Oddanchatram
Oddanchatram | |
|---|---|
Town | |
  Oddanchatram Location in Tamil Nadu, India | |
| Coordinates: 10°28′48″N 77°45′00″E / 10.4800°N 77.7500°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Region | Kongu Nadu |
| District | Dindigul |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Body | Oddanchatram Municipal Council |
| • Chairman | Thirumalaisamy |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 30,064 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 624619 |
| Telephone code | 04553 |
| Vehicle registration | TN 94Z (before TN57) |
| Website | oddanchatram |
Oddanchatram (Tamil: [oʈʈansattiɾam]) is a town in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu.
Overview
[edit]Oddanchatram is a municipality and major agricultural trading town located in Dindigul district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Situated at the foothills of the Palani Hills, the town serves as an important commercial, transportation and educational centre in western Tamil Nadu. Popularly known as the "Vegetable City of Tamil Nadu", Oddanchatram is home to one of the state's largest wholesale vegetable markets.
The town functions as a major collection, distribution and logistics centre for agricultural produce cultivated in the plains and hill regions of Dindigul district. Vegetables from the surrounding villages and the Kodaikanal hills are traded and transported to markets across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. The municipality acts as a regional service centre for numerous surrounding villages by providing educational, healthcare, administrative and commercial facilities. Its strategic location on the Dindigul-Palani-Kodaikanal corridor has contributed significantly to its economic growth and urban development. Surrounded by fertile agricultural lands and scenic views of the Western Ghats, Oddanchatram combines a strong agricultural economy with access to tourism, making it one of the most important towns in Dindigul district.
History
[edit]The history of Oddanchatram is closely linked to the agrarian development of western Tamil Nadu. Historically, the town formed part of the erstwhile Madurai district and developed as an important trading centre due to its location between the fertile plains of Dindigul and the Palani Hills.[2] On 15 September 1985, Dindigul district was carved out of the composite Madurai district by the Government of Tamil Nadu, after which Oddanchatram became one of the principal municipalities of the newly created district.[2] The town subsequently witnessed significant growth in agricultural trade, transportation and urban development, emerging as one of the largest vegetable marketing centres in Tamil Nadu.[3]
Demographics
[edit]According to the 2011 census, Oddanchatram had a population of 30,064 with a gender-ratio of 994 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[4] A total of 2,676 were under the age of six, constituting 1,378 males and 1,298 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 20.3% and 0.06% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the town was 77.11%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[4] The town had a total of 8,046 households. There were a total of 12,738 workers, comprising 1,127 cultivators, 1,983 main agricultural Laboure's, 164 in house hold industries, 9,048 other workers, 416 marginal workers, 9 marginal cultivators, 134 marginal agricultural Laboure's, 16 marginal workers in household industries and 257 other marginal workers. The population of this town increased by 24% from 24,000 in 2001 to 30000 in 2011.[1]
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 30,064 |
| Male | 15,077 |
| Female | 14,987 |
| Sex ratio | 994 females per 1,000 males |
| Literacy rate | 84.65% |
| Households | 8,046 |
| Scheduled Castes | 20.3% |
| Scheduled Tribes | 0.06% |
Religion
[edit]Politics
[edit]As of 2016, 2,23,628 (1,10,979 Males, 1,12,643 Females & 6 Others) voters are in Oddanchatram Constituency.
