Namakkal
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Namakkal (Tamil: நாமக்கல்) is the headquarters of Namakkal district in Tamil Nadu (தமிழ் நாடு) India (இந்தியா).
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Geography
It is located between 11.00’ and 11.36’ in the North Latitude and between 77.28’ and 78.30’ in the East Longitude (Namakkal city: 11.13 N, 78.13 E). It is close to Kolli Hills (கொல்லி மலை) - which is part of the Eastern Ghats (கிழக்கு தொடர்ச்சிமலை). The closest river is Kaveri (காவேரி). The city is approximately 380km southwest of Chennai, 250km south of Bangalore, 50 km south of Salem and 85km northwest of Tiruchirapalli (Tricy).
History
Namakkal is a historic town dating back to at least the 14th century. The name Namakkal derives from Namagiri, which is the name of the single rock formation at the center of the town. Over this massive rock is a fort built by Tipu Sultan during his struggle against the occupying British forces.
Gandhi held a public meeting in 1933 in Namakkal under the slope of the Namakkal rock. The rock is enormous - 65 meters high and more than a kilometer in circumference.
Economy
The economy of the district is primarily agricultural. A wide variety of crops are grown within the district. The Kaveri riverside has heavy concentration of Rice, Banana and Sugarcane plantations and fields. There are also poultry farms and a well developed small scale industry for Truck body building in the district.
People and culture
RAjaji
Art
V. Ramalingam Pillai, more popularly known as Namakkal Kavingnar (நாமக்கல் கவிஞர்), is a well known Tamil (தமிழ்) poet who hailed from Namakkal (born in 1888 in Mohanur). His poems on the non-violent Indian independence movement are popular. His famous patriotic poem is
கத்தி யின்றி ரத்த மின்றி யுத்த மொன்று வருகுது சத்தி யத்தின் நித்தி யத்தை நம்பும் யாரும் சேருவீர்!....
Pottery and sculpture are promoted by way of traditional festivals and temple celebrations. Most villages in the district, like many other south Indian villages, have a temple to a guardian deity at the perimeter of the village. Aiyanar is the guardian deity of the village. Much artistic expression goes into sculpting the Aiyanar statues.
Transport
Namakkal is accessible by road. The nearest large cities are Salem (48km), Erode, Tiruchirapalli. Chennai, the capital of the state is 380 km from Namakkal. The nearest airport is in Tiruchirapalli (74km).
Climate
The temperature ranges from 20 to 44 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
Places to visit
Kolli Hills is the most attractive destination in the district of Namakkal. It is accessible by road, and buses are available to Kolli Hills from Namakkal and Salem, via Sendamangalam. SeVarious attractions in Kolli Hills include the Agaya Gangai (Ganges of the Sky) waterfalls, Pineapple plantation, Arapaleeswarar temple, and various scenic drives and hikes. The Agaya Gangai waterfalls is accessible on foot by a 1 hour hike on well-paved steps, and is of moderate difficulty. Kolli Hills is also famous for its jackfruit, various varieties of pineapple, the small delicious mountain bananas and wild honey. A few well furnieshed hotels are available on Kolli Hills.
The most popular attractions within the city of Namakkal are the Rockfort (Malai kottai), and the temples surrounding it. The Rockfort takes about 30 minutes to hike to the top, and is of mild to moderate difficulty. It is a monolith about 65 metres in height, with the ruins of an ancient fort on top, spanning a few acres. It is recommended to hike in the evenings, or early in the mornings, during daylight. It can get extremely hot during the summer days, so avoid these times, or carry enough water and wear a hat. No amenities are available at the top, and please verify with the locals if it is safe to hike alone, as it used to be the hangout for monkeys, and some vandals. It is recommended that you hike with company. Monkeys have been removed to hills outside the city, but they are generally friendly if you encounter one. But keep your food hidden from monkeys, as it could provoke them, and do not attempt to feed or pet them.
Three popular temples are located around the Rockfort. The Hanuman Temple (நாமக்கல் ஆஞ்சநேயர் சன்னதி) is one of the most famous in South India. The "Narasimmar - Namagiri Amman Temple" (நரசிம்மர்-நாமகிரி தாயார் சன்னதி) was an inspiration of renowned mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujam. They are both located on the west side of the rockfort. The Hanuman Temple tends to be very crowded with lots of pilgrims, and is small but very popular. It was built recently, and reflects contemporary Hindu temple style architecture. The Narasimmar-Namagiri Amman temple sprawls a few acres in size, and parts of it were built by quarrying the granite boulders out of the Rockfort several hundred years ago. It reflects historical temple architecture, and offers several places to sit and reflect in solitude, and is highly recommended. Ranganaathar Temple (இரங்கநாதர் சன்னதி) is located on the foothills of the Rockfort on the east side where Mahatma Gandhi delivered his address in 1933.
Koolippatti Murugan Temple (கூலிப்பட்டி முருகன் கோயில்) is located in a small hill, which is 10 km from Namakkal on the way to Thuraiyur.
Thathagiri Murugan Temple is located in a small hill, which is 10 KM from Namakkal on the way to Senthamangalam. It is one of the temple where the saint kirubanatha variyar used to visit regularly.
Naina-Malai is a hill located 10 KM from Namakkal, on the way to Puthan-chanthai. One can reach this place from senthamangalam also(2 KM). On top of the hill Swami Venkatajalapathi temple is there. Every Saturday of September-October month (tamil Purataci months 5 weeks) people will go to this temple to worship the god. One can reach the top of the hill via foot steps. There are more than 2500 steps.
Colleges and universities
Thiruvalluvar Govt Arts college, Rasipuram (Co-Education)
Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
PGP College of Engineering and Technology
Govt College of Arts and Science for Men
Govt College of Arts and Science for Women
Sengundar Ars and Science College, Tiruchengode
Sengundar Engineering College, Tiruchengode
Vivekanandha College Of Technology, Tiruchengode
Vivekanandha College Of Arts and Science, Tiruchengode
Vivekanandha College Of Nurshing, Tiruchengode (Tcd.colleges by Laal)
Vivekanandha College Of Dental, Tiruchengode
K.S.Rangasamy College Of Technology, Tiruchengode
K.S.Rangasamy College Of Engineering, Tiruchengode
K.S.Rangasamy College Of Arts and Science, Tiruchengode
Mahendra Engineering College, Tiruchengode
Paavai Engineering College Pachal Namakkal
Annai Mathammal Sheela Engineering College, Erumapatty, Namakkal
Highschools and Education
Namakkal district is well known in the state of Tamil Nadu for producing excellent results in the Class 12 final examinations, and its students secure admissions to several top professional colleges in the state. Namakkal and Rasipuram taluks have several of these intensive preparation schools which stress on academics more than extra-curricular activities to produce these results. Several boarding schools are available with spartan non-academic facilities and accommodations, and admissions to these can be very competitive, as it often leads to an admission in some of the top engineering and medical colleges in the state. Due to its reputation and experienced teachers, students from all over the state seek admission to high schools in the Namakkal district.
Recent developments
- AIDS epidemic and control