Aruppukkottai is 45 kms south of Madurai and 18 Kms west of Virudunagar Madurai - Tuticorin road. There is a railway station. The Manamadurai-Virudunagar railway lines pass through this place. This place was abundant in jasmine buds and hence it was called Arumbukottai.In Tamil Arumbu means buds of garden plant bearing fragrant flower and kottai mean fort. Aruppukkottai is inhabited by weavers and this place is famous for handloom textiles.These are small scale industries such as dying factories oil,mills,rice mills straw boards manufacturing factory, Ginning factory, etc.