{{Good article}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Sirkazhi | settlement_type = Town in Mayiladuthurai district | image_skyline = Sattainathar temple Sirkazhi 17.jpg | image_alt = A lozenge-shaped tower tapering towards the top. It is covered in carvings including human figures and has an ornamental roof. It has a temple tank in the foreground | image_caption = A view of temple tower of Sattainathar Temple located in the centre of the town | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Tamil Nadu | subdivision_type2 = Region | subdivision_name2 = Chola Nadu | subdivision_type3 = District | subdivision_name3 = Mayiladuthurai | coordinates = {{coord|11.239|79.736|display=inline,title}} | pushpin_map = India Tamil Nadu | pushpin_label_position = left | pushpin_map_alt = A map showing the location of Sirkazhi in Tamil Nadu, India. | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Tamil Nadu, India | leader_title = Municipal Chairman | leader_name = Vacant | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = 13.21 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 4 | population_total = 34,927 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = auto | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = Tamil | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = PIN | postal_code = 609110 | area_code_type = Telephone code | area_code = (91) 4364 | registration_plate = TN-82-Z | blank2_name_sec1 = Nearest town | blank2_info_sec1 = Mayiladuthurai, Chidambaram | website = | footnotes = | official_name = }}
'''Sirkazhi''' ({{IPA|ta|ˈsiːɾkaːɻiː|}}), also spelled as '''Sirkali''' and '''Siyali''', is a selection grade municipal town in Mayiladuthurai district in Tamil Nadu, India. It is located {{convert|13|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from the coast of the Bay of Bengal, and {{convert|250|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the state capital Chennai. Sirkazhi was a part of Thanjavur district until 1991, later becoming part of Nagapattinam district until 2020 and has since been part of Mayiladuthurai district. The town covers an area of {{convert|13.21|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}} and in 2011 had a population of 34,927. It is administered by a second grade municipality. Sirkazhi is part of the Cauvery delta region and agriculture is the major occupation. Roads are the main means of transportation; the town has {{convert|51.47|km|mi|abbr=on}} of district roads, including a national highway.
The town is believed to be of significant antiquity and has been ruled by the Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Later Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, the Marathas and the British. The Tamil trinity of Carnatic music; Arunachala Kavirayar (1711–78), Muthu Thandavar (1525–1600) and Marimutthu Pillai (1712–87), originated from Sirkazhi. The Saiva saint Tirugnanasambandar, foremost of the Saiva Nayanars, was born here in the seventh century. Thirumangai Alvar Kaliyan (Thirumangai) was born in Thirukuraiyalur near Sirkazhi. The history of the town is centred on the Sattainathar Temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The history of the town is also associated with Rajarajeshwari – Angalaparameshwari Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Adi shakti, who is believed to be most powerful form, located in the south of Kalumalaiyar river. When the goddess takes on the forceful form, she is known as "Shri Kali" or "Pechi amma" or " Angali" which forms the basis for the town's name as "Sirkali".
==Etymology and origin== left|thumb|200px|A temple relief depicting Appar bearing Sambandar's palanquin|alt=A sculpture depicting a person is a palanquin carried by others. In ancient times, this town had twelve different names, including Brahmapuram, Venupuram, Thonipuram, Kazhumalam, Pugali, Sirkazhiswaram Shri Kali and Kazheesirama Vinnagaram.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas, Volume 1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FdIkaccgneAC&q=vamana&pg=PA1337|last=Parmeshwaranand|first=Swami|publisher=Sarup & Sons|year=2001|isbn=9788176252263|ref=Parmeshwaranand}}</ref>{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009}}{{sfn|Pillai|1904|p=91}} According to Hindu legend, during one of the biggest deluges that submerged the planet earth, Hindu god Shiva is said to have carried the 64 arts on a raft (called ''Thoni'' in Tamil). The presiding deity in the temple, Shiva, is thus called "Thoniappar" (the one who carried the raft) and the region is called "Thonipuram".{{sfn|Ayyar|1991| p=244}}{{sfn|Ayyar|1991| p=42}}{{sfn|V.K.|2007|p=45}}{{sfn|Pillai|1904|p=91}} The Hindu god Brahma is believed to have worshiped Shiva here, giving the name "Bhrahmapureeswarar" (the one worshipped by Brahma) and so the region is also referred as "Brahmapureeswaram".{{sfn|Director of Census operations|1991|p=55}}{{sfn|Pillai|1904|p=91}}
