PV Kalathur (also known as Pon Vilaintha Kalathur or P.V. Kalathur) is a village located approximately 10 km south of Chengalpattu in the Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is situated about 10 km west of Tirukalukundram. The village falls under the Tirukalukundram taluka and is governed as a Gram Panchayat.
Etymology
The Tamil name "Pon Vilaintha Kalathur" (பொன் விளைந்த களத்தூர்) translates to "the field where gold was harvested," referring to a local tradition that gold was once harvested in the fields of this village.
Demographics
According to the 2011 Census of India, PV Kalathur has a total population of 4,720 people, comprising 2,343 males and 2,377 females. The village has 1,174 households and a sex ratio of 1,014 females per 1,000 males. The literacy rate is 64.13%, with male literacy at 72.30% and female literacy at 56.08%. The village includes 578 individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes and 188 to Scheduled Tribes.
History and Culture
PV Kalathur is historically associated with the Tamil poet Pugazhendi (also spelled Pukazhendi), who authored the epic Nala Venba (நளவெண்பா) during the Chola period. The blind poet Veeraraghava Mudaliar, Padikkasu Thambiran, and Kootruva Nayanar (one of the 63 Nayanmars of the Shaiva tradition) are also said to have lived here.
The village contains the Sri Kothandaramar Temple (Pattabhi Ramar shrine) located in the Sri Parankusa Agraharam. This temple was renovated approximately 500 years ago by the third Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt, Sri Parankusa Yateendra Mahadesikan, and later by the sixth Jeer. The 35th Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt, known as "Kalathur Azhagiya Singar," and the Indian independence leader Salem C. Vijayaraghavachariar were born in the Parankusa Agraharam of PV Kalathur.
Temples
There are at least five temples in the village, including:
- Amman Kovil
- Dharmaraja Temple
- Sri Lakshmi Narasimhan Temple (ஸ்ரீ லக்ஷ்மிநரசிம்ஹன் திருக்கோவில்)
- Arulmigu Munkudumeeswarar Temple (அருள்மிகு முன்குடுமீஸ்வரர் ஆலயம்) — an ancient Shiva temple said to have been built by Rajendra Chola, over 1,000 years old, with the deity known as Munkudumeeswarar (the Lord with a front tuft of hair), associated with a local legend.
- Sri Kothandaramar Temple (Pattabhi Ramar)
Education
- P.P. Government High School, PV Kalathur (also known as Pugazhendi Pulavar Government Higher Secondary School)
Transportation
The nearest railway station is Ottivakkam, which is within walking distance of the village. The village is connected by an all-weather road and is served by public bus services. The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport, approximately 35 km away. The pin code for PV Kalathur is 603405.
Geography
PV Kalathur covers a total geographical area of 1,214.21 hectares. The village is surrounded by several nearby settlements, including Pudupakkam to the northwest, Ponpathirkoodam to the southeast, Venbakkam to the south, and Adavilagam to the northeast. PV Kalathur Lake is located in the vicinity.
