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 India
StateTamil Nadu
DistrictVirudhunagar
Government
 • BodyTaluk
Elevation
73 m (240 ft)
Population
 (01-Jan-2001)[1]
 • Total15,999
Languages
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
626 132
Telephone code04563
Vehicle registrationTN-67, TN-84
Nearest cityMadurai
Lok Sabha constituencyTenkasi
Vidhan Sabha constituencySrivilliputtur
Civic agencyTown Panchayat
ClimateApr-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". 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 for irrigation and agriculture called "Pilavakal dam" and "Kovilaaru dam" and Pilavkkal dam (பிளவக்கல் அணை)is one of the picnic spots in the area.

Sathuragiri Hills contains dense tropical greenery, undisturbed forests and wildlife are its major attractions. 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. The Perrumal Mottai is the highest and coldest spot in these hills.

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.

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)

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).

  • 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.

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

References
  1. "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.
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