Manamadurai
Manamadurai is a Municipality Town in Sivaganga district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Situated 58 kilometres away from the heart of Madurai on the Cochin - Dhanushkodi National Highway. It is the 4th Largest Town in the Sivaganga district followed by Karaikudi, Sivaganga and Devakottai. Manamadurai represents its seat in Manamadurai Legislative assembly constituency. It is a river-based settlement town developed on banks of river Vaigai around 2 BCE. The River flows through the core of town dividing the town into Upper Western banks and lower eastern banks.
Etymology
The Name Manamadurai is said to be derived from Vanara Veera Madurai, As mentioned in the epic Ramayana, Lord Rama, Hanuman and "Vaanara Saena" - The Monkey Force who embarked on searching Sita, ended in the Vaigai river banks, hence all took a bath and slept here a night and left. Hence the Indo-Brahmi word Vaanaram means Monkey; Veera means Powerful. As centuries rolled, it became Vaana Vīra Madurai, Then Vaana Madurai, finally became Manamadurai. An sculpture stone was found at a site near Thulukkanendhal village of Manamadurai Panchayat Union. It was observed by the research personnels of The Pandiya Naadu Culture society and they carbon dated and announced that it belongs to 1700 A.D. The sculpture in Tamil read as /ʋaːn̪a ʋiːɾa maðɯɾaɪ̯ aɻaɡaɾ t̪iɾuʋiɖaɪ̯jaːʈʈam/ which Literally discusses about the Land donation of someone to Azhagar Temple in Manamadurai. Thiruvidaiyattam refers to a stone which sculpted on resemblance of Land donation. And the wheel like structure below the text is actually present in the Coin of Madurai Nayaks who ruled Madurai from 1529 to 1815.Upgradation 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.Political administration
Manamadurai falls under Manamadurai State assembly constituency and Sivaganga Loksabha constituency. For further details, seeRevenue administration
As per 2011 Census Data, 81 villages are in Manamadurai Taluk of Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu. They are the following;Urban localities
Prominent Urban localities in the town are the areas situated around the three statues. Viz., Mahatma Gandhi Statue, Arignar Anna Statue, Muthu Ramalinga Devar Statue. Another prominent locality is the area around the Manamadurai Railway Junction which are The Railway Colony, Burma Colony, Krishnarajapuram Colony. The Area around SIPCOT too became prominent after many houses came around it. Other prominent localities are Sundharapuram Agraharam, Gundurayar street, Brindhavanam, Mettu street, Kannar street, Velaar street, Kulalar street, Old Mandapam road, Femina Nagar, Vasantha Nagar, Seeniappa Nagar, MoongilooraniGeography
Manamadurai is at. It has an average elevation of. 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. In which 50.39% are Males and 49.61% are Females. In which children below the age of 12 is 22,403. Literacy rate is 69.99%Geographical indication
This town is famous for manufacturing Ghatam musical instruments, clay pots, clay horses, and other clay items. 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.The Chithirai Thiruvizha
As Similar to Madurai's Chithirai Thiruvizha and Meenakshi Tirukalyanam, Manamadurai people too celebrate the Chithirai Thiruvizha and Aananthavalli Tirukkalyanam.The 'Chithirai Thiruvizha' festival is celebrated every year in the Tamil month of Chithirai 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 riverbanks. 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 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 morning of first full moon 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 first full moon day of Chithirai. The Aananthavalli and Somanatha immediately rushes to riverbanks and get the praisings from Azhagar on the riverbanks. The next day, the slightly full moon of Chithirai, all the local people of Manamadurai and surrounding areas gather in the riverbanks at night to celebrate "Nila Chōru" – The moonlight feast. People believe that Newly married couples Aanandhavalli and Somanatha will need deep sleep in silence, hence people leave their house and spend the night on river banks, Even the temple is closed with both their Idols being kept on Palliyarai within the temple premises. People who cannot come to riverbanks 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 set up on the riverbanks. Temporary stalls were made, and taxes 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 counter-ordinance to stop the water in Madurai itself as the Thiruvizha setup were made at Manamadurai riverbeds. 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 riverbanks messy and floody.Other festivals
The annual urus 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.
