Tharuvaikulam

Tharuvaikulam is a Village in Thoothukudi District of Tamil Nadu, South India. There are about 3000, mostly Catholic families living there. It boasts of some of the best Prawn hatcheries and Salt Pans in Tamil Nadu. It falls under the Roman Catholic diocese of Thoothukudi and the feast of St.Michael is a popular religious festival.

Tharuvaikulam
village
Tharuvaikulam
Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Tharuvaikulam
Tharuvaikulam (India)
Coordinates: 8.895°N 78.166°E / 8.895; 78.166
Country India
StateTamil Nadu
DistrictThoothukudi
Population
 (2001)
 • Total6,178
 • Density16.75/km2 (43.4/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
628105
Telephone code91 461
Vehicle registrationTN 69

Geography and Location

Tharuvaikulam is located 10 km from the town Thoothukudi in sea shore of Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu, Ottapidaram Taluk. Catholic settlement is believed to have started as early as 1750. At that time the village was attached to Kaamanaikanpatti Parish and then to Vembar and finally separate Taruvaikulam Parish came into existence in the year 1907. In the olden days the people living here were fully depended on the palm tree and fishing.

Later in 1974 a match factory have been started by Rev. Fr. Ambrose which provided jobs and income to thousands of villagers.

Mathar Sangam developed in these days. They did much social work.

A primary health center is run by state government benefiting the villagers.

Places of interest

Church of St. Michael

The first stone built church was built in the year 1875 and the present church was built in the year 1922. The 85 ft tower was built in the year 1960 by Rev.Fr.Maria Manikam by receiving contributions from the villagers. This Roman Catholic church, with its towering steeple, was built in 1922 and symbolizes the faith of the people living there. From 20 to 29 September (10 days) the church attracts a huge crowd for the feast of St. Michael, which is celebrated with religious pomp and gaiety.

Church of St. Nicholas

Famous for its 10-day festival, around Thoothukudi district this is the church for St. Nicholas. It resides at the center of the Tharuvaikulam village. The festival commence at the last Friday of January.

Church of St. Antony

Famous for its 13-day festival, traditionally, newlyweds visit this church for blessings. People nowadays give traditional "Assanam" i.e., Thanks to St. Antony for his prayer to God for the people who blessed.

Other Churches and Shrines

Apart from this, there are churches of Our Lady of Health, Church of St. Xavier, Church of St Theresa, Shrine of St George.

Beach

Calm and sandy beach. In olden days people walked all the way to Thoothukudi by the shore. A modern-day beach is built with a small pavement into the sea as decided in 2012. A children's park is adjacent to the Beach. Two numbers of Beach Volleyball Court has been built. Plans have been devised to conduct state level and national level tournament.

A Sports Stadium is proposed to be built adjacent to the beach.

Statue of Kamaraj

It has the most realistic look and feel than any other Kamaraj statues. It is situated in Tharuvaikulam Bus Stand. This statue always remember the Rev. Fr. Navamani Ex. Parish Priest of Tharuvaikulam called/known as Guru Kamaraj.

Economy

Fishing is the major industry. Tharuvai fishermen use both mechanized and non-mechanized country boats for fishing. Prized catch include Tiger prawns and lobsters which are mostly exported. Coral mining and diving for conches is also found here, though mostly the trade is declining. The government actively discourages these activities as Tharuvaikulam falls under the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. Rajiv Gandhi prawn culture units are being developed.

A number of prawn hatcheries had sprouted up since 1990, but most shut down by 2000. However, still there are a few profitable hatcheries operating here.

Salt mining is another lucrative industry. Production is mostly for industrial use.

In olden times there was a flourishing trade in palm tree products which has gradually declined over a period of time.

Agriculture is practiced on a small scale. Tharuvaikulam tomatoes are quite popular in the region. Red chilies are another favorite from the region. The vagaries of weather, however do not permit regular cultivation.

Education
  1. St. Catherine Primary School.
  1. St. Michael Primary School.
  1. Government Higher Secondary School.
  1. TDTA Primary School

Prominent People
  • Chevalier Father S. Navamani who was a popular parish priest
  • Maria Singarayar, a grandson of 'Mottaian' Savarimuthu Nadar, in whose name a public library was built and run.
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