Thalaivasal

In Tamil, the word Thalai means "head", and vasal means "entrance". The town was an entrance to the Kingdom of Mysore and Hoysala Empire via the Attur pass;[1] it was therefore named "Thalaivasal".

Hoysalas invaded the Magadai country and established their headquarters at Aragalur in the 12th century CE. Tippu Sultan and Hyder Ali likely visited places around Thalaivasal in the 18th century.

Government establishments in Thalaivasal include the Panchayat Union, a sub-registrar office, a police station, and a primary health care unit. Thalaivasal is a state assembly seat.

Thalaivasal is part of the Kallakurichi (Lok Sabha constituency) assembly constituency.[2]

Vasishta Nadi originates from the Salem district, flowing through Attur, Thalaivasal and Cuddalore district. This river flows through Tiruchirapalli and joins Sweta Nadi before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. Vasishta river flows from the southern part of the village.

A farmers' market is organized every Tuesday. There is also an agricultural market every morning for the collection of farmers' harvests by wholesale dealers, where a variety of vegetables are available. It is the second highest vegetable trading market in Tamil Nadu.

Thalaivasal is on National Highway 68. It is connected to Trichy through Veeraganur. TNSTC (Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd.) buses are available from Salem district and Kallakurichi (a nearby town), from where transport can be taken for longer distances.

Chinnasalem town's railway station serves as a station for trains en route to Mettur, Cuddalore, Nagore, Pondicherry, Salem, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai.

Thalaivasal is home to Hindu temples such as Thalaivasal Thirukarugavur Temple and Narasimha Swami Temple, a mosque, St. Joseph's Church, and a Brahmin temple.

The Narasimha Swami temple draws a significant number of tourists.[1] The Traveller's Bungalow at Thalaivasal was built before 1883 by Krishnama Naidu.