Arappalayam or Arapalayam is an area in the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu State, India. It is on the south bank of the River Vaigai. Arappalyam comes under the Madurai West constituency. The PIN Code for Arasaradi-Arappalaym is 625016. Arappalaym was one of the 72 palayams created under Madurai Nayak's rule. In Tamil, Aaru means river and Palayam means area. As it is situated on the river bank it got the name Arappalayam.
History
Arappalyam has a very long history. Arappalyam is mentioned in one of the 64 Thiruvilayaadalgal of lord Siva. Arappalyam is called Pittukku Mann sumantha thiruthalam. and also it has Ramarpathan which was called Ramanpettai. During Madurai Nayak rule, it was a palayam having its own local administrative body. In 1857, British built Madurai Railway station to connect Madurai and Trichy via Dindigul. Opening Madura coats made it an industrial township. Arapalayam is nearly 1 km from Meenakshi Amman Temple, Railway station and central bus stand. Arapalayam was a busiest industrial area a few years back. "Madura coats" a cotton mill, established here had around 20000+ employees in 3 shifts. But unfortunately now its strength is 500+. Sundaram BPO, reliance fresh, Mathi theatre, Bus stand, River, Market are few attractions in Arapalayam.
Streets
Arappalyam Main Road, Manjal medu, Komas palayam, West Ponnagaram, Ponnagaram Broadway, Cross Road, Puttu Thoppu, Kari Medu, Bus Stand, Mothilal Streets, Total head of: AZHARADI Streets, AA Road, DD Road, JJ Road, Gnanaolivupuram, Meiyappan Street, Harvey Nagar, Sahayamatha Street all comes under Arappalayam.
Places of worship
Hindu Temples
Puttu thoppu Kovil - A historic temple where Lord Shiva has done one of his 'Thiruviliayadalgal'.
In the myth, the Pandiya King ordered every household in Madurai to offer one person for putting sand on the banks of the river Vaigai to control floods. An old lady, who sold puttu to make a living, had nobody to send for the flood control work. Lord Shiva disguised as a youth approached the old lady with a deal to do the work for the lady and in return she has to give him puttuevery day and hence the name Puttukku Mann sumantha thiruthalam meaning - place where Shiva carried sand for puttu. The agreement was, she need not give him the puttu which is in good shape, but only the leftovers. The old lady agreed. But Lord Shiva, with his magical powers, made each of the puttu she cooked as shapeless unsellable leftover and ate everything. And worse, he didn't do any work in the river Vaigai either but he chose to sleep under a tree. The King, who was supervising the work, found the lazy man and beat him at the back with a stick. Everyone including the king felt the pain in their back. Then the king came to know that the lazy man is none other than lord Shiva and apologised. Even now, to mark this event, on September 4 of every year, a function is held in the riverbank of Arappalayam and puttu is cooked in every household.
Railway Colony Selva Vinayagar Kovil
Vaigai Perumal Kovil - A Perumal statue dug out from the river Vaigai was the main deity of this temple. Presently removed due to government regulations on occupations of the public roads and placed in Krishnan temple situated in West ponnagaram main Road.
Vaigai Anchaneyar Kovil
Arulmigu Sakthi vinayagar Temple, Arulmigu sakthi mariamman Temple near by the Vaigai river
Mosques
There are Mosques in DD Road, Karimedu.
Educational institutions
Vikaasa School - near azharadi
St. Britto Higher Secondary School- Gnanaolivupuram
RC Primary School-Gnanaolivupuram
Holy Family Girls Higher Secondary School-West Ponnagaram 5th Street
Ananth Memorial Matriculation School-Bus Stand
Capron Hall Girls Higher Secondary School- Puttu Thoppu
