kids encyclopedia robot

Kangeyam facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Kangeyam
Historical Town
Sivanmalai temple
Sivanmalai temple
Nickname(s): 
Bull City, Rice and Oil Town
Kangeyam is located in Tamil Nadu
Kangeyam
Kangeyam
Location in Tamil Nadu
Country  India
State Tamil Nadu
District Tiruppur
Taluk Kangeyam
Government
 • Type First Grade Municipality
 • Body Kangeyam Municipality
Area
 • Total 22.17 km2 (8.56 sq mi)
Elevation
310 m (1,020 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total 32,147 (now around 70,000)
Demonym(s) Kangeyan
Languages
 • Official Tamil
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
638701
Telephone code 04257
Vehicle registration TN-42Y
Website municipality.tn.gov.in/kangeyam/

Kangeyam (Tamil: [kaːŋɡeːjam]) is a historic town in the Tamil Nadu state of India. It is part of the Tiruppur district. Kangeyam is known as an important economic hub in Tamil Nadu.

The town is famous for its industries. These include processing rice, making coconut oil, and producing ghee. It is also known for growing groundnuts. Kangeyam is located on National Highway 81. It is about 28 km from Tiruppur, the district headquarters.

History of Kangeyam

Kangeyam was once the capital of an ancient region called KonguNadu. Many old temples dedicated to different clan gods were built around the city.

Long ago, a beryl mine was found near Kangeyam. Beryl is a type of gemstone. This mine produced beryl that was sent to the Roman Empire. Because of this trade, many old Roman coins have been discovered near the town.

Economy and Industries

The economy of Kangeyam mainly relies on processing rice. It also focuses on making coconut oil and ghee. Growing groundnuts is another key activity. Even though the area does not get much rain, farmers grow rice all year.

Rice Processing

Rice from other parts of Tamil Nadu, like Thanjavur, comes to Kangeyam. Rice from states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh is also brought here. It is then processed in over 500 rice mills in the area.

Coconut Oil Production

Coconut oil production started in Kangeyam in the 1980s. This was when farmers in Tamil Nadu began growing coconuts for sale. Today, Kangeyam is one of India's main coconut oil producers. The oil is sold across Tamil Nadu and in other states. It is also sent to other countries.

To make coconut oil, coconut kernels are first dried. These dried kernels are called copra. They are spread out on large fields to dry. Then, they are processed in oil mills. There are about 150 coconut oil factories in and around Kangeyam. Also, about 500 units process and dry copra.

Because of its large rice and coconut oil industries, Kangeyam is sometimes called the "Rice and Oil Town."

Other Industries

Producing ghee is another important business in Kangeyam. The town also makes special ornamental stones. These stones are known as "Moon Stone" and are sold to other countries.

Kangeyam is also a major center for making carbon. This carbon is used in India and exported abroad. The town is also known for building vehicle bodies. These include containers and open-type bodies for vehicles. Some companies that make welded wires are also located here. Many spinning mills and knit cloth factories are found in Kangeyam. This is because it is close to Tiruppur, a big textile hub.

Kangeyam Bull

The Kangeyam Bull is a special type of cattle. It is native to the Kangeyam area. These bulls are known for their great strength. They can work hard even when there isn't much food. They have a strong body with short, sturdy legs. Their hooves are strong, and they have a short neck and a firm hump. They are usually grey or white.

People and Culture

Religion
Religion Percent(%)
Hindu
  
88.86%
Muslim
  
6.22%
Christian
  
3.91%
Other
  
1.01%

In 2011, Kangeyam had a population of 32,147 people. For every 1,000 males, there were 987 females. This was higher than the national average. About 2,811 residents were under six years old.

The town's average literacy rate was 77.7%. This means most people could read and write. This rate was higher than the national average of 72.99%.

Most people in Kangeyam are Hindu (88.86%). There are also communities of Muslims (6.22%) and Christians (3.91%). A small number of people follow other religions or no religion. About 3% of the people live below the poverty line. This is much lower than the national average.

Transportation

Kangeyam has good road connections to many major towns. This is because of its important location. It is on National Highway 81. A state highway also runs through Kangeyam. This road connects Erode, Kangeyam, Dharapuram, and Palani.

The town has two bus stands. One is for local buses that connect Kangeyam to nearby villages. The other is for state buses. These buses connect Kangeyam to other parts of Tamil Nadu.

Other state highways that pass through Kangeyam include:

  • SH 81 (connecting Gobichettipalayam to Kangeyam)
  • SH 96 (connecting Perundurai to Kangeyam)
  • SH 172 (connecting Tiruppur to Kangeyam)
  • SH 83A (connecting Erode, Kangeyam, and Dharapuram)
  • SH 189 (connecting Kangeyam to Kodumudi)

Kangeyam is about 28 km from Tirupur. It is 46 km from Erode and 68 km from Coimbatore.

Famous Landmarks

Kangeyam
Kangeyam Temple

Sivanmalai Temple

Sivanmalai is a Hindu temple. It is located about 4 km from Kangeyam. The temple sits on top of a small hill.

A special tradition at this temple involves a glass box called Aandavan Kattalai. People place certain objects in this box for special prayers. The unique thing is how the object is chosen. Legend says that Lord Sivanmalai Murugan appears in people's dreams. He tells them what object to place in the box. After a devotee confirms this dream, special prayers are held. Then, the object is placed inside the glass box. This box is in a room opposite the main shrine. This is why it is called the Aandavan Kattalai box.

The object placed here is believed to give hints about future national events. The current object stays in the box until Lord Murugan tells another devotee in a dream what new object to place.

Uthiyur Hills

The Uthiyur hills are located 18 km south of Kangeyam town. Many small animal species live here. There are also famous temples in these hills. These include a Murugan temple, a Siththar temple, and an Utchi Pillayar temple.

Public Services

Kangeyam has a 54-bed government hospital. This hospital has been upgraded to a district headquarters hospital. Four Primary Health Centres are also managed by the Kangeyam Health Block. This block is part of the Tiruppur Health Unit District. Besides these, there are several private hospitals in the town. Many schools and colleges are located in and around Kangeyam.

Weather and Climate

Kangeyam South is one of the driest areas in Tamil Nadu. The average rainfall in Kangeyam is about 600 mm per year. The town depends heavily on rainfall during October and November. About 250-300 mm of rain falls during these months.

During the southwest monsoon, there are strong winds. Wind gusts can reach around 70 km per hour. This strong wind results in less rainfall during this period. January to March are usually dry months with no rain. April and May are the hottest months of the year. They often have thunderstorms during the day.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Kangeyam para niños

kids search engine
Kangeyam Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.