Manamadurai

Manamadurai is a town in Manamadurai Division of Sivaganga district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Manamadurai is the headquarter of Manamadurai taluk. Manamadurai falls under Manamadurai Legislative assembly. Manamadurai name transferred/comes from Vanavan Maruthadurai. This town is famous for the ancient Sri Veera Azhagar temple or Sri Sundararaja Perumal Koil. The legends around this temple and the place trace back to the era of Ramayana, and the place has been referred to as Vanara Veera Madura Puri in ancient times. It has a population density of more than 6000 Persons/km2 which is Top in Sivagangai District.
Geography.
Manamadurai is located at . It has an average elevation of 121 metres. The Vaigai river flows from north to south through Manamadurai and divides the town into Eastern bank and Western bank. The town cover an area of revenue villages Keelamelkudi, Vethiyanenthal, Kalkurichi, Udaikulam, Thayapuram, Sipcot, Seikalathur, Othakadai, Moongilurani, Kannar street, Alagar Kovil street, Brinthavanam, Railway colony, Krishnarajapuram colony, Ramnagar, Mangulam, seiyaalur, Kombukaranenthal, Pattatharechi, Pattar street, Valanaadu, Kalpiravu, Panikaranenthal, Athanoor, Keelapasalai, Melapasalai, Arimandapam, New Vasantha Nagar, Rajakambeeram, Keppanoor, Sangamangalam, Annavasal, comes under limit of the town.
Demographics.
 India census, Manamadurai had a population of 32,500. Males constitute 50% of the population and Females 50%. Manamadurai has an average literacy rate of 77% : Male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 72%. In Manamadurai, 10% of the population is under six years of age. The town has 20,406 households.
Manamadurai falls under Manamadurai State assembly constituency and Sivaganga Loksabha constituency.
Highlights.
The railway line between Manamadurai and Rameswaram became the country's first green train corridor. This town is famous for manufacturing Ghatam musical instruments, clay pots, clay horses, and other clay itrac. Vaigai river flows from north to south only in Manamadurai.
TLM Dayapuram Hospital was established in the year 1913.
Rev. Stanley Vaughn of the American Madurai Mission started an asylum for leprosy patients who have been thrown out of their homes, in 1913, in Dayapuram, on the banks of River Vaigai, about four km from the town of Manamadurai, in Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu. The Mission to Lepers (now, The Leprosy Mission Trust India) was involved with the working of the asylum from the beginning. In 1955, it took over the management of the asylum. Presently, it is a full-fledged hospital catering to the medical needs of people in and around Dayapuram.
The facilities provided by the hospital include out-patient and in-patient services, operating theatre, laboratory service, ECG service, X-ray service, counselling, physiotherapy, pharmacy, MCR protective footwear, and artificial limbs.
Medical specialties.
The hospital offers healthcare services and treatments for the following medical specialties:
Industry.
The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) Limited is situated in Sivagangai road, which is a major employment source for people in and around Manamadurai. Manamadurai was famous for its production of jasmine flowers. This industry has dwindled over time due to the destruction of gardens throughout the town. Bricks, brick tiles, and pot-making centres are major industries in Manamadurai.
Videocon manufacturing unit.
SIPCOT has allocated of land near Manamadurai to the Indian electronics company Videocon to set up its manufacturing facility for refrigerators, washing machines, and television sets. The company had plans to introduce a battery assembly line at this facility.
Transport.
Road.
The Manamadurai Bus terminus is situated at Western bank of the town close to Manamadurai - Rameswaram Highway. It is well connected to major cities like Madurai, Trichy, Chennai, and Rameswaram.
Rail.
The Manamadurai Junction railway station is situated in Southern part of the village at the Western Bank. It is a major stopping for all the trains running between Rameshwaram - Madurai, Rameswaram - Chennai and Virudhunagar - Karaikudi.
Tourist places.
The tourism industry is one of the major revenue generators for Manamadurai. There are various places of interest.
Religious Sites.
Sri Veera Azhagar temple, Manamadurai.
