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	'''Nagercoil''' is the 11th largest city in the southernmost ]n state of ] and a ] and administrative headquarters of ]. The town is situated close to the tip of the Indian peninsula, locked with the ] on all sides and is the southernmost town on the Indian mainland. The town was a part of the erstwhile ] state, or later ] state, till almost a decade after the ] in 1947. In 1956, the city and the District were merged with Tamil Nadu. In its earlier days, the town and its surroundings were known as '']''. It also serves as the Headquarters for ],<ref></ref> an Space research arm of The Government of ]. The public sector ] (IREL) also has its largest facility at Manavaalakurichy, near the town, which pioneers in the mining, processing and production of ].<ref></ref>		'''Nagercoil''' is the 11th largest city in the southernmost ]n state of ] and a ] and administrative headquarters of ]. The town is situated close to the tip of the Indian peninsula, locked with the ] on all sides and is the southernmost town on the Indian mainland. The town was a part of the erstwhile ] state, or later ] state, till almost a decade after the ] in 1947. In 1956, the city and the District were merged with Tamil Nadu. In its earlier days, the town and its surroundings were known as '']''. It also serves as the Headquarters for ],<ref></ref> an Space research arm of The Government of ]. The public sector ] (IREL) also has its largest facility at Manavaalakurichy, near the town, which pioneers in the mining, processing and production of ].<ref></ref>

	==History==
	Nagercoil derives its name from the famous old ] Temple (temple of the ] king) which is in the central part of town. It has been an important temple for ] for centuries as well as a tourist attraction.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://tamilnadu.com/temples/nagaraja-kovil.html \|title=Nagaraja Kovil Tamilnadu\|publisher= Tamilnadu.com\|date=31 October 2012}}</ref> According to certain accounts, it may once have been a ], as icons of the ] ] — ] and ] — are found on the pillars of the temple.
	Nagercoil came under the rule of various kingdoms, notably the ], ] and ] kingdoms, Historical records reveal that these kingdoms fought over the control of the fertile area of ] and ], a town mentioned in old ] writings and maps of ancient India. Archaeological records also show Jain influences in ancient times.
	The modern history of the town is interwoven with the history of ] state. The modern town of Nagercoil grew around ], now a locality in the municipal limits. The town came to prominence during and after the reign of Maharaja ], the king of ], the capital of which was ], about 20 km to the north of Nagercoil. The capital was later shifted to ], now Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of ] state, about 65 km to the north of Nagercoil. In the erstwhile princely state of ], Nagercoil was the second most important town after the capital ].
	]'s successors continued the land, revenue and social reforms he instituted. Although Travancore was considered by many to be a "Hindu" administration, the rulers generally showed religious tolerance and were not hostile to European educators, missionaries and traders. Until the 19th century, the coffers of ] were greatly helped by revenues from the trade of ] and other spices, with the European powers.
	Irrigation systems (an excellent system is still found around Nagercoil), dams, roads, schools etc. developed under the administration of the Travancore royals and their ]. The ] in India considered Travancore a "model native state". At the time, ] was the most socially developed, and one of the most economically developed states under the ]. During the ], Travancore was essentially a vassal-state to the British, but the British never interfered in the general administration of the state.
	<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: ], when the Maharajah visited Nagercoil in the late 19th century.]] -->

	At the time of India's independence from Britain, the ] of Travancore, Sir ], preferred Travancore to be a sovereign country, but he eventually gave up after a tough stand by ], India's federal minister in charge of home affairs, who wanted the princely state annexed to India.
	After a political fight in the 1950s led by A. Nesamony, sometimes known as Marshal Nesamony, the Government of ] gave part of South Travancore (present day ]) to Tamil Nadu, because a majority of the population spoke Tamil in the district. This was enacted in the Indian ] of 1956.<ref></ref>

	==Climate==		==Climate==
	] ]]		] ]]
	~~Nagercoil has a pleasant, though humid, climate for a major part of the year.~~ The maximum temperature during the summer hovers around 86 °F or 30 °C with moderate humidity at times. Nagercoil is the only Indian Town to receive both the north-east ] and the south-west monsoon. It rains more often in ] than in any other part of Tamil Nadu, with the exception of the ]. Due to geographical conditions, the southern tip of ] is generally 3 °C to 4 °C hotter than Nagercoil during the daytime, though Kanyakumari is only 20 km away.		The maximum temperature during the summer hovers around 86 °F or 30 °C with moderate humidity at times. Nagercoil is the only Indian Town to receive both the north-east ] and the south-west monsoon. It rains more often in ] than in any other part of Tamil Nadu, with the exception of the ]. Due to geographical conditions, the southern tip of ] is generally 3 °C to 4 °C hotter than Nagercoil during the daytime, though Kanyakumari is only 20 km away.

