Kottaiyur

Kottaiyur
Neighborhood/Suburb
Left to right: Kottaiyur Sivan Temple; Ramanujan Centre for Higher Mathematics, Alagappa Park; and Vallal Alagappa Arch
Nickname:  Chettinad
Kottaiyur Location in North Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 10°06′54″N78°47′28″E / 10.115°N 78.791°E / 10.115; 78.791
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Sivaganga
Named after	Palace and Fort like Karai Palatial Mansions
Government
• Type	Municipal Corporation
• Body	Karaikudi City Municipal Corporation
Area
• Total	6.75 km2 (2.61 sq mi)
Elevation	77 m (253 ft)
Population  (2023)
• Total	50,164
• Rank	2nd in Karaikudi Metropolitan Area
• Density	7,400/km2 (19,000/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	630106
Telephone code	91 4565

Kottaiyur is the Northern Neighborhood of Karaikudi city in Sivaganga district. Formerly, it was a Town panchayat until getting included into Karaikudi City Municipal Corporation. It's the most populous and a well-developed neighborhood or inner-core suburb of Karaikudi. It is known for its Kottaiyur Sivan Temple, one of the master pieces of the Chettinad region. The temple and the area's old lime stone heritage buildings give Kottaiyur a unique identity. Kottaiyur is well developed and famous for its reputed educational institutions. Kottaiyur panchayat administration including the villages of Velangudi and Alagapuri. ^[1]

Etymology

Kottaiyur Chettinad Architecture

The Town got its name from the Chettinad mansions, buildings and palaces which look like forts. In Tamil language, 'Kottai' means 'Fort' and 'Ur' means 'Town'.

Geography

Kottaiyur has an average elevation of 77 metres (253 ft) and is located north in Karaikudi, on the Karaikudi-Trichy Highway.

Demographics

As of the 2011 ^[update] Indian census, Kottaiyur had a population of 14766 of which 49% was male and 51% female. The literacy rate of 75% is higher than the national average of 59.5%. Among men, the literacy rate is 79%, compared to 71% among females. 10% of the population is under six years of age. ^[2]

Suburban Areas and Villages

Rainy Evening at Kottaiyur Vallal Alagappar Arch

Kottaiyur comprises the following Suburban Areas:

1. Ezhil Nagar
2. Sriram Nagar
3. Pari Nagar
4. Udhayam Nagar

And, it comprises the following villages:

1. K. Alagapuri
2. K. Velangudi
3. K. Kallangudi

Educational Institutions

Alagappa Institute of Management students

Kottaiyur have well reputed schools and colleges around its town. Lot of students from near by surrounding villages and towns are studying here. Following are notable institutions

• Alagappa University (Partial) with its second entrance, Alagappa Chettiar statue and memorial arch.
  • Alagappa Institute of Management
  • Alagappa Institute of Physical Education
  • Alagappa Alumni Park
  • Ramanujan Centre for Higher Mathematics.
• Muthuiah Alagappa Matriculation Higher Secondary School.
• Chidambaram Chettiyar Girls Higher Secondary School.
• Thanjavur Arunachalam Chettiyar Government Higher Secondary School.
• Sanatana Dharma Vidyalaya Primary School.
• Kottaiyur Panchayat Union Middle School.

Notable individuals

• Dr. Alagappa Chettiar, philanthropist and founder of Alagappa University.
• Roja Muthiah Chettiar
• A. K. Chettiar

References

1. "காரைக்குடி நகராட்சி விரிவாக்கப் பணிகள் விரைவில் தொடங்கும்: ஆட்சியா் (Karakuidi Municipal expansion work to start soon: Govt.)". Dinamani (in Tamil). 14 May 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
2. 2011 India Census Data

External links

• Roja Muthiah in the University of Chicago Magazine