Kilakarai facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Kilakarai
Municipality
Kilakarai Location in Tamil Nadu
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Ramanathapuram
Taluka	Kilakarai
Government
• Type	Second Grade Municipality
• Body	Municipality of kilakarai
Area
• Total	2.45 km² (0.95 sq mi)
Area rank	5
Elevation	17 m (56 ft)
Population
• Total	38,355
• Rank	2
• Density	15,660/km² (40,550/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Kilakaraian
Languages
• Official	Tamil
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	623 517
Telephone code	91 4567
Vehicle registration	TN 65
Distance from Chennai	558 kilometres (347 mi) S
Distance from Bengaluru	539 kilometres (335 mi) S
Distance from Madurai	132 kilometres (82 mi) E
Distance from Ramanathapuram	18 kilometres (11 mi) S
Distance from Coimbatore	365 kilometres (227 mi) W
Distance from Tuticorin	121 kilometres (75 mi) N
Distance from Tiruchirappalli	229 kilometres (142 mi) S
Climate	BSh (Köppen)
Precipitation	909 millimetres (35.8 in)
Avg. summer temperature	31 °C (88 °F)
Avg. winter temperature	24 °C (75 °F)

Kilakarai (also spelled Kilakkarai or Keelakarai) is a town in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is a municipality located on the eastern coast. In 2011, about 38,355 people lived here. Kilakarai is also one of the areas, or Talukas, within the Ramanathapuram District.

History
Demographics
Educational institutions
- Schools
- Colleges
Photo gallery
See also

History

Kilakarai's Past as a Port

Kilakarai is an old coastal town and port in southern Tamil Nadu. For a long time, it was a very busy seaport. It was a main entry point for goods going to places like Madurai until the early 1900s. The famous pearl fishing area, known as the Gulf of Mannar, is nearby. This gulf has many small islands like Appa Tivu and Musal Tivu.

The coast of Kilakarai has many small bays and coral reefs. These natural features protect the town from the open ocean. Kilakarai has been known by many names throughout history. Some of these names include "Quilicare," "Korkai," and "Powthira Manicka Pattinam."

Changes Over Time

In the past, people in Kilakarai mainly worked in pearl diving, collecting conch shells, and sea trade. They also transported goods by sea. However, around the mid-1900s, these jobs started to decline. This happened because new ways of transport, like roads, became popular. This meant fewer ships were needed, and Kilakarai stopped being a major port.

The pearl industry also faced problems. New ways of growing pearls and fishing methods that harmed coral reefs caused the pearl trade to shrink. Rules and restrictions also led to a decline in the conch and coral industries.

Community and Culture

Kilakarai is well-known for its strong community spirit. Most people living here are Muslim, but people of other faiths, like Hindus and Christians, also live together peacefully. A great example of this harmony is seen in the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram and the Kilakarai Jumma Pallivasal (mosque). Both buildings have similar designs. The workers for these buildings were provided by the old ruler, Sethupathi of Ramnad. Most of the building materials came from Kilakarai's merchant ships. The town's buildings often remind people of old Spanish architecture. It is about 60 kilometers southwest of Rameswaram.

Kilakarai is home to the Palaiya Kuthba Palli, which is one of the oldest mosques in India. It has a unique history that goes back more than 1300 years, even before Islam arrived in the area.

Education and Modern Life

When sea trade declined, many people from Kilakarai moved to other parts of the world. Because of this, many people from Kilakarai now live abroad. The town also has a high number of educated people. This has helped people from Kilakarai become successful traders in the Middle East, Far East, US, and European markets.

Hameedia Primary School started as a religious school (Madrasa) in 1870. It slowly grew and became a registered school in 1938. This was thanks to the efforts of K.T.M. Hussain Sahib. The school celebrated its 150th year in 2020. Many important people from Kilakarai, including founders of big companies, are alumni of this school.