	{{Weather box		{{Weather box
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	==Festival==		==Festival==
	Some of the widely celebrated festivals here are ],which is celebrated for three days<ref></ref><ref></ref>, ] is another Festival widely celebrated among the ] speaking population by drawing the `atha poo' (flower decoration) in the floor<ref></ref><ref></ref>, ] "Ther Festival", ], Deepavali, ], ], ], ]'s feast, Bhagavathy Amman Temple festival, Ramzan (Eid ul fitr) and Bakrid (Eid ul alha).		Some of the widely celebrated festivals here are ],which is celebrated for three days<ref></ref><ref></ref>, ] is another Festival widely celebrated among the ] speaking population by drawing the `atha poo' (flower decoration) in the floor<ref></ref><ref></ref>, ] "Ther Festival", ], Deepavali, ], ], ], ]'s feast, Bhagavathy Amman Temple festival, Ramzan (Eid ul fitr) and Bakrid (Eid ul alha).

	==Influence of European missionaries==
	The foundation of several educational institutions by ], ] and other Western Christian ] in the 19th century and the development of social infrastructure by the ] administration raised the social status and literacy of the people, ahead of many other urban centres in Southern India. Today, streets, schools and colleges in the town are named after these European missionaries ; many of these missionaries were also noted educationists and scholars.<ref name="hindu20060203"></ref>

	One of ] disciples- ] is believed to have come during 52] and built India's first church.<ref></ref>
	The European missionaries converted a section of the people to ] Christianity. ] had been introduced earlier by ] in the 16th century and later by other ].
	], the missionary-saint resided for sometime at ], while doing missionary work in the neighbouring areas.]]

	], the ] missionary, made ] locality in the town his principal residence for two years in the 16th century, while preaching around the town and in neighbouring ] district.<ref name="hindu20060203" />

	Of the Protestant missionaries, the services of two European missionaries are particularly notable. One is C. Mead, who after arriving in 1817 in Nagercoil, as a missionary of the ] (LMS), made immense contributions to the cause of education in the town and in ]. In 1818, he founded the Nagercoil ], which became one of the first regular institutes to impart English education in ] state and also in Southern India. In 1855, in recognition of his contributions to the cause of education, the ] Government appointed him Superintendent of Schools, and while in this office he encouraged women's education in Nagercoil and in the state of Travancore. He started the Nagercoil Mission Press, the first printing press in the state of Travancore. Mead fought to abolish forms of indentured labour rampant at that time.<ref name="hindu20060203" />

	The other great missionary was ], a native of the then ] (present Germany), who established schools and worked among the poor and downtrodden around the town. He started one of the first regular schools in Travancore at ], near Nagercoil which is still active.<ref name="hindu20060203" />

	Like the ] (LMS), another organisation that rendered valuable services to the cause of education and upliftment of the socially downtrodden has been the ] (CMS). Both these societies still have a presence in Nagercoil (nearly two centuries after inception).

	Home church is one of the important places for worship. This was built by Thurivankur King.

	] is known in the town for their medical services in and around the town. Their ] in the ] locality of the town was established in the 19th century and is still active.