Oddanchatram (state assembly constituency) is part of Dindigul (Lok Sabha constituency).[5] Oddanchatram elects one MLA to the legislative assembly of the State. R. Sakkarapani from Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party was elected as the MLA from 1996 to 2021 for consecutive 6 terms, from this state assembly constituency.[6]
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Members of Legislative Assembly
[edit]Oddanchatram is represented in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly through the Oddanchatram State Assembly constituency, which forms part of the Dindigul Lok Sabha constituency.[7]
| Election year | MLA | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Subramaniya Lakshmipathi Naicker | Independent |
| 1957 | Karuthappa Gounder | Indian National Congress |
| 1962 | A. Senapathi Gounder | Indian National Congress |
| 1967 | N. Gounder | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) |
| 1971 | N. Nachimuthu Gounder | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) |
| 1977 | A. P. Palaniappan | Indian National Congress |
| 1980 | K. Kuppuswamy | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) |
| 1984 | K. Kuppuswamy | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) |
| 1989 | P. Kaliappan | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) |
| 1991 | A. T. Chellamuthu | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) |
| 1996 | R. Sakkarapani | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) |
| 2001 | R. Sakkarapani | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) |
| 2006 | R. Sakkarapani | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) |
| 2011 | R. Sakkarapani | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) |
| 2016 | R. Sakkarapani | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) |
| 2021 | R. Sakkarapani | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) |
| 2026 | R. Sakkarapani | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) |
Climate
[edit]| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high °C | 29 | 31 | 33 | 35 | 36 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 32 |
| Average low °C | 19 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 |
| Average rainfall mm | 14 | 11 | 22 | 43 | 65 | 34 | 21 | 31 | 50 | 134 | 138 | 44 | 607 |
Education
[edit]| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Schools | Government, aided and private primary, secondary and higher secondary schools |
| Higher education | Arts and science colleges, engineering colleges and polytechnic institutions in and around the town |
| Vocational education | Teacher training institutes and technical training centres |
Transportation
[edit]| Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| Road | Connected to Dindigul, Palani, Madurai, Dharapuram, Karur, Coimbatore and Kodaikanal by state highways and TNSTC services. |
| Rail | Oddanchatram railway station on the Dindigul–Palani railway line. |
| Air | Madurai Airport (~90 km),
Coimbatore International Airport (~120 km) , Tiruchirappalli International Airport (~160 km) |
Nearby tourist attractions
[edit]Kodaikanal
[edit]Kodaikanal is a renowned hill station located approximately 50 km from Oddanchatram through the Kodaikanal Ghat Road. Situated in the Palani Hills at an elevation of about 2,133 metres (6,998 ft), it is known for its cool climate, forests, waterfalls and scenic viewpoints. Major attractions include Kodaikanal Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker's Walk, Pillar Rocks, Silver Cascade Falls and Berijam Lake.
Palani
[edit]Palani is a temple town located about 25 km west of Oddanchatram. It is famous for the Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, one of the six sacred abodes (Arupadaiveedu) of Murugan. The hill temple attracts millions of pilgrims annually and is one of the most important religious destinations in Tamil Nadu.
Pachalur
[edit]Pachalur is a picturesque village situated at the foothills of the Palani Hills near Oddanchatram. Surrounded by agricultural fields, small streams and hill landscapes, it serves as a gateway to several trekking routes leading towards the upper Palani Hills. The village is known for its natural beauty, rural tourism potential and panoramic views of the Western Ghats.
Kondrangi Hills
[edit]Kondrangi Hills (Kondarangi Malai) is a prominent rocky hill located near Oddanchatram in Dindigul district. Rising steeply from the surrounding plains, the hill is characterized by its distinctive conical shape, exposed granite rock faces and panoramic views of the agricultural landscape surrounding Oddanchatram. The hill is a popular destination for trekking, hiking, nature photography and adventure tourism. Its summit offers extensive views of nearby villages, farmlands and the distant ranges of the Western Ghats.
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Census Info 2011 Final population totals – Oddanchatram". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- 1 2 "About the District". Dindigul District Administration.
- ↑ "Oddanchatram".
- 1 2 "Census Info 2011 Final population totals". Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ↑ "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Tamil Nadu. Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 October 2008. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
- ↑ "Sixth Consecutive Win For DMK's Sakkarapani From Oddanchatram". The Times Of India.
- ↑ "Oddanchatram Assembly constituency".
External links
[edit]- Official website of Oddanchatram Municipality
- Oddanchatram Municipality, Dindigul District Administration
- Oddanchtram municipality Archived 23 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine
