Sirkazhi

Sirkazhi
Town
A view of temple tower of Sattainathar Temple located in the centre of the town
Sirkazhi Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 11°14′20″N 79°44′10″E / 11.239°N 79.736°E / 11.239; 79.736
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
Region	Chola Nadu
District	Mayiladuthurai
Government
• Municipal Chairman	Vacant
Area
• Total	13.21 km2 (5.10 sq mi)
Elevation	4 m (13 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	34,927
• Density	2,600/km2 (6,800/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	609110
Telephone code	(91) 4364
Vehicle registration	TN-82-Z
Nearest town	Mayiladuthurai, Chidambaram

Sirkazhi ([ˈsiːɾkaːɻiː]), also spelled as Sirkali and Siyali, is a major municipal town in Mayiladuthurai district in Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 13 km (8.1 mi) from the coast of the Bay of Bengal, and 250 km (160 mi) from the state capital Chennai. Sirkazhi was a part of Thanjavur district until 1991 and has later been part of Nagapattinam district. The town covers an area of 13.21 km² (5.10 sq mi) and in 2011 had a population of 34,927. It is administered by a second grade municipality. Sirkazhi is part of the Cauvery delta region and agriculture is the major occupation. Roads are the main means of transportation; the town has 51.47 km (31.98 mi) of district roads, including a national highway.

The town is believed to be of significant antiquity and has been ruled by the Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Later Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, the Marathas and the British. The Tamil trinity of Carnatic music; Arunachala Kavirayar (1711–78), Muthu Thandavar (1525–1600) and Marimutthu Pillai (1712–87), originated from Sirkazhi. The Saiva saint Tirugnanasambandar, foremost of the Saiva Nayanars, was born here in the seventh century. Thirumangai Alvar Kaliyan (Thirumangai) was born in Thirukuraiyalur near Sirkazhi. The history of the town is centred on the Sattainathar Temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The history of the town is also associated with Rajarajeshwari – Angalaparameshwari Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Adi shakti, who is believed to be most powerful form, located in the south of Kalumalaiyar river. When the goddess takes on the forceful form, she is known as "Shri Kali" or "Pechi amma" or " Angali" which forms the basis for the town's name as "Sirkali".