Kanyakumari District

Kanyakumari district, officially Kanniyakumari district, is one of the 39 districts of Tamil Nadu state and the southern most district in mainland India. It stands second in terms of population density among the districts of Tamil Nadu. It is also the richest district in Tamil Nadu in terms of per capita income, and also tops the state in Human Development Index (HDI), literacy, and education. The district's headquarters is Nagercoil.

Kanyakumari district has a varied topography with the sea on three sides and the mountains of the Western Ghats bordering the northern side. Except for a small stretch of land to the east of Kanniyakumari town, almost the entire district is sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea – the only district in Tamil Nadu state facing the Arabian Sea.

Historically, Nanjinad and Edai Nadu, which comprise the present-day Kanniyakumari district, were ruled by various Tamil and Malayalam dynasties: the Cheras, the Ay/ Venad/ Travancore dynasty, the Pandyans, the Chozhans and the Nayaks. A few artefacts have been unearthed by archaeological excavations. It was part of the princely state of Travancore during the colonial times prior to India's independence; four of the eight tehsils of Thiruvananthapuram district were separated from the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom to form the new district of Kanniyakumari, and they were made the part of Madras Presidency under recommendations from the States Reorganisation Commission in 1956. The Presidency was later renamed Tamil Nadu and Kanniyakumari, today, is one of the 38 districts of Tamil Nadu state.

The district is the birthplace of Ayyavazhi. Many historical assumptions persist in the district and state, which associate sages such as Agastya, Vyasa, Tolkappiyar, Avvaiyar and Valluvar with the district.

History

The area that comprises the current Kanniyakumari district was a part of the old Ay kingdom of the first and second Sangam ages. Following the decline of the Ay kingdoms, the area became Venad, with its capital Padmanabhapuram located North, North West of Nagercoil. The wealth of the Nanjilnadu beckoned many invaded kings including the Nayaks during the reign of Umayamma Rani. The Venad region was in anarchy before Marthanda Varma ascended the throne in 1729 CE. Under their rule anarchy was dominant in Kanniyakumari region. However, Marthanda Varma brought a sense of disorder under control by annexing the nearby territories, putting down the feudal lords and establishing the strong state of Travancore. He had also bought some portions of Kanniyakumari from the then viceroy making it the southern boundary. Under his rule, the district improved in a social context as well as economically. The famous battle of Colachel took place in the district. Later, the Maharajas of Travancore built the forts at Aramboly (Aralvaimozhy) to prevent any invasion from the Carnatic Kings. Key elements of Velu Thampi Dalawa's revolt occurred in the area and the English East India company's army under Col.

Leger broke through the fortifications and entered Travancore in 1810. In the year 1949, the area became a part of the reestablished Travancore Cochin state. The people of Agasteeswarem, Thovalai, Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks, which formed the southern divisions of the former district of Trivandrum, were predominantly Tamil speaking people. The present Kanniyakumari district was historically part of the erstwhile Travancore State. Four Tamil-speaking taluks viz., Vilavancode, Kalkulam, Thovala and Agastheeswaram which now form the Kanniyakumari district was transferred to Madras State on 1 November 1956. The changes that were effected between the taluks and the villages as on 1 October 1956 are furnished in the fly-leaf to Table A-I. An extreme agitation by Tamil speaking residents under the leadership of Marshal Nesamony took place for including Kanniyakumari within Tamil Nadu. Eventually the merger happened in 1956 based on language reorganisation of states.

