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Sivakasi is a first grade municipal town in Tamil
Nadu, located 74-km south of Madurai. It is a part of Virudunagar
district. Sivakasi is a famous industrial town in South India honoured as
"Mini Japan" by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. This small town is also
popular for its ancient worshipping places.
Sivakasi - A Town Of Three Industries
Sivakasi may be called as "A town of three industries", namely
Matches, Fire works and Printing. Sivakasi is known for its fireworks
manufacturing reputation and offset printing machines of which it has the
second largest number in the world, next to Guthenburg, a city in German.
It is one of the highest excise duty, sales tax paying industrial town in
India.
There are more than 1,500 match industries either of small or medium or
large-scale units. Out of the total requirement of matches and fireworks
in India about 85-90% of production is met by Sivakasi. Most of the
manufacturing units are in small scale and cottage industries. In and
around Sivakasi there are 1434 match works and 291 fire works industries.
Around 373 Printing presses are located in and around Sivakasi. Thousands
of workers are getting direct and indirect employment through this
industry.
The History Of Sivakasi
Sivakasi has a history of more than 600 years. Its story starts from the
14th century.
Legend Regarding How Sivakasi Came To Be Called So
When Hindus just hear the very name 'Kasi', it evokes religious
sentiments with them. Kasi is a place where every devout Hindu is expected
to visit once in his lifetime. Apart from that there are two other Kasi's
in Tamil Nadu -Tenkasi (meaning the Southern Kaasi) located near
Courtallam, close to
Kerala and Sivakasi
(Kassi of Siva) located at South of Madurai.
It is interesting to note how Sivakasi came to be called so. The king,
Ankesari Parakrama Pandyan ruled the southern region of Madurai, with his
capital at Tenkasi. He wished to establish a Shiva temple at Tenkasi and
he had planned to visit Kasi Varanasi to worship Lord Shiva there and
bring a Linga from there.
While returning to his place with the prized Linga a few miles past
Madurai, he took rest under a groove of Vilva trees. When the king woke up
to continue his journey after his overnight halt, the cow that carried the
Shivalinga, being brought from
Varanasi
, refused to move from there, for all coaxing and coercing.
Moreover, the princess attained puberty that night which prohibited the
carrying of the Linga. As events thus overtook auspicious time for the
already proposed plan of consecrating the Linga at Tenkasi, the king
reverentially placed the Linga in the place where he had halted and
proceeded to Tenkasi. The place, which was sanctified by the Shivalinga
brought from Kasi, henceforth came to be called "Sivakasi".
Later on King Pandia and King Thirumalai Naicker did a lot for this
temple and named it "Kasi Viswanatha Swami " Temple. The period
of construction was between 15th and 16th century. Aanaiappa Gnani
reconstructed this temple. Under the rule of King Naickers, the temple was
developed more. In 1659, the Ratham (the chariot) was constructed by Muthu
Veerappa Naicker.
Temples: -
Kasi Viswanatha Swami Temple
Kasi Viswanatha Swami Temple is an ancient temple in Sivakasi. The
presiding deity is Kasi Viswanatha Swami or Kashi Vishwanath Swami (Lord
Shiva) and the Goddess worshipped here is Visalatchi Ambal.
Festivals Celebrated At Kasi Viswanatha Swami Temple
"Powrami Puja" is held on every full moon day. "Prathosam"
is very popular among the people of Sivakasi. On that day many people come
to worship the God. "Karthikai Thiruvizha" is celebrated in "Aadi
Karthigai and Thai Karthigai" days. "108 Changabishegam" is
held on every last Monday of Tamil month to Sri Kasi Viswanathar and on
every last Friday of Tamil month to Sri Vishalatchi Ambal. "Thanga
Kavasam Satruthal" is held in the beginning of every Tamil month,
every Pradthosam, on Shivaratri and on other festival days
Sri Mariamman Kovil
Sri Mariamman Kovil is another famous temple in Sivakasi. Sri Mariamman
is the Goddess of the temple. "Kumbabhishekam" for this temple
was held on 21-1-1983. "Kumbabhishekam" for the "Gopuram"
of this temple was held on 6-2-1984. There is a beautiful Silver Ratham in
the temple.
Sri Pathira Kaliamman Temple
Sri Pathira Kaliamman Temple is a very famous temple in Sivakasi. Sri
Pathira Kaliamman is the Goddess of this temple. "Kumbabhishekam"
for this temple was held on 11-06-1987. "Kumbabhishekam" for the
"Raja Gopuram" (Main Tower) was held on 7-7-1995. Raja Gopuram
has the length of 66 feets, width of 44 feets and the height of 110 feets
of 7 stages. The base was constructed by stone, for 30 feets with 100
sculptures in 6 years. 80 feets of 7 stages was constructed with 30
architects within a period of 1½ year.
