Mannargudi

Mannargudi (also spelt Mannarkudi) is a municipality in Thiruvarur district (formerly part of Thanjavur district) in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Raja Mannargudi or Mannai. Mannargudi can be reached by road from Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Pattukkottai which are situated around 40 km from the place. The nearest railway station is 12 km away at Needamangalam.

Geography

Mannargudi is located at 10.67° N 79.43° E.[2] It has an average elevation of 6 metres (19 feet).
Economy

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 Sugarcane Factory. Another working fertilizer industry is Pamani Fertilizers.
Mannargudi town has the largest coal reserve in Asia. The total quantity of lignite reserves in Mannargudi, Tamilnadu identified is around 19,500 million tonnes.[3] 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.



Temples

The most famous landmark in Mannargudi is the thousand year old Hindu Temple Sri Rajagopala Swami Temple.This was built by Raja Cholas at 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. In this year (2008), "Vennai-thaazhi" on April 9th, and 'Chariot'(Thiruther) festival occurs on 10th April. These are very important days of "Panguni Utsavam". People around the town gather in great numbers to celebrate this grand event. There is also Ani thirumanjanam held in Ani month (June- July).
Other temples of importance in and around this town are Kaliamman temple Neduvakkottai, Kailasanathar temple (Siva), Meenakshi Amman Temple, Othaistreet Ananda Vinayagar Temple and Sri Ramar Temple (at Vaduvoor). Alangudi (Guru sthalam - one of the Navagraha Stalam ) Temple is about twenty three kilometers, enroute to Kumbakonam. Railroad connection from Needamangalam were dismantled two decades ago and hence no trains ply this route these days.
Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[4] 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 of 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 Chritians, Hindu religion mainly comprises community subgroups of Dhevendrar, Thevar, Kallar, Vanniar, Sozhiya, Vellalar, Mudaliar and also Nadars. The town's main bazaar is run by Nadars and Muslims, mainly dealing with consumer durable businesses, the shops and establishments ctar to nearby village requirements. and vettikadu village very famous educated people.
Education

Rajagopala Swamy Arts and Science College, ARJ engineering college, STET women's college are some colleges at Mannargudi where students from nearby towns are studying. Apart from these, there is a government arts college ctaring to the educational needs of the people. Mannargudi has a number of primary, high and higher secondary schools. These include National Higher Secondary School, Findlay Higher Secondary School, St. Joseph higher secondary school (women's only), Govt higher sec.school Paravakkottai, :GOVT HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL MAHADEVAPATTINAM: Thirvalluvar Higher Sc. School, Alangottai, Subhash chandra Bose Matric school,Navabarath Matriculation Hr. Sec. School, Ullikottai, Navabarath Nursery & Primary School, Ullikottai, Nehru Indra Nursery & Primary School, Marakkadai, Lakshmangudi and Kalaivani Nursery and Primary School, Kottur, Manargudi Taluk.Mahasoomiya Nursery & Primary School - Budamangalam.