadu
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#17328735488686014-407: The mid-18th century. Tanjore district was constituted in 1799 when the Thanjavur Maratha ruler Serfoji II (1798–1832) ceded most of his kingdom to the British East India Company in return for his restitution on the throne. After India's independence, Sirkazhi continued to be a part of Thanjavur district until 1991, when it became part of Nagapattinam district until March 2020. Currently Sirkazhi
6111-404: The municipality are devolved into six departments: general administration/personnel, engineering, revenue, public health, town planning and IT, which are controlled by a Municipal Commissioner, who is the supreme executive head. Legislative powers are vested in a body of 24 members, one for each of the 24 wards. The legislative body is headed by an elected chairperson, who is assisted by a deputy. On
6208-678: The national average of 929. A total of 3,367 were under the age of six, constituting 1,740 males and 1,627 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 23.21% and 0.13% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the town was 81.5%, compared to the national average of 72.99%. The town had a total of : 8756 households. There were a total of 11,476 workers, comprising 352 cultivators, 1,398 main agricultural labourers, 150 in house hold industries, 7,681 other workers, 1,895 marginal workers, 88 marginal cultivators, 809 marginal agricultural labourers, 77 marginal workers in household industries and 921 other marginal workers. As per
6305-414: The outskirts of Sirkazhi. The annual Garudasevai festival held during January attracts thousands of pilgrims. Tamil Isai Moovar (meaning Tamil trinity of Carnatic music) namely, Arunachala Kavirayar (1711–1778), Muthu Thandavar (1525–1600) and Marimutthu Pillai (1712–1787) originated from Sirkazhi. Arunachala composed devotional songs, including Sirkazhi Sthalapuranam and Sirkazhi Kovai , eulogising
6402-423: The period of Kulothunga Chola I , Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola II and Kulothunga Chola III (as in Chidambaram – 11th through the 13th centuries). Every year in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April – May), a 10-day festival is celebrated. Kazheesirama Vinnagaram temple, also called Thadalan Koil, is dedicated to Vishnu in the form of Trivikrama. Sirkazhi is base to the outlying places like Poompuhar , and
6499-420: The population respectively. Tamil is the predominant language, spoken by 99.32% of the population. Pandyas The Pandya dynasty ( Tamil: [paːɳɖijɐr] ), also referred to as the Pandyas of Madurai , was an ancient Tamil dynasty of South India , and among the four great kingdoms of Tamilakam , the other three being the Pallavas , the Cholas and the Cheras . Existing since at least
6596-486: The population. The slum area has remained static at 39.45 acres (0.1596 km). The town has a residential area of 2.79 km (1.08 sq mi) (20.96%), commercial area of 0.4 km (0.15 sq mi) (3.04%), industrial area of 0.58 km (0.22 sq mi) (4.39%), public & semi public area of 1.29 km (0.50 sq mi) (9.66%) and undeveloped area of 8.23 km (3.18 sq mi) (38.05%). The service sector provides most employment in
6693-405: The queen Pandaie as daughter of Heracles (by some author as Shiva or Krishna ). Madurai , capital of Pandyas is mentioned in Kautilya's Arthashastra (4th century BCE) as ' Mathura of the south'. Pandyas are also mentioned in the inscriptions of Maurya emperor Asoka (3rd century BCE). In his inscriptions (2nd and 13th Major Rock Edict ), Asoka refers to the peoples of south India –
6790-450: The religious census of 2011, Sirkazhi had 86.91% Hindus , 9.46% Muslims , 2.16% Christians , 0.02% Sikhs , 0.46% Buddhists , 0.33% Jains , 0.63% following other religions and 0.04% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference. In 1981, there were 15 notified slums accommodating 4,499 persons, constituting 17.64% of the population. In 2001, there were still 15 slums accommodating 7,533 persons, constituting 23.37% of
6887-471: The rest. The Pandya king at Madurai thus controlled these vast regions through the collateral family branches subject to Madurai . The foundation for the Pandya supremacy in south India was laid by Maravarman Sundara I early in the 13th century. He succeeded his older brother Jatavarman Kulasekhara in 1216. He invaded the Chola country, sacked Uraiyur and Thanjavur , and drove the Chola king Kulothunga III into exile. The Chola king subsequently made
6984-577: The revenue administration side, Sirkazhi is a taluka headquarters having three revenue villages: Kavilancheri, Sirkazhi and Thadalan. For the purposes of state government, Sirkazhi is part of the Sirkazhi assembly constituency, which elects a member to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly once every five years. The constituency is reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates. Since 2011 the MLA of
7081-572: The rise of the Kalabhra dynasty in south India. From the 6th century to the 9th century CE, the Chalukyas of Badami or Rashtrakutas of the Deccan, the Pallavas of Kanchi , and Pandyas of Madurai dominated the politics of south India. The Pandyas often ruled or invaded the fertile estuary of Kaveri (the Chola country), the ancient Chera country (Kongu and central Kerala ) and Venadu (southern Kerala),
