Manamadurai is a Municipality Town[1] in Sivaganga district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Manamadurai falls under Manamadurai Legislative assembly. It is a river based settlement town. River Vaigai makes its way through the town bifurcating it into two parts.
Upgrade of Manamadurai town Panchayat to municipality
The Tamil Nadu Government Department of Municipal Administration and Metro Water Supply Additional Chief Secretary Shiv das Meena issued an ordinance for the Promotion of Manamadurai Selection grade town Panchayat to Manamadurai Municipality on 16 October 2021.[2][3]
As per 2011 Census Data, 81 villages are in Manamadurai Taluk of Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu. They are the following;
Adikarai
Allinagaram
Ambalathadi
Annavasal
Arasanendal
Arimandapam
Chinnakannanur
D. Karisalkulam
Elunuthimangalam
Enathi
Erukkilaivellur
K. K. Pallam
Kaliyandur
Kalpiravu
Kalugerkadai
Kaluvangulam
Kanjirangulam
Kanoor
Kattikulam
Katturani
Keeladi
Keelapasalai
Kilangattur
Kirungakkottai
Kondagai
Kottangulam
Kuvalaiveli
Ladanendal
Madapuram
Malavarayanendal
Manalur
Manambakki
Mangulam
Mankudi
Maramvetti Karisalkulam
Maranadu
Melachorikulam
Melanettur
Melapidavoor
Melarangiam
Milaganoor
Mukkudi, Palaiyanur
Panaiyanendal
Pappagudi
Perumbacheri
Piramanur
Pottadi
Alangulam
Pottapalaiyam
Pudukkkulam
Puvandi
Rajagambiram
S. Karaikudi
S. Vagaikulam
Saluppanodai
Sayanapuram
Seikalathur
Semboor
Sengulam
Senthattiendal
Sirugudi
Soorakulam
Sottathatti
Sullangudi
T.Pudukottai
Thamaraikudi
Theethampettai
Theli
Therkkuchandanur
Thiruppachethi South
Thoothai
Tiruppachetti North
Vadakkuchandanur
Vagudi
Valaiyanendal
Vallarendal
Vediarendal
Veeranendal
Vellikurichi
Vellur
Vilathur
Geography
Manamadurai is at 9°42′N78°29′E / 9.7°N 78.48°E / 9.7; 78.48. It has an average elevation of 121 metres (397 ft).[5] The Vaigai river flows from north to south through Manamadurai and divides the town into Eastern bank and Western bank.
Demographics
As of 2011 census of India, Total number of households in Manamadurai is 52,131. Manamadurai has a total population of 207,223. In which 50.39% (1,04,428) are Males and 49.61% (1,02,795) are Females. In which children below the age of 12 is 22,403. Literacy rate is 69.99% (1,45,052)[6]
Certificate of Geographical Indications for Manamadurai Pottery
This town is famous for manufacturing Ghatam musical instruments, clay pots, clay horses, and other clay items.[7][8]The Manamadurai Pottery Works Cottage Industrial Co-operative Society applied for Geographical indication for Manamadurai Pottery on 28 July 2016. The Geographical Indications Registry Of India under World Trade Organizations Act, issued the Certificate of Geographical Indication for Manamadurai Pottery officially on 31 March 2023 on the journal numbered 166 and certificate number 446.[9][10][11]
The 'Chithirai Thiruvizha' festival is celebrated every year in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April–May) for 15 days. The festival commences by Hoisting the Holy flag in the Temple's sacred flagpole and this occasion is called Kodiyettram. This is a festival without caste and Religion Discrimination celebrated by all people in and around manamadurai together in the River banks. As the thiruvizha begins, the Aananthavalli ascends the throne as Queen of Manamadurai in a Ritual called "Pattabishekam". After pattabishekam, she parades around the town in different Vahanams namely Simma Vaahanam, Mayil Vaahanam, Rishaba vaahanam, Garuda Vaahanam, Nandhi Vaahanam and finally Kamadhenu Vaahanam for 8 days. then, she marries her destinied