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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kulithalai
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name = Kulittalai
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Kulitalai kadambavanesvarar temple karur district tamilnadu.JPG
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Tamil Nadu
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Tamil Nadu, India
| coordinates = {{coord|10.56|N|78.25|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Karur district|Karur]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Region]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Karur]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = Second Grade Municipality
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 86
| population_total = 27910
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| registration_plate = TN-47
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
'''Kulithalai''' {{IPAc-en|k|ʊ|l|ɪ|ð|ɑː|l|aɪ}} ({{IPA|ta|kuɭittalaɪ|lang}}) is a municipality in [[Karur district]] & Sub-urb of [[Tiruchirapalli]] City in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. The [[recorded history]] of Kulithalai is known from [[Cheras]], followed by medieval Chola period of the 9th century and has been ruled, at different times, by the [[Medieval Cholas]], [[Later Cholas]], Later Pandyas, [[Vijayanagar Empire]] and the [[British Raj|British]].

Kulithalai comes under the [[Kulithalai (State Assembly Constituency)|Kulithalai assembly]] constituency which elects a member to the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]] once every five years and it is a part of the [[Perambalur (Lok Sabha constituency)]] which elects its Member of Parliament (MP) once in five years. The town is administered by the Kulithalai municipality, which covers an area of {{convert|11.16|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}. As of 2011, the town had a population of 27,910. The town is a part of the fertile [[Cauvery Delta|Cauvery delta region]] and agriculture is the major occupation. Roadways are the major mode of transportation to Kulithalai and the town also has rail connectivity. The nearest Airport is [[Tiruchirapalli Airport]], located {{convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} away from the town

==Etymology and history==
The town derives its name from the presiding deity of the [[Kulittalai Kadambavaneswarar Temple|Kadamba Vaneswarar temple]]. The 7th century [[Nayanmars]] (Saiva saints) [[Thirunavukkarasar]], revered the place as Kadambandurai and Kuzhithandalai in his works in ''Tevaram''. The word ''Kuzhithandalai'', in modern times, is denoted as ''Kulithalai''. As per Hindu legend, [[Sapta Matruka|Saptha Matha]], the seven divine virgins were praying to god [[Shiva]] in the Kadamba forest located here to save them from a demon named Doomralochana. Shiva is believed to have killed the demon to save the forest and the virgins, thereby getting the name Kadhambavaneshwarar, meaning the Lord of Kadamba Forest.<ref name="Kadamba"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Thirukadambanthurai|url=http://thevaaram.org/thirumurai_1/songview.php?thiru=5&Song_idField=5018&padhi=100+&button=%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95|publisher=Thevaaram.org|access-date=2013-08-08|last=Thirunavukkarasar}}</ref>

==Geography and climate==
Kulithalai is located at {{coord|10.56|N|78.29|E|}}.<ref name="urbaninfra2.3">[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report 2008]], p. 2.3</ref> and has a contour extending in north–south and east–west orientation. The town is located in Karur district of the South Indian state, Tamil Nadu, at a distance of {{convert|370|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Chennai]]. Kulithalai is located on the banks of [[Kaveri]] river. The topography is almost plain, with no major geological formation. There are no notable mineral resources available in and around the town. The soil types are alluvial and red that are conducive for common crops in the [[Cauvery delta]]. The temperature ranges from a maximum of {{convert|32.7|°C|°F}} to a minimum of {{convert|24|°C|°F}}. Like the rest of the state, April to June are the hottest months and December to January are the coldest. Kulithalai receives an average of {{convert|27| cm|in|abbr=on}} annually, which is lesser than the state average of {{convert|1008| mm|in|abbr=on}}. The South west monsoon, with an onset in June and lasting up to August, brings scanty rainfall. Bulk of the rainfall is received during the North East monsoon in the months of October, November and December. The average number of rainy days ranges from 35-40 every year.<ref name="gen">{{cite web| url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_generalinformation.htm| title=Kulithalai - general information| publisher=Kulithalai Municipality| access-date=2013-07-07| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130906232536/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_generalinformation.htm| archive-date=6 September 2013| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="urbaninfra2.6">[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report 2008]], p. 2.6</ref>

