Meaning of the names of villages in the Auroville area

The following text lists the possible meaning of the names of the various villages, hamlets and colonies in the Auroville bioregion. The names and descriptions may give the reader an additional insight into the colourful Tamil culture in whose midst the Auroville township is to emerge..
For further information, contact tamil@auroville.org.in

KOTTAKARAI

Edge of the Fort.

EDAIYANCHAVADI

A wayside inn (shelter) of cowherd community.

ALANKUPPAM

A small, beautiful seashore village full of banyan trees.

IRUMBAI MAAKAALAM (IRUMBAI )

Shrine of Mahakaleswara, housing two 'Mothers', Kaali and young Kaali.

KUILAPALAYAM

Village of koel birds. (The koel bird is the symbol of Jeevatma, one's soul. ).

THIRUCHITRAMBALAM

Most revered hall of consciousness. (Similar to Chidhambaram).

NAAVAKKULAM

Pond surrounded by Naval trees (blue berries).

MORATTANDI CHAVADI

A shelter dedicated to a particular 'siddha' - a mendicant who was known for his stubbornness and service.

VANUR

A village connected with the sky. (UR stands for habitat.)

AKASAMPATTU

A tiny village connected with Akash, the sky.

RAVUTHANKUPPAM

Seashore village housing a community of caretakers of horses.

PAPPANCHAVADI

Shelter place of Brahmins (or, a village named after Pappammal).

ACHARAMPATTU

A small village surrounded by certain plants (thorny bush Nerunjil, drumstick trees etc.). Another meaning: a place with a workshop for making axil for bullockcarts.

PULICHAPALLAM ( PULLISAIPALLAM)

Birds singing around the pond.

SANJEEVIRAYAN PETTAI ( SANJEEVI NAGAR)

Sanjeevi , the Lord Hanuman, protector of medicinal plants. It is the village of a chieftain named after Hanuman, Sanjeevi Rayan.

RAYAPETTAI

A market place named after the Raya, the chieftain.

RAYAPUDUPAKKAM

A new small village named after the Raya, the chieftain. (Pudu meaning new.)

OTTAI

Village of deep well diggers.

APPIRAMPATTU

Community of shepherds.

NESAL

Derived from Neydhal, meaning a village with a particular character of seashore culture. Another meaning is water lily. A village with the character of water body.

OTTAMPALAYAM

A camp of earth workers or diggers.

THURUVAI

Sheep farm.

OLINTHIYANPATTU

A village named after a king wearing a garland, 'ulignai', to mark the victory over a strong enemy by capturing his territory.

PERIYAMUDALIYAR CHAVADI

A shelter named after a senior Mudali, one who holds money or capital.

CHINNAMUDALIYAR CHAVADI

A shelter named after the younger Mudali (see above).

PILLAICHAVADY

Pillai means one who is youthful. It also denotes a caste name. A shelter donated by Pillai.

BOMMAIYARPALAYAM

This place was originally called Brahma Puram and later Bomma Puram. There is a spiritual center called Thirumadam, Samadhi of Balayananda Swamy.

KOTTAKUPPAM

The bank protecting the seashore.

MATHUR

This comes from the old name 'matrur', meaning 'another village'.

KASIPALAYAM

This has strong Hindu connections with Varanasi. 'Kasi' means Varanasi (Benares).

MANAVELI

Vast area of sand.

POOTHURAI

A water source with flowers.

KALAPATTU

A fishing village, catchment area of kala, a kind of fish (sturgeon).

PUDDUCHERRY (Pondicherry )

'Cherry' means community; so Pudducherry means a 'new community'. The original name of Pondicherry is Vedapuri, City of the Vedas.