Kulasekarapattinam

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Kulasekarapattinam
Kulasekharapatnam, Kulasekarapatnam
Town
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Kulasekarapattinam
Location in Tamil Nadu, India
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Kulasekarapattinam
Kulasekarapattinam (India)
Coordinates: 8°24′0″N78°3′0″E / 8.40000°N 78.05000°E / 8.40000; 78.05000
Country India
State Tamil Nadu
District Thoothukudi
Area
 • Total
12.5 km2 (4.8 sq mi)
Population
 (2001)
 • Total
12,010
 • Density961/km2 (2,490/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Tamil
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
628206
Telephone code4639
Vehicle registration TN 92
Nearest city Thoothukudi
Sex ratio 1000:1177 ♂/♀
Literacy85.91%
Lok Sabha constituency Thoothukudi
Formerly with Tiruchendur
Vidhan Sabha constituency Tiruchendur
Civic agencyKulasekharapatnam Panchayat Board
Climate Humid (Köppen)
Website www.kulasaikukieaks.com

Kulasekarapattinam (also spelled Kulasekharapatnam and Kulasekarapatnam) is a town in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, India. [1] Historically, it was an important port on the Coromandel Coast, alongside Kaveripumpattinam (Poompuhar) and Arikamedu (near Pondicherry). [2] It houses the currently under-construction SSLV Launch Complex, one of the two satellite launch centres in India (the other being Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota). [3] After the construction work is completed, ISRO and private aerospace companies will lunch satellites using multistage rockets such as the SSLV from Kulasekarapattinam. [4]

Contents

From at least the 1st century CE, Kulasekharapatnam functioned as a trading hub for Pandya Dynasty. [5] While Kollam served as a major port on the west coast, Kulasekharapatnam connected the Pandyas to Ceylon and the pearl fisheries of the Gulf of Mannar. It was part of a network of ancient coastal settlements that included Kodungallur in Kerala and Barugachha (Broach) in Gujarat. [6]

During the colonial era, as Tuticorin emerged as a dominant port, the prominence of Kulasekharapatnam declined. [7]

The town's name is derived from the Pandyan ruler Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I.[ citation needed ]

Kulasekharapatnam is home to the 300-year-old Mutharamman Temple and the Dharmasamvardhini Temple, which lies north of the village. The town is particularly known for its Dussehra celebrations. [8]

During British rule, a sugar factory operated in the town. The British also introduced the Kulasekharapatnam Light Railway, which, as of 1933, had stations including Kulasekharapatnam Central, Kulasekharapatnam Port, and KPM Sugar Factory. [9]

ISRO is developing a spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam, positioning it as a key location for India's space missions. [10]

History

During the reign of the Pandyas, Kulasekharapatnam was also known as the Rowthers Palayam , a section of Muslims that had military cavalry, followed traditional customs, and were horse traders. Kulasekharapatnam was an important trade center before the arrival of Islam. The current Muslim population of Kulasekharapatnam is known as the Marakkar or Marakkayars, who engaged in maritime trade. They had come from Kerala, and it is said that Kunjali Marakkar's family members came from Kerala. Typical of most port towns, Kulasekharapatnam has a lighthouse, located near Manapad. The city has been inhabited by Hindus since the 8th century CE.[ citation needed ]

Kulasekarapatnam Perumal Temple Kulasekarapatinam Perumal Temple.preview.jpg
Kulasekarapatnam Perumal Temple

Origin of Marakkars

Marakkar are distinctive Tamil and Malayalam-speaking Muslim people of the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in India. The name Marakkar is different from Marakkayar (Marikkar & Maricar are other spellings used in history books). According to numerous historians, Moppila or Moplah is Maha Pillai (great son) and Marakkar means (Marakkalam is a wooden boat) 'boatmen'. Thurston, in his work 'Tribes of South India', states the following - The word Marakkar is usually derived from the Tamil marakalam, meaning 'boat'. [11]

It was also a titular name for maritime traders. Marakkar was a prized title given by the Zamorin of Calicut. Derived from Marakka Rayar, it signifies the captain of a ship ('Rayar' meaning 'king' or, here, 'captain' and 'Marakkalam' meaning 'ship'). [11] They are also called marakala rayars, from marakalam ('wooden boat') and rayar ('king') in the Tamil language. The captains of the vessels are called malimars, coming from the Tamil words malumi ('captain') and yar, and crew members are called sherangs.

Traditionally, the Marakkars engaged in mercantile commerce. They are primarily located along the coasts of the southernmost states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India. [11]

The Marakala, also known as the Mogela or Mogaveera, community is an influential fishing community in coastal Karnataka. They are traditionally fishermen, and their caste profession is fishing in rivers and the sea. The Barkoor Bennekudru Kulamahasthry temple, Uchila Mahalaxmi temple, and Bagvadi Mahishamardini temples are major Mogaveera kuladevata (relating to ancestral tutelary deities) temples in coastal Karnataka.

Old Harbour mentioned by Marco Polo

Marco Polo describes the Pandyan port city of Kulasekharapatnam which even now we can see in the seashore of Kulasekharapatnam that Some Pillars which were used to give the right direction for ships as it is at this city that all the ships touch that come from the west, as from Hormos and Kis and Aden, and all Arabia, laden with horses and with other things for sale. And this brings a great concourse of people from the country round about, and so there is great business done in this city.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Commencement of the construction of SSLV Launch Complex at Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  2. ↑ Shivam (6 September 2025). "ISRO's Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport to Be Ready by Dec 2026". adda247. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  3. ↑ PTI. "Kulasekarapattinam launch complex expected to be ready by Dec'26". DHIE. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  4. ↑ "Foundation Stone Laid for Launch Pad at SSLV Launch Complex (SLC), Kulasekarapattinam". www.isro.gov.in. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  5. ↑ "Scores of devotees witness Soorasamharam at Kulasekarapattinam near Tiruchendur". www.dtnext.in. 12 October 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  6. ↑ "ISRO's second satellite launch pad to come up in Tamil Nadu". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  7. ↑ "Picnic on the beach". The Hindu . Chennai, India. 15 October 2005. Archived from the original on 29 October 2005.
  8. ↑ "Dasara celebrations at Kulasekarapattinam draw thousands of devotees". The Hindu. 12 October 2024. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  9. ↑ "Kulasekharapatnam Tissainvillai Light Railway - FIBIwiki". wiki.fibis.org. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  10. ↑ "New launch pad in Tamil Nadu to help Isro". Times of India. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 Maddy. "Search Results Web results The Marakkar's and their origins".
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