==Demographics==
{{bar box|title=Religious census|titlebar=#ddd|left1=Religion|right1=Percent(%)|float=left|bars={{bar percent|[[Hinduism|Hindu]]|Orange|89.47}}{{bar percent|[[Islam|Muslim]]|Green|7.35}}{{bar percent|[[Christianity|Christian]]|purple|3.12}}{{bar percent|[[Sikhism|Sikh]]|yellow|0.02}}{{bar percent|Other|grey|0.05}}}}

{{Historical populations
|align = right
|state=collapsed
|1961|20558
|1971|21650
|1981|22374
|1991|23996
|2001|26161
|2011|27910
|footnote=Sources:
* 1961 – 2001<ref name="urbaninfra2.3"/>
* 2011<ref name=2011census/>
}}

According to [[2011 census of India|2011 census]], Kulithalai had a population of 27,910 with a sex-ratio of 1,016 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.<ref name="dashboard">{{cite web|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/censusinfodashboard/index.html|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|year=2013|access-date=26 January 2014}}</ref> A total of 2,522 were under the age of six, constituting 1,313 males and 1,209 females. [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes]] accounted for 16.77% and .4% of the population respectively. The average literacy of the town was 81.22%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.<ref name="dashboard"/> The town had a total of : 7374 households. There were a total of 10,844 workers, comprising 362 cultivators, 1,829 main agricultural labourers, 302 in house hold industries, 7,746 other workers, 605 marginal workers, 9 marginal cultivators, 215 marginal agricultural labourers, 21 marginal workers in household industries and 360 other marginal workers.<ref name=2011census>{{cite web|title=Census Info 2011 Final population totals - Kulithalai|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=689667|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|year=2013|access-date=26 January 2014}}</ref> There was a higher population growth during the decade of 1991. The gross population density of the town as of 2001 stood at 2,344 person per km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="urbaninfra2.3"/> As per the religious census of 2011, Kulithalai had 89.47% [[Hindus]], 7.35% [[Muslims]], 3.12% [[Christians]], 0.02% [[Sikhs]] and 0.05% following other religions.<ref name=religion2011>{{cite web|title=Population By Religious Community - Tamil Nadu|year=2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html|format=XLS|publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

The city covers an area of {{convert|1116.055|ha|sqkm}}. Out of the total area, 16.61per cent of the land constituting {{convert|185.355|ha|sqkm}} is marked developed and out of the remaining, {{convert|664.31|ha|sqkm}} of land is used for agriculture and {{convert|266.39|ha|sqkm}} of land is under water. [[Residential area]]s make up 14.31per cent ({{convert|15.66|ha|sqkm}}) of the town's total area while commercial enterprises and industrial units make up 1.2per cent ({{convert|13.37|ha|sqkm}}) and 0.17per cent ({{convert|1.95|ha|sqkm}}) respectively.<ref name="urbaninfra3.1">[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report 2008]], p. 3.1</ref>

==Economy and transportation==
Agriculture and allied agro-based industries form the economic base of Kulithalai. There are house hold industries like gem cutting and rice mills, oil mills and coir manufacturing units located along New Court Street and Manaparai Road. There are no major industries in the town. As of 2001, worker population constituted 37.6 per cent of the total population. Out of the total workforce, 7,034 constituting 71.58 per cent people were employed in tertiary sector, 1,707 people constituting 17.37 per cent were involved in primary sector, 58 people constituting 0.22 per cent were involved in secondary sector and 1,028 people constituting 10.46 per cent marginal workers. The town is a centre for trading for the surrounding villages, housing provisional stores, food grain stores, vegetable shops, hotels, markets and fertilizer shops.<ref name="urbaninfra4142">[[#urban|Urban Infrastructure Report 2008]], pp. 4.1-4.2</ref>