Historically, Nanjilnadu (Agastheeswaram and Thovalai taluks) and Eda Nadu (Vilavancode and Kalkulam taluks) which comprises the present Kanniyakumari district. The district were ruled by various dynasties: Venad Kingdom, Travancore Kingdom, the Cheras, the Cholas, the Ays and the Nayaks. A few artefacts were unearthed by archaeological excavations in parts of the district. The district was part of the princely state of Travancore during the colonial times prior to India's independence; four of the eight tehsils of Thiruvananthapuram district were separated to form the new district of Kanniyakumari in 1956 following the demands of reunion made by the Tamil speaking majority people (about 70% of the population), who feels that their feelings were suppressed by the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom which has Malayalam-majority population. The four taluks were made the part of then Madras State under recommendations from the States Reorganisation Commission in 1956. The Madras State was later renamed Tamil Nadu in 1969 and Kanniyakumari, today, is one of the 38 districts of Tamil Nadu state.

The district is the birthplace of Ayyavazhi, the henotheistic belief initiated by Hari Gopalan Seedar, one among the 5 prime disciples of Ayya Vaikundar. The social, religious and cultural history of the 19th century Kanniyakumari district is intrinsically inter-twined with those of Ayyavazhi. Many historical assumptions persist in the district and state, which associate with sages namely Vyasa, Agastya, Tolkappiyar, Avvaiyar and Valluvar.

Geography

The district is situated between 77°15' and 77°36' east longitude and 8°03' and 8°35' north latitude. The district has borders with Tirunelveli district in the North & North East, the Gulf of Mannar in the East, the Indian Ocean in the South, the Arabian Sea in the West and the Thiruvananthapuram District ( Kerala) in the West.

Kanniyakumari district has a varied topography with sea on three sides and the mountains of the Western Ghats bordering the northern side. Geologically, the landmass of the district is much younger when compared to the rest of state – faulted as late as 2.5 million years during the Miocene, after which numerous transgression, as well as regression of sea, had shaped the western coast of the district.

The district can be categorised into three natural divisions:

*Mountainous Terrain: Located in the northern and north-eastern portion of the district, this area includes the northern parts of Vilavancode and Kalkulam taluks. It includes several impressive hilltops and is an extension of a larger mountain range to the north.
*Fertile Sea-Coast: Stretching along the southern and South-eastern and south-western parts of the district, this coastal region is fringed with coconut trees. Although predominantly sandy, there are occasional slightly elevated patches of red cliffs.
*Valleys and Plains: Situated between the mountainous terrain and the sea-coast, this area features rolling, undulated valleys and plains interspersed with rivers and streams.

Within the northern mountainous range of the district lies the scenic sanitarium of ''Muthukuzhivayal''. South of ''Peermedu'', this range stands out due to its significant breadth. The rugged landscape boasts bluff ridges and conical peaks, forming a continuation of the Western Ghats that stretches all the way to the Aralvaimozhi Pass. Notably, the perfectly detached ''Kattadimalai'' stands out as a prominent rocky mass. Continuing southward, a broken rocky spur shapes into Marunthuvazh Malai, situated approximately 7 kilometres northwest of Kanyakumari. The Vellimalai in Kalkulam taluk and the Maruntuvazh malai in Agastheeswaram taluk are important isolated hills. The variations in altitude and climate across the hilly terrain of the district have led to a diverse vegetation profile, showcasing distinct representations of different land types. The highest hill within the district is Mahendragiri (1654 meters) in Thovalai taluk, situated on the border between Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts. ''Kalmalai'' (900 meters), ''Moliyadi'' (700 meters) located at the head of old Kulasekaram reserved forest area and ''Tadakai malai'' (960 meters) are some of the notable hills in the district.

The mountainous terrain in the northern and eastern portions of the district contains an extensive plateau amidst elevated hilltops. While most of the hills have steep slopes, some exhibit a more gradual spread. While the area is predominantly agricultural, numerous plantations and few handloom industries thrive in this region. The central area of the district, particularly Agastiswaram taluk, consists of vast plains. This includes the plains at Vellimalai, Mylaudy and Derisanamcope.