	==Environmental Degradation==
	Due to Extensive rock blasting in the scenic and hilly regions of ]<ref></ref>,it has lead to serious environmental changes over the past 5 to 10 years.<ref></ref> Moreover the dust particles from these rock blasts have increased the number of ] patients over the last five years to 34,000, making it the largest ] prone people in the state and ].<ref></ref> The Rock Sediments from these blasting has left close to 550 ], ] and ] dry, creating an unprecedented Climate change and Causing severe Water shortage in and across ].<ref></ref> The District inspite of being the southernmost region of ] has not been protected, though they are Declared ] ] and are one of the few three last rainforest in the world, the other being ] and ]<ref></ref><ref></ref>

	As per the Western Ghats Ecology Experts Panel (WGEEP) report, all the stone quarries in the district were located in the Western Ghats and were plundering the Ghats destroying its ecology and its Significance of it being the last three ] in the ]. The know fact to the Indian government is that the ] region of the ] is having the second largest Diversity of plants in ] after the ].<ref></ref>

	Rapid and extensive Deforestation has taken an toll in the rainfall of the district and its surrounding Ecology. The forest coverage which was 40% of the district land with maximum rainfall of 6,000mm in 1965 has reduced to 17% with rapid decline in rainfall to 2,000mm in a short span of 45 years.<ref></ref>

	The district which was once known to been called as the "Granary of Travancore" is losing its importance and its meaning due to conversion of ] and Agricultural Lands to housing plots and Real Estate Business, which is the largest direct climatic change to the descending of monsoon rain season.<ref></ref> Moreover, irrigation sources such as tanks, ponds and other water bodies have also been converted into bus stands, playgrounds, marble godowns.<ref></ref>
	Due to this drastic fall in cultivable land and food shortage fall a cross-section of people in the district want the government to amend an act related to agriculture on the lines of Kerala Conservation and Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008, so as to protect paddy fields in Kanyakumari district.

	==Economy==		==Economy==
	The ]- ] has its ~~largest hub of testing facility for ] and~~ ], an ~~Space research arm of The Government of India engines at~~ the ] hills (on the Western Ghats) off Nagercoil~~, which serves as the Indian Headquarters of this Space Research Arm~~.<ref></ref> ~~Rocket scientists and engineers from all over ] and few from ], ] and ] work at this facility, called the ] (LPSC), ].~~<ref></ref>		The ]- ] has its ] facility in the ] hills (on the Western Ghats) off Nagercoil.<ref></ref><ref></ref>

	The town is a centre for the Koodankulam ] Plant reactors, being built with Russian assistance, which is situated in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, but is the closest major town to the facility. The public sector ] (IRE) has a facility at Manavaalakurichy, near the town.<ref></ref>

	Nagercoil is the headquarters of the state owned ] and the regional office of the Central Rubber Board.

	], a once-impoverished village, benefited from the building of the nearby ] a ] source, supplying the villagers with electricity for work.<ref>{{cite web
	\| year = 2005
	\| month =February
	\|url=http://www.tve.org/ho/doc.cfm?aid=1678&lang=English
	\|title=Tapping the Wind - India
	\|publisher=
	\|accessdate=2006-10-28
	}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
	\|last = Watts
	\|first = Himangshu
	\| year = 2003
	\| month =November 11
	\|url=http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/22758/story.htm
	\|title=Clean Energy Brings Windfall to Indian Village
	\|publisher=Reuters News Service
	\|accessdate=2006-10-28
	}}</ref> The surrounding area is a major centre for windmill ]-energy production, and one of the biggest centres in South Asia, both in terms of electricity generated and size of windmills, with thousands of ] electricity generators on tall towers dotting the area. The total power generated from these wind mills is 540 ] with each windmill generating a power output of 1.65 MW. The wind mills are erected and technically supported by multinational majors in the field of renewable energy like ], ], and ]. The Muppandal Wind Farm is situated on a mountain gap (pass) in the ], through which the wind gushes for a major part of the year.

	Fish-net manufacturing is a growing business in and around the town; nets for commercial fishing are supplied to the domestic and export markets.<ref></ref>		Fish-net manufacturing is a growing business in and around the town; nets for commercial fishing are supplied to the domestic and export markets.<ref></ref>
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	==Cottage industry==		==Cottage industry==
			{{unreferenced section}}
	] include ]-making, floral trade, handloom-weaving, rubber products, food-processing units, and lace-making (export-oriented).		] include ]-making, floral trade, handloom-weaving, rubber products, food-processing units, and lace-making (export-oriented).

