Happy TravellerWelcome to Melur, the Northern entrance of Madurai district and a town and municipality in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Melur, also known as Thaigramam (Mother of Villages), is the biggest taluk within the Madurai District and has a population of 40,017 as of 2011. The town is an agricultural land in Madurai and the climate around the area is tropical. Melur is a manufacturer and exporter of ploughs and has many cast iron industrial units. Granite production is an important industry, with granite from Melur being exported around the world. Situated within a largely agricultural area, most of the people living around Melur are employed in agriculture, chiefly in the cultivation of rice. A few people have been working as masons and assistants in home construction.
Melur is not just a hub of industry and agriculture, but also a place of religious and cultural significance. The local religion involves a temple for Lord Shiva, Aanjaneyar, and the goddess Draupathi, who was the wife of the Pandavas. Two important events are the Biman–Keesakan fight and Pookkuli Festival. In the first event, one person will be acting as Bima and another as Keesakan. Keesakan tries to run away from Bima, and the latter will chase and kill him. The Pookkuli (walking on ignited coals) festival is celebrated every year by the Draupathi Amman Temple. On the Pookkuli day, devotees who have offered prayers to the goddess will perform fire walking. Pathinettankudi manjuu verattu is celebrated on every mattupongal day, and there is a big masjid at Trichy main road which is head of other masjids in Melur. The Naagammal Temple Festival is celebrated every year. Poochorithal is the main event of the festival. Santhana Koodu Festival is celebrated in the al ameen masjid every year. The Ealai Katha Amman Temple festival, Kottakudi Eruthu Kattu, and the Ayyanar Temple Puravi Eduppu Festival are also celebrated around Melur. The Kathapillai street Kaliamman festival is celebrated every year in June. Vetrilai piri thiruvizha (Beetal leaf festival) is a festival celebrated in Vellalur Nadu near Melur in Madhurai on the first day of Chithirai month to celebrate communal harmony. Hindus and Muslims celebrate this together.
Melur is well-connected to other parts of India through various modes of transportation. Madurai Airport is the nearest airport from Melur, which operates domestic flight services and international flights service. Melur has a bus stand, which is used by TNSTC and private operators. This is situated inside the town on Madurai- Trichy NH45B. Melur has bus transportation to Madurai, Chennai, Trichy, Manamadurai, Dindigul, Coimbatore, Karaikudi, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Thirunelveli, Virudhunagar, Tanjore, Rajapalayam, Chidambaram, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Pattukkottai and all around the neighbouring districts. Madurai Junction is the nearest railway station.
Melur is also home to several tourist spots that are worth visiting. Alagar Kovil is a village in Melur Constituency and is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped as Kallazhagar and his consort Lakshmi as Thirumagal. Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple is one of the six important abodes (Arupadaiveedu) of Lord Muruga and is located close to the Vishnu Temple of Azhagar Kovil. Among the Arupadaiveedu, Pazhamudircholai temple is the last one. Lord Muruga at Pazhamudircholai is praised in old Tamil literature works such as Silappathikaram, Ettuthokai and Pattupattu. Thiruvathavur Thirumarainathar shivan Temple is one of the very famous and ancient Shiva Temple, which is located in the Thiruvathavur village of Melur constituency. It was constructed by a 9th-century Tamil Poet Maanikkavaasagar.
Melur is also known for its political significance. Melur (state assembly constituency) is part of Madurai (Lok Sabha constituency). S. Venkatesan also known as Su. Venkatesan from CPI(M) is the Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, after his election in the 2019 Indian general election. The major political parties in Melur are ADMK, DMK Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Indian National Congress, and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam. Kakkan (late), who served as State Minister during Kamarajar period was born in Melur. A statue is laid in Chekkadi. Periya pullan contested the elections and elected as MLA of Melur town in 2021. Periya pullan works for AIADMK party. MLA office which is constructed a decade ago in Sivagangai road remains unused as on date. AMMK Party was started by TTV Dinakaran at Melur on 15 March 2018. In July 2021, 90% of AMMK Cadres from Melur shifted base to DMK.
Melur is a city that has something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, religion, or politics, Melur has it all. So why not plan your next trip to this charming town and experience the best of Tamil Nadu?