It owns the biggest tower of all the Amman temples in India. Powrnami
Puja is celebrated grandly on the full moon day. Large numbers of people
come to worship the Goddess. There is a very beautiful garden in this
temple, and it impresses the visitors to a greater extent.
Badrakaliamman Temple
The magnificent tower of Sri Badrakaliamman Temple in Sivakasi has a
glittering gold Kalasam that attract all newcomers. The temple itself is
an expression of self-assertion by members of Nadar Community who were ill
treated earlier. A separate committee called "Devasthanam Committee"
was constituted to look after the routine affairs, like conducting daily
pujas and sponsoring festivals. This temple has been periodically
renovated since 1983-84. The Rajagopuram was constructed within the period
of 8 years and is believed to be the tallest of all kali temple towers in
the state.
Churches: -
There are three sections among Christians which are Roman Catholics,
Protestants and Pentagosthe and all the three groups have very old
churches at Sivakasi .
Our Lady of Lord's Church
Roman Catholics constructed "Our Lady of Lord's Church" on 1953
by Father Balaiya S.J. The area of the church is 60 cents of which 800
persons can pray at a time. This church is constructed in Portuguese
style. About 11 Churches around Sivakasi are attached with it. The Church
concentrates on making humanization through education, also works for the
eradication of Child Labour.
Rockland Church
Protestants constructed "Rockland Church". Mr. E.H.M. Waller
started the work on 29-6-1917 and it took 8½ years to finish. In
29-12-1925 Thiru Packenham Walsh inaugurated the church.
Mosques: -
In Sivakasi there are 3 famous Mosques -
1) Sapi Mathap Palli Vasal,
2) Hanapi Mathap Cepaskori Palli Vasal and
3) Hanapi Pallivasal.
Ayyanar Falls
Ayyanar falls are located at a distance of about 40- km from Sivakasi
town. It is a suitable place for enjoying the holidays, with a temple and
small waterfalls.
Sastha Falls
Located at a distance of 27-km from Rajapalayam and 12-km from Devadanam
is the Sastha falls, a picnic spot with good cool water streams,
waterfalls and several smooth rock slopes for playful sliding. Elephants,
Spotted Deers, Wild Buffaloes can be spotted here.
Sanjeevi Hills
At a distance of 3-km from Rajapalayam on the way to chatrapatti are the
Sanjeevi Hills. In the epic Ramayana, in order to save the unconscious
Lakshman, Hanuman brought the entire Sanjeevi Hill with the herbal plants
to Sri Lanka and after wards through it away .It is said that this is the
hill that was thrown away.
Air: The nearest airport is located at
Madurai, which is about 76-km
from the city.
Rail: Sivakasi Railway station is an important station in the
Southern Railway due to the movement of Industrial products.
Road: Sivakasi is well connected by road with the major towns and
cities within and beyond the state. For local transportation taxis and
auto rickshaws are available.
Accommodation is available at the moderate class and small budgeted hotels and lodges in Sivakasi.
Hindu Celebrations:
Panguni and Chithirai Pongal festivals are grandly celebrated in Sivakasi
for the Goddess Sri Mariamman and Sri Pathirakaliamman respectively. It
usually comes in the month of April and May respectively.
Pongal festival is celebrated for 10 days from the day of Kodiyettram. On
the 7th day the "Ratha Urchavam" (Therottam) is held. The people
through four "Ratha Veethies" drag the Ratham and when it
reaches the destination it is celebrated as the last day of Pongal
celebrations. In Chithirai Pongal festival, the 5th and 6th days are
celebrated very grandly.
Thiruvathirai Festival is famous in Sivakasi. In this festival four
Rathams from 4 temples are decorated beautifully with "Sevanthi
Flowers". Large numbers of people visit Sivakasi during this festival
to worship the Gods.
Christian Celebrations:
Roman Catholics celebrate "Our Lady Festival" on February 11.
They decorate the god in a ratham and it goes through the main streets of
Sivakasi. Protestants celebrate "Ikkya Virunthu" as local
festival of their church.
Muslim Celebrations:
Muslims celebrate "Chandana Koodu Festival" as local festival
in their Dhargas.
Canara Bank
Central Bank of India
Indian Bank
Indian Overseas Bank
Area: 6-sq-kms
Population: 65,593 (1991 Census)
Latitude: N9° 12' to 9° 47'
Longitude: E 77° 20' to 78° 26'
Altitude: 100.07 meter above sea level
Clothing: Light Cottons
Languages Spoken: English and Tamil
STD Code: 04562
Climate: Tropical
Temperature Range (deg C):
Summer- Max 37.8ºC, Min 25.6ºC
Winter- Max 29.2ºC, Min 20.4ºC
Rainfall: 792mm
Madurai - 35-km
Virudhanagar - 18-km
Rajapalayam - 27-km
Tirunelveli - 142-km
Tuticorin - 116 km