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	==Education==		==Education==
			{{unreferenced section}}

	~~The district is having the highest literacy rate in ] (100%).<ref></ref>~~ Some schools and colleges in Nagercoil are more than 150 years old, like the ], ], built by British missionaries. European missionaries, in the 19th century and early 20th century played a major role in imparting education to the people of the town and district.		Some schools and colleges in Nagercoil are more than 150 years old, like the ], ], built by British missionaries. European missionaries, in the 19th century and early 20th century played a major role in imparting education to the people of the town and district.

	One of the oldest regular schools in South India, Sethu Lakshmi Bai Higher Secondary School, is situated in the heart of town. It was established under the supervision of the ] administrators and named after a ], the Queen of ] between 1924 to 1931. Another school which was named after a Travancore ruler is Sri Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma Higher Secondary School.		One of the oldest regular schools in South India, Sethu Lakshmi Bai Higher Secondary School, is situated in the heart of town. It was established under the supervision of the ] administrators and named after a ], the Queen of ] between 1924 to 1931. Another school which was named after a Travancore ruler is Sri Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma Higher Secondary School.
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	==Places of interest==		==Places of interest==
	]
	* The Nagaraja Temple,<!----> (which gives Nagercoil its name) and the Thanumalayan Temple,<!----> at ], about 6 km from the heart of the town, are Hindu shrines for pilgrims from all over South India. The Nagaraja Temple has Nagaraja, the King of Snakes, as its principal deity, to whom milk is offered by the devout. The Suchindram Temple is unique amongst Hindu temples in that it unites the worship of the Trinity of Hinduism - Shiva (Sthanu), Vishnu (Perumal or Mal) and Brahma (Aiyan) - in the presiding deity, Thanumalayan. The tradition of the temple is that the King of the Devas, Indra, worships at the temple each night.
	*], <!----> situated on the way to Trivandrum at NH-47 is named after the temple where the presiding deity is Lord Kishna in his childhood avatar. This temple is 1.5 km from the heart of Nagercoil town.		*], <!----> situated on the way to Trivandrum at NH-47 is named after the temple where the presiding deity is Lord Kishna in his childhood avatar. This temple is 1.5 km from the heart of Nagercoil town.
	*]'s Church, in the Kottar locality of the town, which was built in 1600, is important due to the visit and stay of St. Francis Xavier. The church was built on land allotted to St. Xavier by the Venad king.
	* Fresh water supply to the town is from the ] <!----> Reservoir, about 8 km from the town - itself a scenic place, with an island in the middle of the reservoir. The reservoir is surrounded by hills of the ].

	The hilly, undulating terrain in ] is Mostley forest land and the remaining is covered by rubber and other plantation plants. Elephants are common in this area.
	]
	]
	* ] (Thotti palam) {{citation needed\|date=July 2012}} <!-- -->
	* ]
	* ] Fort. {{citation needed\|date=July 2012}} <!-- -->
	* ] {{citation needed\|date=July 2012}} <!---->
	* ] Beach. {{citation needed\|date=July 2012}} <!-- -->
	* ] Waterfalls

	==Notable people==		==Notable people==

	===Scientists===
	*]- Former Director of ](TIFR), recipent of ].
	*]- Former Director of ](ISRO) and ], Recipent of ].
	*]- World Renowned ] and Former Advisor to ].<ref></ref>
	*]- Present Director of ](DRDO), Recipent of ].
	*]- Director of ], ](DRDO), Recipent of ].
	*]- Indian Nuclear Scientist, Deputy Director ].
	*]- First Indian ].<ref></ref>
	*]- Indian Biological Scientist and Former Chancellor of ].
	*]- Indian Scientist and Present Chancellor of ].
	*]- Senior Scientist, ],].
	*]- Founder and Director of ].
	*]- Founder and Ex-Director of ].

	====Indian Police Service====
	*](])- Former Director of ], ] (Greater Chennai) & First Indian Vice-President of "]"
	*](])- Former ], Indian Super Cop and ] Awardee.
	*](])- Former ] & Life-Time Member of ].
	*](])- Former ] and ], ].
	*](])- Present ] and ], Chennai North.

	====Chief of Naval Staff====
	*] -12th ].
	*] - 18th ].

	====Governor====
	*]- ex-Governor of ].