Shiva is believed to have quelled the arrogance of Hindu god Brahma, after showing his dominance over the three worlds and hence got the name "Sattainathar" here. The town is thus called "Sattainathapuram", which in modern times, is a suburb within Sirkazhi. The town was known as "Kalumalam" during the early Chola period.{{sfn|Aiyangar|1911|p=92}} Thirugnanasambandar, the seventh century Saiva nayanar, as an infant is believed to have been fed with the milk of wisdom by the divine mother Parvati on the banks of the temple tank. The child Sambandar started singing the anthology of ''Tevaram'' hymns from then on, commencing with "Todudaiya Seviyan". Sambandar refers the town as "Kazhi" in his verses.{{sfn|Ayyar|1991| p=244}}{{sfn|Ayyar|1991| p=42}}{{sfn|V.K.|2007|p=45}}{{sfn|Pillai|1904|p=91}} It was called Shiyali during British rule, and after Independence, it was renamed "Sirkazhi".{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009}}
==History== The earliest mention of Sirkazhi is found in the history of the Chola king Kocengannan from the Sangam Age (3rd century BCE to 4th century CE), who is believed to have won a bloody battle here.{{sfn|Aiyangar|1911|p=96}} During the 7th–8th century, there were widespread disputes between the Hindu sects of Saivism and Vaishnavism. Tirugnanasambandar and Thirumangai Alvar, belonging to Saivism and Vaishnavism, respectively, and both natives of Sirkazhi, had disputes over their religious compositions and theologies during the period.{{sfn|Aiyangar|1911|p=413}} The Chola Kings ruled over the region for more than four centuries, from 850 to 1280, and were temple patrons. There are 41 inscriptions from the Chola kings in the temple that record various gifts like land, sheep, cow and oil to the temple.{{sfn|Director of Census operations|1991|p=55}}
The region fell under the control of Pandyas in 1532 and later became part of the Thanjavur Nayak kingdom.{{sfn|V.|1942| pp= 62–65}} The region was conquered in 1674 by Ekoji I (1675–84), the Maratha enemy of the Nawab of Bijapur and half-brother of Shivaji (1674–80).{{sfn|Mitchell|1995| p=91}} The town and the region became part of the British East India Company during the mid-18th century. Tanjore district was constituted in 1799 when the Thanjavur Maratha ruler Serfoji II (1798–1832) ceded most of his kingdom to the British East India Company in return for his restitution on the throne.{{sfn|W.|2002|pp=140–151}} After India's independence, Sirkazhi continued to be a part of Thanjavur district until 1991, when it became part of Nagapattinam district until March 2020.{{sfn|About the town|2011}} Currently Sirkazhi is part of the newly created Mayiladuthurai district.
==Geography== Sirkazhi is located at {{Coord|11.23|N|79.73|E|}}, on the eastern flank of the Kumbakonam-Shiyali ridge, which runs along the Kollidam River.{{sfn|Micropalaeontology| 1972| pp= 31}} Sirkazhi has an average elevation of {{convert|5.18|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level and is located at {{convert|13|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Bay of Bengal.{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=20–21}} It is located {{convert|95|km|mi|abbr=on}} north-east of Thanjavur, {{convert|24|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of Mayiladuthurai and {{convert|20|km|mi}} south of Chidambaram.{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=20–21}}
The town experiences long summers and short winters,{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=20–21}}and receives an average yearly rainfall of {{convert|1250|mm|in|abbr=on}}, mainly from the north-east monsoon between October and December.{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=20–21}} Its close proximity to the sea means that Sirkazhi receives more rainfall than neighbouring towns.{{sfn|W.|2002|p=151}} Sirkazhi is part of the Cauvery delta region and has irrigation channels, called the Kollidam channels, which carry water from the rivers and provide a rich deposit of fertile silt before reaching the sea.{{sfn|W.|2002|p=151}} The soil is black and contains fertile alluvial sediment.{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=20–21}} The area's main crop is rice; other crops grown in the area are coconut, tamarind and neem.{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=20–21}} The landscape mostly consists of plain lands with fields and small portions of scrub jungle.{{sfn|W.|2002|p=133}} Antelope, spotted deer, wild hog, jackal and fox are present in the jungles and outlying areas of the town.{{sfn|W.|2002|p=133}} Crow and ordinary game birds are found in large numbers in the town.{{sfn|W.|2002|p=151}}
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea, megathrust earthquake that occurred on 26 December 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering a series of devastating tsunamis along coastal fringes of the Indian Ocean.{{sfn|Karan|Subbiah|2011|p=70}} Nagapattinam district was the most affected part of Tamil Nadu, accounting for 6,064 off the 8,009 casualties in the state.{{sfn|Karan|Subbiah|2011|p=77}} Sirkazhi remained mostly unaffected by the tsunami, but the groundwater quality deteriorated where aquifers were close to the water bodies.{{sfn|Sm.|2006|p=133}} There was heavy salt water intrusion inland.{{sfn|Sm.|2006|p=133}}
==Demographics== {{bar box|title=Religious census|titlebar=#ddd|left1=Religion|right1=Percent(%)|float=left|bars={{bar percent|Hindu|Orange|86.91}}{{bar percent|Muslim|Green|9.46}}{{bar percent|Christian|purple|2.16}}{{bar percent|Sikh|yellow|0.02}}{{bar percent|Buddhist|Gold|0.46}}{{bar percent|Jain|Blue|0.33}}{{bar percent|Other|grey|0.63}}{{bar percent|No religion|violet|0.04}}}}