Sri Veera Azhagar temple or Sri Sundararaja Perumal Koil or simply the Alagar kovil or Perumal kovil is located on the east bank of the Vaigai River in the heart of Manamadurai. It should not be confused with another Alagar kovil temple, located north of Madurai town, which is a Divyadesam. The legends around this temple and the place trace back to the epic era of Ramayana. Lord Rama and the Vanara Sainya took this route to reach Sri Lanka.
Anandavalli - Somanadhar Temple.
Arulmigu Somanathar temple is an ancient Shiva temple consorted with Devi Anandavalli, which also houses the Maha Samadhi of the great saint Sadasiva Brahmendra. The temple is located on the west bank of the Vaigai river
Thirukalayanam festival is celebrated every year in this temple. The festival resembles the celebration done in Madurai Meenakshi amman temple. But Thirukalyanam will take place in the early morning in Madurai and late evening in Manamadurai.
Alagar Aatril Irangudhal festival is also a yearly event that will take place a few days away from Thirukalyanam.
Prithyangira Devi Temple.
Panchabhutheswaram, also known as Vedhiyanendal vilakku, 5 km from Manamadurai, is on old ramanathapuram road, the route in which Lord Rama went to Sri Lanka to confront Ravanan. This place is known for its hard cut-rock (granite) temple dedicated to Shri Maha Panchamukha Prathyangira Devi. It houses the big deity of shri Maha Panchamukha Prathyangira Devi. There are two more sannidhies for Lakshmi Ganapathi and Sornagarshna Bhairavar. Kumbhabhishekham was performed on 24 June 2010. Sahasra Sandi Maha Yagnam was also performed from 25 June 2010 to 29 June 2010. It has come in a total area of about . Soon within the temple premises, ten more sannidhies are going to come for Dasamaha Vidya. Non-stop annadharmam right from 2000 since inception. Every Amavasai, people were various parts of Tamil Nadu and other states visit the temple.
The Holy Paanch peer (Anjanamar) Five Shuhadaas Dargah.
The Holy Paanch peer (Anjanamar) Five Shuhadaas Dargah is located near Kannar street, Manamadurai in Sivaganga District. The Panchpeer durgah is at Kannar road, on the Manamadurai-Ilayangudi State Highway. The Graves of Five Martyrs who came with Badusha Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed of Ervadi is found here.
Idaikatur.
Idaikattur is 16 km ahead of Manamadurai town. The site is famous for Thiru Iruthaya Andavar Church, which is believed to be built by angels of God.
This unique church of the sacred heart of Jesus was built in 1894 AD by French missionary Fr. Ferdinand Celle SJ. This is a replica of the Rheims Cathedral in France. Since the church was said to be built by angels, Fr. Ferdinand Celle SJ has placed 153 depictions of angels in and around the church. He has depicted the relics of forty saints in four elliptical-shaped wooden bowls, which rest over the wooden heart in the main altar portion.
Thayamangalam Muthumariamman Temple.
Thayamangalam is situated near Manamadurai and is known for the yearly Panguni festival.
Saint Thirugnanasambandhar was invited to Madurai by Queen Pandimadevi Mangayarkarasi for the prosperity of Saivam religion. Saint Appar said that as the day of Sambandar's visit falls on star of Bharani and it is auspicious for travelling. Bharani is also the best time for Conducting homam and setting up brick kiln etc. as this day is suitable for Agni (fire). He started his travel after worshiping God and Goddess by singing Kolaru Padhipaggam. He fought for the freedom of Saivam against the Jainism. Based on the belief in the concept that "each day is a good day", he did Navasakthi Homam and Vinayaka Pooja on the 15th day of Panguni and celebrated 10 days festival from the 16th day of Panguni at Thayamangalam. Pongal festival is being celebrated on the 7th day (22nd day of Panguni), Milk pot festival, and Flower Pallakku on the 23rd day of Panguni. The festival will end on the 25th day of Panguni after celebrating Devasthana Theertha vari.