Virudhunagar is a town and the administrative headquarters of the Virudhunagar district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located 506 km southwest of Chennai and 53 km south of Madurai, it sits at an average elevation of 102 m above sea level. The area is characterized by flat terrain with no major geological formations and experiences a humid climate with an annual rainfall of 780 mm.
Historically known as Virudhupatti, the town emerged as a significant trade center during British rule. It has been governed by various powers over time, including the Later Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Chanda Sahib, the Carnatic kingdom, and the British. The town is situated to the east of the Kowsika River.