Thottiyam

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?Thottiyam Tamil Nadu • India
Thottiyam
Coordinates: 10°58′60″N 78°19′60″E / 10.9833, 78.3333
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
District(s)	Tiruchirappalli
Population	13,757 (2001)

Coordinates: 10°58′60″N 78°19′60″E / 10.9833, 78.3333 Thottiyam is a panchayat town in Tiruchirappalli district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is situated 80 km north-west of Tiruchirapalli on Tiruchy -Salem-Bangalore National Highway. It is located near the Kaveri River, about 12 km north-west of Musiri. The main temple of this small town is Madurai Kali Amman, and the main festival in March is worth visiting and watching. This goddess is consider Kannagi or (Kannaki) (Tamil: கண்ணகி), a legendary Tamil woman, is the central character of the South Indian epic Silapathikaram. Legend has it that Kannagi took revenge on the king of Madurai, for a mistaken death penalty imposed on her husband Kovalan, by cursing the city with disaster and tahn came to Thottiyam. She is considered to be a very powerful and kind goddess and people from various districts come and make their prayers to her. About 500 years back King Esanakarayar ruled this area. Chinnan, a servant who worked in his stable, wants to go to Kali Festival at Madurai. He got permission from the King and he went to Madurai with his “Parai”, a musical drum and stayed at his brother-in-laws' houses. Next day he went to Kali temple and began to play “Parai” rhythmically. Goddess Kali admired by the music of Chinnan and followed him back to Thottiyam and Goddess Kali seated under the “Vanni” tree. Later a temple was constructed by Pujankrayar at this place. This temple is surrounded by lush green fields. There is a 3 tier tower, 27 pillar mandapam and a 5 pillar Arthamandapam gives notorious look to this temple. Many beautiful sculptures are carved inside the temple. The name of the Goddess is Madurai Kaliamman and the Thalavirusham is “Vanni” tree.

Thottiyam is essentially an agricultural area; its main crops are paddy, plantains and petals. Large quantities of plantains and petals are sent to other States, including exports to Middle East.

Dr. Lakshmi who served in South Africa in 19th Century is from Thottiyam. Musiri Subramania Iyer, a famous vocalist, is from the nearby town of Musiri. Two local tourist destinations are Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and temple museum at Srirangam, Namakkal, and Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary in Perambalur District. The nearest airport is in Tiruchirapalli. The Kulitalai Railway Station serves Thottiyam.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^[1], Thottiyam had a population of 13,757. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Thottiyam has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 66%. In Thottiyam, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.