Manamadurai

Manamadurai
மானாமதுரை
Town
Manamadurai

Location in Tamil Nadu, India

Coordinates: 9°42′N 78°29′E / 9.7°N 78.48°E / 9.7; 78.48Coordinates: 9°42′N 78°29′E / 9.7°N 78.48°E / 9.7; 78.48
Country  India
State Tamil Nadu
District Sivaganga
Elevation 70 m (230 ft)
Population (2001)
 • Total 26,284
Languages
 • Official Tamil
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 630 606
Telephone code 914574 XX
Vehicle registration TN 63

Manamadurai is a panchayat town in Sivaganga district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Geography

Manamadurai is located at 9°42′N 78°29′E / 9.7°N 78.48°E / 9.7; 78.48 It has an average elevation of 70 metres (229 feet).

The Vaigai river flows from north to south through Manamadurai.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[1] Manamadurai had a population of 46,284. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Manamadurai has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 68%. In Manamadurai, 12% of the population is under six years of age.

Industry

This small town is famous for manufacturing ghatam and pots. The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) Limited is here. Manamadurai was famous for production of jasmine flowers. This industry has dwindled over time due to the destruction of gardens throughout the city.

It is a major junction for people travelling to Rameshwaram. 'Chithirai Thiruvizha' is celebrated every year and it draws a lot of people.

It has a head post office since 1972. It has a majestic departmental building in front of Gandhi statue in the eastern bank of Manamadurai.

Videocon Manufacturing unit

SIPCOT has allocated 70 acres (280,000 m2) of land to the India's No. 3 electronic goods seller Videocon near Manamadurai to set up its manufacturing unit for Refrigerators, washing machines and television sets. The construction underway is expected to be completed in 10–12 months, after which production will begin. The company has plans to set up a mobile phone manufacturing unit here during its expansion. This industry is first of its kind in the volume of Rs.2,000 crore in south Tamil Nadu and comes as a boon to the skilled unemployed youth in South Tamil Nadu.[2]

Tourist places

Tourism industry is one of the minor revenue generators for Manamadurai. There are various places of interest.

Temples

- In the Perumal Temple Hanuman is enshrined, with the highly unusual feature of a crown on his head, reflecting the local belief that Hanuman was crowned here before leaving for Lanka. According to one account the name of the town is derived from the visit, which in Tamil is described as Vanara Veera Madurai, which has become Manamadurai. The crowned Hanuman is enshrined near the entrance of the Vaishnavite Veera Alagar Koil temple on the east bank of the river.[3]

- Panchabhutheswaram, known as Vedhiyanendal vilakku, 5 km from Manamadurai is on the way to Paramakudi via Elaiyankudi, 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 recently performed during 25 June 2010 to 29 June 2010. It has come in a total area of about 5.5 acres (22,000 m2). Soon within the temple premises, ten more sannidhies are going to come for Dasamaha Vidya. Non-stop annadharmam right from 2000 since inception.[4]

- Sri Somanathar temple is an ancient Shiva temple which also houses the Maha Samadhi of the great saint Sadasiva Brahmendra.[5]

The Holy Paanch peer (Anjanamar) Five Shuhadaas Dargah

The Holy dargah of Paanch Peer Shuhadaa at Kannar Road, Manamadurai

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.

History

The five martyrs belong to 13th century who came as soldiers in the army of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar Badusha of Jeddah. Badusha Sulthan Syed Ibrahim shaheed LABSWH of Erwadi won the Madurai province against the king thiru Pandiyan who refused to embrace Islam, and made Hazrat Sulthan Iskandhar Badusha as the emperor of Madurai. The rule of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandar badusha was peaceful and people were happy with the way Hazrat ruled in the basics of sharia. King Tiru pandiyan who was defeated went to Tirupati, met all his friends and briefed about the invasion of the Arabs. They helped him with formation of large troop.

Madurai War

After forming a big and healthy troop to face the Arabs, King Thiruppandiyan started towards madurai. The emperor of madurai Hazrat sulthan Sikandhar Badhusha, who was unaware about this secret turn around of Thiruppandiyan, concentrated in flourishing Islam and in the welfare of the people rather than strengthening the army. Tiruppandiyan who came with a strong army fought with Hazrath Sulthan Sikandhar Badhusha Razi vigorously. Thousands of soldiers were killed on both sides; rivers of blood flowed in Madurai.

Journey towards Erwadi

The Arabs were in need of more troops to face the Pandiyas. Hazrat sulthan Sikandhar Badhusha sent nine of his soldiers to inform Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed the emperor of Bouthiramanikkapattinam (now Erwadi) to inform about the war and the need for additional troop. Afraid of more soldiers arriving from Ervadi, King Thiruppandiyan sent a large number of his soldiers to stop those nine Arabian soldiers who were travelling towards Erwadi. Hazrat Syed Salaar Sha Shaheed razi was killed at Palli chandai near Silaiman and Hazrat Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Razi at Karseri near Sakkimangalam. The remaining seven soldiers fought bravely and continued their journey towards ervadi.[6]

War and Martyrdom

Again a large group of Pandiyan soldiers followed them up and a rigorous war held at Manamadurai. The soldiers fought bravely though they were less in number. A few tens of pandiyan soldiers were killed and the war still held rigorously in which five of the Arabian soldiers were martyred. Those five martyrs are the one whose graves are found here in this Dargah. From that day that place in kannar road, Manamadurai became significant and with the Miracles of Panch shuhadaa, number of visitors kept on increasing day by day.

