Virudhunagar District is bordered by
Madurai District in the north,
Sivagangai District in the north-east,
Ramanathapuram District in the east and
Tirunelveli and
Tuticorin districts in the south. It has an area of 4,243 sq km. With a literacy rate of 63%, Virudhunagar has a total population of around 1.7 million. It has a semi-arid climate and the temperature varies from 20° C to 37° C.
Export quality granites, different grades of limestone and minerals such as clay and gypsum are found. The chief crops are cotton, pulses, oilseeds and millets. Periyar and Kovilar at Pilavakkal in
Watrap are the major reservoirs, and Vaippar, Arjuna nadi and
Gundar are the major rivers.
Kamarajar's House, Pilavakkal Dam near Watrap, Andal Koil at Srivilliputhur, Boominatharkoil and birth place of Ramana Maharishi at Thiruchuli, Ayyanar falls and Sastha Koil near Thevathanam,
Rajapalayam are the major tourist attractions.
The main pilgrim centers are Andal Thirukkovil, Irukkankudi Mariamman Temple, Boominathar temple, Srinivasaperumalkoil and Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. Pongal, Adiperukku, Krithika Deepam, temple car festival, Chitra and Brahmotsavam are the major festivals. Other important fairs and festivals include Iyanar koil festival, Vailukanthamman koil festival, Perumal koil festival, Kannicheri Pudur fair, Muthalamman festival and Mullai Kottai Mariamman koil festival.
