In the Tamil Nadu region of India’s Ariyalur district sits Jayankondam, a First Grade Municipality. The town’s population was 46,000 in 2023.
Large lignite reserves have been discovered here, and the Neyveli Lignite Corporation has started power projects. Nearby this village are more than twenty-five temples from different eras of history. With about 2000 students enrolled, the Government Higher Secondary School located in Jayankondam is as old as the town itself.
Location
Jayankondam has excellent road connectivity. This town is on the NH-81 national highway, which links Tiruchirapalli and Chidambaram. This town is traversed by state highway SH-140, which links Virudachalam and Kumbakonam. Chennai is situated 247 km away. Kumbakonam is located 29 km south of Jayankondam and can be reached by the Neelathanallur-Mathanathur bridge. It’s 38 km west of Ariyalur. Chidambaram is 50 km to the east while Viruthachalam is 36 km to the north.
The town limit of Jayankondam covers a 28 km area.
History
Jayankondam’s full name is Jayankondacholapuram. Nellimanagramam is the original name. During the reign of King Rajendracholan (ராஜேந்திரசோழஹ்), the place was called Jayankondacholapuram (ஜெயங்கொண்டபுரம்) since Rajendra and his son had won numerous battles and campaigns. During the British administration, Jayankondam was formed as a town panchayat. After Perambalur, Jayankondam was elevated to the rank of second municipality in the Perambalur district.
Administration and Politics
Jayankondam is a municipality of second class. Every five years, the Jayankondam State Assembly Constituency, which includes Jayankondam, elects a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Jayankondam was a part of the Perambalur Lok Sabha constituency before 2009. Jayankondam became a part of the Chidambaram Lok Sabha constituency in 2009.
Transportation
The following important roads pass through Jayankondam: NH81 – Trichy – Jayankondam – Chidambaram; SH140 – Kumbakonam – Jayankondam – Virudhachalam; NH36 – Kumbakonam – Vikravandi; and SH139 Jayankondam – Ariyalur. The bus stop at Jayankondam is situated in the town core. The Kumbakonam Corporation’s Trichy region oversees the TNSTC Jayankondam branch. Kumbakonam, Mayiladudurai, Virudhachalam, Trichy, Chidambaram, Cuddalore, Puducherry, Neyveli, Thanjavur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thuraiyur, Salem, Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Palani, Madurai, Hosur, Banglore are among the surrounding places that are served by government and private buses from the Jayankondam bus terminal. The closest train stations are in Kumbakonam, which is 30 km away, Ariyalur, which is 38 km away, and Virudhachalam Junction, which is 40 km away. Tiruchirappalli International Airport, which is 98 kilometers distant, is the closest. Karaikal Port is the closest seaport.
Places near Jayankondam
During Rajendra Chola I’s rule in approximately 1025, Gangaikonda Cholapuram became the capital of the Chola dynasty and remained so for about 250 years. The community is around 8 kilometers away from Jayankondam. Rajendra Chola I established the city as a tribute to his triumph over the Pala Dynasty. The town’s name translates to “The town of the Chola who battled the monarchs near Ganga” or “who took over Ganga (water from Ganga). Now a little community, the huge Brihadisvara Temple is the last reminder of the village’s former grandeur.
UNESCO has designated the temple as a World Heritage monument. The entire southern region of India up to the Thungabadhra River in the north was part of the Chola empire. They constructed another capital, which they called Gangaikondacholapuram, for strategic and administrative reasons.
Jayankondam is 15 km away from Anaikarai. It is believed that the Lower Anaicut, which Sir Arthur Cotton constructed in the 19th century AD across Coleroon, the main Cauvery distributary, is a copy of Kallanai. The primary industries in Anaikarai, where there are about 2000 families, are farming and fishing. It’s a well-known location for river fish.
Jayankondam’s PIN (Postal Index) code is 621802. The post offices located in the vicinity of Angarayanallur, Chinnavalayam, Kaluvanthondi, Karadikulam, Kilakudiyiruppu, Periyavalayam, and Sengunthapuram also have the same pin.