{{Historical populations |align = right |state=collapsed |1961|19531 |1971|22711 |1981|25508 |1991|28959 |2001|32228 |2011|34927 |footnote=Sources: * 1961 – 1971{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=25–27}} * 1981 – 2001:{{sfn|Sirkazhi population|2011}} * 2011:{{sfn|Sirkazhi 2011 census}} }}
According to 2011 census, Sirkali had a population of 34,927 with a sex-ratio of 1,028 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.{{sfn|National Sex Ratio 2011}} A total of 3,367 were under the age of six, constituting 1,740 males and 1,627 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 23.21% and 0.13% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the town was 81.5%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.{{sfn|National Sex Ratio 2011}} The town had a total of 8,756 households. There were a total of 11,476 workers, comprising 352 cultivators, 1,398 main agricultural labourers, 150 in house hold industries, 7,681 other workers, 1,895 marginal workers, 88 marginal cultivators, 809 marginal agricultural labourers, 77 marginal workers in household industries and 921 other marginal workers.{{sfn|Sirkazhi 2011 census}}
As per the religious census of 2011, Sirkazhi had 86.91% Hindus, 9.46% Muslims, 2.16% Christians, 0.02% Sikhs, 0.46% Buddhists, 0.33% Jains, 0.63% following other religions and 0.04% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.{{sfn|Religious census|2015}}
In 1981, there were 15 notified slums accommodating 4,499 persons, constituting 17.64% of the population. In 2001, there were still 15 slums accommodating 7,533 persons, constituting 23.37% of the population.{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=25–27}} The slum area has remained static at {{convert|39.45|acre|sqkm|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=25–27}} The town has a residential area of {{convert|2.79|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}} (20.96%), commercial area of {{convert|0.4|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}} (3.04%), industrial area of {{convert|0.58|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}} (4.39%), public & semi public area of {{convert|1.29|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}} (9.66%) and undeveloped area of {{convert|8.23|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}} (38.05%).{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=28–29}}
==Economy and transport== The service sector provides most employment in the town. Limited agriculture is carried out; the main crop is paddy rice.{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=28–29}} During the British Raj, Sirkazhi was known for mats made with a kind of cyperus.{{sfn|Hunter|1908|p=163}}{{sfn|Illustrated Guide to the South Indian Railway|1926|pp=50–51}} The headquarters of the taluka and panchayat union administration, and many government offices are located in the town.{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=28–29}} There are no major industries within the town, except for several rice mills.{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=28–29}} Sirkazhi has many Hindu temples, which draw in tourism activity.{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=28–29}} Sirkali Coop Urban Bank, founded on 23 April 1918 is the oldest bank in Sirkali. All major nationalised banks and private banks have branches in the town,{{sfn|Sirkazhi town Banks|2011}} and all have atms.{{sfn|Sirkazhi town Banks|2011}}
The National highway NH-32 connects Chennai and Thoothukudi through Chidambaram, Cuddalore and Nagapattinam passes through Sirkazhi. Sirkazhi has outer bypass road to ease the transport of heavy vehicles in the town. Sirkazhi municipality has {{convert|51.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} of roads: {{convert|18.3|km|mi|abbr=on}} of BT roads, {{convert|30.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} of cement roads, {{convert|2.2|km|mi|abbr=on}} of water-bound macadam surface and {{convert|0.6|km|mi|abbr=on}} of other roads.{{sfn|Sirkazhi roads|2011}} Bullock carts are the traditional mode of transport; as late as the 1950s, landlords and rich farmers travelled mostly by bullock carts except on rare, long journeys, which they undertook by buses or motor vehicles.{{sfn|Gough| 1981| p= 6}} Buses are the main mode of public transport from Sirkazhi. The municipality operates a B-Class bus stand with 36 bays that accommodate local and intercity buses.{{sfn|Sirkazhi bus|2011}} The buses are operated by Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, connecting the town to Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam, Chidambaram, Karaikkal and other cities in Tamil Nadu.{{sfn|Sirkazhi bus|2011}}
Nearest major junction of Mayiladuthurai, the Sirkazhi's railway station is on the main line between Chennai and Trichy via Cuddalore and Chidambaram.{{sfn|''The Hindu''|25 July 2010}} Daily express trains connect major cities in Tamil Nadu like Chennai, Madurai and Trichy,{{sfn|Train information|2012}}{{sfn|''The Hindu''|25 July 2010}} and weekly express trains connect Tirupathi, Varanasi, Tiruchendur and Bhubaneswar.{{sfn|Train information|2012}}{{sfn|''The Hindu''|25 July 2010}} There are also daily passenger trains to Mayiladuthurai, Salem, Villupuram and Bangalore daily.{{sfn|Train information|2012}} The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli Airport which is {{convert|160|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Sirkazhi.{{sfn|Sirkazhi transport|2011}}
