Kayamozhi
Kayamozhi is a village situated 9 km west of Thiruchendur in Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India. The village was established in the 16th century as the capital of the former Vadapattu region. It is located at an elevation of 15 metres above mean sea level.
Civics
Administration
Kayamozhi is administered as a village panchayat. The administrative offices located in the village include the Kayamozhi Panchayat Office and the Village Administrative Officer Office. The key administrative officials are the Village Administrative Officer, the Village Panchayat President, and the Panchayat Secretary.Demographics
As of 2022, Kayamozhi has a total population of 5,497, comprising 2,552 males and 2,945 females. The literacy rate of the village is 85%.Religion
According to available data, the majority of the population in Kayamozhi follows Hinduism, while smaller proportions adhere to Islam and Christianity:Caste
The population of Kayamozhi includes various communities such as Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and certain nomadic tribes. Scheduled Castes constitute an estimated 30–40 percent of the population.Geography
Kayamozhi lies within the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu.Economy
The economy of Kayamozhi is primarily dependent on agriculture.Government schemes
Several government schemes are implemented in the village, including:- Mahatma Gandhi Rural Empowerment Scheme
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Facilities and utilities
Educational institutions
Kayamozhi has several educational institutions, including:- S. B. Aditanar Government Higher Secondary School, Kayamozhi
- Govindammal Aditanar Girls Higher Secondary School, Kayamozhi
- Five primary schools and three Anganwadi centres
Electricity
The Kayamozhi Electricity Board Office, located on Sadhukkai Street, provides electricity to Kayamozhi and nearby hamlets.Finance and banking
- Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank, Kayamozhi
- Kayamozhi Primary Agricultural Co-operative Society
Post offices
- Kayamozhi Sub Office
- Subramaniyapuram Sub Office
Health and welfare
- Government Primary Healthcare Centre and Hospital, Kayamozhi
- Government Boys' Hostel, Kayamozhi
- Government Girls' Hostel, Kayamozhi
Library
There are two public libraries, one located near S. B. Aditanar Government Higher Secondary School and another on Bazaar Street.Ration shops
- Valluvar Nagar Ration Shop
- Kumarasamy Puram Ration Shop
Other services
- Electronic governance services: Kayamozhi e-Sevai Centre and Kayamozhi Co-operative Society
- Veterinary care: Veterinary Hospital, Kayamozhi
Landmarks
Kayamozhi is bordered on the west by the Kayamozhi Red Sand Desert.Temples and places of worship
Kayamozhi and its surrounding hamlets have several notable temples, mosques, and churches. Important religious sites include:| Name | Location | Festival | Notes |
| Arulmigu Muppudathi Amman Temple | Ammankovil Street, south of Kayamozhi | Aadi Temple Festival | Mahakumbabishekam was performed in 2013. |
| Karkuvel Ayyanar Temple | Therikudieruppu, west of Kayamozhi | Kallar Vettu Festival | — |
| Vanangamudi Ayyanar and Ariyanachi Amman Temple | Therikudieruppu, west of Kayamozhi | Annual temple festival | — |
| Sri Thirumal Ayyanar Sri Muthu Mariamman Thirukovil | Therikudieruppu, west of Kayamozhi | Mahashivaratri | — |
| Karayadi Sudalai Madasamy Temple | West of Kayamozhi | Festival on the first Tuesday of Purattasi | — |
| Shri Mayandi Swamy Temple | South of Kayamozhi | Festival on the first Friday of Aavani | Believed to be about 100 years old. |
| Shri Oor Katha Perumal Swamy Temple | Subramaniyapuram, northeast of Kayamozhi | Festival on the first Friday of Purattasi | Temple is about 100 years old. |
| Sri Narayana Swamy Temple | Subramaniyapuram, northeast of Kayamozhi | Guru Pooja | Temple is about 100 years old. |
| Manthira Moorthy Swamy Temple | Kumarasamy Puram, north of Kayamozhi | Festival on the first Tuesday of Thai | Believed to be about 165 years old. |
| Sri Narayana Swamy Temple and Sri Aananda Parameshwarar Temple | Kumarasamy Puram, north of Kayamozhi | Guru Pooja, Maha Shivaratri, Paal Kudam | A brass Nataraja idol was reportedly discovered in 2012. |
| Arulmigu Sivananaindha Perumal Temple | Kandasamy Puram, north of Kayamozhi | Temple festival | — |
| Arulmigu Narayanaswamy Temple | Kandasamy Puram, north of Kayamozhi | Guru Pooja | — |
| Jaria Masjid – Muhaideen Aandavar Masjid | Muslim Street, south of Kayamozhi | Kandhuri, Ramzan | — |
| Churches | Therikudieruppu and Aarumugapuram | Christmas, Asanam festival | — |
Tourist spots
The following are some of the notable tourist attractions located in and around Kayamozhi:| S. No. | Nearest tourist spot | Location / Distance |
| 1 | Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple 1 2 | Tiruchendur |
| 2 | Tiruchendur Seashore | Tiruchendur |
| 3 | Sri Mutharamman Temple 1 2 | Kulasekharapatnam |
| 4 | Kulasekharapatnam Beach | Kulasekharapatnam |
| 5 | Karkuvel Ayyanar Temple 1 2 | Therikudieruppu |
| 6 | Arunchunai Kaatha Ayyanar Temple 1 | Melaputhukudi |
| 7 | Vanathirupathi Sri Nivasa Perumal Temple | Punnaiyadi / Punnai Nagar, Katchanavilai |
| 8 | Manapad Church and Seashore | Manapad |
| 9 | Kayalpatnam Mosque and Beach | Kayalpatnam |
| 10 | Nava Thirupathi Temples | Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts |
| 11 | Nava Kailasam Temples | Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts |
Indicates presence of a pond or beach.
Notabilities
Notable persons
- S. B. Aditanar
- Sivanthi Aditanar – Founder of the Daily Thanthi newspaper
Notable events
- Scenes from Surya's Singam and Vijay's Villu were filmed in Kayamozhi. Scenes from Dhanush's Asuran and Vishal's Thaambirabharani were also shot here.
- Inauguration of the S. B. Aditanar statue and the P. Ramachandra Aditanar Memorial Hall.