Husband Somanatha. Lord Shiva Incarnates as Somanatha, a common man. Aananthavalli decides to marry him. they both get married in a marvelous manner. People call it "Sri Aananthavalli – Somanatha Tirukkalyanam" and the next day, they are paraded around the Car streets (Thēr Veedhis) in the huge Chariot hauled by local People with help of ropes tied to chariot. This occasion is called Thirutherottam. The festival crowd reaches the peak during the Azhagar Uprising on the Vaigai River on the 13th day of Chithirai. It happens to commemorate that, Veera Azhagar's Sister Aanandhavalli marries Somanatha without the presence of her brother Azhagar as he delayed to the marriage. He arrives lately and uprises into the Vaigai River in his golden horse on the 14th day of Chithirai. The Aananthavalli and Somanatha immediately rushes to River banks and get the praisings from Azhagar on the river banks. The next day, the Full moon of Chithirai, called Chithra Pournami, all the local people of Manamadurai and surrounding areas gather in the river banks at night to celebrate "Nila Soru" – The moonlight feast. people who can't able to come to river banks celebrate it on their home terraces. The street food vendors in and around manamadurai Gather here and make their stalls. Amusement Rides, Circus, Family Games, Bike Stunt Amusements, and fireworks display, and toy shops and fruit vendors make this festival unforgettable. The amusement rides were temporarily setted up on the river banks. And temporary stalls were made and Tax were collected from the vendors by Contractors.
Vaigai flood threat
As the Tamil Nadu Government usually opens the Vaigai Dam located in Theni for the Madurai's Chithirai Thiruvizha, Sivaganga district collector usually issues an ordinance to stop the water in Madurai itself as the Thiruvizha setup were made at Manamadurai river beds. And orders to close the Viraganoor Barrage dam, So the River water won't affect Manamadurai and the Thiruvizha won't be spoiled by River water. But during 2022 and 2023 festival, the Government failed to close the Viraganoor Barrage dam and ruined the Manamadurai's Festival leaving the river banks messy and floody.
Other Festivals
The annual urus (Santhanakoodu) festival marking the martyrdom day of the Panch shuhadas is commemorated on the 17th of the Islamic month of Jamadil Awwal every Hijri year.
Other prominent Hindu Festivals include The Dhayapuram Mariyamman Thiruvizha, Burma Colony Santhana Mariyamman Thiruvizha, A.Vilakulam Niraigulathu Ayyanar Thiruvizha, Thayamangalam Muthumaari Amman thiruvizha, Prathyangira Devi Sahasra Sandi Maha Yagnam, Sri Veera Azhagar Temple's Vaikuntha Ekadesi Sorga Vaasal Opening ceremony, Maha Shivaratri at
Aananthavalli Somanathar Temple, Vaikasi Visakam at Valividu Murugan Temple, Aadi Ammavasai Thiruvizha at Annavasal Somanathaswamy Temple are some of them.
The Manamadurai Integrated Bus terminus is situated at Western bank of the town on Cochin – Dhanushkodi interstate Highway (Asian Highway;AH-45). It was formerly a two lane road. Later, during 2017, a new fourway road was built from Viraganoor Ring road(Madurai) with bypasses for every town and truck lay-by for every 5 kilometers and a petrol bulk every 4 kilometers throughout the highway.Initially it would take two hours to go to madurai from Manamadurai. Now, this road makes it possible in 30 minutes.There are many TNSTC and TNSETC buses operated From various cities to Manamadurai.
The Manamadurai Junction railway station is situated in southern part of the town at the Western Bank at 500 metres from the bus terminus.