==Education and utility services== thumb|200px|right|Opening ceremony 1896 of the Lutheran Mission Central-School in Sirkazhi|alt=A group of students seated with a building in the background.
The first English school in the town was the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission School, which was opened by the Lutheran Mission in 1896. The Lutheran mission was the earliest Protestant mission founded in Tanjore (present-day Thajavur) by Rev. C.V. Schwartz in 1778 to promote Christian knowledge in the region.{{sfn|Hunter|1908|p=163}}{{sfn|Illustrated Guide to the South Indian Railway|1926|pp=226–227}} Of the 32 schools in Sirkazhi, there are nine municipal schools.{{sfn|Sirkazhi schools|2011}} There are three higher secondary schools, three middle schools, fourteen primary schools and three matriculation schools in the town. There are two arts and science colleges, BEST College of Arts and Science and Vivekananda College of Arts and Science. Srinivasa Subbaraya Polytechnic College (locally called Puttur Polytechnic) is located in Puttur, {{convert|7|km|mi}} from Sirkali.{{sfn|Sirkazhi schools|2011}}
Electricity supply to the town is regulated and distributed by the Sirkazhi Circle of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB).{{sfn|TNEB region details|2011}} Water supply is provided by the Sirkazhi municipality from the Kollidam river; it is distributed through five water tanks which supply 2 million (two million) litres a day.{{sfn|Sirkazhi water supply|2011}} Push carts and tricycles are used to collect solid waste, which is deposited in marsh lands located outside the town.{{sfn|Waste management programme|2011}} Sirkazhi municipality is implementing underground drainage and the current sewerage system is through septic tanks and public conveniences.{{sfn|Sirkazhi sewarage|2011}} Roadside drains carry away untreated sewage, which is released into the sea or accumulates in low-lying areas.{{sfn|Sirkazhi sewarage|2011}}
Sirkazhi comes under the Sirkazhi Telecom Circle of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India's state-owned telephone and internet services provider. BSNL also provides a broadband internet service{{sfn|BSNL|2011}} The town has a government hospital, 12 private hospitals, clinics and medical shops.{{sfn|Sirkazhi hospitals|2011}}
==Municipal administration and politics== {| class="toccolours" style="clear:right; float:right; background:#ffffff; margin: 0 0 0.5em 1em; width:220" |- !style="background:#A8BDEC" align="center" colspan="2"|'''Municipality Officials''' |- |align="left"| Chairman||J. Eraiezhil{{sfn|Sirkazhi Municipality chairman|2011}} |- |align="left"|Commissioner||S. Maharajan{{sfn|Sirkazhi Municipality Commissioner|2011}} |- |align="left"|Vice-chairman||K. Tamilselvam{{sfn|Sirkazhi Municipality vice-chairman|2011}} |- !style="background:#A8BDEC" align="center" colspan="2"|'''Elected Members''' |- |align="left"|Member of Legislative Assembly||R. Senthilselvan<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-05-04 |title=Tamil Nadu election results 2026: Full list of winners |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/tamil-nadu-assembly/tamil-nadu-assembly-election-2026-results-full-list-of-winners/article70908112.ece |access-date=2026-05-19 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> |- |align="left"|Member of Parliament||Sudha Ramakrishnan{{sfn|MP of Mayiladuthurai|2024}} |} During the British Raj, Shiyali (present-day Sirkazhi) was the headquarters of a separate administrative division, or taluka.{{sfn|Hunter|1908|p=163}} In 1972 the town was declared a third grade municipality,{{sfn|About the town|2011}} and was upgraded to a second grade municipality in 1980.{{sfn|Sirkazhi Municipality features|2011}} The municipality has 24 wards, each of which has an elected councillor.{{sfn|Citizen's charter of Sirkazhi Municipality|2011}} The functions of the municipality are devolved into six departments: general administration/personnel, engineering, revenue, public health, town planning and IT,{{sfn|Commissionerate of Municipal Administration|2006}} which are controlled by a Municipal Commissioner, who is the supreme executive head.{{sfn|Commissionerate of Municipal Administration|2006}} Legislative powers are vested in a body of 24 members, one for each of the 24 wards. The legislative body is headed by an elected chairperson, who is assisted by a deputy.{{sfn|Economic and political weekly|1995}} On the revenue administration side, Sirkazhi is a taluka headquarters having three revenue villages: Kavilancheri, Sirkazhi and Thadalan.{{sfn|City Corporate cum Business Plan for Sirkazhi Municipality|2009|pp=20–21}}{{sfn|About the municipality|2011}}{{sfn|Nagapattinam district profile|2011}}{{sfn|Nagapattinam district local administration|2011}}
For the purposes of state government, Sirkazhi is part of the Sirkazhi assembly constituency, which elects a member to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly once every five years.{{sfn|List of Assembly constituencies|2010}} The constituency is reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates.{{sfn|List of Assembly constituencies|2010}} Since 2011 the MLA of the constituency is M. Sakthi from the ADMK.{{sfn|MLA of Sirkazhi|2016}}
In the national parliament, Sirkazhi is a part of the Mayiladuthurai (Lok Sabha constituency).