The district features an extensive 68-kilometer coastline. Predominantly regular in its configuration, the coast showcases notable projections toward the sea at locations such as Kanniyakumari, Muttam, and Erayanthurai. Additionally, there are a few minor sea ports. The ancient port of Colachel stands as the sole natural port on the west coast of Tamil Nadu while Kanyakumari serves as another minor port, primarily catering to tourists. Another minor port at is situated along the edge of Manakudi Estaury. Kanyakumari is the only district in Tamil Nadu facing the Arabian sea.

Rivers

Pazhayar, the southernmost river in India, originates from the secondary range of the Western Ghats, draining Mahendragiri peak and nearby estates. Flowing through Thovalai and Agastiswaram taluks, the Pazhayar significantly supports irrigation. Its course spans approximately 37 kilometres, ultimately joining the Manakkudy Lagoon at Thamaraikulam. Notable places along the river include Boothapandi, Thalakudi, Vadasseri, Nagercoil, and Suchindram.

Kodayar originates east of ''Valia Malai'' peak within the southern part of the Muthukuzhivayal plateau and flows southwest through a wild tract. Two streams—one from ''Motavan Pothai'' and the other from ''Thacchamala'' hills—contribute to this river. The Pechiparai Dam intercepts the Kodayar, creating the Pachipparai lake. With a rocky bed, steep banks, sharp curves, and frequent falls, the Kodayar remains largely untamed except for a few kilometres near its end. The Tirparappu Waterfalls along this river stands at approximately 13 meters. After covering 32 kilometres in Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks, the Kodayar merges with the Paraliyar to form the western Tambaraparani.

Originating north of Mahendragiri, the Paraliyar, another major river of the district flows southwesterly and passes out of the forest area a mile above Ponmanai where it encounters the Perunchani Dam. The Left Bank Channel supplies water from the Pechipparai reservoir before reaching the weir known as Puthen dam. The ancient ''Pandyan dam'', built in Pandiyan era, across the Paraliyar in Kalkulam taluk, along with the Pandyan Kal and related irrigation works, constitute one of the region's ancient irrigation systems. About a kilometre downstream from the Pandyan dam, the river meets the 250-year-old Puthen dam. The river runs through the Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks and covers 37 kilometres before joining the Kodayar near Thiruvattar, forming the western Thamirabarani River. It flows southwest through Kuzhithurai, Munchirai and evantually into the Thengapattanam estaury where it meets the sea.

Valliyar a minor river originates at an altitude of 950 m in the Velimalai hills and passes through Kothanalloor, Kalkulam, Eraniel, Thalakulam and Manavalakurichi before joining the Arabian Sea at Kadiapattanam. Along the way, it merges with the Thuvalar, another small river originating from the Mampazhathurai hills. Mullayar another minor river flows approximately 11 kilometres through Vilavancode taluk and joins the western Tambraparani near Thikkurichi.

Geology

The district features diverse topography with its northern and western regions consist of hilly terrain and forests, while the southeastern and central parts are characterised by agricultural lands. Along the southern border lies an extensive sea-shore with scattered rocky ridges, interspersed by valleys and plains. Additionally, sandy beaches and isolated boulders define the southern coastline.

The Peninsular India is typically described as a highland with faulting on both sides. During the Archaean Eon, the eastern coast experienced faulting, whereas the faulting of the western coast, including the major parts of the Kanyakumari district, occurred later—approximately 25 million years ago—during the early Miocene era. Subsequent transgressions and regressions of the sea led to the formation of various sedimentary layers.

Over time, the sea receded, resulting in uplifted land masses. Evidence of this uplift includes deeply entrenched streams, waterfalls, high hanging valleys, alluvial flats, and marine sediment patches at higher elevations. Notably, shelly limestone formations in Kanyakumari further support the theory of land uplift in this area. The uplift likely occurred in stages, rejuvenating older streams. The wind gap at Mekkode resulted from river piracy, where the Paraliyar was captured by the Kodayar, possibly during the Tertiary period. The straight west coastline, uninterrupted by breaks, suggests faulting during the Pliocene epoch

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