Basic Details
Panamalaipettai (commonly called Panamalai) is a gram-panchayat village in Kanai (Vikravandi) Block, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu. It spans approximately 998 hectares (9.98 km²), with the PIN code 605201, served via Anadhapuram (~1 km). It sits about 23 km north of Viluppuram and 9 km west of Kanai.
Key Landmark
The village is renowned for the Talagirisvara Temple (Thalagireeshwarar Temple), a 7th-century Pallava rock-cut shrine seated atop a hillock beside Panamalai lake. Crafted by Narasimhavarman II (“Rajasimha”), it features an Andhra-style vimana, Somaskanda panel, lion-pillars, and rare mural remnants—a gem of Pallava architecture.
Settlements
Panamalai Panchayat includes two core habitations: Panamalai and Panamalai Colony, plus Umaiyalpuram. Nearby villages like Nangathur, Anniyur, Kaliyanampoondi, Nallapalayam, and Konalur lie within a 1–5 km radius.
Streets & Amenities
Main streets connect to:
Temple Road leading to Talagirisvara Temple
School Street and Anganwadi
Public amenities include:
Panchayat-Union Middle School (Grades 1–8) and GHSS Panamalai Pettai (Grades 6–12)
PDS Ration Shop, Anganwadi Centre
Water tanks, hand-pumps, bus stop
Tea stalls, grocery shops, and meeting spots
Geography & Resources
Stretching across ~998 hectares:
247 ha irrigated via tanks/wells
289 ha under cultivation
Remaining area fallow or non-agricultural
The Talagirisvara hill overlooks a scenic lake at the village foot.
Population & Lifestyle
According to the 2011 Census:
Population: 5,694 (2,880 M / 2,814 F) in 1,370 households
Sex ratio: 977 F per 1,000 M
Child (0–6 yrs): 691 (12%)
SC: 18.7% (~1,065); ST: 1.7% (~95)
Literacy: 81.8% (Male 90.1%, Female 73.5%)
Workers: ~2,419 (62% main workers; 253 cultivators, 643 agri-labourers)
Life centers around farming (paddy, sugarcane, groundnut), the Pallava-era temple, school events, and tea stall meet-ups.
Transport
🛣️ Bus: Public and private buses stop within the village, connecting to Viluppuram, Kanai, Vikravandi, and neighboring hamlets
🚉 Rail: No station within 10 km; nearest are Viluppuram Junction (~23 km) or Mambalapattu Halt (~5 km)
✅ Summary
Panamalaipettai is a large, historically-rich agrarian village, renowned for its 7th-century Talagirisvara Temple. With nearly 5,700 residents, high literacy (~82%), and strong agricultural output, it serves as both a cultural landmark and productive rural hub. Infrastructure includes schools up to Grade 12, civic amenities, and reliable transport connections.