In the 1970s, as marine trade decreased, more people moved abroad for work. Now, some people are starting to return home. Events like the Kilakarai Trade Fair are held every year. These fairs help people find jobs, learn about new business chances, and offer free medical camps. Leading companies and institutions take part in these events.

The Hameedia High School, founded in the 1940s, also helped more students from Kilakarai go to college. With the opening of the Mohamed Sathak Engineering College and then the Thassim Beevi Abdul Kader College for Women, more and more young people from this town are getting college degrees.

Kilakarai became a local council (panchayat) in 1885. It has since been upgraded several times. In 2004, it became a Third Grade Municipality. The Muslim community in Kilakarai is known for its generosity. They often help people in need, including groups like the Dalits in Tirunelveli.

Demographics

Religious census
Religion			Percent(%)
Muslims			79.92%
Hindus			17.60%
Christian			1.16%
Sikh			0.01%
Jain			0.00%
Not stated			1.31%

Based on the 2011 census, Kilakarai had a population of 38,355 people. For every 1,000 males, there were 948 females. This number is higher than the national average of 929 females per 1,000 males. About 4,391 children were under the age of six.

The average literacy rate in Kilakarai was 82.63%. This is higher than the national average of 72.99%. This means most people in the town can read and write. The town had 7,448 households. There were 12,033 workers in total. Most of these workers (10,765) had other jobs, while a smaller number worked in farming or household industries.

The 2011 census also showed the religious makeup of Kilakarai. About 79.92% of the people were Muslims. Hindus made up 17.6% of the population. Christians were 1.16%, and very small numbers were Sikhs or Jains. About 1.31% followed other religions.

Educational institutions

Schools

Hairathul Jalaliah Higher Secondary School – East street
Magdoomiah High School – OJM Street
Kannadi Vappa International School – Kanjirangudi
Hameediah Matriculation Higher Secondary School – West Street
Islamiah Matriculation Higher secondary school – South Street
Islamiah High School – South Street
Mohaideeniah Matriculation Higher secondary school – North street
Sathakathun Jariyah Middle School – Middle Street
Hameediyah Boys Higher Secondary School – Mulluvadi
Hameediyah Girls Higher Secondary School – West Street
Hameediah Primary School – West Street . founded in 1870
Nooraniah Matriculation School – New Street
Dheeniyah Matriculation Higher Secondary School – East Street
Pearl Matriculation School – Kilakarai
Al Bayyinah Matriculation School – East Street
P.s.Subramanian Jayalakshmi Nadar Matriculation School - Kilakarai

Colleges

Mohamed Sathak Engineering College
Thassim Beevi Abdul Kader College for Women
Syed Hameedha Arts and Science College
Mohamed Sathak Polytechnic College
Mohamed Sathak I.T.I (Industrial Training Institute)
Arusiyyah Arabic College
Syed Hameedha Arabic College
Bukhari Aalim Arabic College

Photo gallery

KILAKARAI STONE BEACH
I LOVE KILAKARAI
KILAKARAI STREET VIEW
KILAKARAI MOSQUE
EID CELEBRATION AT KILAKARAI
KILAKARAI OLD BRIDGE
KILAKARAI LIGHTHOUSE
Interior of Odakarai Palli (masjid)
Odakarai Palli (masjid) under conservation
Masjid ul Jamiah
Masjid ul Jamiah (3rd oldest masjid of Kilakarai)
Masjid ul Jamiah
Corridor in Masjid ul Jamiah
Interior of Masjid ul Jamiah
Interior of Palaiya Jumma Palli or The Old Jumma Masjid of Kilakarai, the oldest masjid of India
Amir ul Muminin Abu Baker Siddiq Palli (masjid)
Tombstone with Arabic & Tamil (Arwi) inscription (at The Old Jumma Masjid of Kilakarai)
Kulangarai Appa Palli (masjid), East Street, Kilakkarai
Interior of Kulangarai Appa Palli (masjid), East Street, Kilakkarai
Typical street