Mannargudi

Mannargudi மன்னார்குடி
—  city  —
Mannargudi மன்னார்குடி Location of Mannargudi மன்னார்குடி in Tamil Nadu and India
Coordinates	10°40′N 79°26′E / 10.67°N 79.43°E / 10.67; 79.43Coordinates: 10°40′N 79°26′E / 10.67°N 79.43°E / 10.67; 79.43
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District(s)	Tiruvarur
Municipal Chairperson	SUDHA T[1]
Population	61,588 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 6 metres (20 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 614001 • Vehicle • TN 50

Mannargudi (Tamil: மன்னார்குடி) is a town in the Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, India. Situated at a distance of 20 kilometres from the district capital Tiruvarur and 310 kilometres from the city of Chennai, Mannargudi is the largest town in the district. Apart from being a rice-production centre, Mannargudi is known for the Rajagopalaswamy Temple, which is an important Hindu pilgrimage site.

Mannargudi was founded as an agraharam village by the Medieval Cholas. Mannargudi was a part of Tanjore district till 1991, when it was transferred to the newly formed Tiruvarur district. The town is located on a elevated highland and is drained by the rivers . The town is known for metal working and weaving. The region around Mannargudi also has considerable mineral deposits (lacking valid ref.).

Mannargudi is administered by the Mannargudi municipality which was established in 1866. Mannargudi is a part of the Mannargudi Tamil Nadu assembly constituency which is a part of the Thanjavur( Lok Sabha constituency. The town is well-connected by road and rail with other towns and cities in Tamil Nadu. The nearest seaport is at Nagapattinam while the nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli.

History

Mannargudi was founded as an agraharam 'Village', Rajadhiraja chaturvedimangalam, by the Medieval Cholas.^[2][3] The Medieval Cholas, Pandyas and the Hoysalas constructed a lot of temples in Mannargudi.^[2] The Rajagopalaswami Temple was constructed by Kulothunga Chola I in the 11th century AD.^[2] There are also the remains of a fort constructed by the Hoysalas.^[4]

Mannargudi was conquered by the Delhi Sultanate in 1311. Following brief periods of occupation by the Madurai Sultanate and the Hoysalas, Mannargudi became a part of the Vijayanagar Empire. On the decline of the Vijayanagar Empire, Mannargudi was ruled by the Thanjavur Nayaks and the Thanjavur Marathas till its annexation by the British East India Company in 1799. Mannargudi was a part of Tanjore district from 1799 till 1991, when it was included in the newly created Tiruvarur District.

Present-day Mannargudi dates from the time of the Thanjavur Nayak king, Vijaya Raghava Nayak (1633-1673), also called "Mannaru dasan" who carried out extensive renovations of the Rajagopalaswami temple complex and is credited by some with having reclaimed the land from the surrounding forest.^[3]

Geography

Mannargudi is located at 10°40′N 79°26′E / 10.67°N 79.43°E / 10.67; 79.43.^[5] It has an average elevation of 6 metres (19 feet).

Economy

Agriculture is the principal occupation of the people of Mannargudi. Mannargudi is also known its cloth weaving and metal industries.^[6].Most of the young people go out of the town seeking jobs as it is an economically backward town, with no scope to prosper.

Being an agricultural town, Mannargudi's economy largely depends on the income from agriculture. The crops cultivated include rice, cotton, sugarcane, and pulses like urad and mung bean. The agriculture around this area mainly depends on the rivers Koraiyaru, Mullaiyar, Pamaniyar. Other sources of irrigation are bore-wells. There are no big industries around this town except for, a beer factory and a chemical factory in vadaseri. Apart from this, there is indane gas (LPG)filling plant in Edayarnatham, Mannargudi. Another working fertilizer industry is Pamani Fertilizers. Also a 107.8 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant of TNEB is functioning actively in Kovilkalappal Thirumakottai a village which is just 12 km away from Mannargudi town.

