Sirkazhi ([ˈsiːɾkaːɻiː]), also spelled as Sirkali and Siyali, is a municipal town in Mayiladuthurai district in Tamil Nadu, India.

The Tamil trinity of Carnatic music; Arunachala Kavirayar (1711–78), Muthu Thandavar (1525–1600) and Marimutthu Pillai (1712–87), originated from Sirkazhi.

The history of the town is also associated with Rajarajeshwari – Angalaparameshwari Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Adi shakti, who is believed to be most powerful form, located in the south of Kalumalaiyar river.

In ancient times, this town had twelve different names, including Brahmapuram, Venupuram, Thonipuram, Kazhumalam, Pugali, Sirkazhiswaram Shri Kali and Kazheesirama Vinnagaram.

[7][3] Shiva is believed to have quelled the arrogance of Hindu god Brahma, after showing his dominance over the three worlds and hence got the name "Sattainathar" here.

[8] Thirugnanasambandar, the seventh century Saiva nayanar, as an infant is believed to have been fed with the milk of wisdom by the divine mother Parvati on the banks of the temple tank.

The child Sambandar started singing the anthology of Tevaram hymns from then on, commencing with "Todudaiya Seviyan".

Tirugnanasambandar and Thirumangai Alvar, belonging to Saivism and Vaishnavism, respectively, and both natives of Sirkazhi, had disputes over their religious compositions and theologies during the period.

Tanjore district was constituted in 1799 when the Thanjavur Maratha ruler Serfoji II (1798–1832) ceded most of his kingdom to the British East India Company in return for his restitution on the throne.

[15] Sirkazhi has an average elevation of 5.18 m (17.0 ft) above sea level and is located at 13 km (8.1 mi) west of Bay of Bengal.

[16] The town experiences long summers and short winters,[16]and receives an average yearly rainfall of 1,250 mm (49 in), mainly from the north-east monsoon between October and December.

[18] Antelope, spotted deer, wild hog, jackal and fox are present in the jungles and outlying areas of the town.

[20] Sirkazhi remained mostly unaffected by the tsunami, but the groundwater quality deteriorated where aquifers were close to the water bodies.

[30] The National highway NH-32 connects Chennai and Thoothukudi through Chidambaram, Cuddalore and Nagapattinam passes through Sirkazhi.

The municipality operates a B-Class bus stand with 36 bays that accommodate local and intercity buses.

[33] Nearest major junction of Mayiladuthurai, the Sirkazhi's railway station is on the main line between Chennai and Trichy via Cuddalore and Chidambaram.

[40] Push carts and tricycles are used to collect solid waste, which is deposited in marsh lands located outside the town.

[41] Sirkazhi municipality is implementing underground drainage and the current sewerage system is through septic tanks and public conveniences.

[42] Roadside drains carry away untreated sewage, which is released into the sea or accumulates in low-lying areas.

[44] During the British Raj, Shiyali (present-day Sirkazhi) was the headquarters of a separate administrative division, or taluka.

[60] The temple is mentioned in the Saiva canonical work, Tevaram, by Thirugnana Sambanthar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar, the foremost Saivite saints of 7th–8th century CE and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

[29] Kazheesirama Vinnagaram temple, also called Thadalan Koil, is dedicated to Vishnu in the form of Trivikrama.

[62] Sirkazhi is base to the outlying places like Poompuhar, and the temples Thirusaikkadu, Thiruppallavaneeswaram, Melapperumpallam, Keezhaperumpallam, Thiruvengadu and Thirunangur.

[63] Thirukkavalampadi, Thiruvanpurushothamam, Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram, Thiruchsemponsey, Thirumanimadam, Thiruvaikunda vinnagaram, Thiruthevanartthogai, Thiruthetriyambalam, Thirumanikkoodam, Annan Koil and Thiruppaarththanpalli are eleven Vishnu temples, called Nangur Divya Desams revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, located in the outskirts of Sirkazhi.