Kangeyam City Map Poster

About Kangeyam

Kangeyam is a major town in the Kongu Nadu region of Tamil Nadu. It was an important trading centre during the British Raj and was known as "Chinna Kangeyam" (Little Kangeyam) to distinguish it from its namesake, Nagercoil (Big Kangeyam), which is now in neighbouring Kerala. The name "Kongunadu" means 'the land of the Kongu people', who are one among several communities that make up Tamilians today.[1] Etymology [ edit ] The word kangayum or kangayai refers to a type of tree with medicinal properties called Terminalia chebula.[2] In ancient times, this area had many such trees and hence came to be known as Kangayum Cholakkada ("a place full of Kangayums"). This later became anglicised into Kanjeevaram and then shortened further into present-day form: Kanjivaram.