Edappadi

Edappadi is located at 11.58°N 77.85°E / 11.58; 77.85.[1] It has an average elevation of 288 m (945 ft). It is situated at the basin of the hill called 'Soorieya malai'(Mountain of Sun). The epic says, the Panja Pandavas resided at the top of the hill during the first year of their 14 years forest living. Still this mountain doesn't have any plants due to its rocky and unusual properties. The research done by Periyar University Geologist shows it consist of rare radioactive minerals. Edappadi has a variable terrain. Sankagiri - Edappadi route via Veerappam Palayam and Sunnambukkuttai is rocky. It is really beautiful view of this town, while seen from 'Konamoori'(A Bridge with dangerous Turns in Kavadikaranoor) busstop via. Sankagiri - Edappadi route. River Cauvery is 6 km away from Edappadi. The Government Boys Higher Secondary School is one of the oldest schools. It has the second biggest playground in Salem Dt. Sarbanka river originating from Shevaroy Hills passes through Edappadi town. With developments and urbanisation the river has dried and now it's more of a sewage canal. The Nanjundeshwarar temple is situated in the centre of the town one of the rare Shivan temples in India. The Pasupathi Eswar Temple which is situated in Vellar Naickan Palayam just 3 km away from bus stand is being the spot for the devotees. Amazing festival celebration every year "kavadi padhayathirai", people from the whole Edappadi go and celebrate the dharishanam of Palani Murugan Temple at Palani. Interesting thing mostly everybody go to Palani by walk or pathayathirai around 180 km. Edappadi Kavadi peoples have a separate darshan and rights in Palani Murugan Temple and its more than four centuries relationship.

Located in the Salem district of the state, Edappadi is one of the most important textile areas. It is situated 34 km from Salem. River Sarabanga, Soriyankaradu mountain which is 5 km away from the town are the major geographical features of this region.

Spread over an area of 28.22 km². With a population of over 55385 (2011 Census), the economy of the town revolves around the manufacture of towels and lungies. Poolampatti is the nearest tourist spot and many cinema shootings were taken here.

The climate in Edappadi is very hot in summer and mildly cooler climate in winter. The monsoon rain starts around October to November. May, June will be windy and summer raining season starts.

According to 2011 census, Edappadi had a population of 54,823 with a sex-ratio of 946 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[2] A total of 5,411 were under the age of six, constituting 2,759 males and 2,652 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 7.62% and .01% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the town was 64.67%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[2] The town had a total of 14560 households. There were a total of 27,764 workers, comprising 1,327 cultivators, 4,140 main agricultural labourers, 2,071 in house hold industries, 19,257 other workers, 969 marginal workers, 30 marginal cultivators, 129 marginal agricultural labourers, 114 marginal workers in household industries and 696 other marginal workers.[3] As per the religious census of 2011, Edappadi had 96.1% Hindus, 3.03% Muslims, 0.72% Christians, 0.01% Sikhs, 0.0% Buddhists, 0.0% Jains, 0.13% following other religions and 0.0% following no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.[4]

•  Main article: Education in Edappadi
•  Amala Matriculation Higher Secondary School
•  AGN Matric Hr. Sec. School, Konganapuram
•  Universal Public School
•  Government Boys Higher Secondary School
•  Government Girls Higher Secondary School
•  Saraswathi Vidhyalaya Nursery & Primary School
•  SKT Higher Secondary School
•  Acharya Group of Institutions
•  Reliance Matriculation School
•  Universal Matriculation School, Konangkuttaiyur, Edappadi.
•  Wisdom Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Edappadi.
•  St Marys matriculation school, v.valasai, Edappadi.
•  Kalaimagal nursery and primary school, Edappadi.
•  Kalaimagal vidhyasaram matriculation school, Edappadi.
•  Periyar University Constituent Arts & Science College has been functioning in Edappadi from 2016 itself. It has been inaugurated by Government of Tamil Nadu then Late Chief Minister Dr.J.Jayalalitha. More than 1200 students were studying in the Arts & Science College.

Most of the population is depending on Agriculture & Power Loom weaving. There are thousands of power looms standing idle due to a workforce that is focussed on migrating to other towns is search of higher pay in other industries. Lack of irrigation projects has led to frequent draughts even though a large river (Cauvery) flows just 10 km from the town. Now the present Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami proposed diversion of 0.5tmcft of Mettur surplus water to Salem tanks for a total cost of 565 Crores.[5] The above scheme might help plenty of non - irrigated Agricultural land to irrigate in Edappadi & Sankari Taluks which will enable the people in this area to be sustainable with agriculture. The main reason for the poverty of Edappadi is the lack of viable entrepreneurial opportunities, electricity and a strong work force.

Edappadi assembly constituency was part of Salem (Lok Sabha constituency) till now. Edappadi constituency is a separate state assembly constituency from 1952 itself. Currently Edappadi K. Palanisamy is sitting MLA of ADMK and current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Edappadi is well Connected in road with major cities in Tamil nadu. Now new outer ring road was constructed around Edappadi town which connects Edappadi - Sankari Road, Edappadi - Salem Road, Edappadi - Jalakandapuram Raod, Edappadi - Poolampatti Road, Edappadi - Koneripatti Road, Edappadi - komarapalayam Road to avoid high traffic in town . Edappadi bus stand is situated in center of the town. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Salem serves daily bus services from Edappadi to Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai, Kumbakonam, Chidambaram, Hosur. Nearest Airport is Salem Airport, it is situated 38 km from Edappadi.

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