Sivakasi

Sivakasi
—  town  —
Gopuram of Mariamman temple
Sivakasi Location of Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu and India
Coordinates	9°27′N 77°49′E / 9.45°N 77.82°E / 9.45; 77.82Coordinates: 9°27′N 77°49′E / 9.45°N 77.82°E / 9.45; 77.82
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District(s)	Virudhunagar
Population	72,170 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 101 metres (331 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 626 123 • Telephone • +04562 • Vehicle • TN-67
Website	www.sivakasilive.com

For the film, see Sivakasi (film).

Sivakasi (Tamil: சிவகாசி ) is an active town and a municipality in Virudhunagar District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the capital of India’s firecracker industry with about 8,000 factories, big and small, producing 90 percent of the total fireworks output.It is also known as "kutti japan" meaning "small Japan" as its a small and active town.

Linked to printing presses with in-house studios and artists, Sivakasi produces a kaleidoscopic range of colourful, kitsch posters and calendar art for millions in India. The town is famous all over India for its fireworks factories. There are almost 400 manufacturers based in this industrial city.

The town is also known for its printing industry and match-making industries. It was given the nickname "Kutty Japan" ('Mini Japan' in English) by Jawaharlal Nehru. Nearby towns are Srivilliputtur, Sattur and Thiruthangal.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[1] Sivakasi had a population of 72,170. Males constitute 51.76% of the population and females 48.24%. Sivakasi has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 72%. In Sivakasi, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

Sivakasi --- "Shivalingam brought from Kasi"

Sivakasi has a history of more than 600 years. Between 1428 and 1460 AD, King Harikesari Parakkirama Pandian, then king of Madurai, ruled the southern region of Madurai. According to History, he wanted to construct a temple for Lord Shiva at Tenkasi(south kasi). Therefore he went to Kasi Varanasi and worshiped Lord Shiva there and brought a Shivalingam from there. While returning to his palace with the prized lingam, he took rest under a grove of Vilva trees, which are favored by Shiva. The cow which carried the Shivalingam refused to move from that point which prevented the carrying of the lingam to Tenkasi. The king realized that the wishes of Lord Shiva were different from his own and placed the lingam in the place where the cow had halted. The place which was sanctified by the "Shivalingam brought from Kasi" henceforth came to be called Sivakasi. After that king built another temple in Tenkasi for SIVA.

"Kasi Viswanatha Swamy" Temple

Later on, King Pandia and King Thirumalai Naicker contributed to the expansion of this temple and named it "Kasi Viswanatha Swamy" Temple. The period of construction was between the 15th and 16th centuries. Aanaiappa Gnani reconstructed this temple. Under the rule of the Naickers, the temple was developed even more. In 1659, the Ratham (the temple chariot for processions during festival times) was constructed by Muthu Veerappa Naicker.

Pathira Kali Amman - a 'Kaval Deivam'

Sivakasi Patirakali amman Temple

Its home to the tallest tower ever built in Tamil Nadu for Pathira Kali Amman - a 'kaval deivam' (protecting goddess). The temple is maintained by Sivakasi Nadar Devasthanam committee. "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 feet (20 m), width of 44 feet (13 m) and the height of 110 feet (34 m) of 7 stages. The base was constructed by stone, for 30 feet (9 m) with 100 sculptures in 6 years. 80 feet (24 m) of 7 stages was constructed with 30 architects within a period of 1½ year. '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.

Panguni Pongal and Chithirai Pongal

Every year Panguni Pongal and Chithirai Pongal festivals are celebrated for the Deity "Mariamman" and "Badrakaaliamman" on April and May respectively. Both the festivals lasts for ten days from the day of Flag Hoisting in the respective temples.

In Chithirai Pongal 5th and 6th day celebrations are very famous because of its "Art Direction" which usually is a replica of a temple's interior decoration in front of Shivan temple in the town. On that time exhibition will also be organised by the local "Uravin Murai Group". 9th day festival is "Kayiru Kuthu" (Piercing threads around the hips). On that day people in the town use to paint their face and body with black and white dots and go to the respective temples. 10th day festival is the Therottam (CAR FESTIVAL). Everyone in the town gather together and pull the two RATHAS through all the four ratha veedhis(Streets). And for the final day festival sweets like "Karupatti Mutaai" and "Vellai Mutaai" will be available in box made of dry palm leaves. 04/05/2011 Chithirai Pongal - 2nd day Thiruvizha is being conducted by "PIONEER GROUP, SIVAKASI". URAVIN MURAI HAS GIVEN THIS RIGHT TO PIONEER GROUP FROM THIS 2011.

Geography

Sivakasi is located at 9°27′N 77°49′E / 9.45°N 77.82°E / 9.45; 77.82.^[2] It has an average elevation of 101 metres (331 feet). Sivakasi experiences dry and pretty hot weather throughout the year. The town gets scanty rainfall during the monsoon.

Industry

Sivakasi's industries grew out of the economic struggles of India in the 1960s. Without government aid, the local people constructed matches, fireworks, and printing industries, which today contribute 80% of India's total safety matches production, 90% of India's total fireworks production, and 60% of India's total offset printing solutions. It is one of the highest Sales/Excise/Customs Duty paying towns, and has achieved 100% employment.Child Labour was once high during the 80's, but now it's completely eradicated.

Making of Bombs

Sivakasi may be called as "A town of three industries", namely

• Pyrotechnics (Fireworks) & Crackers
• Safety Matches & Colour Matches
• Offset Printers .

Sivakasi town has many offset printing machines - the second largest number in the world, next only to Gutenberg, a city in Germany. Shri K. S. A. Arunagiri Nadar was responsible for bringing Printing in this town, and hence became known as "The Founder of Printing" in Sivakasi.The earliest printing press of the town Coronation Litho works- printers of diaries, calendars etc. is famous of the town. Thilagaraj Textiles, a well known Textile Showroom, started in 1969, is a landmark of Sivaksai.

Ayya Nadar and his brother Shanmuga Nadar founded the match industry and several colleges.

Apart from printing and fireworks, Granite(yellow) quarrying takes place in a small level in Thiruthangal, near Sivakasi. There has been a number of protests by the residents against quarry owners as quarrys lie in close proximity to residential areas.

Economy

Sivakasi enjoys huge revenue by producing fire crackers,matches,calenders,posters and other printing works.

Sivakasi supplies firecrackers and sparkers for all over India for diwali, this industry has huge turnover of around 1000 crore rupees (around 200 million dollars) per year.

This city supplies matches for 70% of India and has large number of industries around the city.

Sivakasi has become the printing hub of Tamil Nadu and has enormous job openings of DTP operators for creating printing designs using computer. This makes Sivakasi one of the major computer users town in Tamil Nadu. One can see lot of computer hardware servicing companies in Sivakasi.

Culture of Sivakasi

Busy street in Sivakasi

The town's population is predominantly Hindu, although there are many Muslim schools and a few churches. The annual thiruvizha(during April and May) festivals for Mariamman and Patrakaliamman temples are very popular among the people. Annual exhibition is organised by Nadar uravinmurai committee in SHNV School attracts lot of crowd with enthusiasm to witness cultural events. Sivakasi has an active Lion's Clubs, Rotary Clubs and the Inner Wheel clubs for enterprising women.

The 'Traditional Nandavanam' maintained within the Pathirakaliamman temple complex is very traditional and maintaining its old tradition till today. Lot of peacocks and peahen persist in the Garden without any industrious involvement will move your time machine back to the olden days.

During Dinner, the localites have a simple supper with Rice, Milk and crispy "Pakkoda" in most of their homes. Karrupatti (sweet candy made from Palm tree) mittai and Vellai mittai (made from kalgandu sweet candy), is also a favorite snacks in Sivakasi. "Kara Sev" is another spicy & crispy snacks, mostly made from Sattur, which is 15 km, away from Sivakasi. Even during the marriages when all the other cities in Tamil nadu serve Thayir sadham(curd rice), it is Milk rice (paal sadham) which is served predominantly.

Sivakasi cuisine

A notable Sivakasi dish is parotta, served with a special gravy. Sivakasi is famous for its pakoda. Milk rice (paal sadham) frequently accompanies pakoda, and is served at weddings also. During festival seasons, sweets like Karupatti Mittai (made with rice flour and palm jaggery) and Vellai Mittai (made with rice flour and sugar) are sold in sweet shops in the town.

Idli with Kothukari (a Khurma with minced meat and spices) is a popular breakfast item. Boli, a kind of sweet pancake made of maida flour, jaggery, and Bengal gram, are sold in roadside shops.

For the Karthigai festival, people of Sivakasi prepare laddu with groundnut and jaggery.

Sivakasi Travel Guide

Sivakasi is served by town bus service, which provide connectivity within the town, suburbs and places 20 km in the radius of Sivakasi. There are even private operated MINI-Bus services that connects almost every street in and around Sivakasi town.

By road

The government transport operates air-conditioned AC bus and private travels operates semi-sleeper buses such as KPN Travels, MUTHUMARI, PARVEEN, APS, VIVEGAM, AMARNATH everyday to Chennai and the Town is well connected with major cities like Coimbatore, Madurai, Tuticorin and Bangalore. There are also private bus services operated on daily basis to all major cities.

Madurai, a nearby city which is 72 km away is well connected by government and private buses running periodically around the day.

By train

The Podhigai Express (12662) that travels from Sengottai to Chennai Egmore halts at 20.53 in Sivakasi (SVKS) and it reaches Chennai (MAS) at 07.10. The same train (12661) leaves from Chennai at 20.05 and halts at 05.54 in Sivakasi.

In order to reach Coimbatore one can take Coimbatore express from Virudhunagar (23 km away from sivakasi), which departs Virudhunagar everyday at 23:45 which reaches Coimbatore at 07:30. The same train departs Coimbatore at 20:30 and reach Virudhunagar at 03:00.

There is also a passenger train running to Madurai via Virudhunagar, Tirumangalam at 08.53, 14.02 and 18.00 which connects to Sengottai via Tenkasi, Srivilliputhur, Rajapalayam, Sankarankoil at 07.00, 11.25 and 17.30 daily.

