Megnanapuram
| Megnanapuram Neduvillai | |
|---|---|
| village | |
  Megnanapuram  Megnanapuram Location in Tamil Nadu, India | |
| Coordinates: 8°28′N 77°59′E / 8.467°N 77.983°ECoordinates: 8°28′N 77°59′E / 8.467°N 77.983°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Thoothukudi |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 648210 |
| Vehicle registration | TN-69 |
| Nearest city | Tiruchendur |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Tiruchendur |
| Avg. summer temperature | 41 °C (106 °F) |
| Avg. winter temperature | 28 °C (82 °F) |
Megnanapuram (Neduvilai ) lies in the southern side of Thoothukudi district, at about 10 km east of Sattankulam and 11 km south of Nazareth. It is also known as Meignanapuram. Udangudi is the nearest town. The nearest railway is Nazareth Railway Station. It is served by Tuticorin Airport. By road, it is accessible from Tirunelveli (41 km north-west), Tuticorin and Nagercoil.
One of the stateliest churches in the whole of India is St. Paul’s church. Meignanapuram is a village which came under the influence of Rev. C. T. E. Rhenius. On March 7, 1830, Rhenius changed the name of the village "Neduvilai" into "Meignanapuram" (True Wisdom).
Rev. John Thomas, who landed here in 1837, took the village to his heart and designed the church (which was earlier a village Hindu temple[1]), which is a must for any visitor to Tirunelveli. The imposing steeple, 192 ft high, was added in 1868, the coping stone being fixed by Lord Napier. Rev. John Thomas was buried in a corner of the church. Every year, in the month of January's last Thursday, the ASANA PANDIGAI is celebrated. The Village people celebrate the Church Festival in the memory of Desible St. Pauls. At this time, relatives of the villagers and visitors attend this, once exceeding one lakh people. Mass amounts of food is prepared and served at the time. It is very famous in Thoothukudi dist. then near by .5 km arul meku santhana mariamman temple MUTHULAKSHMIPURAM.then pongal festival of muthulakmipuram enjoyed all people. Near by 2 km paduvai lake anaithalai
Climate
The climate is very pleasant in rainy and winter season (September–January),and very hot in summer. As it is only 5 km away from the Bay of Mannar a pleasant wind blows in the evening all around the year.
Economy
Agriculture is the major source of livelihood for the people here. The west ayacut irrigation (sadaneri kalvai)is the only source of irrigation. Lake Sadaneri is always dry because the farmers of 'semmerikulam' are not allowing the water in the canal as it will immerse their 'illegal' cultivation in 'Padugai'. The failure of monsoon over the years made the people to migrate to town for grocery business. As education is very accessible, the young generation got good job all over the world. The profession of 'cooking' is very famous and they travel to Chennai and Coimbatore for preparing mouth watering delicious food in churches. The New generations teaching and uniform government post knowledge good English.
Recent History of Village and Church
The village temple poojari's son was bitten by snake, then C. T. E Rhenius (1790–1838) helped him with his medicine. So that the whole village converted itself to Christianity. In the place of the Hindu temple, German style mixed church was built.[2]
Sports
Although people play all games Kabaddi and volleyball are very famous. Meignanapuram has generated lot of national Kabaddi players and clubs like SAP Bros found by T. Sugirthapany of Ellanganathapuram, John Thomas club it was founded Mr.Thoeogaraj he was a real hero in this village. He is one of the Administrators in the village for all the functions like asanam Christmas kabaddi tournaments. He sacrificed his life to the village youngsters; many of them got jobs in sports quota. This club has participated in various tournaments in and around the village and won many prizes. Meignanapuram has given international players to the world.
Also in 2016 Walsh Sports Club founded by Joseph Raj and his classmates in Ambrose school and friends help to build a real club, they are in growing stages.
References
- ↑ Susan Billington Harper, In the shadow of the Mahatma: Bishop V.S.Azariah and the travails of Christianity in British India (WM.Erdmans publishing company, 1999) page 17
- ↑ Susan Billington Harper, In the shadow of the Mahatma: Bishop V.S.Azariah and the travails of Christianity in British India (WM.Erdmans publishing company, 1999) page 17