The Kulithalai municipality maintains {{convert|33.785|km|mi|abbr=on}} of roads. The town has {{convert|8.117|km|mi|abbr=on}} concrete roads, {{convert|21.09|km|mi|abbr=on}} of black-topped roads, {{convert|0.43|km|mi|abbr=on}} of WBM roads and {{convert|4.148|km|mi|abbr=on}} earthen roads.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kulithalai roads|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_roads.htm|publisher=Kulithalai municipality|year=2011|access-date=2012-12-29|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130906225407/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_roads.htm|archive-date=6 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The town is located in the National Highway [[NH 67]] between Karur and Trichy. It is located {{convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Trichy and {{convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} away from Karur.<ref name="gen"/> Kulithalai is served by town bus service, which provides connectivity within the town and the suburbs. Minibus service operated by private companies cater to the local transport needs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kulithalai bus routes|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/srv_bus.htm|publisher=Kulithalai municipality|year=2011|access-date=2012-12-29|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130906225408/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/srv_bus.htm|archive-date=6 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The bus stand is maintained by the municipality, which runs it on a rented site. It is located in the Karur Trichy main Road.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kulithalai bus stand|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_busstand.htm|publisher=Kulithalai municipality|year=2011|access-date=2012-12-29|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130906225315/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_busstand.htm|archive-date=6 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation]] operates daily services connecting various cities to Kulithalai.<ref>{{cite web|title=S.E.T.C. Tamil Nadu Ltd., Computer reservation centres|url=http://www.tnstc.in/counter_address.html|publisher=Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd.|year=2011|access-date=2012-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327113121/http://www.tnstc.in/counter_address.html|archive-date=27 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The major inter city bus routes from the town are to cities like Trichy and Karur. Kulithalai railway station is located in the rail head from Trichy to Karur. There are daily express trains running on either sides connecting Kulithalai with cities like [[Coimbatore]], [[Erode]], [[Palakkad]], [[Mangalore]], [[Cochin]] and [[Mysore]]. There are also passenger trains running either side from Karur to Trichy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kulithalai - How to reach|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/srv_bus.htm|publisher=Kulithalai municipality|year=2011|access-date=2012-12-29|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130906225408/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/srv_bus.htm|archive-date=6 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Municipal administration and politics==
{| class="toccolours" style="clear:right; float:right; background:#ffffff; margin: 0 0 0.5em 1em; width:220"
|-
!style="background:#A8BDEC" align="center" colspan="2"|'''Municipality officials'''
|-
|align="center"| Chairman||V.P.Sekar<ref>{{cite web|title=Chairman of municipality|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/who_chairperson.htm|publisher=Kulithalai municipality|access-date=2012-12-29|year=2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130907035902/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/who_chairperson.htm|archive-date=7 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|Commissioner||<ref>{{cite web|title=Commissioner of municipality|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/who_commissioner.htm|publisher=Kulithalai municipality|access-date=2012-12-29|year=2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130907035903/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/who_commissioner.htm|archive-date=7 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|Vice-Chairman||K.M.Senthilkumar<ref>{{cite web|title=Vice Chairman of municipality|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/who_Deputy_%20chairperson.htm|publisher=Kulithalai municipality|access-date=2012-12-29|year=2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130907035903/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/who_Deputy_%20chairperson.htm|archive-date=7 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!style="background:#A8BDEC" align="center" colspan="2"|'''Elected members'''
|-
|align="center"|Member of Legislative Assembly||[[R.Manickam]]<ref name="MLA of Kulithalai">{{cite web|title=MLA of Kulithalai |url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/members/constnamewise.htm |publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu |year=2011 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006234417/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/members/constnamewise.htm |archive-date=2013-10-06 }}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|Member of Parliament||<ref name="MP">{{cite web|title=General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2009, name and address of the elected members of parliamentary constituencies in Tamil Nadu |url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/tnmp/mptn-ls.htm |publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220706/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/tnmp/mptn-ls.htm |archive-date=2016-03-03 |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}
Kulithalai is administered by a second-grade{{ref|a|'''a'''}} municipality formed in 1994 and it covers an area of {{convert|11.16|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}. The Kulithalai municipality has 24 wards and there is an elected councillor for each of those wards.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the municipality|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/abus_municip.htm|publisher=Kulithalai municipality|access-date=2012-12-29|year=2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617175228/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/abus_municip.htm|archive-date=17 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The functions of the municipality are devolved into six departments: general administration/personnel, Engineering, Revenue, Public Health, city planning and Information Technology (IT). All these departments are under the control of a Municipal Commissioner who is the executive head.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commissionerate of Municipal Administration |url=http://www.tn.gov.in/cma/chart5.htm |publisher=Commissionerate of Municipal Administration |access-date=2012-12-29 |year=2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106103849/http://www.tn.gov.in/cma/chart5.htm |archive-date=2012-11-06 }}</ref> The legislative powers are vested in a body of 24 members, one each from the 24 wards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Councillors of municipality|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/who_councilors.htm|publisher=Kulithalai municipality|access-date=2012-12-29|year=2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130907035844/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/who_councilors.htm|archive-date=7 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The legislative body is headed by an elected Chairperson assisted by a Deputy Chairperson.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Economic and political weekly, Volume 30|url=http://www.epw.in/epw-archive.html|page=2396|publisher=Sameeksha Trust|access-date = 2012-12-29|year=1995}}</ref>