Transport & accessibilities
Road
The Manamadurai Integrated Bus terminus is situated at Western bank of the town on Cochin – Dhanushkodi interstate Highway. It was formerly a two-lane road. Later, during 2017, a new fourway road was built from Viraganoor Ring Road 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. Some major stops for town buses inside the town includes SIPCOT, Udaikulam, Union office, Gandhi Statue, Devar Statue, Anna Statue, Old bus stand, By-passRail
The Manamadurai Junction railway station is situated in southern part of the town at the Western Bank at 500 metres from the bus terminus.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.
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 areMadurai International Airport (57 km )
Tiruchirapalli International airport(143 km.),
Tuticorin Domestic Airport (160 km.)
The Nearest Naval Air station is located in Uchipuli called as INS Parundu at a distance of 85 kilometres
Medical accessibilities
- The Manamadurai Government Hospital is situated on the eastern banks on Thayamangalam road. It serves 24/7 Emergency Aid equipped with ECG, X-Ray, Labor wards, Free-of-cost Pharmacy, 20 beded Multi speciality ward, out patient block, Siddha medical ward, Vaccine point, Blood pressure and Insulin testing, Blood testing, Urinal and faecal testing, and a Intensive care unit with 24 hours duty doctors and staff nurses present. Two 108 Ambulance for emergency and referral cases and a TN Govt.Mother-child welfare vehicle to pick up and drop the labored women and their baby in their homes.
- Government Sivaganga Medical College hospital situated in Manamadurai-Sivaganga Main road about 18 kilometres from Manamadurai is the second and foremost important medical centre for People of Manamadurai
- Other prominent Hospitals include Nirubarajan Lifecare hospitals, The Tamil Nadu Leprosy Mission Hospital, Selva Hospital, Jayabal Nursing home and hospital, Unnamalai paediatric hospital
Safety accessibilities
The Tamil Nadu Government Fire Station is situated near SIPCOT Estate, Manamadurai take cares the fire safety for the whole MunicipalityThe Police station present at Kannar street, All Women's police station near Panchayat Union office, Another police station at SIPCOT Estate take measures to control the crime in the town
Necessary accessibilities
The Sivaganga district Cooperative Milk producers Union have their Branch office in Sivaganga main road. Attached with Cow milk distribution booth during both morning and Evening.The Cooperative weekly Vegetable cum fruits market is laid every Thursday on the Weekly Market Complex situated near Sonaiya Temple on Thayamangalam Main road.
Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar Tamil Nadu Government Joint venture project for uniting Rivers has been carried out and Daily Water is supplied to pipes at every house for 2 hours in Morning almost at all the areas coming under Manamadurai Municipality.
The Municipality Sanitation vehicles roam in each and every street to collect garbage, employed sweepers to sweep the roads and has a Recycling cum incinerating centre on riverbanks at Manamadurai-Tanjore Highway.
A new Sewage Treatment Plant is about to get established in the riverbanks to treat the sewage before letting it in river. ''The plant was proposed in TN 2022 annual Budget, Works are under progress.''
Educational institutions
Colleges
- TN Government Arts & Science College
- M.A.Krishnaswamy College of Arts and Science for Women, N.Pudukottai., Manamadurai
- Matha School of Nursing, Annavasal post, Manamadurai
- Matha College of Arts and Science, Kilangattur, Manamadurai
- Matha College of Physiotherapy
- Government ITI
- Amirtha Nursing College
- Matha College of Teacher Education
- Seikalathur Kamatchi Amman Polytechnic College, Seikalathur, Manamadurai.
- K.L.N Polytechnic College, Muthanendhal, Manamadurai
Computer institutions
- Apollo Computer Education LTD, Gundurayar st.,
- CSC Computer Education LTD, near Ananthavalli Amman Kovil St.
Schools
- Baba Matriculation School, 1A, Mettu St.
- Baba Nursery & Primary school, 183-B, Adhanoor Road
- CSI Darling Selvabai David School for the Hearing impaired, near Gandhi silai
- CSI Govt aided High School, near Travellers Banglow
- Govt. Elementary school, Burma colony
- Good Will Matriculation School, Bye Pass Road
- Good will matriculation Higher Secondary school, M. Karisalkulam, Manamadurai
- Goodwill International Play School, near Old bus stand
- Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School, near Travellers Banglow, Anbu Nagar
- Kannar Theru Elementary School, Alagar kovil Theru
- Muthu Ameena Muslim 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.
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
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. This Temple is one among the major temples supervised under the Control and Maintenance of Sivagangai Samasthan Devasthan BoardShri 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