Virudhunagar is a City and the administrative headquarters of Virudhunagar district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located 506ย km (314ย mi) southwest of the state capital Chennai and 53ย km (33ย mi) south of Madurai. Virudhunagar emerged as an important trade centre during the British rule. Located to the east of Kowsika River, Virudhunagar has an average elevation of 102ย m (335ย ft) above sea level and is largely flat with no major geological formations. The town has a humid climate and receives 780ย mm (31ย in) rainfall annually. It has been ruled at various times by Later Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Chanda Sahib, Carnatic kingdom and the British. It was formerly known as Virudhupatti.