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Revision as of 07:40, 13 February 2013 by 195.229.241.173 (talk) (→Arab connection)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Template:Infobox Indian jurisdiction Adirampattinam (Tamil: அதிராம்பட்டினம்), also known by the shorter Adirai(Adriyan) is a panchayat town in Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Demographics
As of 2007 population census of India, Adirampattinam has a population of 27,697. Males constitute 47.72%(35215) of the population and females 52.27%(62912). Adirampattinam has an average literacy rate of 69.24%. Children under 6 years of age make up 13.31% of the population. Islam is the major religion with an estimated 83% of the population being Muslim.
Geography and climate
Adirampattinam is located on 10°12′N 79°14′E / 10.20°N 79.24°E / 10.20; 79.24 on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Being close to the equator, Adirampattinam enjoys Tropical wet and dry climate. Summer prevails in the months of April and May, while days in mid-May are the hottest (Agni) period during an year - with temperatures regularly reaching 100 °F. December and January are winter months, with temperatures dropping to 17 °C. Monsoon occurs in October and November. Adirampattinam normally receives rainfall of 125 cm per annum. Most of the rainfall is received by the North East monsoon.
Economy
Traditionally Adiraites(natives of Adirampattinam) are a trading community. Previously, the community was widely engaged in trading through country boats (in Tamil it is called Marakkalam) to neighbouring Sri Lanka, Burma, Malaysia and Singapore. Those who navigated the Marakkalam (country boat) were called Marakkalarayar and thus, the surname Maraikayar evolved.
In the pre-independent era the community fled to neighbouring countries for doing lucrative business. The oil boom opened new vistas and in the late '70s Adiraites went to the Arab countries in Arabian Peninsula for search of greener pastures.
At present, the local economy mostly depends on remittances from migrants in foreign countries especially in the Middle East. Agriculture is the second most important source of income for the townsfolk and coconut is the major crop followed by paddy and other crops. Domestic business is the source of income for a significant number of families.The number of Adiraites who work in Chennai and engaged in business there is increasing.
Culture
Adirampattinam culture is strongly influenced by Islamic thoughts. Life in Adirai revolves around the prayer calls(Adhan). The people, particularly women heavily depend on Adhan to keep their regular activities in track. The Adhan for early morning prayer well before sunrise acts as a wake up call. It is followed by four prayer calls at various intervals on a day. Friday is observed as public and commercial holiday in Adirai like many gulf countries.
White or colored Lungi is widely used as Male clothing instead of wearing pants. However, school/College Students wear Pants. Muslim ladies observe purdah and significant number of women do wear niqab(An extra cloth which veils all the face but eyes).
Like any other Marakkar society, It is a close knit society where people in general do not want to have marital relationships outside the town.
Islam and the people
The place is filled with Islamic ambiance and as many as thirty masjids are dote this small town. The Jumma masjid(West Street) is one of the largest masjids in Tamil Nadu. Imam Shafi`i school of thought is predominant among the Muslims. Most of the masjids here claim themselves to be upon the Shafi'i school of thought. Adirampattinam houses two religious institutions: the Al Madrashthur Rahmanya, established in the year 1951 by one of the ancient families called MM family and the Al Madrasath-us-Salahi Fee Adram-il-Falahi, established in 1899 by MKN Trust. However, some people accuse one of these matharsa has been deviated by giving wrong verdicts and circulars favoring unnecessary innovations in Islam.
Islamic Sufism is followed by many scholars over here. It is estimated that approximately 97% of Muslims from this town do the prayers regularly.
Islamic education is getting less importance as people prefer their children to be brought up as "Modern" rather than Islamic. As matter of fact; it is considered the lack of Islamic knowledge as the root cause of deviations.
Despite its strong Islamic heritage, reception of dowry is increasing, whereas few young grooms have started voicing against it. The usual form of dowry includes compulsory house to be gifted to bride by her father, jewels of sovereigns,Money etc. However, a small exception of people here claims that Islam doesn't stipulate this kind of dowry and that it is against Islam.
Although it is well established fact in all 4 madh'habs (Schools of jurisprudence) that shaving and even trimming the beard beyond certain limits is forbidden,But most young people usually shave their beards. And people set erroneous age limits to have beard i.e., only after Hajj or at the age of 40. However, it is obligatory in Islam not to shave the beard right from its first growth at the teenage.
It is accused that high standard and luxurious living warrants Adiraites to give less importance to Islamic values. A significant number of Adiraites are said to get their income from means that are forbidden in Islam. This number is said to be high among the Adiraites those who are earning in the west.
Transport and Communication
This town is well connected via road and rail with major towns and cities in Tamil Nadu. The East Coast Road (ECR) from Chennai to Kanyakumari connects this town as well. Frequent bus services are available to the nearby town, Pattukkottai. There are 14 Private omni buses runs daily night services for passengers as well as freight to Chennai in addition with the state owned SETC regular passenger services.
Adirampattinam has a Railway Station of its own. Train services from the town have become less popular and less frequent as the gauge conversion(from meter gauge to Broad gauge) is taking place on the Karaikudi-Villupuram stretch.
The Tiruchirapalli is the nearest International airport, located around 113 km away from Adirampattinam.
Adirampattinam itself had been a small seaport during British period. The old customs building near the coast stands as a landmark site in Adirampattinam.
Distance from major cities / towns via Rail
| City | Distance (in km) |
|---|---|
| Chennai | 383 |
| Mumbai | 1666 |
| Bangalore | 456 |
| New Delhi | 2573 |
| Karaikudi | 84 |
| Mayiladuthurai | 102 |
| Thiruvarur | 62 |
Distance via road
| Header text | Header text |
|---|---|
| Thanjavur | 60 |
| Tiruchirappalli | 112 |
| Chennai | 360 |
| Kumbakonam | 75 |
| Madurai | 161 |
| Kilakarai | 153 |
| Kayalpattinam | 293 |
- All are approximate distances. Please verify with reliable and authentic sources.
Auto rickshaws act as major mode of private transportation for short distance travels. For long travels, people prefer private run taxis.
Infrastructure
The Adirampattinam bazaar was once a busy bazaar which served not only the town, but also its suburban villages. But now, with sophisticated transport facilities, people go to the nearby town Pattukkottai for lot of shopping centers. Adirampattinam had oldest fish market in middle of the town for sea foods,vegetables,fruits,meat and poultry, now in full swing and attracts people from neighboring villages too. The town gets power from its own 33/11 KV substation run by TNEB
Adirampattinam has two Petrol bunks which sell petrol, diesel and oil to the public. Adirampattinam has a good mobile phone network as well. Operators like BSNL, Airtel, Aircel and Reliance provide their services. BSNL also provides land line phones and Broadband internet connection to its subscribers. In addition, the town also has sufficient number of internet browsing cafes.
Adirampattinam has commendable number of educational institutions right from elementary schools to Colleges for higher studies. It houses a government hospital along with enough number of private hospitals/clinics. The Adirampattinam police station serves the town as well as the surrounding villages. Government establishments like the post office, the Sub-registrar office, the Meteorological(Weather) observatory and the Government library have their base in the town. The town has 5 ATMs from the Axis Bank, the Canara Bank, the Indian Bank, the SBI Bank and the Dhanalakshmi Bank.
References
- Template:GR
- "Google Maps". Maps.google.co.in. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
- http://education.vsnl.com/imdchennai/rdwr.htm
- "Islam Question and Answer - Ruling on shaving the beard". Islam-qa.com. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
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