INTRODUCTION

Temple Architectures, Sculptures, paintings, plates and Inscriptions are the main building blocks of the History and culture of a place or nation. Temples like Kanchipuram, Thiruvannamalai, Thirupathi Tirumala, Thirukkoyilur in Thondai Mandalam has contributed to the rich and variety of the History and Culture of Tamilnadu, Devikapuram Village is one among them.

Devikapuram is Known for “City of Goddess”, “The Birth Place of the King Krishnadevaraya”, “Production of Silk Sarees” and also famous for ancient temples and monuments. Devikapuram is situated in the Arni Taluk of the Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. In the past, this place was mapped as, “Murugamangalam Paru in Melkundra Nadu - a sub division of Jayankonda Cholamandalam – The kingdom of the Chola Emperors. In the Sangam age, the Jayankonda Cholamandalam was called as Thondai Mandalam or Thondai Nadu.

LOCATION

Devikapuram is situated in Polur – Cheyyar State Highway (No:115). From Polur 14 Kms to East, from Chetput 12 Kms to West, from Arni 21 Kms to South. This village is very well connected from all major cities surrounded – Chennai, Kanchipuram, Vellore etc. Devikapuram is also connected by Rail route – Polur, the nearest railway station. Geographically, Devikapuram is situated in 12’30 N and 79’15 E.

ADMINISTRATION

Devikapuram is a large village panchayat, administered by the Village President. The panchayat comes under the West Arni block of the Thiruvannamalai district, Tamilnadu. Having a population of 15000, Devikapuram is divided into 12 wards and 22 streets. In the revenue part, The Village Administrative Officer (VAO), appointed by the Tamilnadu Government administers Devikapuram, which comes under Vinnamangalam Firka in Arni Taluk.

EDUCATION

Devikapruam is emerging as an educational hub of this region. It has a Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Govt. Girls High School and 3 Primary Schools (Balwadis) and two private schools – the Cluny Matriculation School and the Vinayaka Matriculation School. Devikapuram is now surrounded by engineering colleges - the Annamalaiyar Engineering College at Modaiyur, Oxford Engineering College at Venmani and Government Engineering College at Tathchur. So, the students from in and around Devikapuram have more opportunity to pursue their higher studies.

SOCIETY

Devikapuram, being a larger village with people from different religions and commuities living, the people are living in peace and integration. This communal integration can be known during the car festival popularly known as the “Ther Thiruvizha” or the “Panguni Uthira Thiruvizha”, a15 day mega festival of the village. The festival’s each day events are sponsored by each community living in the village and the hear by villages.

OCCUPATION

Agriculture and weaving of Silk sarees (Handloom) are the main occupations of the people of Devikapuram. There are hundreds of acres of dry and wet lands available in the village for irrigation. Paddy, Sugarcane, Groundnut and Cereals are the major agricultural crops. Agriculture is the livelihood for major portion of the people in the village.

Silk saree production is another important occupation of the people. The weaving of silk sarees (handlooms) dates back to the 15th century, according to the evidences in the inscriptions available in the premises of Sri Periyanayagi Amman Temple. The weaving of silk sarees are grouped into 3 kinds of looms (patterns) namely 1) Dabi 2) Jakkard and 3) Korvai. The woven silk sarees are exported to major & leading cloth stores like Kumaran Silks, Pothys, Nalli Silks, The Chennai Silks etc through which these sarees are bought by Indian and NRI customers across the globe. The sarees are famously identified and named as Arni Silk and Kancheepuram Silk, once they are available in the market.

Devikapuram is a wonderful, peaceful, spiritual and natural village.