	===Entertainment===
	*]- The Father of Malayalam Film Industry.
	*]- Tamil film comedian and drama artist of yester-years.
	*]- Malayalam Film Actor.
	*](VTV Ganesh)- Tamil Comedian and Actor.
	*]- Malayalam Film Actress.
	*]- Malayalam Film Actress.
	*] - Malayalam actor.
	*]- Film Director (Siva Manasula Sakthi, Boss engra Baskaran, Ok Ok...).
	*]- The Father of ] Film Industry.

	===Educationalists===
	* Dr. ]- Former Director of Education ] and ] Advisor.
	*Dr. ]- Education Baron and Chancellor of ], ], ], ].

	===Businessmen===
	*]- founder of "]" - a Tamil daily.
	*]- Founder of Akshaya homes.<ref></ref>

	===Politicians===
	*]- Former Union ].
	*]- Co-Founder of ](MDMK).
	*]- Co-Founder of ](DMK).
	*], Former ] Member.
	*], Former ] Member.
	*], Former ] Member and Former President of ].
	*]- Former Minister of Tiruchendure constituency.
	*], High strategic committee ] Member.
	*], Former ] Member.
	*]- Current ] Member.
	*]- Former ] Member.

	===Poets===
	*]-poet who scripted ].
	* ]- Poet and Old world scholar.
	* ]- Poet and Old world Scholar.
	*]-Former CEO of ] and ] Faculty.
	*] (Tamil poet, writer and scholar)
	*] (Tamil poet, scholar and Freedom fighter)
	*], socialist.
	*]- Indian Lingustic Scholar.
	*], literary writer.
	*], 1994 ].
	*], 2007 ].<ref></ref>		*], 2007 ].<ref></ref>
	*], 2010 ].<ref></ref>		*], 2010 ].<ref></ref>

	===Religion===
	*], present ] of ] and a leader of the Ayyavazhi.

	===Other===
	*] - ornithologist and naturalist<ref>{{cite web \|title=J.C. Daniel: Naturalist extraordinaire \|url=http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/interviews/jcdaniel.php \|publisher = ] \|date=April 2000 \|accessdate=27 April 2013 \|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080517112223/http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/interviews/jcdaniel.php \|archivedate=17 May 2008}}</ref>		*] - ornithologist and naturalist<ref>{{cite web \|title=J.C. Daniel: Naturalist extraordinaire \|url=http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/interviews/jcdaniel.php \|publisher = ] \|date=April 2000 \|accessdate=27 April 2013 \|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080517112223/http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/interviews/jcdaniel.php \|archivedate=17 May 2008}}</ref>


	==References==		==References==

Revision as of 16:49, 12 June 2013

Municipality in Tamil Nadu, India

Nagercoil நாகர்கோவில்Nagercoil
Municipality
Nagercoil is Hill locked by the Western Ghats
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Kanyakumari
Area
• Total	49.37 km (19.06 sq mi)
Elevation	40 m (130 ft)
Population
• Total	224,329
• Density	9,813/km (25,420/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	629 xxx
Telephone code	91-4652
Vehicle registration	TN-74 & TN-75
Literacy	100%
Website	municipality.tn.gov.in/nagarcoil/

Nagercoil is the 11th largest city in the southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu and a municipality and administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District. The town is situated close to the tip of the Indian peninsula, locked with the Western Ghats on all sides and is the southernmost town on the Indian mainland. The town was a part of the erstwhile Travancore state, or later Travancore-Cochin state, till almost a decade after the Indian independence in 1947. In 1956, the city and the District were merged with Tamil Nadu. In its earlier days, the town and its surroundings were known as Nanjilnadu. It also serves as the Headquarters for Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, an Space research arm of The Government of India. The public sector Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) also has its largest facility at Manavaalakurichy, near the town, which pioneers in the mining, processing and production of Thorium.

Climate

The maximum temperature during the summer hovers around 86 °F or 30 °C with moderate humidity at times. Nagercoil is the only Indian Town to receive both the north-east monsoon and the south-west monsoon. It rains more often in Kanyakumari district than in any other part of Tamil Nadu, with the exception of the Nilgiris. Due to geographical conditions, the southern tip of Kanyakumari is generally 3 °C to 4 °C hotter than Nagercoil during the daytime, though Kanyakumari is only 20 km away.