By air

The nearest airports are in Madurai and Tuticorin.

Educational Institutions in Sivakasi

Sivakasi has very good educational institutions both for secondary education as well as professional studies. It has many schools, and colleges most of which are owned and run by private and some are government aided institutions. Every institutions here in Sivakasi stride for discipline and integrity of students.

Arts and Science Colleges

• Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal Collegeof arts and science(Autonomous,CPE status,A+ grade)
• Standard Fireworks Rajaratnam College For Women
• Sri Kaliswari College of Arts and Science
• Sankaralingam Bhuvaneswari Pharmacy College

Polytechnics and ITI

• Arasan Ganesan Polytechnic
• P.S.R. Polytechnic College
• Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal Polytechnic College
• Sivakasi Institute of Printing Technology
• Ramalakshmi Industrial Training Institute
• Padmanaba Industrial Training Institute
• Pabanas Industrial Training Institute

B.Ed., and Teacher Training colleges

• Arasan Ganesan college of Preceptors
• P.S.R. College of Education
• Sri. R.Ponnusamy Naidu College of Education (Women)
• SRV College of Education
• MEPCO Schlenk Engineering College

Schools

• Hindu Thevamar Higher Secondary School, Sivakasi
• Velankanni Matha Higher Secondary School, Sivakasi
• Arasan Ganesan Nursery & Primary School, Sivakasi
• kammavar matriculation Higher secondary school
• Annamalai Nadar Unnamalai Ammal Higher Secondary School
• Sivakasi Hindu Nadar Victoria Higher Secondary School
• Sivakasi Hindu Nadar Victoria Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• Yennarkay Ravindran Thilagavathy Vidhyasala (YRTV)
• Lions Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• VSK Duraisamy Nadar Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• Sri Metha Jain Public School
• Jaycees Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• Kamarajar Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• Sri Vinayagar Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• Sivakasi Muslim Higher Secondary School
• Sivakasi Muslim Elementary School
• CMS Girls High School, Satchiyapuram
• C.S.I School for Mentally Retarded, Satchiyapuram
• Municipal High School
• Sruthi Vidhyodhaya
• Ragland Matriculation Higher Secondary School
• Seventh Day Adventist Matriculation School
• Coronation Girls Higher Secondary School
• Sivakasi Hindu Nadar Girls Higher Secondary School
• A.V.M.Marimuthu Nadar Higher Secondary School, Vilampatti
• Amman Kovil Patti Govt High School
• N.P.S.S.Rathina Nadar Kanagammal Rotary Matric Higher Secondary School
• C.S.I.Primary School, Puthu Satchiyapuram, Sivakasi West.

Others

Holy places

• Sri Karkuvel Ayyanar Thiru Kovil
• Sri Anandha Udhanda Madaswamy Kovil
• Swamy Kasi Viswanatha Thiru Kovil (Sivan Kovil)
• Murugan Kovil
• Pathira Kali Amman Thiru Kovil
• Maari Amman Thiru Kovil
• Jakkammal Thiru Kovil
• Kadai Kovil
• Kamatchi Amman Kovil
• Kachakara Amman Kovil
• Perumal Kovil
• Ayyappa Swamy Thiru Kovil
• Karrupa Swamy Kovil
• UmaMaheshwari Amman Thiru Kovil
• CSI Ragland Memorial Church
• Romans Catholic Church for Matha
• Bazaar Mosque near Canara Bank, The first & ancient mosque till the year 1700,
• Shafi mad'hab periya pallivasal till the year 1827,
• Hanafi mad'hab pallivasal,
• Madhina Pallivasai,
• Tamil Nagar Pallivasal,
• Thowheed Jamaath Pallivasal,
• Rserve line Pallivasal, Near E.S.I. Hospital
• Saratha Nagar Pallivasai,
• Masjidh e Peermohamed, Pallapatti,
• Zindha Sheik Madhar Darga,
• Passipatanam Naina Mohamed Darga,
• Sangoor Pethapan Darga, Coronation Colony,
• Padayali Sahib Darga, Near Sengamala Nachiyar Puram,
• Wilayathulla Darga,
• Nagoor Andavar Darga,
• Ajmeer Kaja Mohideen Darga,
• Arulmigu Muthumariamman thirukovil, Muthuramalingapuram colony, Sivakasi-East
• Sivakasi Church of God, church
• Sivakasi East Gethsamne Prayer House
• Carmel Prayer Fellowship Church, Sivakasi
• Mispah Prayer House, Pallapatti
• Apostolic Christian Assembly, Tiruthangal
• Image of Christ Church of God, 56 house colony, Sivakasi
• CSI St.Peter's Church Satchiyapuram, Sivakasi West.

References

1. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 
2. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Sivakasi

External links

• www.sivakasionline.com: Anything & Everything about Sivakasi
• www.sivakasiinfo.com - Sivakasi Info Webportal
• Sivakasi, An official guide
• www.kuttyjapan.com - Sivakasi Town Webportal
• Sivakasi Info