{{Short description|Town and taluk headquarter in Tamil Nadu, India}} {{For|the Pacific mangrove tree species|Scyphiphora hydrophylacea}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Chengam | native_name = sezhunganiyur | native_name_lang = Tamil | other_name = | nickname = | settlement_type = municipality | image_skyline = | image_alt = | image_caption = | pushpin_map = India Tamil Nadu | pushpin_label_position = right | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Tamil Nadu, India | coordinates = {{coord|12.3|N|78.8|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Tamil Nadu | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Tiruvannamalai | established_title = <!-- Established --> | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = | governing_body = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 272 | population_total = 54278 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = 283,917 Population [2011] – Census | population_footnotes = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = Tamil | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = <!-- PIN --> | postal_code = 606 701 | registration_plate = TN 25 | website = www.chengam.in | official_name = }} '''Chengam''' (or '''Chengamma'''<ref>{{Cite book|title=Imperial Gazetter of India|volume=21|pages=396}}</ref> as on British records) is an important market town and a taluk headquarter<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tahsildar Chengam {{!}} Tiruvannamalai District, Govt. of Tamil Nadu {{!}} India|url=https://tiruvannamalai.nic.in/directory/tahsildar-chengam/|access-date=2021-08-04|language=en-US}}</ref> in the foothills of the Eastern ghats<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jawadhu Hills {{!}} Tiruvannamalai District, Govt. of Tamil Nadu {{!}} India|url=https://tiruvannamalai.nic.in/tourist-place/jawadhu-hills/|access-date=2021-08-04|language=en-US}}</ref> in Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu, India. Chengam is the gateway to the Chengam pass<ref>{{Cite book|title=Imperial Gazetter of India|volume=5|pages=420}}</ref> in the Eastern ghats between Javvadhu hills to the north and Chennakesava hills to the south. The town is also the centre for various industrial activities which includes Sathanur dam hydro-electric project,<ref>{{Cite web|title=TamilNadu Generation and distribution corporation limited|url=https://www.tangedco.gov.in/linkpdf/Data%20card%20dt%2030-05-17%20.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804131450/https://www.tangedco.gov.in/linkpdf/Data%20card%20dt%2030-05-17%20.pdf |archive-date=4 August 2021 }}</ref> Aavin milk processing plant<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tiruvannamalai PP - Tamilnadu Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited (TCMPF)|url=https://aavinmilk.com/tiruvannamalai-pp|access-date=2021-08-04|website=aavinmilk.com}}</ref> and Periya Kolappadi SIDCO estate.<ref>{{Cite web|title=அதிகரிக்கும் முதலீடு... பெருகும் தொழில்வளம்..!|url=https://www.polimernews.com/amp/news-article.php|access-date=2021-08-04|website=Polimer News}}</ref>
== History == {{Unreferenced section|date=September 2020}} The book Malaipadukadam in the Sangakkala literature mentions that Nannansei Nannan was a short-lived king who ruled from the Palkunrakottam hill with his capital as his capital. Many rare historical sources such as inscriptions and archeological finds have been found to prove this. Researchers also say that Nannan-ruled Navira Hill now refers to the Jawadhu Hills and some to the mountains near the sea. Initially Chengam was an assembly constituency (SC) of Tiruppattur (Lok Sabha constituency). In 2009 it became a part of the Tiruvannamalai Lok Sabha constituency.
== Geography == Chengam is located at {{Coord|12.3|N|78.8|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/25/Chengam.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Chengam]</ref> It has an average elevation of 272 metres (892 feet). Chengam municipality is located on the Pondicherry – Thiruvannamalai – Bangalore route, at a distance of 34 km from Thiruvannamalai. '''Climate : Chengam rainfall with an average of 1200.35mm per year, which is mostly getting during northeast monsoon when it is September, October, November, December'''
== Demographics == {{bar box|title=Linguistic census|titlebar=#ddd|left1=Linguistic groups|right1=Percent(%)|float=left|bars={{bar percent|Tamil|Red|87.64}}{{bar percent|Urdu|Green|7.79}}{{bar percent|Telugu|Purple|4.01}}{{bar percent|Creole|Blue|0.4}}{{bar percent|Malay|grey|0.13}}{{bar percent|Other|violet|0.01}}}} {{Historical populations |align = right |state= |1901|3867 |1921|6305 |1931|9457 |1941|11678 |1951|14912 |1961|17441 |1981|23462 |1991|31196 |2001|41037 |2011|54278 |footnote=Sources:<br/> * 1951 – 2001<ref>{{cite web|title=Population Details|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_population.htm|publisher=Tiruvannamalai municipality|year=2011|accessdate=2012-12-29|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227113738/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/thiruvannamalai/sal_population.htm|archivedate=2014-02-27}}</ref> * 2011<ref name=2011census>{{cite web|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals – Salem(05740)|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=684822|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|year=2013|accessdate=26 January 2014}}</ref> }} Chengam is a municipality in Tiruvannamalai district. {{As of |2011}} India census,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archivedate=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|accessdate=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Chengam had a population of 54,278 and an average literacy rate of 79.3%. Child population below 6 was 2,210 males and 2,479 females. Chengam has 142,845 people employed; 84,623 are male and 58,222 are female with an employment ratio of 50%. Chengam is 5th in Tiruvannamalai district and ranked 69th in Tamil Nadu. The literacy ratio is 68% with 170,277 total literate people. In terms of literacy, Chengam is ranked 6th in Tiruvannamalai district and 230th in Tamil Nadu.
==Politics== It is a part of the Tiruvannamalai (Lok Sabha constituency) since 2009.
==Culture== {{Unreferenced section|date=September 2020}} thumb|Chengam Sri Venukopala Parthasarathy Perumal Temple festival annually in May in makakaruta waxing service with great karutacevai kotierrat festival will be held in 10 days
thumb|
On the basis of the epigraphs found engraved in the Upapitha part of the main shrine, Arulmigu Venugopala Parthasarathi And Rishabeshvarar Temple may be dated to the late Vijayanagara Nayaka Period of the 17th Century AD.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arulmigu Venugopala Parthasarathi And Rishabeshvarar Temple, Chengam - Temple History |url=https://hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/history.php?tid=20799 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250912002730/https://hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/history.php?tid=20799 |archive-date=12 September 2025 |access-date=12 September 2025 |website=Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments Department - Government of Tamil Nadu}}</ref> Its architecture and layout is a model for Annamalaiyar Temple. For this festival the temple is decorated with colored lights, fireworks, naiyantimelam, karakattam (dance). Preparations are made for the show by the festival committee and sponsors.
==Roadways== {{Unreferenced section|date=September 2020}} Chengam lies on the mid-way of NH66 plying from Bangalore to Puducherry via Thiruvannamalai. It is separated from Thiruvannamalai at a distance of 35 km. It is well connected with major nearby Metro City Is Vellore City. Major towns like Arani, Polur, Thiruvannamalai, Singarapettai, Pudupalayam, Sathanur Dam, Thandarampattu and Uthangarai. Frequent buses ply from Chengam to Salem, Dharmapuri, Bangalore, Hosur, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Chennai, Polur, Uthangarai, Hogenakkal, Pondicherry, Thiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Vizhuppuram and Chidambaram.
Local town buses ply to Sathanur Dam, Kadaladi, Kanchi, Polur, Pudupalayam, Singarapettai, Neepathurai, Mel ravanthavadi, Thaazhaiyoothu, Thandarampattu, Pachal and many other villages.
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Cities and towns in Tiruvannamalai district