Mannargudi town has a large coal reserve. The total quantity of lignite reserves in Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu identified is around 19,500 million tonnes.^[7] The quality of the lignite is moisture 40 to 50 per cent, ash 4 to 12 per cent, volatile matter 18 to 23 per cent, fixed carbon 17 to 20 per cent, calorific value 2200 to 3200 k.cal./kg. Exploration in the area has not yet started. The reserves were located under built up and agricultural areas making exploitation difficult. Steps are being taken to accelerate exploration and identify blocks which can be exploited in Mannargudi.Due to coal reserves availability government has identified exploration of Coal bed Methane CBM which can be used as fuel in pwer generation and for vehicles, projects awarded to few private sector companies, basic works expected to complete by 2011-12 at the investment of 100 Cr, if the basic work is successful then exploration will start, investment will come to the tune of approx 3000 Cr over a period of five years,

Rajagopalaswamy Temple Tower

Temples and festivals

The most famous landmark in Mannargudi is the 1,000-year-old Hindu Sri Rajagopala Swami Temple. It was built by Raja Cholas in 1000 A.D. A festival called Panguni Tiruvizha is celebrated every year during the Tamil month of Panguni (March/April) in the Sri Rajagopala Swami Temple. People around the town gather in great numbers to celebrate Panguni Tiruvizha(பங்குனித் திருவிழா). For 2012, it was celebrated from March 12 to March 29. Vennaiththazhi was held on March 27 and Thiruthther (Chariot) Festival celebrated on March 28.

There is also another 'Float Festival'(தெப்பத் திருவிழா) being held in the tamil month Aani(ஆனி)- equivalent gregorian calendar months June-July in a lake called as 'Haridranadhi' (a big public tank / pond / lake).

Adi-Pooram is day for the goddess Sengamalath Taayar (Mother who sits on the Red Lotus). On this day the Goddess' Chariot (Ther) Festival is held. The recent one celebrated on 02nd August 2011.

Other temples of importance in and around this town are Vishanivarthi Vinayagar temple in east second street mannargudi, Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple,Sri Arthanareeswarar Temple ( Built by Mr and Mrs Govindasamy Manicka Thevar Thirunaavukarasammal borned in 1918 a native of Melavasal, who later settled in Singapore with his family in the 1950s but spent his last good days in 2008 in the village} and Sri Valathiyamman Temple (Melavasal), Kulandayi Mariyamman Temple and Saethu Mariyamman Temple (at Ullikkottai), Kaliamman temple Neduvakkottai, Kailasanathar temple (Siva), Meenakshi Amman Temple, Othai street Ananda Vinayagar Temple and Sri Ramar Temple (at Vaduvoor). Alangudi (Guru sthalam, one of the Navagraha Stalam) Temple is about 23 km en route to Kumbakonam. Sree Gnanapureeshwarar temple is at Thirumakkottai and a very famous Sri Pillayar Koil in Kelathirupalakudi.

There is a Siva Temple north of Pamani river called Thirupaadaleeswaram. It is also known as Pamani Kovil. It is believed to be a swaambu (meaning it came into existence of its own, not built by any known person). It is a wonderful temple that gives peace and tranquility. One can reach this temple from the town by crossing Pamani river.

Mannargudi Mallinatha Swamy Jain Temple is an ancient Jain temple built during the reign of the Chola dynasty in the twelfth century.

Mannargudi Mallinatha Swamy Jain Temple

Apart from the idol of Bhagawan Mallinathar, there are idols of Dharma Devi, Saraswathi Devi, Padmavathi Devi, Jawalamalini Amman and others in the temple.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[11] Mannargudi had a population of 61,588. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Mannargudi has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 74%. In Mannargudi, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age. Mannargudi town is a mixture of Hindu, Muslims and Christians.

Administration and politics

The municipality of Mannargudi was established in 1866 and initially consisted of twelve members.^[12] The municipality was periodically enlarged and expanded and currently consists of 33 members.^[13] Till the early years of the 20th century, Mannargudi remained the smallest municipality in the then Tanjore district.^[12] The municipal council is headed by a Municipal Chairperson assisted by a Deputy Chairperson. The executive wing is headed by a Municipal Commissioner.

