Ilanji is a panchayat town in Tenkasi district, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located between the towns Tenkasi and Shencottah.

Geography

The word 'Ilanji' has a number of meanings including a water body. The village has three lakes very close to it. This is the only place which receives both south-west and north-east monsoon. Geographically, Ilanji is the centroid of a triangle whose three corners are the towns of Senkottai, Courtallam and Tenkasi, each of which is located approximately 3 km from Ilanji. As a result, some people call it "Triplet City" in Tirunelveli district. It is also bounded by two rivers, the Sitraru (Therkaru) and the Kundaru (Vadakkaru). It's also said that at one point in time, a river flowed through the town.

Demographics

In the 2001 Indian census, Ilanji reported a population of 9,423. Males constituted 51% of the population and females 49%. Ilanji had an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. The male literacy was 75%, and female literacy was 57%. In 2001 in Ilanji, 10% of the population was under 6 years of age. By the 2011 census, 10,325 people were reported as living in Ilanji.

Government and politics

It has 3 MLAs for Tenkasi assembly constituency and one district board president for the whole Tirunelveli district which comprised Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts put together at that time.

Transport

Ilanji as said is the centroid of Tenkasi, Senkottai and Courtalam triangle, finds all the buses (that is from Tenkasi to Senkottai) to stop. There are two stops namely Chowkai (buses not going via Courtallam from Tenkasi to Shencottah stop here), Ilanji bus stop (buses going via Courtallam from Tenkasi to Senkottai stop here) which serve as the North and South extremes of the village.

Tourism

Tourist spots in the area include Courtallam (located near to the Ilanji) and Five Falls.

Cuisine

Ilanji is also known for a sweet called "pozhi" which is prepared of dal, jaggery and is prepared without coconut.

In popular culture

Ilanji has been used as a filming location for several films, including:

Schools