Virachilai

The name "virachilai" is an eponym, etymologically derived from veera chalai or veera saali, a place allegedely named by Lord Rama.

Updated by [http://sites.google.com/site/ashokvirachilai/Ashok Virachilai] on Aug 14, 2008.

History

Virachilai, a beautiful village in the Pudukkottai district in Tamil Nadu, India, lies 22 km away from Pudukkottai, on the road in between Pudukottai and Ponnamaravathi.

Virachilai is well connected by road, though there is no direct rail connection. The nearest railway station is at Namanasamudram which is 10 km away from virachilai and the railhead is at Pudukkottai. Bus facility is available from Trichy, Pudukkottai, Ponnamaravathi, Thirumayam, and from many other places. The nearest airport connected is at Trichy, 78 km away from virachilai. Accommodation is also available at nearby Pudukkottai.

Virachilai was under Pudukkottai samasthanam since 17 th century. The Thondaimans of Pudukkottai came to rule with full sovereignty over the Pudukkottai area from the middle of the 17th century till its amalgamation with the rest of India after Indian Independence in 1947.

Updated by [http://sites.google.com/site/ashokvirachilai/Ashok Virachilai] on Aug 14, 2008.

Geography

Tobe Updated [http://wikimapia.org/424226/ virachilai map]

Culture

People of different communities and religions are living in Virachilai for hundreds of years.

"Sivan Kovil, Adaikkalam Katha ambal kovil, and Subramaniar kovil" are the famous temples in virachilai. Also there is a church called Punitha matha thevalayam which was built and maintained by christians.

Virachilai has rich cultural and historical heritage well preserved in its temple architecture specifially Sivan and Amman temple.

Statuary and adornment in these ancient temples showcases one of the foremost artistic heritages of this village.

Updated by [http://sites.google.com/site/ashokvirachilai/Ashok Virachilai] on Aug 14, 2008.

Adaikkalam Katha Ambal Kovil & Chevvai Festival

The main deity of this temple Adaikkalam Katha Ambal, is facing vadakki vasal Karuppar in the north.

The main shrine of Amman was built by two great honourable personalities, Oyamari thevar and Pandiya thevar ("the idols of these two greats are present inside the temple)" and karuppar mandapam "(an another shrine)" was built by Sinnar Ambalakarar family, to be precise His excellency Singiyan Ambalakaran magan Vellayan.

Vinayagar, Karuppar, Pathu Raja, Mariamman, and Saptha Kannigal are also present in this temple along with Adaikkalam Katha Ambal.

Chevvai,( the main festival of this temple ) is celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaigasi every year by Virachilai Oorargal, in a grant manner for 22 days.

Chevvai festival has various processes and phases including Mulaippari, Oyilaattam to name a few.

Mulaippari

Its a process of producing Chevvai Kallu. Chevvai kallu, an alcoholic beverage produced by brewing and the fermentation of starches derived from grains by Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus is prepared for this Chevvai festival in side festival house. These two bacteria are able to grow at 40-45oC, during which they produce lactic acid and various other byproducts that give kallu its unique flavor. After Satharanam, this drink will be diluted and distributed to all by Pandaram.

Oyilattam

"Oyilattam" is a traditional dance of Tamilians widely seen in Tamilnadu and Srilanka where people should sing & dance in an unique manner illustrating Arichandra Puranam. This dancing event takes place in front of Chevvai Veedu for a week in the evenings during chevvai festival.

Virachilai People are divided into 10 groups(vagai in tamil) depending upon the location of their farms.

Each vagai or group will have its own God, but this amman is common for all the groups.

Each vagai or group has to select one girl(should be less than 15 yrs old) to represent them in this festival.

So, totally 10 girls, selected by all the groups will be handed over to Pandaram and will have to live in Chevvai Veedu, a significant festival house for 22 days along with Pandaram,who incharge of festival house.

"Pandaram" is a person who directs this festival in front and his main duties are to look after chevvai veedu and these girls.

Goddess amman rides for NagarValam on a chariot every morning and evening for 10 days during this festival.

People must keep all the pooja items in a basket on their respective MANAIs', "a speacial flat decorated stone installed in front of every house".

This festival ends on 22 nd day which is called Satharanam.

[http://sites.google.com/site/ashokvirachilai/virachilai/DSCF1222.jpg?attredirects=0 Oyilattam Picture]

Updated by [http://sites.google.com/site/ashokvirachilai/Ashok Virachilai] on Aug 14, 2008.

Other Festivals

ANI THIRUVIZHA is Sivan Kovil festival, celebrated in the tamil month of Ani every year for 10 days.

Subramaniar Kovil festival is celebrated by Nattukkottai chettiyars.

The nearby villages, Neikkunam, Perunthurai, Peraiyur and Mallangudi are well associated with religious activities in past centuries.

Tourist Places

Muppali Karuppar Kovil, 2 km away from Virachilai is located in Rendivayal, which is Gula Theivam for people belonging to vagai I.

Malaya Kovil, 5 km away from Virachilai, is very popular for Thaipoosam festival every year.

Tirumayam Fort, 8 km away from virachilai is one of the historical places where famous freedom fighters Veerapandiya Kattabomman and his brother Umathaiturai hid after their fight against the British during 17th Century.

Thirumayam Perumal temple is one of the 108 thirupathi's defined by alwars/vaishnavites.

Devamalai, 6 km away from Virachilai is associated with one of the 63 Nayanmars called Perumizhalai Kurumbanayanar.

Thabasu Malai, 4 km from away from Virachilai has a beautiful Subramaniar temple built on a hill. This temple is very popular for Panguni Uthiram festival every year.

Perunthurai, 5 km away from virachilai is a village where Perumal, Siva, poovayi amman and ayyanar temples are located at the same place. A river called pambaaru is originating from Perunthurai.

Naganatha Swamy temple is located in Perayur which is 7 km virachilai. This temple is considered as powerful as Thirunageshwaram temple and Kalakshthi.

Konnayur Maariamman Kovil, 20 km away from Virachilai is a popular Mariamman Kovil in Pudukkottai district.

Updated by [http://sites.google.com/site/ashokvirachilai/Ashok Virachilai] on Aug 14, 2008.

Bus Route

13,13A, Amma bus - from Pudukkottai.

1, 1A - From Thirumayam and Ponnamaravathi.

Educational Institutions

PR Meyyappa Chettiar Middle School

This is one of the popular management schools around virachilai in terms of educational standard and quality.

St.Joseph Matriculation School

Matriculation school administered by christian community.

Chettinad Polytechnic

15 km from virachilai.

Mount Zion Engineering College

7 km from virachilai

Demographics

To be updated

Administration

Her Excellency Miss. S. Vishalakshi - Head Mistress, PRM Middle School, Virachilai.

Mr.P.Anbarasu - Ex.Chairman, Current Panchayat Board President, virachilai.

Updated by [http://sites.google.com/site/ashokvirachilai/Ashok Virachilai] on Aug 14, 2008.