Climate data for Kanyakumari
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	25 (77)	29 (84)	29 (84)	31 (88)	32 (90)	27 (81)	27 (81)	26 (79)	28 (82)	26 (79)	25 (77)	22 (72)	27 (81)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	18 (64)	21 (70)	22 (72)	24 (75)	26 (79)	21 (70)	22 (72)	21 (70)	21 (70)	22 (72)	19 (66)	16 (61)	21 (70)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	103.70 (4.08)	128.60 (5.06)	189.80 (7.47)	274.70 (10.81)	307.53 (12.11)	541.79 (21.33)	557.77 (21.96)	498.01 (19.61)	389.00 (15.31)	556.38 (21.90)	593.62 (23.37)	507.96 (20.00)	4,648.86 (183.01)
Source: Climate-data.org,

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Nagercoil had a population of 224,329 of which 110,132 are Males and 114,197 are females. Nagercoil has an average literacy rate of 100%. In Nagercoil, 8.5% of the population is between the age group of 0 – 6 years. Though the official population count (for the municipal area) is close to 2.25 lakhs, a significant population lives outside the municipal limits, in the suburbs.Tamil is the most spoken language. English is also widely understood and spoken in the city.

The greatest concentration of the population of the town and the District is along the coastal belt, on the eastern side, while the largely forested areas on the western side of the district (along the Western Ghats) are sparsely populated.

Culture and religion

Tamil is official language in Kanyakumari. Tamil and Malayalam are spoken by the people. Tamil language along with English is used as a medium of teaching in all major schools. The Tamil spoken here is a mix of Malayalam and Tamil, sometimes unintelligible to the people of North Tamil Nadu. The culture is a mixture of Tamil and Malayalam culture and traditions. Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are the major religions in the town and district.

Traditional Cuisine

It is home to the famous Nanjilnadu cuisine, which is one of the two famous Tamil cuisines, the other being the Chettinad Cuisine. This cuisine is known for its unique appetizing, savory and delicious Spiced Local Touch. These food traditions are believe to have been passed on through the Chera, Chola and Pandya kings, which was found in literary works like Bhojana Kudhoogalam (Ecstasy of Food), Baga Saastram (Art of Cooking), Tamizhar Uravu (Tamil Kinship), and Marattiar Seppedugal (Maratta Copper Plate Inscriptions). The Nanjinadu seafood cuisine is also having its unique flavour followed widely in the states of Tamil nadu and Kerala. Food prepared here is also a mix of Kerala/Tamil Nadu traditions. Puttu, Appam, Idiappam are popular food items and so are rice murukku, and achu-murukku. Curries here are made with coconut and coconut oil which is now considered Nanjil or Nagercoil style cooking. The modernisation and sophistication that has crept into the present lifestyle has not erased out most of the traditional food culture of the city. But an unique feature is that some traditional rare dishes are becoming endangered or are going extinct, due to the negligance of learning by the future generation. It enjoys a blend of Tamil and Keralite cuisine. Rice is the staple food. Fish is popular and forms a part of everyday meal for many. People generally prefer marine fish to fresh water fish.

The food is generally spicy with coconut an important ingredient in almost all side dishes and curry, very much like that of neighbouring Kerala. Seafood is popular among the people, though there are also many vegetarians in and around the town. Banana & Jack fruit plays a main role in the town's Sweet/sour recipes. Its been told that the word Jack actually derived from Tamil name of the fruit சக்கை/பலாப்பழம். Banana Chips (நேந்திரம் பழம்/ஏத்தன் பழம்-a special variety specially produced for making chips) a snack. Upperi (உப்பேரி) is made by dipping the banana in palm sugar locally known as சர்க்கரை/பனைவெல்லம். Nenthrambazha Bajji, a snack made out of banana is famous here.

Festival

Some of the widely celebrated festivals here are Pongal,which is celebrated for three days, Onam is another Festival widely celebrated among the Malayalam speaking population by drawing the `atha poo' (flower decoration) in the floor, Suchindrum "Ther Festival", Ayya Vaikunda Avataram, Deepavali, Easter, Christmas, New Year, St. Francis Xavier's feast, Bhagavathy Amman Temple festival, Ramzan (Eid ul fitr) and Bakrid (Eid ul alha).

Economy

The Indian Space Research Organisation- ISRO has its Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre facility in the Mahendragiri hills (on the Western Ghats) off Nagercoil.