Mannargudi is represented in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly by the Mannargudi assembly constituency which forms a part of the Thanjavur Lok Sabha constituency.^[14] Mannargudi is a regional stronghold of the Communist Party of India which has won the assembly seat six times. The city gets 4.66 million litres of portable water every day.^[15]There are a total of 10 over head tanks in the town.^[15]The municipality collects about 20 MT of solid waste every day.^[16]There are a total of 55 kilometres of storm water drains in the town.^[17]The municipality has allocated a budget of Rs. 8,751,164 for the year 2010-11.^[18]Water supply to the city comes from a 12-kilometre-long channel dug from the Vadavar canal.^[2]

Education

The Findlay College (now known as the Findlay Higher Secondary School), founded by the Wesleyan Mission in 1845, is the oldest educational institutions in Mannargudi.^[2][19] It was affiliated to the Madras University in 1898.^[2]

National Higher Secondary School, Mannargudi (NHSS) is more than 100 years old. Established in the year 1899. Sri Ramadurai Iyer and Sri Singaravel Udaiyar are the founders of the school. This is the second oldest educational institutions in Mannargudi. It has laboratory facilities, play ground and a basketball court with flood lights. The school has English and Tamil as the medium of instruction.

Schools

Mannargudi has a number of primary, high and higher secondary schools, as listed below.

Schools in the town

• National Higher Secondary School
• Findlay Higher Secondary School
• A.E.S School, East Othai Street
• Vani vilas High School, Mannargudi-1
• St. Joseph higher secondary school (for Girls)
• Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School
• Devi Matriculation School
• Ashoka sishu vihar matriculation school
• Saviour Jesus Matriculation School
• SubhashChandra Bose Matriculation school
• Navabarath Matriculation school
• SBA Matriculation School, Mannargudi
• Bharathidasan Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Mannargudi-1
• Bharathi Vidyalaya Higher Secondary School, Mannargudi-1
• Rajambalayam Middle School, Mannargudi-1
• Mannargudi Municipality Middle School, Mannargudi-1
• ARJ International Residential (CBSE)School, Mannargudi-1
• Sadasivam Kathirkamavalli Higher Secondary School, Mannargudi-1
• St. Joseph School, Haridranathi, Mannargudi-12
• Shanmuga Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Maravakkadu, Mannargudi-1
• Mannargudi Municipality Urban Bank High School, GS West St.,
• Dharani Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Mannargudi-614001
• Sai Baalaji Nursery and Primary School, Mannargudi-614 001.

http://www.dharanischool.co.in/

Schools on the outskirts of town

• Thirvalluvar Govt Higher Sc. School, Alangottai
• Govt Higher Secondary School Ullikkottai
• Thirumurugan Primary and Nursury School - Karuvakkurichi
• Govt Higher Secondary School Karuvakkurichi
• Govt higher Secondary School Paravakkottai
• Govt Higher Secondary School Mahadevapattinam
• Nehru Indra Nursery & Primary School
• Kalaivani Nursery and Primary School - Kottur
• Mahasoomiya Nursery & Primary School - Budamangalam
• Oxford Matriculation Higher Secondary School - Koothanallur
• Vaduvur Higher secondary School - Vaduvur
• Little Flower Viswanath Mat. Hr. Sec School - Eda - Melaiuyur
• Manolayam Special School Melapankattangudi
• Meenachi Mariyappar High School - Solapandi, Mannargudi
• Gay Roses Nursery & Primary School - Koopachikottai

Engineering college

• ARJ College of Engineering and Technology, Edayarnatham, Mannargudi-1

Arts and science

• MRG Government Arts College, Mannargudi-1
• Sengamala Thayaar Educational Trust Women's College, Sundarakottai, Mannargudi-12
• SK College of Arts and Science, Melavasal, Mannargudi-1
• Alagappa University & Tamilnadu Open University Study Centre - Ajay Academy, 19, MGR Nagar, Mannargudi- 614001.