Facade Entrance of Manamadurai Junction
It is a major stopping for all the trains running between Rameshwaram – Madurai, Rameswaram – Chennai and Virudhunagar – Karaikudi. The railway junction in manamadurai connects with Virudhunagar railway junction in south west, Madurai railway junction in north west, and "the holy temple city" Rameswaram railway terminus in south east and Karaikudi railway junction in north east. The daily thrice operating Passenger train via Manamadurai connects the main cities of virudhunagar and Tiruchirapalli via Sivaganga, Kallal, karaikudi, Chettinad devakkottai road, Thirumayam, Pudukkottai, Vellanur, keeranur. A daily thrice passenger train runs between Madurai to Rameswaram via Tiruppuvanam, thiruppachethi, Manamadurai, paramakkudi, Ramanathapuram, Mandapam, pamban and also makes its way on our nation's one of the greatest heritage site The Pamban Railway Bridge. The railway line between Manamadurai and Rameswaram became the country's first green train corridor.[12]
Rameswaram – manamadurai – Madurai line and Virudhunagar – Manamadurai – Tiruchirapalli line's Electrification works are completed smoothly and trains are hauled by electric locomotives at an average speed of 110 km/h.
Airports
Manamadurai doesn't have its own Airport. Some of the airports near Manamadurai are
Muthu Ameena Muslim (M.A.M) Nursery & Primary School, 113/7, Kannar Street
O.V.C Nursery and Primary school
O.V.C Higher Secondary School, Manamadurai
R.C. St. Cesilia's middle school, near Old bus stand
R.C High School, Near old bus stand
Ralay Nursery and Primary school, Moongiloorani
St. Mary's higher secondary school, RajaKambeeram
Seventh Day Adventist Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Sipcot
Seventh Day adventist Nursery and Primary School, Pappamadai, Muthanenthal post
Venkateswara International school CBSE
NPS Public School, Dhayapuram
St. Joseph Nursery and primary school, Manamadurai.
St. Joseph Matric Higher secondary School, Kilangattur, Manamadurai.
Govt. Higher secondary school, Moongiloorani.
Govt. High school, Melapasalai.
Manamadurai has its own Government Industrial training institute (ITI) and a Government arts & science college was proposed on the 2022 TN govt Financial Budget, and soon the location would be fixed and start the construction.
Industrial Contributions
Manamadurai has its SIPCOT Industrial Complex in Seikalathur, and has a TANSIDCO Industrial Complex at Kirungakottai, a village near Muthanendhal. The Manamadurai Pottery Works is a leading pottery artisan Hub in India and owns a GI TAG for Manamadurai Pottery. The Red brick Manufacturers contribute a huge Revenue to Manamadurai's Financial growth. Many Red Brick Manufacturers in and around Manamadurai make the Manamadurai as a leading Brick Manufacturing Hub in Sivaganga district.
The dried Wigs of The Thorn trees (i.e., Neltuma Juliflora) which is called as 'Seemai Karuvelam' which covers all the empty dry, agriculture and arid lands are used for Charcoal Industries. Manamadurai has almost 4 to 5 Charcoal manufacturing hub and they are exported to abroad and throughout India Through Goods Trains from Manamadurai Junction. Thus Manamadurai is a leading industrial hub in the Sivaganga District.
Places of Interest
The tourism industry is one of the major revenue generators for Manamadurai. There are various places of interest.
Anandavalli Samedha Somanadhaswamy Temple
Main Gopuram of Aanandhavalli 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.[15] The temple is located on the west bank of the Vaigai river. This Temple is one among the major temples supervised under the Control and Maintenance of Sivagangai Samasthan Devasthan Board
Shri Aanandhavalli 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 morning in Manamadurai.the Chithirai Tiruvizha takes place as similar in Madurai
Veera Azhagar Temple
The Sundara raja perumal Temple (alias) Veera Alagar Temple is built in 13th century by Pandyan feudatories and is located in the eastern banks of Vaigai, situated diagonal to the Anandhavalli Somanathar Temple. This temple houses Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of Sundhara raja perumal along with his consort Soundharavalli Thaayār. The guardian of this temple is Lord Padhinettam padi karuppasamy. His sannidhi is at front. Whoever come to worship Azhagar, should first worship Karuppasamy. The Veera Azhagar Edhirsevai happens during the 4th day of Chithirai Thiruvizha. The Sorga Vaasal (gateway to heaven) located here is only opened once in a year During Vaikuntha Ekadesi. A wondering fact here is, The Garland made of Vada is contributed to Lord Azhagar never spoils even after a month.