Fish-net manufacturing is a growing business in and around the town; nets for commercial fishing are supplied to the domestic and export markets.

Information technology

There are many software, research and development companies in Nagercoil. RedEgg InfoExpert Technologies is now part of Thomson Reuters set up an office with a strength of around 325 employees. The Nagercoil office has been outsourcing their product's to North America. In 2010 Hinduja Global Solution setup their third largest development center in India after, Bangalore and Chennai.

Cottage industry

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Cottage industries include coir-making, floral trade, handloom-weaving, rubber products, food-processing units, and lace-making (export-oriented).

Being the major Tamil Nadu town closest to the Kerala capital, Thiruvananthapuram (65 km away and the closest international airport to Nagercoil), trading and sending supplies to Kerala and Thiruvananthapuram is a major activity for the bustling markets at Vadasery and Kottar - availability and many items being cheaper in Tamil Nadu than in Kerala adds to the thriving business.

Supply of marine and agricultural produce to the overseas export-markets are also important economic activities, though primarily done through exporters or agents in Kerala. Remittances to Nagercoil from overseas, from Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) hailing from the town, is a major contributor to the local economy.

Sports

Nagercoil is having the distinction of housing one of the two Sports Authority of India Centers in the state, the other being in Chennai. There are plans to make the city hub for sports in South india by merging the Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi Center with Headquarters in Nagercoil.

Politics

Marshal Nesamony, one of the leading lawyers of the Nagercoil Bar, was elected as the Chairman of the Nagercoil Municipal Council in 1943. He enlarged the town boundary, improved water supply system for the town, established a home for the destitutes and increased the income of the Nagercoil Municipality. In the same year, he was elected to the Travancore State Assembly and was also nominated to the Senate of the then Travancore University (today's Kerala University). Later on K. Kamaraj, the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, won from Kanyakumari constituency without even canvassing. This happens to be the strongest support base for the Indian National Congress in South India and is Nicknamed "The Fort of Congress". The Nagercoil (Lok Sabha constituency) is perhaps the only Constituency in Tamil nadu to not have elected an Dravidian parties in the states History.

Education

Some schools and colleges in Nagercoil are more than 150 years old, like the Scott Christian College, Carmel High School (Nagercoil), built by British missionaries. European missionaries, in the 19th century and early 20th century played a major role in imparting education to the people of the town and district.

One of the oldest regular schools in South India, Sethu Lakshmi Bai Higher Secondary School, is situated in the heart of town. It was established under the supervision of the Travancore administrators and named after a Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, the Queen of Travancore between 1924 to 1931. Another school which was named after a Travancore ruler is Sri Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma Higher Secondary School.

Educational institutions include privately funded engineering colleges, the state-run Kanyakumari Government Medical College (at Asaripallam near Nagercoil), and many polytechnic colleges and arts and science colleges. As in neighbouring Kerala, women's education and career-development are given importance.

In the Christian theological side, the Concordia Theological Seminary established in 1924 caters to the training of Pastors of the India Evangelical Lutheran Church. A CBSE schools in Nagercoil is the Adarsh Vidya Kendra which is situated at Vetturnimadam, 3 km from Nagercoil.

Places of interest

Krishnancoil, situated on the way to Trivandrum at NH-47 is named after the temple where the presiding deity is Lord Kishna in his childhood avatar. This temple is 1.5 km from the heart of Nagercoil town.

Notable people

Neela Padmanabhan, 2007 Sahitya Akademi Award.
Nanjil Nadan, 2010 Sahitya Akademi Award.
J. C. Daniel - ornithologist and naturalist