Kulithalai comes under the [[Kulithalai (State Assembly Constituency)|Kulithalai assembly]] constituency and it elects a member to the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]] once every five years.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/Const_map/map.htm
|title=List of Assembly Constituencies
|year=2010
|access-date=2012-12-28
|work=Tamil Nadu
|publisher=Tamil Nadu state government
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614070155/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/const_map/map.htm
|archive-date=2012-06-14
}}</ref> [[M. Karunanidhi]], five time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and leader of [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] won his first legislative elections from Kulithatlai constituency in 1962.<ref>{{cite news|title=Brand Karunanidhi turns 84 Sunday|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1281143691.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117071202/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1281143691.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 November 2018|location=Chennai|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=2 June 2007|access-date=28 April 2015}}</ref> From the 1977 elections, [[ADMK|All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK) won the assembly seat four times (in 1984, 1991, 2001 and 2011 elections), twice by [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK, 1996 and 2006 elections) and once each by [[Communist Party of India]] (CPI, 1980 elections), and [[Indian National Congress]] (INC, 1977).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/electionanalysis/AE/S22/partycomp155.htm|title=Partywise Comparison Since 1977|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=2012-12-29|year=2011}}</ref> The current MLA of the constituency is A.Pappasundaram from AIADMK.<ref name="MLA of Kulithalai"/>

After 2009 delimitation, Kulithalai is a part of the [[Perambalur (Lok Sabha constituency)]] – it has the following six assembly constituencies – Kulithalai, [[Perambalur (State Assembly Constituency)|Perambalur]], [[Lalgudi (State Assembly Constituency)|Lalgudi]], [[Manachanallur (State Assembly Constituency)|Manachanallur]], [[Thuraiyur (State Assembly Constituency)|Thuraiyur]] and [[Musiri (State Assembly Constituency)|Musiri]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sensitive polling stations identified|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/18/stories/2009031853050300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322005051/http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/18/stories/2009031853050300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 March 2009|date=18 March 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2013-09-09}}</ref> The current Member of Parliament from the constituency is [[R.P. Marutharaja]] from the AIADMK.<ref name="MP"/>

Law and order in the town in maintained by the Kulithalai sub division of the Karur district of [[Tamil Nadu Police]] headed by a Deputy Superintendent. There are one police station in located in Old Court street.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kulithalai Police|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/srv_police.htm|publisher=Kulithalai municipality|access-date=2012-12-29|year=2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130907035843/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/srv_police.htm|archive-date=7 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Karur subdivision police |url=http://www.tnpolice.gov.in/District_Details.php?code=29578 |publisher=Tamil Nadu Police |access-date=2013-08-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011141826/http://tnpolice.gov.in/District_Details.php?code=29578 |archive-date=2011-10-11 }}</ref>

