The Land of Fireworks
Located in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu is the industrial town of Sivakasi. Sivakasi is the hub of India’s fireworks manufacturing, safety matches manufacturing and offset printing solutions. It is estimated that around 90% of India’s fireworks, 80% of India’s safety matches and 60% of India’s offset printing solutions are produced in Sivakasi. This city of industrious people was rightfully called the Mini Japan of India by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Sivakasi, when compared to other ancient South Indian cities has a rather short history, a little over 600 years. The city derives its name from the Sivalingam brought all the way from Kashi. According to legend a 15th century king from Tenkasi wanted to build a Siva temple in his palace. The king traveled to Kasi and brought the much coveted lingam. The cow which carried the lingam refused to move when it came to Sivakasi; hence it had to be installed in a temple built there. The region came to be known as the land of Shiva lingam brought from Kasi, Sivakasi.
The nearest airport is located at a distance of 70 km in Madurai.
Regular bus services to all towns in the state.
Lies on the Chennai-Thenkashi broad gauge line.