Thayamangalam Muthumari Amman Temple
Front Gopuram of Thayamangalam Muthumaari Amman Temple
Thayamangalam is a village in Ilayayankudi Panchayat Union, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu.The village is situated 68 km from Madurai and 18 kilometres from Manamadurai. The famous Muthumariamman Temple is located here . The town is known as Thayamangalam because of The word Amman literally means 'Mother' or 'Thaai' in Tamil and hence called Thayamangalam. In this temple, Panguni Thiruvizha is celebrated every year from the 15th day of the Tamil month of Panguni, for 10 days. Chariot hauling (Thaerottam), Flower palanquin, and auspicious Pongal preparing ceremony are the most important event in this 10-day festival. People gather here in crowds and contribute hens and goat sheeps to feed the god. People from all over India whose wishes were fulfilled by mother Muthumaari, provide contributions to god in return, donate gold and money for Annathanams, Temple Hundiyals. Special buses are arranged from Madurai, Paramakudi, Sivagangai, Manamadurai and Ramanathapuram during the festival. This Temple celebrated The Maha Kumbabishekam on 22 August 2024 after several patch works and construction of Main Gopuram.[16]
Sri Maha Panchamuka Prathyangira Devi Temple located in 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 temple houses the 11¼ feet high statue of lord Shakthi, an incarnation of Parvati in the form of Adarvana Pathrakali alias Prathyangira Devi. 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 5.5 acres (2.2 ha). 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.[17]
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.[18]
This temple is situated in the middle of the two lanes of NH49 (Cochin-Dhanushkodi Highway) near Manamadurai By-pass. This temple takes its place under the shade of a huge peepal tree. This temple entered into a highly controversial topic during the Expansion of two lane road into a fourway road. For the road extension, the Peepal tree was a great disturbance. So, NHAI officials ordered to cut the tree. A worker with an electric saw, approached the tree. Once, he started cutting, he started coughing with vomiting blood, and was sent to hospital. He was said to be died on the way. From that incident, the workers dropped down the idea of cutting it. NHAI sent another worker to cut the tree. The people say that the worker too lost his life in an accident. Due to such coincided deaths, NHAI dropped the idea of cutting the peepal tree and laid road leaving the temple in middle, undisturbed. The story has become an urban legend, with people firmly believing in the eternal presence of a god at the peepal tree.
Perilla Maram Tharma Muneeswarar Temple
Perilla Maram Tharma Muneeswarar temple
This temple is situated in the outskirts of Manamadurai in a village named Nedunkulam that comes under Keelapasalai Panchayat. It houses the infamous African Baobab tree which is rare in this region. It was very old and had fallen due to a strong breeze once a few decades ago. The tree was named "Perilla Maram" (transl:Nameless tree) by the local people as it doesn't look like any of the local species. Many botanical Researchers frequently visited the tree, and clarrified to the local people that, this ain't unlisted or unfounded species. Its African Baobab tree which is widespread found in Ramanathapuram. It could have grown here by someone who took the sapling from there and planted it here. But still, all the localites call this tree as Unnamed tree.
Parthibanur Dam
Parthibanur Dam
This dam was built across Vaigai River, located near Vediyanendhal in a village called Enathikottai which comes under Parthibanur panchayat of Ramanathapuram district but it is nearest to Manamadurai. And hence, treated as a tourist spot of Manamadurai. The annual tourist visit had a massive increase in recent years. It has 25 shutters, which is unde control and maintenance of Ramanathapuram Public works department. It becomes usually crowded whenever Tamil Nadu Government opens Vaigai River for Periodic irrigation. It seems to be best spot for photography and swimming.
Panickanendhal Barrage Dam
Panickanendhal bed dam
This barrage dam was also built across Vaigai River but comes under the Sivaganga district. It is located in Aathanoor Village of Keelapasalai Panchayat. Whenever Tamil Nadu Government opens the Vaigai River for Periodic irrigation, the dam becomes well sourced for tourists and the local people who take bath and swim in the river.