7178-561: The rule of Nedunjeliyan. In the famous battle of Talaiyalanganam (in east Tanjore), the Pandya is said to have defeated his enemies (which included the Chera and the Chola). He is also praised for his victory of Mizhalai and Mutturu, two "vel" centres along the ocean (in Pudukkottai). The Netunalvatai (in the collection of Pattupattu ) by Nakkirar contains a description of king Nedunjeliyan's palace. The Buddhist text Mahavamsa (composed in
7275-472: The rulers ) everywhere the heaven-beloved Raja Piyadasi’s double system of medical aid is established- both medical aid for men and medical aid for animals. (Major Rock Edict No.2), James Prinsep translation The earliest Pandya to be found in epigraph is Nedunjeliyan , figuring in the Tamil-Brahmi Mangulam inscription (near Madurai) assigned to 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. The record documents
7372-570: The rulers themselves. Besides the poems, king Peruvaludi is also mentioned in later copper-plate grant (8th–9th century CE). In the work Mathuraikkanci , the author Mankudi Maruthanar, refers to his patron, Talaihalanganum Nedunjeliyan , as the Lord of Korkai and the Warlord of the Southern Parathavar People . It contains a full-length description of Madurai and the Pandya country under
7469-631: The saints are black and the devils are all white. That is why they portray them as I have described. Mauryan emperor Asoka (3rd century BCE) seems to have been on friendly terms with the people of south India and Sri Lanka (the Cholas , the Pandyas, the Satiya Putras , the Kerala Putras and the Tamraparnis ). There are no indications that Asoka tried to conquer the extreme south India (the Tamilakam –
7566-505: The southern port of Korkai . The Pandyas are celebrated in the earliest available Tamil poetry ( Sangam literature ). Graeco-Roman accounts (as early as the 4th century BCE ), the edicts of Maurya emperor Ashoka , coins with legends in Tamil-Brahmi script, and Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions suggest the continuity of the Pandya dynasty from the 3rd century BCE to the early centuries CE. The early historic Pandyas faded into obscurity upon
7663-412: The temple, Shiva, is thus called "Thoniappar" (the one who carried the raft) and the region is called "Thonipuram". The Hindu god Brahma is believed to have worshiped Shiva here, giving the name "Bhrahmapureeswarar" (the one worshipped by Brahma) and so the region is also referred as "Brahmapureeswaram". Shiva is believed to have quelled the arrogance of Hindu god Brahma, after showing his dominance over
7760-549: The temples Thirusaikkadu , Thiruppallavaneeswaram , Melapperumpallam , Keezhaperumpallam , Thiruvengadu and Thirunangur. Thirukkavalampadi , Thiruvanpurushothamam , Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram , Thiruchsemponsey , Thirumanimadam , Thiruvaikunda vinnagaram , Thiruthevanartthogai , Thiruthetriyambalam , Thirumanikkoodam , Annan Koil and Thiruppaarththanpalli are eleven Vishnu temples, called Nangur Divya Desams revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham , located in
7857-498: The third king of the Pandyas of Madurai, is known for expanding his kingdom to the Chera country (western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala ). Arikesari Maravarman (r. 670–700 CE), the fourth Pandya ruler, is known for his battles against the Pallavas of Kanchi . Pallava king Narasimhavarman I (r. 630–668 CE), the famous conqueror of Badami , claimed to have defeated the Pandyas. Chalukya King Paramesvaravarman I "Vikramaditya" (r. 670–700 CE)
7954-447: The three worlds and hence got the name "Sattainathar" here. The town is thus called "Sattainathapuram", which in modern times, is a suburb within Sirkazhi. The town was known as "Kalumalam" during the early Chola period. Thirugnanasambandar , the seventh century Saiva nayanar , as an infant is believed to have been fed with the milk of wisdom by the divine mother Parvati on the banks of the temple tank. The child Sambandar started singing
8051-492: The title "Chola Pandya" to rule from Madurai (over Pandya and Western Chera/Kerala countries). The very beginning of Chola emperor Kulottunga 's rule (r. from 1070 CE) was marked by the loss of Sri Lanka and a rebellion in the Pandya country. The second half of the 12th century witnessed a major internal crisis in the Pandya country (between princes Parakrama Pandya and Kulasekhara Pandya). The neighbouring kingdoms of Sri Lanka, under Parakramabahu I , Venadu Chera/Kerala , under
8148-464: The title "Madurai Konda"). Rajasimha II received help from the Sri Lankan king Kassapa V, still got defeated by Parantaka I in the battle of Vellur, and fled to Sri Lanka. Rajasimha then found refuge in the Chera country, leaving even his royal insignia in Sri Lanka, the home of his mother. The Cholas were defeated by a Rashtrakuta-lead confederacy in the battle of Takkolam in 949 CE. By mid-950s,
8245-495: The town is centred on the Sattainathar Temple , which is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva . The history of the town is also associated with Rajarajeshwari – Angalaparameshwari Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Adi shakti , who is believed to be most powerful form, located in the south of Kalumalaiyar river. When the goddess takes on the forceful form, she is known as "Shri Kali" or "Pechi amma" or " Angali" which forms
