Overview
Virudhunagar district is an administrative district in the southern part of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The district headquarters is located at Virudhunagar town. The district is known for its trading communities, fireworks and matchbox industries centred around Sivakasi, and printing and publishing units that supply much of India's notebook and calendar production.
Key facts
| State | Tamil Nadu |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Headquarters | Virudhunagar |
| Region | Southern Tamil Nadu |
| Major towns | Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, Aruppukottai, Rajapalayam, Sattur, Srivilliputhur |
| Language | Tamil |
Background and formation
The district was carved out of the erstwhile Ramanathapuram district as part of the reorganisation of districts in Tamil Nadu. It was originally constituted as Kamarajar district, named in honour of the former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, who was born at Virudhunagar. It was subsequently renamed Virudhunagar district after the headquarters town.
Geography
Virudhunagar district lies on the plains of southern Tamil Nadu, bounded broadly by Madurai district to the north, Sivaganga district and Ramanathapuram district to the east, Thoothukudi district and Tirunelveli district to the south, and the Western Ghats forming a natural boundary with Kerala to the west. The western parts of the district, around Srivilliputhur and Rajapalayam, rise into the foothills of the Ghats and include the Srivilliputhur–Megamalai Tiger Reserve area, while the central and eastern portions are largely agricultural plains. The Vaippar and Arjuna Nadhi are among the rivers that drain the district.
Administration
The district is divided into revenue divisions and taluks, with the Collector serving as the head of the district administration. Major taluks include Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, Aruppukottai, Rajapalayam, Sattur, Srivilliputhur, Tiruchuli, Watrap and Kariapatti. The district elects members to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and to the Lok Sabha through the Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram parliamentary constituencies, depending on the assembly segment.
Economy
Virudhunagar district has a strongly diversified industrial economy compared with many other parts of southern Tamil Nadu:
- Fireworks and matches: Sivakasi and its neighbouring towns form one of the largest clusters of firework and safety match manufacturing in India.
- Printing: Sivakasi is also a major centre for offset printing, producing calendars, notebooks, packaging and educational material.
- Textiles: Rajapalayam and Aruppukottai host spinning mills and cotton-based industries.
- Agriculture: Cotton, paddy, pulses, chillies and oilseeds are cultivated, with chillies from Sattur and Virudhunagar being well known in regional trade.
- Trade: Virudhunagar town has historically been a trading centre, particularly for the Nadar mercantile community.
Transport
The district is served by the Madurai–Tirunelveli section of the Southern Railway, with stations at Virudhunagar Junction, Sivakasi, Sattur and Kovilpatti area connections. National Highway 44 (the Madurai–Kanyakumari corridor) passes through the district, and state highways link Virudhunagar with Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and the Western Ghats towns. The nearest major airport is Madurai International Airport.
Notable places
- Srivilliputhur: Site of the Andal Temple, associated with the Tamil Vaishnavite saint Andal; the temple's gopuram is the official emblem of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
- Tiruchuli: Birthplace of the philosopher and sage Ramana Maharshi.
- Sivakasi: Industrial town known for fireworks, matches and printing.
- Rajapalayam: Known for textile mills and as the namesake of the Rajapalayam breed of dog.
- Srivilliputhur–Megamalai Tiger Reserve: Protected area in the Western Ghats portion of the district.
Notable people
- K. Kamaraj – former Chief Minister of Madras State and President of the Indian National Congress; born at Virudhunagar.
- Ramana Maharshi – Hindu sage; born at Tiruchuli.
Related topics
References
- Wikidata entity Q15209 – Virudhunagar district.
- Government of Tamil Nadu, district administration portal for Virudhunagar.