Perumukkal

Perumukkal is a small village in the Tindivanam municipality of the Villuppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The major occupation of its residents is agriculture. In 2011 it had a population of 3,000.EtymologyDuring the Chola dynasty, Perumukkal was known as "perumukkilaana gangai konda nalloor" (பெருமுக்கிலான கங்கை கொண்ட நல்லூர்). The current name is an abbreviation of this earlier title.LocationPerumukkal is located 12km east of Tindivanam, 25km west of Marakkanam on the Tindivanam-Marakkanam road.Hospitals/ClinicsThe medical centers in Perumukkal include Sakthi Hospital, Suresh Clinic, Akshaya Clinic, Sabari Hospital, Nikesh Hospital, Sathiah Hospital, and Sweetysaran Hospital.Historical SitesThe recorded history of Perumukkal dates back six millennia. Historical landmarks in Perumukkal include the 4000 B.C.E. Petroglyph, the 7th century Mukthialeeswarar Temple, the ruined Kamatchiamman temple, and a Dargah.PetroglyphsPetroglyphs are found in Sita Cave, which is located at the top of a hill near the village. Local people believe Sita, the central female character in the Hindu epic Ramayana, lived in this cave. This is the only petroglyph ever discovered in Tamil Nadu and is one of the four found in India. These petroglyphs are similar to the Egyptian Hieroglyphics letters and hence are believed to be from around 4000 B.C.E. However, some researchers date these to the megalithic age.