Kallakurichi
How to Reach
Air
The nearest International airports is Chennai Airport (244Km) and Puducherry airport (116km).
Train
Kallakurichi is neary by Chinnaselam Railway station which is well connected with Salem Junction and other parts of Tamil Nadu.
Road
Kallakurichi is well connected with important National Highways NH79(West upto Salem). NH32 (North upto Chennai) and NH38 (Leading to South – Eest via Ulundurpet)
I Square Taxi in Kallakurichi
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Kallakurichi is the headquarters of the recently established Kallakurichi District. This district was bifurcated from Villupuram on September 22, 2019. Kallakurichi is conveniently located along the Chennai-Salem National Highway. It boasts excellent connectivity by both road and rail, with Chinnasalem being the nearest railway station.
This central location provides easy access to destinations across Tamil Nadu and beyond. Kallakurichi has many historical tourist sites. These include temples, mosques, and churches. Many of these buildings are over a century old. Visitors are warmly invited to explore the cultural and historical richness of this district.
Tourism with I Square One Way Drop Taxi in Kallakurichi
Kallakurichi District was officially declared as Tamil Nadu’s 34th district after its bifurcation from Viluppuram. The Hon’ble Chief Minister announced it on January 8, 2019. It was formally established on November 26, 2019. The district is well-connected via NH 79 (Ulundurpet–Salem) and is accessible from nearby airports in Salem, Trichy, and Pondicherry. The region has a primarily agrarian economy. It is known for cultivating paddy, maize, sugarcane, and black gram. These are supported by rain-fed irrigation and dams like Gomukhi and Manimuktha.
A significant highlight of Kallakurichi is the Kalvarayan Hills. It is spread over 550 square kilometers. The area offers scenic waterfalls like Periyar Falls and Sirukalur Falls. It also has temples like Chinnathirupathi. The district is home to several historically significant temples. These include Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Veerattaneshwarar Temple, and Kabilar Hillock in Tirukoilur. It also includes Sri Lakshmi Narasimmar Temple in Ulundurpet and Arthanareeswarar Temple in Rishivandiyam.
At I Square Taxi, we provide top-notch One-way Drop Taxi and Round Trip services. This makes it easy for travelers and pilgrims to explore the beauty and heritage of Kallakurichi. Our services cater to those seeking Outstation Taxi, Drop Taxi, Intercity Taxi, or One-way Taxi solutions. We ensure a comfortable and hassle-free travel experience throughout the district and beyond.
It is situated on the Cuddalore – Chittoor trunk road and 37 kms from Viluppuram. The presiding deities of the Vishnu Temple are Ulagalanda Perumal (Thiruvikrama Swami) and Pushpavallithayar. Kabilar Kundru is also yet another picnic spot at Thirukkoilur which is situated in the middle of the river Pennayar. Kabilar was saint here and his last resting place, is maintained by the state Archaeological Department.
It is 16 kms northwest of Ulundurpet and 21 kms east of Thirukkoilur. Hillock at the village contains a Jaina cave and two temples dedicated to Parsvanatha and Chanraprabha. Cave served as the monastery of the monks of Virasangha in the 8th – 9th century A.D. Rich collection of bronze images found in the temple. Annual festival (Jan-Feb) celebrated on a grand scale and attended by Jains from all over Tamilnadu.
The 100 year old famous church is situated in Chennai – Selam highway and 8 km from Chinna Salem. The church is constructed by the Kunchaan, a devotee of St. Anthoniyar. This church is located at Melnaariyappanoor. It is a village panchayat near Chinnasalem, in Kallakurichi Taluk of Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu. It is famous for the shrine dedicated to the King of Miracles, Saint Antony of Padua. His feast is celebrated every year on June 13.
Kallakurichi is closer to Kalvarayan Hills. Clouds fall near the peak of Vellimalai hilltop. This proximity is a popular tourist spot for locals during the monsoon season. Vellimalai is a pristine unexplored location. There are so many of villages in Kalvarayan hills’ hilltop and in the chilly of the climates in Innaddu.
It is one part of the Eastern ghats, lies on the western side of the Kallakurichi Taluk. This area spread over an area of 600 sq. kms. approximately with the height ranging from 1000 ft to 3800 ft from the sea level. The history of Kalrayan Hills goes back to the time of Krishna Deverayar. He was the emperor of the Vijaya Nagar Kingdom. It also includes its Jagirdars. The emperor Krishna Deverayar given the rights to the tribes to enjoy this land but imposed many taxes on them.
Warriors belonging to the ‘KARALAR’ community came from Kanchipuram. They settled in Kalrayan hills. after sometimes they over ride the tribal people called ‘Vedar’ (hunter) and married their wives. The communities of karalar and vedar who now are called ‘Malayali’ and they call themselves as ‘Goundars’.
Kalrayan hills Possesses innumerable tourism Potentialities like water falls, jungle streams, rivers and rivulets and lovely jungle walks. The place is a veritable paradise for trekkers. It is also called as ‘Poor man’s hill station’ of Tamil Nadu. Every year the District Administration is conducting the Summer Festival to create the awareness among the tribes.
The Kalrayan Hills are a major range of hills. They are situated in the Eastern Ghats of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They work with the Pachaimalai, Javadi, and Shevaroy hills. Together, they separate the Kaveri River basin to the south from the Palar River basin to the north. The hills range in height from 2000 feet to 3000 feet and extend over an area of 1095 square kilometers.
