Virudhunagar - Tourist Information

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Virudhunagar - Tourist Information

Ramana Maharishi Ashram

Sri Ramana Maharishi was born in 30.12.1879 at Thiruchuli. His mother was Tmt Azhagammal and father was Thiru. Sundaram Iyer. He lived in the house of 'Sundara Mandhiram". He studied in Sethupathi Primary School. An ashram was established in 1988 on the banks of the river Gundar to propagate his teachings.

Kamaraj’s House

The house where the great leader Kamaraj and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was born has been converted into a memorial. The rooms are adorned with photographs of the leader at every stage of his life. A few of his clothes, his watch as well as articles used by him are displayed.

Shenbagathope Grizelled Squirrel Sanctuary

The forests are found on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. Only 6.3% of the total geographical area is under forests. Many rare and endemic varieties of flora and fauna are found along the mountain slopes. A wildlife sanctuary, spread over 480 sq. kms. was established in 1989 at Shenbagathopu in Srivilliputtur taluk.. This sanctuary is contiguous with the Periyar tiger reserve on the south-western side and the Megamalai reserve forest on the north-western side. The altitude varies from 100m to 2010 m above sea level.

The sanctuary is home to the endangered, arboreal grizzled giant squirrel Ratufa macrora. This greyish brown squirrel weighs 1 to 1.8 kg. and is the size of a small cat. It measures about 73.5 cms. from nose to tail with the tail being 36 to 40 cm. long. They construct drays at forked branches where the crowns of neighbouring trees meet. This enables the squirrel to move away from the site by jumping from tree to tree when threatened. The home range of an individual is between 0.197 hectares and 0.611 hectares.

The sanctuary also hosts a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and butterflies. Resident and migratory elephants are common. Other animals sighted are tiger, leopard, Nilgiri thar, spotted deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, porcupine, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, common langur, slender loris, bonnet macaque, sloth bear and flying squirrel. Over 100 species of birds have been identified. The rare Great Indian horn bill is also found.Special steps have been taken to conserve the forest areas in the sanctuary. The annual leases given for the collection of fruit and other minor forest produce has been stopped.

Fruit bearing trees and other trees have been planted. This will increase the food sources as well as ensure continuity in the canopy. Soil conservation and water harvesting measures have been undertaken to improve the habitat. The forests of Alagarkoil valley in Srivilliputur taluk and Saduragiri are known for rare medicinal plants. The medicinal value of 275 plants has been recorded and reported. The forests host a rich variety of orchids and ferns. The sanctuary is located 86 kms. from Maduari. The best time to visit the sanctuary are throughout the year except for the months of March, April and May.

Rajapalayam

Rajapalayam is derived from the word Raja’s Tamil synonyms for Raja and palayam in Tamil a ‘cantonment’ or fort. The Rajapalayam means Raja’s bit. Rajapalayam is inhabited chiefly by people who came from an old Vijayanagar State. There are spinning mills, power looms factories, waste cotton plant, wood screw factory, surgical cotton, plaster of Paris, bolt and nail, insulated electrical goods, cycle spare parts, sugar cane crusher rolls, saw mills, electrical motor manufacturing and etc.

Saverier Church

The Francis - Association took back in trust to build a grand church in honors of the Saint francis. This divine church was open to public on 03-03 -2003 The structure depicts on one side Hindu God Srikrishna riding on chariot driven by seven horses the back side is in the shape of half moon depicting the sign of Islam. The tall Cross reminds the Christian faiths. Special mass is conducted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Aruppukkottai Town

Aruppukkottai is a renowned weaving centre. Both handloom and powerloom weaving are undertaken. In the handloom sector both silk and cotton sarees are woven. The powerloom units weave towels, sarees, lungis, bedsheets and bedcovers. Units for spinning yarn as well as units for dyeing yarn have been established here.

Kullursandai Reservoir

The Kullursandai reservoir on the Kowsiga mahanadi, a tributary of the Arjuna nadi. Is being developed into a picnic spot. Boasting facilities are offered at the reservoir which also attracts numerous water birds in the months of August to February.

Virudhunagar - Tourist Information

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