Basic Details
Kalmandapam is a gram‑panchayat village in Nettapakkam Commune, Bahour Taluk, Puducherry UT. It’s located roughly 24 km west of Puducherry city and about 1 km east of Nettapakkam, near the Puducherry–Tamil Nadu border. The PIN code is 605106 and the telephone STD code is 0413 .
Key Landmark
The village derives its name from a distinctive stone-pillared mandapam (hall) near a temple dedicated to Sri Angala Parameswari, often called Kal‑mandapam (“stone pavilion”). A seasonal lotus‑and‑white lily pond beside the Nagathamman Temple enriches the cultural landscape. The site is celebrated annually during the temple festival .
Settlements
Kalmandapam forms part of the Kalmandapam–Pandasozhanallur ward in Nettapakkam Commune. It neighbors Nettapakkam (W), Earipakkam (N), Mitta Mandagapattu TN (E), and Pandasozhanallur (S) .
Streets & Amenities
Major roads: State Highway RC‑19 (Mangalam–Maducarai), along with connectors to Pandasozhanallur and Earipakkam .
Village features: Panchayat office, Anganwadi, PDS ration shop, and a small temple‑premises pond.
Transport:
Buses plying Puducherry–Maducarai route pass through Kalmandapam .
Nearest railway: Valavanur Halt (~5 km), and major hub Viluppuram Junction (~20 km).
Geography & Resources
The village spans approximately 6.5 km², covering flattened clay‑loam lands irrigated by canal and dug‑well systems. It lies adjacent to RC‑19 and is part of the fertile Malattaru–Paravanar plains, supporting paddy, sugarcane, and vegetable cultivation .
Population & Lifestyle
Population: ~517 people (252 M, 265 F) in ~110 households .
Sex ratio: 1,052 F/1,000 M; higher than regional average.
Languages: Tamil, English, French (reflecting Puducherry’s trilingual policy).
Economy: Primarily agriculture; village festivals under the temple shade foster community cohesion.
Transport
By Road:
On main RC‑19, providing direct bus connectivity toward Puducherry and Maducarai.
Road junctions include RC‑21 at Nettapakkam, enhancing east/west connectivity .
By Rail:
Nearest minor halt at Valavanur (~5 km).
Major rail access via Viluppuram Junction (~20 km).
By Car/Taxi:
~25 km drive from Puducherry, taking about 30–35 minutes by road .
✅ Summary
Kalmandapam is a small, culturally rich village in Puducherry’s Bahour Taluk. Known for its ancient stone-pillared mandapam, temple pond, and traditional festivals, it hosts around 500 residents who rely on agriculture and local governance. Strategically positioned on RC‑19 with decent bus access, and close to Nettapakkam and Puducherry, the village is a peaceful junction between heritage and rural life.