Ilaiyangudi

Ilaiyangudi, also spelt Ilayangudi, is a taluk headquarters town situated 21 km south-east of Manamadurai, in Sivagangai District, India. Sivagangai is around 37 km north-west.

Nearest airport is at Madurai. Paramakudi Junction Railway Station serves Ilaiyangudi.

Nearest city is Paramakudi which is 11 km from Ilaiyangudi.The actors like kamal haasan, vikram were born in Paramakudi.

In Ilaiyangudi muslims live in majority and it also has various esteemed educational institutions of sivaganai district.

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Location

Latitude 9.633333

Longitude 78.63333----

History of Ilaiyangudi

The first migration of Muslims in to Ilaiyangudi Township started between AD14th and 15th Century. But there is a room to believe that a section of Muslim population was already existing in Ilayangudi. They were the people who changed their faith and embrased Islam during 7th and 8th centuries from Samanam. The Muslims who migrated to Ilaiyangudi were from Sevaleperi, Udangudi, Ulakkudi, Sundrapandipattinam, Thenmalai, Kadaiyanallur and Thanjavoor. They were first settled in place called Thuraiyan Pacheery, where the sweet water was available (near the main bazar - Kadai Road). During that time that place was occupied by pallars. With the help of Pallar new Muslim settlement was formed and slowly Pallar left and settled themselves in further south, the present Idaiyavalasai.

There is a story to support migration of first settlement of Muslims in Ilaiyangudi. There was a great draught in southern part of the Tamilnadu during AD 14th Century. Around 40 families left in search of fertile land, finally they reached Ilaiyangudi and settled themsleves there. The first mosque in Ilaiyangudi was built some where between AD15th Century around AD 1450. This Mosque was called as keela pallivaasal. This was located in Thuraiyan Pacherry Settlement area. This is recorded in Madurai District Court, Appeal no.72 of AD 1828. The Ilayangudi Muslims were performing three major trades for their survival. Texitle Weaving, Transporation by Bullock Carts and Betal Leaves Plantation. Based on their trade each Jamath were called as eruthu pattadai,nesavu pattadai and kodikal pattadai.

The full fledged nesavu pattadai mosque was built during AD1816, in the location where they were offering prayers since AD 1553 with a Medai. This land was awarded as bounty to Sage sehappa owlia by Pandiya King Sadasivarayar during AD 1553.The present melapallivasal was constructed during AD 1744 in the west side of the old Keela Pallivasal. Thats how it got its name as Mela Pallivasal meaning west mosque. There are two more mosques built in Salaiyur during AD 1775 (Shafi) and AD 1811 (Hanafi).During Muslim migration the town was so small having restricted bountries around the Thearar Oorani area. When Muslim settlement occupied the outskirt in Thuraiyan Pacherry, the wealthy and educated people moved towards North side of the town. The North Side of the town was constructed with well planned straight roads and better living conditions.

After Muslims taking control of the town, all basic amenities were brought into the city such as, Women Hospital, Pachayath, Bus Station, Government Departments, Police Station, Post Office etc. The development of the town is linked with the day today activities of Ilayangudi Islamic Population. Elementary School, High School, College etc were contributed to the town by the generous people of Ilayangudi.

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satellite view [http://www.traveljournals.net/explore/india/map/m2912606/ilayangudi.html]

community website [http://www.ilayangudikural.com/]