Message to Ervadi

The remaining two soldiers travelled hard to convey the message to the Emperor of Erwadi. Hazrat Umar Khattab Shaheed Razi was martyred at Kilavaneri near Meesal. The only soldier who was alive was injured brutally by the Pandiyas. But somehow He managed to reach Bouthiramanikkapattanam and conveyed the message of Thiuppandiyan's invasion back to Madurai. Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim badusha was saddened by this and sent a large troop towards madurai.

Hazrat Sikandhar Badhusha's Martyrdom

Before the troop could reach madurai, the tough war at madurai came to end and thiruppandiyan captured the throne back. Hazrath Sulthan Sikkandhar Badhusha shaheed rested at Tirupparankunram caves for prayers and peace. Even after capturing the throne, king Thiruppandiyan was afraid of Hazrat Sultha Sikandhar Badusha and the Arabian forces surging back. So he was in search of Hazrat Sulthan sikandhar badhusha shaheed. Thousands of soldiers were sent in search. One of the mal'oon from the soldiers of pandiya martyred Hazrat Sulathan Sikandhar badhusha Shaheed Raziyallah ta'ala anhu during His prostration in prayers. Immediately the Pandiya soldier turned blind. Realising this to be the Curse by the Karamat of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar badhusha, they intended to bury the Holy Jasada Mubarak at the top of the hill as per Islamic regulations. A big rock flew and covered the Qabr of Hazrat Sulthan Iskandhar badusha and the pandiyan soldier got his vision back. This is one of the Millions of Miracles (Karaamaat) of Hazrat Sulthaan Sikkandhar Badhusha.

Panch Shaheed Miracles & Dargah Today

The Holy Panchpeer (Anjananmar) dargah is the famous Islamic shrine in Sivaganga district. Thousands of Hindu, Muslim and Christian people throng this dargah for their wishes. In 1930, Salt Satyagraha was the important fight of Indian independence movement in civil disobedience against the Salt tax levied by the British government. To crush the movement the British government had put a ban on Salt. People were in shortage of Salt since carrying and selling of Salt was a crime according to the English East India Company government. A Rowther Muslim from a village called Nallur who was a salt merchant was on his way to sell his salt for his livelihood. On his way he crossed the Check point of the British Government security officials. That Rowther merchant was frightened to see the check post and was nervous that he would be imprisoned for trading salt. Being helpless he shouted and sought help from the Five Shuhadaas of Manamadurai, inside his mind. In spite of his nervousness and fear he was hopeful that Panch Shaheedh will help him. His vehicle was brought near the check point and the officials tore an edge of his salt bags with a Siege hook. To his belief and wonder, Sugar Crystals fell from his bags by the Karamat of Punch Shuhadhaa. Believing to be Sugar the British officials left him. When he came away from the check post he could see his Salts remaining as such as salts in his bags. He sold all the salts for higher price and got threefold profit for his trade this time since the demand was very high. This was possible only by the Karaamaat of Khamsa (Five) Shuhadaa of Manamadurai. Till today his descendants who are big business men visit the dargah from Nalloor very often and give lot of donations to the dargha since their well being is by the Dua of Panch shaheedhaa(n). Today this dargah stands as a symbol of religious harmony and an important tourist location of Manamadurai for all and Muslims in particular yielding much revenue to the people in the town.

Urus Santhanakoodu Festival

The Anniversary sandanakoodu urus festival of Manamadurai Five Shuhadaas Dargha is held on 17 Jamadil Awwal (Jumada al-awwal) every Hijri year. Thousands of people from all over Tamil Nadu and Kerala visit this dargah on the day of Urs.

Idaikkatur

Idaikkattur is 16 km ahead of Manamadurai. The site is famous for its church. Here Thiru Iruthaya Andavar Church is located which is built by angels of god.

Hospitals

Transport

The town is well connected by road to all the cities and towns in Tamil Nadu. The manamadurai panchyat town Bus terminus situated at the Madurai - Rameswaram national highway caters to the road transportation of the town.

Rail

Manamadurai is connected with State capital Chennai and Industrial Ciities Coimbatore and Tiruppur. The silambu express starting from Manamadurai running Bi-Weekly connects the town with Chennai. The Rameswaram express and Sethu express run through Manamadurai also connects the town with state capital. Also there are good number of Passenger trains from Madurai and Trichy passing through Manamadurai towards Rameswaram.

Educational institutions

Schools

Politics

Manamadurai (State Assembly Constituency) is part of Sivaganga (Lok Sabha constituency).[7]

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  2. ↑ http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/electronics/Sipcot-allots-70-acres-to-Videocon-for-Rs-2k-cr-plant-in-TN/articleshow/5366974.cms
  3. ↑ Reference from South India Tourist Guide
  4. ↑ http://www.atharvanabathrakalli.org
  5. ↑ http://www.columbuslost.com/2013/09/sri-sadasiva-brahmendra-great-indian.html
  6. ↑ http://www.ervadi.com/related-dargahs/thiruparankundram-dargah
  7. ↑ http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S22/TN_ACPC.pdf
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