Tharuvaikulam

Tharuvaikulam is a Village in Thoothukudi District of Tamil Nadu, South India. There are about 3000, mostly Catholic families living there. It boasts of some of the best Prawn hatcheries and Salt Pans in Tamil Nadu. It falls under the Roman Catholic diocese of Thoothukudi and the feast of St.Michael is a popular religious festival.Geography and LocationTharuvaikulam is located 10 km from the town Thoothukudi in sea shore of Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu, Ottapidaram Taluk. Catholic Nadar settlement is believed to have started as early as 1750. At that time the village was attached to Kaamanaikanpatti Parish and then to Vembar and finally separate Taruvaikulam Parish came into existence in the year 1907. In the olden days the people living here were fully depended on the palm tree and fishing.Later in 1974 a match factory have been started by Rev. Fr. Ambrose which provided jobs and income to thousands of villagers.Mathar Sangam developed in these days. They did much social work.A primary health center is run by state government benefiting the villagers.Places of interestChurch of St. MichaelThe first stone built church was built in the year 1875 and the present church was built in the year 1922. The 85 ft tower was built in the year 1960 by Rev.Fr.Maria Manikam by receiving contributions from the villagers. This Roman Catholic church, with its towering steeple, was built in 1922 and symbolizes the faith of the people living there. From 20 to 29 September (10 days) the church attracts a huge crowd for the feast of St. Michael, which is celebrated with religious pomp and gaiety.