Kovilpatti

Geography

Kovilpatti is located in South India. It has an average elevation of 101 meters (334 ft).

Climate

The climate of Kovilpatti is hot and dry. Temperatures range from 22 °Cto37 °C. April to June are the hottest months, while December and January are the coldest; temperatures begin to rise again towards the end of February.

Rainfall occurs mostly during the northeast monsoon, from October to December. The town receives relatively little rainfall, averaging about 840 mm, compared to the district average. Annual rainfall has ranged from 228to964 mm over the past decades.

Demographics

Population

In the 2011 census, Kovilpatti had a population of 95,057. The sex ratio of 1,065 females per 1,000 males exceeded the national average of 929. A total of 8,325 residents were under the age of six, comprising 4,158 males and 4,167 females.

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 10.32% and 0.84% of the population, respectively. The city's literacy rate was 81.27%, compared to the national average of 72.99%. The city had 25,099 households in 2011.

There were a total of 41,006 workers, comprising 85 cultivators, 165 main agricultural labourers, 932 workers in household industries, 36,989 other workers, and 2,835 marginal workers. Marginal workers included 26 cultivators, 26 agricultural labourers, 262 workers in household industries, and 2,521 other marginal workers.

Religion

In the 2011 religious census, Kovilpatti was reported to comprise 92.29% Hindus, 2.48% Muslims, 5.12% Christians, 0.01% Sikhs, 0.01% Buddhists, and 0.08% followers of other religions.

Government and politics

The Kovilpatti Assembly constituency is part of the Thoothukkudi Lok Sabha constituency. As of the 2021 state election, Kadambur C. Raju is the member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for the Kovilpatti constituency, representing AIADMK. Thiru K. Karunanithi is the current chairman of Kovilpatti Municipality, representing the DMK.

Economy

Being industrially well-developed, Kovilpatti boasts a diversified base of Micro, Small, and Medium Industries. Apart from Handmade matchboxes, for which the city is well known, Kovilpatti is home to two large textile mills, The Loyal Mills and The Lakshmi Mills of Lakshmi Mills Group, Coimbatore. In addition, several medium-sized textile mills, ginning factories, ready-made garment manufacturing units, edible oil producing companies, cattle, poultry feed manufacturing units, chemical industries, and numerous ancillary units operates in the town. Kovilpatti is also known for its unique candy 'Kadalai Mittai' (Peanut Candy).

The Manthithoppu Transgenders' Milk Producers' Cooperative Society (MTMPCS), the first cooperative society in the country run by trans people, was established at Manthithoppu by the former Thoothukudi District Collector, Sandeep Nanduri, IAS.

Education

Kovilpatti serves as an educational center for the Thoothukudi district. The city is home to National Engineering College, an autonomous institution established in 1984 by Kalvithanthai Thiru. K. Ramasamy. The college is located off National Highway 44 and is affiliated with Anna University. It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Engineering and Technology.

Culture/Cityscape

Landmarks

• Kalugumalai is a 300 ft high dome-shaped rock located on the road connecting Kovilpatti and Sankarankoil. It is famous for a rock-cut temple known as Vettuvankoil. Another rock-cut temple, dedicated to Subramaniya Swamy, is located at the base of Kalugumalai.
• Sankarankoil is situated to the west of Kovilpatti.

References

References

1. Dass, S. Godson Wisely. (2024-09-19). "Kovilpatti in the spotlight as seven players make it to Tamil Nadu hockey team".
2. எல்.பிரபாகரன். (2024-05-24). "கோவில்பட்டியில் துவங்கியது அகில இந்திய ஹாக்கி திருவிழா: இந்திய அளவில் 16 அணிகள் பங்கேற்பு".
3. "About Kovilpatti". Tamilnadu online.
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7. "Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu, IN Climate Zone, Monthly Averages, Historical Weather Data".
8. (2011). "About City". Kovilpatti Municipality.
9. (2013). "Census Info 2011 Final population totals". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
10. (2013). "Census Info 2011 Final population totals - Kovilpatti". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
11. (2011). "Population By Religious Community - Tamil Nadu". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
12. "Press Note, Delimitation Commission". Delimitation Commission.
13. "Press Note - Schedule for General Elections, 2009". Press Information Burueau, Government of India.
14. "Kovilpatti Election Result 2021 LIVE: Kovilpatti MLA Election Result & Vote Share - Oneindia".
15. "Kovilpatti municipality chairman".
16. Gerald, Olympia Shilpa. (2013-01-19). "In search of Kovilpatti Kadalai mittai". The Hindu.
17. (23 January 2021). "Towards transfarmation".
18. "National Engineering College Official Website".
19. (2011). "Places of visit". Kovilpatti Municipality.