==Education and utility services==
As of 2011, there were two government higher secondary schools, three middle school, three primary schools and fifteen other private schools in Kulithalai.<ref>{{cite web|title=Educational Institutions|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/srv_edu.htm|publisher=Kulithalai municipality|access-date=2012-12-29|year=2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130906021448/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/srv_edu.htm|archive-date=6 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Government Arts College, started in 2007, is the only college in the town.<ref>{{cite web|title=History - About Government Arts College-Kulithalai|url=http://gackulithalai.org/aboutus.html|publisher=Government Arts College, Kulithalai|access-date=2013-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304123427/http://gackulithalai.org/aboutus.html|archive-date=4 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> VKS College of Engineering and Technology, located {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} off Kulithalai - Manapparai state highway, is the closest engineering college to the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vkscet.org/|publisher=VKS College of Engineering and Technology|title=About us|access-date=2013-08-08}}</ref> There is an [[Industrial Training Institute|ITI]] located in at Peralamman Kovil street. All the other nearest colleges are present in Karur and Trichy.<ref name="urbaninfra4142"/>

Electricity supply to Kulithalai is regulated and distributed by the [[Tamil Nadu Electricity Board]] (TNEB). The town along with its suburbs is a part of Tiruchirappalli Electricity Distribution Circle.<ref>{{cite web|title=Important Address |url=http://www.windpro.org/pdf/MISC/TNEB%20Address.pdf |publisher=Indian Wind Power Association |access-date=2012-12-29 |year=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016045943/http://www.windpro.org/pdf/MISC/TNEB%20Address.pdf |archive-date=2012-10-16 }}</ref> Water supply is provided by the Kulithalai Municipality from borewells in [[Kaveri river]] through two over head tanks located in the town. In the period 2000–2001, a total of 70 lakh litres of water was supplied every day for households in the town.<ref>{{cite web|title=Water Supply Details|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_watersupply.htm|publisher=Kulithalai Municipality|year=2011|access-date=2012-12-29|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130906021418/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_watersupply.htm|archive-date=6 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> As per the municipal data for 2011, about 9 metric tonnes of solid waste were collected from Kulithalai every day by door-to-door collection and subsequently the source segregation and dumping was carried out by the sanitary department of the Kulithalai municipality. The coverage of solid waste management in the town by the municipality had an efficiency of 100% as of 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=Waste management programme|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_solidwastemanagement.htm|publisher=Kulithalai Municipality|access-date=2012-12-29|year=2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130906021428/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_solidwastemanagement.htm|archive-date=6 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> There is no underground drainage system in the town and the sewerage system for disposal of sullage is through septic tanks, open drains and public conveniences. As of 2011, there was one government hospital and 12 other private hospitals and clinics that take care of the health care needs of the citizens.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kulithalai hospitals|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/srv_hospitals.htm|publisher=Kulithalai municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=2012-12-29|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130906021423/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/srv_hospitals.htm|archive-date=6 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2011, the municipality maintained a total of 1,309 street lamps: 146 sodium lamps, 42 mercury vapour lamps, 1,037 tube lights, 35 ordinary lights and seven solar.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kulithalai street lights|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_streetlight.htm|publisher=Kulithalai Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=2012-12-29|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130906021427/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_streetlight.htm|archive-date=6 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The municipality operates two markets, namely the Weekly Market and Uzhavar Santhai that cater to the needs of the town and the rural areas around it.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kulithalai markets|url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_markets.htm|publisher=Kulithalai Municipality, Government of Tamil Nadu|year=2011|access-date=2012-12-29|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130906021412/http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/sal_markets.htm|archive-date=6 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Culture==
Kadambar Kovil is an ancient Shiva temple located in the centre of the town.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kadambartemple.tnhrce.in/ |title=Official Website of Arulmigu Kadamba Vaneswarar temple, Kulithalai, Karur District |access-date=11 July 2022 |archive-date=6 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806180645/http://www.kadambartemple.tnhrce.in/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is the second of the paadal petra Siva sthalams in the region. Built on the banks of river Cauvery, the temple has a tall [[gopuram]] (gateway tower) and the stone walls. The Thai Poosam festival held in the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil month]] of Thai is famous for the congregation of deities from the surrounding seven villages and attracts lot of visitors.<ref name="Kadamba">{{cite news|title=Sri Kadamba Vaneswarar temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=83|newspaper=Dinamalar|access-date=2013-08-08}}</ref> The annual Mariamman Kovil Thiru Therr Vizha held in the temple is another prominent festival in the town. The fortnightly ritual culminates on the festive day when people perform their prayers and offerings through Theertha Kudam (water pot), Alagu (piercing body parts), Agni Chatti (fire pot) and Pookuli Midhithal (walking on fire).