8342-478: The town is regulated and distributed by the Sirkazhi Circle of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). Water supply is provided by the Sirkazhi municipality from the Kollidam river; it is distributed through five water tanks which supply 2 million (two million) litres a day. Push carts and tricycles are used to collect solid waste, which is deposited in marsh lands located outside the town. Sirkazhi municipality
8439-640: The town to Mayiladuthurai , Kumbakonam , Nagapattinam , Chidambaram , Karaikkal and other cities in Tamil Nadu. Nearest major junction of Mayiladuthurai , the Sirkazhi's railway station is on the main line between Chennai and Trichy via Cuddalore and Chidambaram. Daily express trains connect major cities in Tamil Nadu like Chennai , Madurai and Trichy , and weekly express trains connect Tirupathi, Varanasi , Tiruchendur and Bhubaneswar . There are also daily passenger trains to Mayiladuthurai, Salem , Villupuram and Bangalore daily. The nearest airport
8536-570: The town. S. R. Ranganathan , considered to be the father of library science in India, is from Sirkazhi. Padma Shri Sirkazhi Govindarajan , a leading vocalist in Carnatic Music and a playback singer for Tamil cinema and devotional songs was also born in Sirkazhi. Mayiladuthurai district Mayiladuthurai district is one of the 38 districts of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu . The district
8633-476: The town. Limited agriculture is carried out; the main crop is paddy rice. During the British Raj, Sirkazhi was known for mats made with a kind of cyperus . The headquarters of the taluka and panchayat union administration , and many government offices are located in the town. There are no major industries within the town, except for several rice mills. Sirkazhi has many Hindu temples, which draw in tourism activity. Sirkali Coop Urban Bank, founded on 23 April 1918
8730-438: The traditional mode of transport; as late as the 1950s, landlords and rich farmers travelled mostly by bullock carts except on rare, long journeys, which they undertook by buses or motor vehicles. Buses are the main mode of public transport from Sirkazhi. The municipality operates a B-Class bus stand with 36 bays that accommodate local and intercity buses. The buses are operated by Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation , connecting
8827-566: Was carved out of Nagapattinam district in 2020. Its headquarters are located at Mayiladuthurai . The district is bounded on the north by Cuddalore district , on the west by Thanjavur district , on the south by Tiruvarur district and Karaikal district of Puducherry , and the Bay of Bengal to the east. The district is situated in the fertile delta of the Kaveri and is entirely flat plain. The Kaveri, as well as many of its distributaries, flows through
8924-424: Was defeated and Rajaraja III was restored in the Chola country. Sometime later Chola prince Rajendra III attacked the Pandyas and defeated two Pandya royals including Maravarman Sundara II . Hoysala king Somesvara (r. 1233 – 1267 CE ) then came to the aid of the Pandyas, defeated Rajendra III and then made peace with the Cholas. Jatavarman Sundara I ascended the Pandya throne in 1251 CE. He led his army to
9021-586: Was home to several renowned temples, including the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai . The revival of the Pandya power by Kadungon (late 6th century CE) coincided with the prominence of the Shaivite nayanars and the Vaishnavite alvars . It is known that the Pandya rulers followed Jainism for a short period of time. The etymology of Pandya is still a matter of considerable speculation among scholars. One theory
9118-471: Was invaded by Jatavarman Sundara I in 1258 and on his behalf by his younger brother Jatavarman Vira II between 1262 and 1264 CE. The island was again invaded and defeated by Jatavarman Vira II in 1270 CE. Sundara Pandya I (died in 1268) was succeeded by Maravarman Kulasekara I . Around 1279 the combined force of Hoysala king Ramanatha and Rajendra III was defeated by Maravarman Kulasekara I. Maravarman Kulasekara I, now virtually unchallenged, ruled over
9215-439: Was linked to the famous pearl fisheries and Alagankulam was also developed as a port. Several coins attributed to early historic Pandyas are found were Severalin the region. Inscriptions, datable to c. 2nd century BCE, recording royal grants – both from royals and wealthy commoners – were also discovered from the Pandya country. The Pandya seems to be the most prominent of the three "ventar" rulers. There are even references to
9312-506: Was soon overpowered by Pallava king Nripatunga (r. 859–99 CE). Sena II, the king of Sri Lanka, invaded the Pandya country, sacked Madurai and chose Varagunavarman II (r. c. 862–880 CE ) as the new king soon after. It is proposed that the start of the Kollam Era , the Kerala calendar, in 825 CE marked the liberation of Venadu from Pandya control. During the rule of Dantivarman (r. 796–847 CE),
9409-419: Was the most affected part of Tamil Nadu, accounting for 6,064 off the 8,009 casualties in the state. Sirkazhi remained mostly unaffected by the tsunami, but the groundwater quality deteriorated where aquifers were close to the water bodies. There was heavy salt water intrusion inland. According to 2011 census , Sirkali had a population of 34,927 with a sex-ratio of 1,028 females for every 1,000 males, much above
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