Purasawalkam

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Purasawalkam
Purasai, Purasawakkam, purasaiwakkam
Neighbourhood
Nickname: 
Purasai
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Purasawalkam
Purasawalkam புரசைவாக்கம் (Chennai)
India Tamil Nadu location map.svg
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Purasawalkam
Purasawalkam (Tamil Nadu)
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Purasawalkam
Purasawalkam (India)
Coordinates: 13°05′25″N80°15′15″E / 13.0902°N 80.2543°E / 13.0902; 80.2543
Country Flag of India.svg  India
State Tamil Nadu
District Chennai
MetroChennai
Government
 • Body Greater Chennai Corporation
Elevation
53 m (174 ft)
Languages
 • Official Tamil
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
600084
Vehicle registration TN-01
Planning agency CMDA
Civic agencyGreater Chennai Corporation
Website www.chennai.tn.nic.in

Purasawalkam also known as Purasaiwakkam or Purasai / Purasawakkam, is a residential shopping area in the district of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is close to the Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore railway stations.

Contents

Etymology

The name "Purasai" came from the name of a tree called 'purasai maram' in Tamil. In olden days this area was abundant with these trees. Also, there were a lot of stables at once in an age which was referred as (horse) "puravi" in Tamil, puravivakkam later termed as purasaiwakkam. The Gangadeeshwarar temple near the Purasawalkam tank speaks about this history. The tank belongs to this temple.

The Gangadeeshwarar temple is very famous temple for ages. Here the Shiva Lingam which is situated at mulasthanam, has a unique feature of wetness throughout the year. Even in the drought conditions and severe summer seasons, the wetness near the Shiva Lingam is observed.

Another story is that, in 1799, Company Assistant Surgeon John Underwood of the British East India Company in the then Madrasapattanam, established in "Poorshewak", now known as Purasawalkam, what may be considered the first hospital in India meant solely for the Indian poor; the Native Infirmary. [1]

Politics

The now defunct Purasawalkam legislative assembly constituency was a part of Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency). [2]

Landmarks

Kellys Signal on the West and Doveton Signal on the East. Further this area is still known by the prominent theatres like Motcham, Mekala, Abhirami, Roxy, though all of have been demolished now.

Economy

Abirami Mega Mall on Purasawalkam high road Abirami Mall.jpg
Abirami Mega Mall on Purasawalkam high road

Abirami Mega Mall, is a Multiplex including four main cinemas and shopping outlets. [3] Tana Street, the heart of Purasawalkam, is one of the busiest streets in Chennai. It has jewelry, vegetables, clay pot cooking and pharmacies. It also features a busy grocery market. There are also many textile showrooms. Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College's boys hostel is also situated here opposite to Motcham theater.

Gangadeeshwarar temple in Purasawalkam Shri Gangadeeshwarar temple.jpg
Gangadeeshwarar temple in Purasawalkam

Education

Colleges

Schools

References

  1. ↑ Tales of Old Madras and New by S Muthiah
  2. ↑ "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Tamil Nadu. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 May 2006. Retrieved 8 October 2008.
  3. ↑ "Multiplex Unique!". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 18 November 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
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