Law and order in Sirkazhi is maintained by the Mayiladuthurai sub-division of the Tamil Nadu Police, headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police.{{sfn|Sirkazhi district police|2011}} There is a police station in the town.{{sfn|Sirkazhi police|2011}} There are special units like prohibition enforcement, district crime, social justice and human rights, district crime records and special branch that operate at the district level police division, headed by a Superintendent of Police.{{sfn|Sirkazhi district police|2011}}
==Culture== 200x200px|right|Gopuram of Kazheesirama Vinnagaram|thumb|alt=A large, multi-level building with a central doorway and an ornamental roof.
The Bhramapureeswarar temple, also called Sattainathar temple, is an ancient temple complex dedicated to Shiva, and has three Shiva shrines.{{sfn|Kodayanallur Vanamamalai|2001|p=47}} The temple is mentioned in the Saiva canonical work, ''Tevaram'', by Thirugnana Sambanthar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar, the foremost Saivite saints of 7th–8th century CE and is classified as ''Paadal Petra Sthalam''.{{sfn|Kodayanallur Vanamamalai|2001|p=47}} There is a separate shrine for Sambandar celebrating the miracle of Parvathi suckling the child Sambandar when he was crying for milk.{{sfn|Kodayanallur Vanamamalai|2001|p=47}}{{sfn|Anantharaman|2006|p=46}} Shiva is worshipped in three different forms; the Shivalingam (Bhrammapureeswarar), Uma Maheswarar (Toniappar) at the middle level, and Bhairavar (Sattanathar) at the upper level.{{sfn|Anantharaman|2006|p=46}} The original temple was enlarged during the period of Kulothunga Chola I, Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola II and Kulothunga Chola III (as in Chidambaram – 11th through the 13th centuries). Every year in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April – May), a 10-day festival is celebrated.{{sfn|Illustrated Guide to the South Indian Railway|1926|pp=50–51}}
Kazheesirama Vinnagaram temple, also called Thadalan Koil, is dedicated to Vishnu in the form of Trivikrama.{{sfn|Ayyar|1991| p=535}} Sirkazhi is base to the outlying places like Poompuhar, and the temples Thirusaikkadu, Thiruppallavaneeswaram, Melapperumpallam, Keezhaperumpallam, Thiruvengadu and Thirunangur.{{sfn|Sirkazhi – Places of interest|2011}} Thirukkavalampadi, Thiruvanpurushothamam, Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram, Thiruchsemponsey, Thirumanimadam, Thiruvaikunda vinnagaram, Thiruthevanartthogai, Thiruthetriyambalam, Thirumanikkoodam, Annan Koil and Thiruppaarththanpalli are eleven Vishnu temples, called Nangur Divya Desams revered in ''Nalayira Divya Prabandham'', located in the outskirts of Sirkazhi.{{sfn|Kodayanallur Vanamamalai|2001|p=5}} The annual Garudasevai festival held during January attracts thousands of pilgrims.{{sfn|Kodayanallur Vanamamalai|2001|p=5}}
Tamil Isai Moovar (meaning Tamil trinity of Carnatic music) namely, Arunachala Kavirayar (1711–1778), Muthu Thandavar (1525–1600) and Marimutthu Pillai (1712–1787) originated from Sirkazhi.{{sfn|Historical moments|2011}} A memorial hall was constructed in honor of the Tamil Isai Moovar, in Sirkazhi. Arunachala composed devotional songs, including ''Sirkazhi Sthalapuranam'' and ''Sirkazhi Kovai'', eulogising the town.{{sfn|Ramaswamy| 2007| p= 21}} S. R. Ranganathan, considered to be the father of library science in India, is from Sirkazhi.{{sfn|Historical moments|2011}} Padma Shri Sirkazhi Govindarajan, a leading vocalist in Carnatic Music and a playback singer for Tamil cinema and devotional songs was also born in Sirkazhi.
==See also== *Erukkur *Chindhaaththirai Matha Shrine, Erukkur
==Notes== * {{Note|a}} The municipalities in Tamil Nadu are graded special, selection, grade I and grade II based on income and population. While "grade II" is the official classification, all the municipal websites use "second grade". * {{Note|b}} The census details of small towns for 2011 are yet to be published in census website. The municipal website provides the totals alone.
==Citations== {{Reflist | colwidth = 20em | refs = }}
==References== {{Refbegin|20em}} * {{cite news|title= Trains to stop at Sirkazhi station|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article532665.ece|work=The Hindu|date=25 July 2010|access-date=26 June 2012| ref = {{sfnRef|''The Hindu''|25 July 2010}} }} * {{cite web|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals – Sirkali|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=692843|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|year=2013|access-date=26 January 2014|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi 2011 census}}}} * {{cite web|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/index.html|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|year=2013|access-date=26 January 2014|ref={{sfnRef|National Sex Ratio 2011}}}} *{{cite web|title=Population By Religious Community – Tamil Nadu|year=2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html|format=XLS|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|access-date=13 September 2015|ref={{sfnRef|Religious census|2015}}}} * {{cite web|title=Nagapattinam district profile|url=http://www.nagapattinam.tn.nic.in/history.html|publisher=Nagapattinam district administration|year=2011|access-date = 26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Nagapattinam