Polytechnic and ITI

• Ramajayathammal ITI, Mannargudi.
• Visweswaraya ITI, Pamani, Mannarugudi.
• Indira Gandhi ITI, Mannargudi.
• ARJ Polytechnic College, Edayarnatham, Mannargudi.
• SK Polytechnic College, Melavasal, Mannargudi.

Teacher training institution

• Government Teacher Training Institute, Kumarapuram, Mannargudi.

Mannargudi is the Educational Capital of Thiruvarur district.

Browsing Centre

• HUB High Speed Internet, Balakrishna Nagar.
• star net centre mannargudi
• high speed net cafe mannargudi

Transport

There is one unit 'Office of the Regional Transport Officer' (RTO) at Mannargudi under Tiruvarur RTO district and gives Registration numbers starting TN 50 .

Road

Mannargudi is connected by roadways with Tanjore, Trichy, Kumbakonam, Pattukottai, Thiruthuraipoondi, Tiruvarur, Muthupet, Orathanadu.The conditions of the road are poor with lot of curves and bends. The curvy amongst all roads is the road from Mannargudi to Thiruvaur, the total distance is just 27 kilometers, but the time taken to reach Tiruvarur is one hour and 20 minutes on an average, roads are in a very bad shape, and they are not motorable. Also government and private operated buses connect this town with Chennai, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Tirupathi, Kanchipuram, Vellore, Arani.The Mannargudi- Kumbakonam road is improved now. This is the main route for chennai.

SH 28 -> Thanjavur - Mannargudi - Thiruthuraipoondi - Vedaranyam - Kodiyakarai

SH-66 -> Kumbakonam - Mannargudi - Pattukkottai- Athiramapattinam 

S.No City Distance (km)

• 1. Pattukottai 32Kms
• 2. Thanjavur 38Kms
• 3. Kumbakonam 34Kms
• 4. Tiruchirappalli 90Kms
• 6. Madurai 213Kms
• 7. Palani 280Kms
• 8. Coimbatore 293Kms
• 9. Chennai 328Kms
• 10. Muthupet 35Kms
• 11. Thiruturaipoondi 28Kms

The TNSTC - Kumbakonam division and SETC operate 10 buses of Ordinary, Super Deluxe and Ultra Deluxe categories to Chennai daily. Also the following private parties operate omnibuses in all categories to Chennai.

• Rathimeena Travels
• Sri Bhagyalakshmi Travels
• Vivegam Travels

Train

Mannargudi Railway Station is just 2 km away from the town, in Mannai Nagar, Jayamkondanathar Street. Daily trains to Chennai-Egmore, "Mannai Express" is running and in return daily train from Chennai-Egmore to Mannargudi is also running. Mannai Express starts from Mannargudi at 09:15 pm and in parallel it's counterpart starts from Chennai at 10:00 pm. There is also daily passenger train to Manamadurai via Tanjore, Tiruchirappalli, Pudukottai, Karaikudi, Tirupatur, Thirumayam. In recent railway budget 2012, railway ministry has sanctioned Mannargudi to Tirupati Express Train, weekly thrice. Also, Railway Ministry has been requested to run Mannargudi to Coimbatore express trains soon. It is expected more trains will be introduced to connect other important parts of southern districts of Tamil Nadu in future. As Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in her Railway Budget 2011 had made an announcement to conduct 'New Line Survey' between Mannargudi and Pattukkottai, southern railway has sanctioned the fund to start the works to lay new line to Pattukottai from Mannargudi.

Air

The nearest airport is the Tiruchirapalli Airport (TRZ), 90 km away and connects to Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Colombo and various Indian cities of Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore etc. The nearest major international airport is the Chennai International Airport which is nearly 390 kms away.

