Namakkal District

Namakkal District (நாமக்கல் மாவட்டம்) is an administrative district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The district was bifurcated from Salem District with Namakkal town as Head Quarters on 25-07-1996 and started to function independently from 01-01-1997. The district has 4 taluks (subdivisions); Tiruchengode, Namakkal, Rasipuram and Paramathi-Velur and has two Revenue Divisions; Namakkal and Tiruchengode. It was ranked second in a comprehensive Economic Environment index ranking of districts in Tamil Nadu not including Chennai prepared by Institute for Financial Management and Research in August 2009.
  
History:

After the struggle between the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas, the Hoysalas rose to power and had control till the 14th century followed by Vijayanagar kings till 1565 AD. Then the Madurai Nayakas came to power in 1623 AD. Two of the Poligans of Tirumalai Nayak namely, Ramachandra Nayaka and Gatti Mudaliars ruled the Salem area. The Namakkal fort is reported to have been built by Ramchandra Nayaka. After about 1635 AD, the area came successively under the rule of Muslim Sultans of Bijapur and Golkonda, Mysore kings and then the Marattas, when about the year 1750 AD Hyder Ali came to power. During this period, it was a history of power struggle between Hyder Ali and later Tippu Sultan, with the British.

Geography:

Namakkal district is bounded by Salem district on the north; on the east by Attur taluk of Salem district, Perambalur and Tiruchirapalli District's; by Karur district on the south and on the west by Erode district.

Namakkal District comes under the North Western Agro climatic zone of Tamil Nadu. It is situated in the dividing portion of two watersheds between Cauvery and the Vellar System with the Taluks of Attur, Rasipuram and Namakkal on the East and Salem, Omalur and Mettur on the West. Tiruchengode taluk alone is placed under Western Agro-climatic zone.

Besides above two zones, Kolli and few isolated hills and ridges scattered over Namakkal, Rasipuram and Tiruchengode along with the valleys and rolling topography makeup the characteristic physiography of the district.

Namakkal Rock Fort:

The Rock Fort is on the summit of the rock, and the remnants in brick and stone still bear the brunt of the skirmishes to lay seize to the fort by the Cholas in the 9th Century.[2] There are two rock–cut cave temples located on both sides of the hill dedicated to Narasimhaswamy and Ranganathasamy. There is also a 18 feet tall Hanuman statue carved out of a single stone at the Hanuman Temple.

Tiruchengode:

Tiruchengode is 35 km from Namakkal. It is one of the seven Sivasthalams in Kongunadu. The Arthanareeswarar Temple is located on a hill. The presiding deity is depicted as half-male and half-female, vertically to represent Shiva and Parvati worshipped as one form. It is considered one of the oldest temples in this region.

Kolli Hills:

Kolli Hills are situated on Eastern Ghats at an altitude of 1200 mts in the Namakkal District and are 45 km from Namakkal town. The Kolli Hills are known for medicinal herbs and plants that grow in abundance on the hill slopes. The Arapaleswarar Temple, the Horticulture Farm, the Herbal Farm, Agaya Gangai waterfalls and the Telescope House are the places to visit for the interested tourist. The Valvil Ori festival is organised here every year during the month August

Transport:

Transport is the major field of work in Namakkal, because the lorry body building is more in Namakkal. Since there are more number of egg production in this district, so transport facilities is good. It is the main centre for linking other districts via bus routes especially to North side(Salem, Villupuram, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Bangalore East side, South side Karur, Dindugal, Madurai, Tiunelveli, Kanyakumari, West sideErode, coimbatore, Thiruppur, Ooty



    Revenue Divisions                     2

    Taluks                                      4

    Blocks                                    15

    Corporation & Municipalities    5

    Town Panchayats                   19

    Revenue Villages                   391

    Panchayat Villages                331