district profile|2011}} }} * {{cite web|title=Nagapattinam district local administration|url=http://www.nagapattinam.tn.nic.in/la.html|publisher=Nagapattinam district administration|year=2011|access-date = 26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Nagapattinam district local administration|2011}} }} * {{cite web|url=http://indiarailinfo.com/arrivals/sirkazhi-sy/6875|title=Train information|publisher=Indian Rail info|access-date=4 November 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Train information|2012}}}} * {{cite web|title=Nagapattinam district police|url=http://www.tnpolice.gov.in/PDFS/Nagapatinam.pdf|pages=1–16|publisher=Tamil Nadu Police|year=2011|access-date = 26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi district police|2011}} }} * {{cite web|title=Sirkazhi sewarage|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_sewerage.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=26 June 2012|year=2011|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi sewarage|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628093239/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_sewerage.htm|archive-date=28 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Sirkazhi police|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/ser_police.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi police|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628011313/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/ser_police.htm|archive-date=28 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Historical moments|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/abc_historical.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Historical moments|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629003916/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/abc_historical.htm|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Sirkazhi bus|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_busstand.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi bus|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629004014/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_busstand.htm|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Sirkazhi – Places of interest|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/abc_PlaceofInterest.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi – Places of interest|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528075910/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/abc_placeofinterest.htm|archive-date=28 May 2012|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Sirkazhi hospitals|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/ser_hospital.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi hospitals|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629004512/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/ser_hospital.htm|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Sirkazhi population|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_population.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi population|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629004445/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_population.htm|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Sirkazhi town Banks|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/ser_banks.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi town Banks|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629003546/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/ser_banks.htm|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Sirkazhi roads|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_roads.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi roads|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628092526/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_roads.htm|archive-date=28 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Sirkazhi transport|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/abc_reach.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|orig-year=2007|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi transport|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629003428/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/abc_reach.htm|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Chairman of Sirkazhi|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/who_chairperson.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|orig-year=2007|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi Municipality chairman|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628093302/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/who_chairperson.htm|archive-date=28 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Vice Chairman of Sirkazhi|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/who_deputy.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi Municipality vice-chairman|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628093312/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/who_deputy.htm|archive-date=28 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Commissioner of Sirkazhi|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/who_commissioner.