Sivakasi

Sivakasi (also pronounced Shivakaashi) is a city in Virudhunagar District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The city is known for firecrackers and match factories that produce 70% of the country's output. The printing industries in Sivakasi produce 30% of the total diaries produced in India. The industries in Sivakasi employ over 25,000 people and the estimated turnover of the firecracker, match making and printing industries in the city is around ₹20 billion (US$210 million). It is the largest city in Virudhunagar district. Sivakasi was established in the 15th century during the reign of the Pandya king Harikesari Parakkirama Pandian. The city was a part of Madurai and has been ruled at various times by Later Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Chanda Sahib, the Carnatic kingdom and the British. A major riot against the British Raj took place in Sivakasi in 1899. Sivakasi has a dry climate, making it suitable for dry crops like cotton, chilies and millets. Badhrkali Amman Temple is the most prominent landmark of Sivakasi, and the temple festivals constitute the major festivals of the city. AJ and Hatsun Indoor Stadium has a coaching centre for badminton and is the major sporting venue of the city. Sivakasi is a part of Sivakasi constituency and elects its member of legislative assembly every five years, and a part of the Virudhunagar constituency that elects its member of parliament. Sivakasi is locally administered by a municipal corporation which covers an area of 6.8 km2 (2.6 sq mi). Roadways are the major mode of transport, in addition to a railway which runs through the city. As of 2021, Sivakasi has an estimated population of 160,047.