நல்லாறு எனினும் கொளல்தீது மேலுலகம்
இல்லெனினும் ஈதலே நன்று

Ariyalur

  • Area

      1,93,398 sq. kms.

  • Population

      7,54,894

  • District Head Quarters

      Ariyalur

  • Language

      Tamil

  • Visit Website

History And Geography

    Ariyalur district has a very rich and glorious past. Its antiquity dates back to the period of Prehistoric Civilization which flourished about 2 lakh years ago.

    ARIYALUR UNDER THE SEA

    Before the advent of the human activities in the area covered by the district, it was submerged under the Sea. Later, due to the changes in climatic conditions, the sea water receded towards the east and thus emerged the present land made of metamorphic rocks belonging to the gneiss family. This rocky soil is made up of sedimentary and gypsum rocks that belong to different geological periods. These changes took place around 15 million years ago in what is termed by geologists as the Cretaceous age.

    Following the changes including the receding of the sea, various species that lived in the sea and the sea shore that were submerged under the gutter and swamp became fossils. Thus, Ariyalur district is a veritable Palaeo-Zoological Garden and is often nicknamed as the ‘Mecca of the Geological Researchers’. Various types of fossils of wood, animal, and plant species have been unearthed in the District. Dinosaur eggs have been discovered at Kallankurichi mines and Ninniyur and thus the district is a treasure house of fossils of ancient species.

    More details available in District Website

Agriculture

    Sugar cane is grown as a major commercial crop. One private sugar factory near keelapalur is functioning in the district with a capacity of crushing 3000 Tonnes per day. One of the main crop in Ariyalur district is cashew. The pre-dominate soil in the district is red sanding with scattered packers of black soil. This town consists mainly of glade soil. The soil in the district is best suited for raising dry crops. Rice also grown in some places.

Transport

    Roads * NH226 -Perambalur-Ariyalur-Thanjavur-Manamadurai * NH227 -Trichy-Jayankondam-chidambaram * SH143 -Ariyalur-Thungapuram-Thittakudi Train * Ariyalur(ALU)-04329 222026 * Ariyalur is well connected by rail to major towns like Chennai, Madurai ,Trichy, Erode. * 267 km From chennai Egmore * 70 km From Trichy Junction * 2 km From Ariyalur Busstand

Tourism

    Gangaikondacholapuram Rajendra Chola-I (1012-1044 A.D) son of the Great Rajaraja-I, established this temple after his great victorious march to river Ganges on Northern India. He was originally called Madurantakan. He assumed the title of Rajendra during his coronation and continued to rule along with his father Rajaraja-I for a while. He achieved the supreme title of Cholas called Parakesari . Sri Kaliuga Varatharaja Perumaal Temple Sri Kaliyaperumal temple is a major attraction of Ariyalur. It is situated at 5 km away from Ariyalur. This temple is famous for its "Car festival" (March/April) which is conducted yearly. The people of Ariyalur celebrate the festival grandly. This Varadharaja permal blesses with prosperity, wealth, health and a long life. Once it was the region of Chola's dynasty. The place Thirumazhapadi is situated on the bank of Kollidam river which is a branch of Cauvery River. Entire surroundings are filled with paddy and sugar cane fields. The famous Siva Temple is located in Thirumazhapadi. This Temple is called Sri Vaithiyanatha Samy Koil.It also has a statue of Thiruvalluvar.One of the touriest place in ariyalur.This temple is famous for its "nandikesvarar thirukalyanam " (March/April) which is conducted yearly. The people of thirumalapadi celebrate the festival grandly. Vettakudi - Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary situated in Ariyalur District, 65 km away from Tiruchirappalli and 35 km north of Thanjavur, this bird sanctuary sprawls over 454 Ha. of area. Water birds congregate here during November - February. About 50 species of resident and migratory birds are recorded here. The list includes varieties of Stork, Pelicans, Heron, Darter, Ibis, Egrets, Coot, Terns, Cormorants, King Fisher, Plovers etc. This is an important temple in the heart of the town.The 'Dasaavathara Mandapam' with excellent sculptures of the ten avtars of Maha Vishnu,especially the Narasimha avatara is worth seeing. The temple car which is now in ruins is being rebuilt with the co-operation of the devotees and also helped by the Government to a great extent. The 'Pancha Loka Vigrahas' of Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita have been majestically made and a treat to watch.It is believed that these Pancha Loka Vigrahas is biggest Idol in the world. Sivan Kovil is also a popular temple. Pradosham worship is attended by many devotees regularly.