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi Municipality Commissioner|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628093307/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/who_commissioner.htm|archive-date=28 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=MLA of Sirkazhi|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/members/profile/160.htm|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date = 26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|MLA of Sirkazhi|2016}} }} * {{cite web|title=Members of Lok Sabha from Tamil Nadu|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/government/loksaba?page=1|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2014|access-date =26 May 2014|ref={{sfnRef|MP of Mayiladuthurai|2019}} }} * {{cite web | url = http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/Const_map/map.htm | title = List of Assembly Constituencies | year=2010 | access-date = 30 June 2012 | work = Tamil Nadu | publisher = Tamil Nadu state government |ref={{sfnRef|List of Assembly constituencies|2010}} }} *{{cite journal|title=Proceedings of the Indian Colloquium on Micropalaeontology and Stratigraphy|publisher=Dept. of Geology, University of Lucknow|year=1972|ref={{sfnRef|Micropalaeontology| 1972| pp= 31}}}} * {{cite journal|title=Economic and political weekly, Volume 30|pages=2396|publisher=Sameeksha Trust|year=1995|ref={{sfnRef|Economic and political weekly|1995}} }} * {{cite web|title=Commissionerate of Municipal Administration|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/cma/chart5.htm|publisher=Commissionerate of Municipal Administration|access-date = 26 June 2012|year=2006|ref={{sfnRef|Commissionerate of Municipal Administration|2006}} }} * {{cite web|title=About the municipality|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/abs_municipality.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=26 June 2012|year=2011|ref={{sfnRef|About the municipality|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629003926/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/abs_municipality.htm|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=About the town|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/abc_city.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=26 June 2012|year=2011|ref={{sfnRef|About the town|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629002857/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/abc_city.htm|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Salient Features of Sirkazhi Municipality|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_general.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=26 June 2012|year=2011|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi Municipality features|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629004020/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_general.htm|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Citizen's charter of Sirkazhi Municipality|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_citizencharter.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=26 June 2012|year=2011|ref={{sfnRef|Citizen's charter of Sirkazhi Municipality|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629002937/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_citizencharter.htm|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Sirkazhi schools|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/ser_schools.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=26 June 2012|year=2011|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi schools|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628093252/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/ser_schools.htm|archive-date=28 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Sirkazhi water supply|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_watersupply.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=26 June 2012|year=2011|ref={{sfnRef|Sirkazhi water supply|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629003519/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_watersupply.htm|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=Waste management programme|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_solid.htm|publisher=Sirkazhi Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=26 June 2012|year=2011|ref={{sfnRef|Waste management programme|2011}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629003514/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/sal_solid.htm|archive-date=29 June 2009|url-status=dead}} * {{cite web|title=State of Rural wireline broadband|publisher=BSNL, Tamil Nadu Circle|location=Tamil Nadu|url=http://ccatn.gov.in/usofiles/usoschemes/bbtn.htm|year=2011|access-date=26 June 2012|ref={{sfnRef|BSNL|2011}}|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718161317/http://ccatn.gov.in/usofiles/usoschemes/bbtn.htm|archive-date=18 July 2013}} * {{cite 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==External links== {{Commons category|Sirkazhi}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20121027191635/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/Sirkazhi/ Sirkazhi municipality website] * [https://mayiladuthurai.nic.in/ Mayiladuthurai District Administration Website]
{{Mayiladuthurai district}} {{Municipalities of Tamil Nadu}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Cities and towns in Mayiladuthurai district