Rathnagirinathar temple at ancient Rathinagiri, which is currently called as Iyermalai or Ayyarmalai or Aivar Malai is located at about {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} far from Kulithalai, southerly. This is the first Padal petra sthalam in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ayyarmalai.tnhrce.in/ |title=Official website of Arulmigu Rathnagireeswarar Temple, Ayyarmalai Karur District |access-date=11 July 2022 |archive-date=21 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221183759/http://ayyarmalai.tnhrce.in/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Ratnagireeeswarar temple is built on a hillock reached by a flight of 1000+ steps while the Sivapureeswarar temple is at the foothills level. The idols of Siva and Ambal face each other in the Upadesa posture in the temple.

As per a legend, Vayu Bhaghvan and Adiseshan had a dispute to find out who is superior, to prove the superiority adiseshan encircled the Kailasam, Vayu tried to remove this encircle by creating santamarutham (Twister). Because of the santamarutham, 8 kodumudigal (parts) fell from Kailasam into 8 different places which are Thirugonamalai (Trincomalee, Sri Lanka), [[Srikalahasteeswara temple|Thirukalahasti]], [[Tiruchirappalli|Thiruchiramalai rock fort]], [[Thiruengoimalai Maragadachaleswarar Temple|Thiruenkoimalai]], [[Velliangiri Mountains|Rajathagiri]], [[Narthamalai|Neerthagiri]], Ratnagiri (Ayyar Malai), and Suwethagiri or [[Neelivaneswarar Temple|Thirupangeeli]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gneelivaneshwarartemple.tnhrce.in/History.html |title=Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple |access-date=6 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705225129/http://www.gneelivaneshwarartemple.tnhrce.in/History.html |archive-date=5 July 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Ayyar malai temple attracts lot of visitors during full moon days and {{lang|te-Latn|somavaram}} (Mondays) during the Tamil Month of Karthigai.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Rathnagiriswarar temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=553|newspaper=Dinamalar|access-date=2013-08-08}}</ref>

[[Thiruengoimalai Maragadachaleswarar Temple|Thiru Eengoinathar Malai]] is a small hill temple, which is another nearby Paadal petra sthalam situated around {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the north of Kulithalai.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Maragadachaleswarar temple temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=841|newspaper=Dinamalar|access-date=2013-08-08}}</ref>

Traditionally, it is considered auspicious to visit on the same day three padal petra sthalams - Kadambar Kovil at Kulithalai, Rathnagirinathar temple at Rathinagiri (now called Ayyarmalai) and [[Thiruengoimalai Maragadachaleswarar Temple|Thiru Eengoi Malai at Mullipadi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=841|title=Maragadachaleswarar Temple : Maragadachaleswarar Temple Details | Maragadachaleswarar- Eengoimalai | Tamilnadu Temple | மரகதாசலேஸ்வரர்}}</ref>

Karpatthur Shivan Temple, located around {{convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the west of Kulithalai, Neelamegha Perumal temple, built during the period of [[Pallavas]], Vaiganallur Perumal Temple and Manathattai Perumal temple are other famous temples around Kulithalai.

CSI Church, Amalarakkini Aalayam and Kulithalai Mosque are the other worship places.<ref name="urbaninfra4142"/>

==Notes==

=== Footnotes ===
* {{Note|a}} The municipalities in Tamil Nadu are graded special, selection, grade I and grade II based on income and population. While "grade II" is the official classification, all the municipal websites use "second grade".

===Citations===
{{reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite report |url=http://municipality.tn.gov.in/kulithalai/Kulithalai.pdf |title=Conversion of City Corporate Plan into Business Plan |last=Urban Infrastructure report |publisher=Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited |year=2008 |access-date=2012-12-29 |ref=urban }}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

==External links==

{{Municipalities of Tamil Nadu}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Karur district]]

Kulithalai - Revision history

Isaac3301 at 19:35, 16 January 2025