Watrap
Watrap or Vattirāyiruppu (Tamil: [ʋattiɾaːjiɾɯppɯ]) is a taluk in Virudhunagar District, Tamil Nadu, India.
Watrap Vathirayiruppu | |
|---|---|
Town panchayat | |
  Watrap Location in Tamil Nadu, India  Watrap Watrap (India) | |
| Coordinates: 9°38′7″N 77°38′20″E | |
| Country |  |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Virudhunagar |
| Government | |
| • Body | Taluk |
| Elevation | 73 m (240 ft) |
| Population (01-Jan-2001)[1] | |
| • Total | 15,999 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 626 132 |
| Telephone code | 04563 |
| Vehicle registration | TN-67, TN-84 |
| Nearest city | Madurai |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Tenkasi |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Srivilliputtur |
| Civic agency | Town Panchayat |
| Climate | Apr-May - Min 20 Deg C Max 42 Deg C and May - Mar - Min 20 Deg C Max 30 deg C (Köppen) |
The traditional name of Watrap, before The British colonization of India, was Vatratha Iruppu, which translates in Tamil to "surplus water". The villages in this taluk boasts of a peaceful situation devoid of any Caste disputes. There is a Perumal temple (Pěrumāḷ Kōyil, பெருமாள் கோயில்) in the centre of the village and a Shiva and Hanuman temple at the outskirts of the village.
The holy uphill shrine "Sundara Mahalingam (Lord Shiva) temple" (also known as Thaani Paarai and Sathuragiri Malai) is here. Aadi amavasai (New Moon Day in the month of Aadi) is when devotees from all over Tamil Nadu throng here.
Agriculture is the primary livelihood. The main work is cultivation of paddy, coconut and cotton, with paddy cultivation being the most prevalent. There are three government-aided schools and two private schools in the town. There are also branches of State Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Virudhunagar District Cooperative Bank and Rural Cooperative Bank.
Local attractions
As a mode of entertainment there is one cinema hall, called Ramakrishna theatre.
The town is on the bank of the Arjuna River. There are two dams here for irrigation and agriculture called "Pilavakal dam" and "Kovilaaru dam" and Pilavkkal dam (பிளவக்கல் அணை)is one of the picnic spots in this area.
Sathuragiri Hills is an important spot for nature lovers. Trekking is the only way of transportation in the hill. Free lunch will be served on new moon days. Dense Tropical greenery , undisturbed forests and wildlife are its major attractions. It is a safe place to camp at night. Natural caves, which are some 2 km away from Sathuragiri temple and a fresh water pond at the top of the hill are worth a visit. There is a top spot called Perrumal Mottai is the highest and the coldest spot in these hills. It is recommended to take guidance from the localities to trek any place beyond the Sathuragiri Temple. The best season to trek is post-monsoon.Note:plastic bags and drinks are not allowed. There is a Krishna , Rukmini and Sathyabama temple called Gopala Swamy Malai, at the top of a small hill, which is 22 km from Watrap at NH-47 (between Kallupatti, Krishnankoil and Srivilliputhur towns), and a Shiva Cave temple called Motta Malai 16 km from Watrap (between Watrap and Alagapuri road, take a diversion after a village called Akkanapuram villaku). A natural spring called Maavuthu (big spring), 8 km from Watrap or take a diversion between Maharajapuram and Thambipatti, a pond which has a Perennial spring at the corner. It is situated at the foot of the western Ghats. An excellent place to be during rainy season (recommended only for people who know to swim above average).
Important temples in watrap
- Sri Kasi Viswanatha Swamy Temple
- Sri Sethu Narayana Perumal Temple
- Sri Muthalamman Temple
- Sri Ammaiyappa Sri Vidhya Maha Ganapathy Temple
- Sri Vella Pillaiyar Temple
- Sri Nallathangal Temple
- Sri Valla Palathu Karuppasamy Kovil
- Arulmigu Nagalaxmi Thirukkovil
- Sri Sathuragiri Sundara Mahalingam Kovil.
- Hanuman Temple beside Sri Viswanatha Swamy Temple (needs upkeep)
All the above temples are very ancient.
Schools in Watrap
The Hindu Higher Secondary school, Rangarao Lions matriculation school, Nadar school, gandhi kalvi school, and a government school is also available. Near Watrap a college is located known as Kalasalingam engineering college/Arts and science/polytechnic etc.and VPMM College (womens college). Kalasalingam college has become the 1st Deemed University in South Tamilnadu.
Connectivity
Watrap Village is very well connected by rail and road below are details:
Railway Connectivity: The nearest railway station is Srivilliputtur. There are several passenger trains from Madurai to Srivilliputtur. The Pothigai Express is a daily train from Chennai Egmore to Sengottai that reaches Srivilliputtur at 6.13 in the morning. Bus services are available from Srivilliputtur to Watrap.
Road Connectivity Watrap Town is connected from NH208 around 10 km (From Krishnan Kovil) and 17 km (from Alagapuri Village) and there are plenty of buses are operated to and from the below destination.
- Madurai - TNSTC, CK Balan Bus Service, MC Somu Busservice, Shakthi and Jothi Transports
- Virudunagar - TNSTC, Meenambigai and KVV Bus Service
- Srivilliputtur - TNSTC, KAYESR and SRM Bus Service
- Kovilpatti - TNSTC, KAYESR and KVV Bus Service
- Sivakasi - TNSTC, KAYESR
- Theni - Southern (Suba) Bus Services.
There is a Bus Stand which has been built and it is on the Road towards Koomapatti. Mostly the Buses are stopped at the Bazaar which is also known as Mutthalamman Chavadi. Watrap Town has a very busy bazaar and has around 1000 to 1500 shops in a less than 1 km radius. Mostly between 5 pm and 8 pm every day is the peak time for all the businesses.
Nearest Airport
The nearest Airport is Madurai (72 km) and there are plenty of Local Taxi Operators are operating the taxis to Madurai Airport for Pickup and Drop facility.
Notable personalities
- The physicist K. S. Krishnan was born in this village; he was the assistant to C. V. Raman. He was awarded padma bhusan in 1954.
- Freedom Fighter / Gandhian - Nalluchamy Thevar
- Dr. S. Koodalingam - He is a social worker, professor and Principal of Madurai Institute of Social Sciences college.
References
- "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.