References

"Successful ignition of indigenous cryogenic engine"
"Indian Rare Earth Ltd., a pioneer in titanium products"
. Climate-data.org http://en.climate-data.org/location/23976/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
Template:GR
"Time to ensure scientific disposal of garbage"
" Kanyakumari District achieves cent per cent literacy"
"Food from Nanjil Nadu"
"All Spiced Up"
"Taste some cuisine from Kongunadu"
"How to make...Keluthi Meen Kozhambu"
"A taste of rich food culture"
"Where are the steamed rice recipes?"
"Sea food festival begins"
" Pongal festival celebrated"
"Crowds on beach"
"Onam - day of flowers, feast, fun and frolic"
"Onam festivities begin in Kanyakumari"
"Test-firing of GSLV core stage halted at 150 seconds"
"ISRO’s most powerful rocket motor successfully tested"
"Fishermen thirst for scientific solutions"
Thomson Reuters Comes to Nagercoil
"Hinduja Global Solution Launches Center in Nagercoil"
"Sports Authority of India sub-centre coming up near Nagercoil"
"Regional Centres"
"City may lose SAI sub-centre to Nagercoil"
Joy Gnanadason,`A Forgotten History`,1994, Gurukul L.T. College and Research Institute, Chennai. Page:151.
"Kamaraj birth anniversary"
"Sangh power BJP's southern comfort"
"Chidambaram distributes welfare aid in Nagercoil"
"Will BJP make history by winning Nagercoil?"
"Dravidians don't wind up in Nagercoil"
"Passing the literary torch"
"Sahitya Akademi award for Nanjil Nadan"
"J.C. Daniel: Naturalist extraordinaire". Sanctuary Asia. April 2000. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 27 April 2013.

External links

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Kanyakumari district

History

Administration

Taluks	Agastheeswaram Kallkkulam Thovalai Vilavancode Thiruvattar Killiyoor

Blocks	Agastheeswaram Killiyoor Kurunthancode Melpuram Munchirai Rajakkamangalam Thiruvattar Thovalai Thuckalay

Municipalities	Colachel Kuzhithura Kollankodu Padmanabhapuram

Municipal Corporation	Nagercoil

Town Panchayat

Revenue divisions	Nagercoil Padmanabhapuram

Religious sites

Tourism

Education

Colleges

Schools	Carmel Higher Secondary School Excel Central School Excel Global School Scott Christian Higher Secondary School

Railway stations

Corporations and Municipalities of Tamil Nadu

Corporations

Municipalities

Special grade	Dharmapuri Kodaikanal Kovilpatti Krishnagiri Maraimalai Nagar Mayiladuthurai Pollachi Rajapalayam Ramanathapuram Theni Allinagaram Tiruverkadu Udagamandalam Viluppuram
Selection grade	Ambur Attur Chidambaram Coonoor Dharapuram Gobichettipalayam Mannargudi Mettupalayam Mettur Nagapattinam Palani Pattukkottai Perambalur Ranipet Tenkasi Thiruvarur Thuraiyur Tindivanam Tiruchengode Tirupattur Udumalaipettai Valparai Vaniyambadi Virudhunagar
First grade	Arakkonam Arani Aranthangi Arcot Aruppukkottai Bodinayakkanur Chengalpattu Colachel Cumbum Devakottai Edappadi Gudiyatham Jayankondam Kadayanallur Kallakurichi Komarapalayam Manapparai Palladam Panruti Paramakudi Poonamallee Rasipuram Sankarankovil Sathyamangalam Sivaganga Srivilliputhur Tirumangalam Tiruvallur Tiruttani Vedaranyam Virudhachalam
Second grade	Adirampattinam Ambasamudram Ariyalur Bhavani Cheyyar Chinnamanur Edaganasalai Gudalur (Coimbatore) Gudalur (Nilgiris) Gudalur (Theni) Harur Jolarpettai Kalakkad Kangeyam Karamadai Karumathampatti Kayalpatnam Kilakarai Kollankodu Koothanallur Kottakuppam Kulithalai Kundrathur Kuzhithurai Lalgudi Madukkarai Maduranthakam Manamadurai Mangadu Melur Melvisharam Musiri Nandivaram-Guduvancheri Narasingapuram Nellikuppam Nelliyalam Oddanchatram Padmanabhapuram Pallapatti Pallipalayam Periyakulam Pernambut Ponneri Pugalur Puliyankudi Punjai Puliampatti Rameswaram Sattur Sengottai Sholinghur Sirkazhi Surandai Tharamangalam Thirumuruganpoondi Thiruninravur Thiruthuraipoondi Thuvakudi Tiruchendur Tirukoilur Tittakudi Ulundurpettai Usilampatti Vadalur Vandavasi Vellakoil Vikramasingapuram Walajapet

Category:

Cities and towns in Kanyakumari district