Banks and ATMs

As Mannargudi is not a major commerce and finance center, but public sector and private sector banks are present in this small town and used by village folks for around 25 to 30 km radius, Banks and other finance institutions do not play an important role in the town's economic growth. Most PSU (Public sector units) banks are always crowded because of inefficient staff who do not care for the customers, but private banks are more efficient in delivering services to the public. The various banks in the town are:

• City Union Bank, Gandhi Road (1 ATM)
• Thanjavur Central Cooperative Bank, Mela Raja veethi
• Urban Bank
• ICICI Bank, Kela Raja veethi (1 ATM)
• Indian Bank, Gandhi Road (1 ATM)
• Indian Bank, Krishna theertham (1 ATM)
• Indian Overseas Bank, Gandhi Road (1 ATM)
• Karur Vysya Bank, chetty street(1 ATM)
• Lakshmi Vilas Bank, Mela Raja veethi (1 ATM)
• State Bank of India, Big Bazar (4 ATMs)
• Bank of India, Mela Raja veethi
• Bank of Baroda, Tanjore Road
• HDFC Bank, Near Govt Arts College
• KMBF Bank Ltd, Gandhi Road
• Mannargudi Cooperative Bank, keela rajaveedhi
• Canara Bank,Natesan St(1 ATM)
• Corporation Bank, Rukmanipalayam Road (1 ATM)

Retail stores

Several prominent Retail giants have their shops in Mannargudi.

• Suriya Electrical - For All Your Current Needs
• CIRRUS INNOVATION (Matrix Epabx, Genus UPS & Solar Panels), Keezha Raja Veethi.
• Veera Silks and Readymades, Mela Raja Veethi, Mannargudi.
• Sree Aishwarya Jewellers, Big bazzar street.
• SAMSUNG Authorised Service Point - Sri Malolan Mobiles, 58, Natesan street (Opp. LDS).
• SRR SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE - Multi Branded Computers,Accessories & Peripherals-Sales,Service & Spares
• Bata Shoes
• Hero Honda (Linga Motors)
• Thambikottai Motors (TVS Showroom)
• Univercell - The Mobile Expert
• Vairam Motors( LML Bikes)
• Chiraak Jwellery House, Big Kammala St
• TAFE Tractors and Farm Equipment Showroom

Apart from the retail stores, notable groceries shops are available in the heart of the town.

• RR Maligai,Gandhi Road(Opp to Indian Overseas Bank), Mannargudi
• Thangarasu Maligai, Old Tanjavur Road(Near by RDO office), mannargudi.
• New Swaminatha Stores & Maligai, Panthaladi, Mannargudi
• Kurinji Maligai (Bus Stand), Mannargudi
• MRM Maligai (Ramalingam Pillai Grocery Store, Keelappalam
• Chettiar Grocery Stores opp. to market, keela raja veethi, Mannargudi
• Kolumbu Stores, Keelappalam.
• LDS (Lakshmi Departmental Stores), Natesan Street, Mannargudi
• Cholan Maligai, Keela Raja veethi, Mannargudi

Entertainment

The major entertainment/ Cinema theatres are

• Sami DTS(6Tracks)-PXD DIGITAL CINEMA
• Shanthi DTS(6Tracks) QUBE DIGITAL CINEMA

As the Cauvery delta region is known for temples, people also visit holy towns like Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Velankanni, Tirunallar and Nagore.

Media and communication

All leading Tamil dailies like Dinathanthi, Dinamani, Dinamalar, Dinakaran, Kalaikadhir and English dailies such as The Hindu, The New Indian Express, Business Line and Deccan Chronicle are available in Mannargudi. This town has various local television channels like K NETWORK , CTN, Tamil TV, Achi TV, Om TV besides channels like Star Vijay, Sun, Raj, Jaya and others. Among Radio channels, All India Radio's Tiruchirapalli AM station and FM channels like Kodai Rainbow FM and FM channels of Tiruchirapalli and Karaikal are being listened to by people here.

Notes

References

• Hemingway, F. R.. Madras District Gazetteers: Tanjore. 

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