The hills straddle several Tamil Nadu districts, extending northeast from the Salem District. The range serves as a boundary between the Salem and Villupuram districts. The Kalrayans are divided into two sections. The northern section is referred to as the Chinna (“little”) Kalrayans. The southern section is called the Periya (“big”) Kalrayans. The Chinna Kalrayans average 2700 feet in height, while the Periya Kalrayans average 4000 feet.
The range as a whole is fairly smooth, with soil well-suited for plant growth. Scrub reach up to 400 metres in altitude, while deciduous forests can be found between above 800 metres. Sholas, a type of high-altitude stunted evergreen forest, can be found growing on isolated plateaus. Though the forest stand is growing, due to “habitat uniqueness, human impacts and cultural tradition,” conservation efforts are needed.
The Gomukhi dam, Megam Falls, and Periyar falls at the foothills give you a refreshing feeling. These places rejuvenate the spirit. It’s like splashing cold, flower-scented water on your face on a hot summer’s day. Adventure Lovers and Trekkers will sure like Kalrayan Hill. These hills offer a temperate climate and a peaceful atmosphere. There is a beautiful botanical garden on the hills.
The tribal communities make for wonderful observations. Large part of the hill range is still unexplored and untouched except for a few secluded tribal settlements. Kallakurichi is the nearest city about 56 KMs from Kalrayan Hills while Salem is about 70 KMs
Moolavar : Veeratteswarar
Utshavar : Anthakashuvath Moorthy
Ambal : Periya Nayagi, Shivanathavalli
Holy Tree : Sarakkontrai
Holy Water : Thenpennai
Historical Name : Anthakapuram, Thirukkaivelur
Town : Thirukkoilur
District : Kallakurichi
This Temple is one of the eight Veeratta temples (Ashta Veeratta Sthalas). This is the 11th Shiva temple in the Nadunadu region praised in Thevaram hymns. Saints Sambandar, Appar and sundarar had sung the praise of the Lord of the temple in their Thevaram hymns. Saint Gnanasambandar addresses those struggling for enlightenment. He advises, “If you wish to know what is eternal, avoid letting your legs into mud. Do not struggle to pick it up. Think of the one with Ganga on His turf gracing at Veerattanam.
Temple History:
The world became dark due to Mother Parvathi covering the eyes of Lord Shiva. His eyes are the Sun and Moon in a play. The darkness took the form of a demon. Andhaka means darkness and also ignorance. Life becomes dark due to ignorance. Lord Shiva struck the Andhaka-darkness giant on his head with a club in His Hand. The head of the demon began to bleed. Every drop of blood that fell on earth grew into a demon and war continued. Mother Parvathi prevented the blood from falling down by collecting it in a bowl.
The blood that fell down became 8 vertical and 8 horizontal lines crosswise and thus made 64 squares. With His power, Lord Shiva created 64 Bhairavas for each square. He prevented further production of demons. He blessed the Devas in the celestial world. This later came to known as Vasthu Shanti Puja for Bhairavas. This also personifies the destruction of ignorance leading to enlightenment.
Main Deity : Ranganatha Swamy(Lord Vishnu).
Ambal : Rangavalli Thayar.
Holy Water : Chandra Pushkarani, Thenpennai river.
Temple Timings : 6.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Temple Festivals : Saturdays of Purarttasi, pournami and Vaikunda Ekadasi.
Prominence of the Shrine : The 108 Divya Desams are popular. More popular and Ancient than that there is Utharangam alias Aadhirangam alias Aadhi Thiruvarangam. It is because Aadi Thiruvarangam is established on the first incarnation of Vishnu. Srirangam is next to the Aadi Thiruvarangam told quite commonly in this region.
Temple History : A Demon called somugan belonged to the asura pedigree. He obtained immortality by performing rigorous penance. He also gained many booms this way. He possessed the arrogance and the brutality like Asuras. He wanted to control the earth and the Heaven. He aimed to make the sages and the devas serve him obediently. He conquered the earth and the heaven. He enslaved the sages and the devas and commanded them to obey him.
He imprisoned Brahma and seized the Veda Mandras from him. Brahma, Devars and the sages went to Sri Narayanan (Vishnu) and prayed him to protect them by quelling somugan. Narayan went to fight somugan. A terrific war broke out between them. Somugan exhausted all his magical tricks and became tired. He feared that Narayanan would killed him if he stayed there anymore. He went insdie sea and hide themself. Sri Narayanan quelled somugan by taking the incarnation of ‘Mathsya’ and retrieved the Vedas. The Devas and the Sagas became elated and worshipped Sri Narayanan at Utharangam.
Nearest Town : Villupuram.
Location : Thiruvarangam is between Thiruvannamalai amd Manalurpet. It is also between Thirukoilur and Manalurpet. From Manalurpet ,mini bus,auto,van can be engaged. Government buses are also available.
Place : Sri Aadhi Thiruvarangam Perumal Temple, Aadhi Thiruvarangam 605 802, Kallakurichi District
Events and Festivals
Koovagam Festival
Transgenders, popularly known as ‘aravanis’, are in the midst of celebrating the 18-day-long Koovagam festival. This annual event attracts their kind from abroad, including from Singapore and Malaysia. It also attracts people from across the country, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Koovagam temple is their focal point during the fete. The presiding deity is Aravan. The ‘aravanis’ will get figuratively wedded to him on Tuesday night. During the Mahabharata war, Arjuna, a past master in archery, killed Aravan with the prowess of his bow and arrow. So, it literally meant that those ‘aravanis’ wedded to Aravan were rendered widows overnight.