Why they named me? (the name where you live)

Do you know the story behind your name? Yes. Almost all of us know why our name was chosen though we don’t enjoy the liberty of choosing it. We all have interesting stories or purpose behind our name.

So my next question is, do you know the story behind the name of the place you live? Yes? The story or reason behind the name of the places you visit? No. Almost all of us will be/are unaware of this.

I hear a question. ‘Why should I know the story, after all?’ 

Ok. Why do think knowing the reason behind your name is interesting or important? The answer you get here can answer the question I just heard.

If you are not interested or never tried knowing your name’s history, I have something to tell you. Bye, take care, see you later.

Otherwise, following here are interesting details about few places we know, we have been to, but never gave a thought to know its name with the purpose.

Coimbatore

This second largest city of Tamilnadu state takes the name from a historical origin.

Story 1

Cosan+ puthur ; Cosanputhur; Covanputhur; Covaiputhur;  Coimbatore. ‘Kosan’ are the group of people who ruled over small towns, lived in huts and reared cattle breeds (‘ko’ in Tamil means cow). Since this region was under their rule back in time, the name became.

Story2

Co(Ko -king)+ am(beautiful) +puthur(a new place); Coyamputhur; Coimbatore. It’s been told that a King who visited a temple near the place, was swept away by the beauty of the place and gave this name which means ‘King’s beautiful new town’.

Salem

Story1

Cheran+am; Cheralam;Salem. Chera is ancient dynasty in India. Since the place was ruled by Cheras, the place got this name. It’s seen in the inscriptions.

Story2

Sayilam; Saylam; Salem. Sayilam in Sanskrit means mountain. Since this plce has lot of mountains (malai) such as Nagarmalai in the north, Jeragamalai in the south, Kanjanamalai in the west and Godumalai in the east, this place was given the name.

Erode

One among the handloom hubs of the Tamilnadu state

Story 1
Iru (two) + oodai (stream); Iruoodai; Erodai; Erode. The recent studies suggests that the name Erode has come from the existence of two streams in the city namely Perumpallam and Kalingarayan canal.

Story 2
Eeram (wet) + oodu (skull); Eeramanaoodu; Eeraoodu; Erodu; Erode. The reason goes back to the story of Lord Shiva and the ‘Yagna’ (yaagam). The disputes followed the yagna and Bramha’s skull was thrown in the Cauvery River at this district. The skull is said to be wet and thus the name evolved.


Vellore

The most wanted medical (CMC) and educational(VIT) hub of the south.

Story 1
Vela (babul tree) +oor (town); Velavoor; Veloor; Vellore. This place is said to have vela tree in abundance and hence given this name.

Story 2
Vel (a weapon) +oor(town); Veloor; Vellore. Acording to a division if Hinduism, it is trusted that Lord Muruga was born from a lotus pond in this place with the weapon, vel.


Madurai

It is noted as the temple city of Tamilnadu.

Story 1
Marudha ( Saj tree) + thurai (area); Marudhathurai; Madurai. Since Saj trees can be seen at the banks of river Vaigai flowing here, the place was named so meaning ‘The Place of Saj trees’

Story 2
Madhuram (sweet); Madurai. According to Hinduism, a sweet liquid (Madhuram) flowed from Lord Shiv’s head. This place was named after this.

(to be continued...)