Kamanayakkanpatti

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Kamanayakkanpatti had a population of 2426. Males constitute 50.05% of the population and females 49.05%. Kamanayakkanpatti has an average literacy rate of 73.3%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. In Kamanayakkanpatti, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.The people from Kamanayakkanpatti form a village in 1700 AD at Maravankudieruppu near Nagercoil.

Geography

Kamanayakkanpatti is located at 9.07°N 77.93°E / 9.07; 77.93. It is a fast-growing small village located 14 kilometres to the south east of Kovilpatti.

Kamanayakkanpatti is a Gram panchayat which includes one more near by village Ettunayakkanpatti.

History

Ilasa Naadu, a Paandiya Sub Kingdom was situated on the way from Mathurai to Thoothukkudy. After Vijayanagara Kingdom captured Mathurai in 1371, most of the sub Paandiyan Kingdoms too were captured by them one by one. From Ilasanaadu, 1500 Sq. km. was given to Ettappan as Zamindar in 1415 by Vijayanagara Kingdom. Ettappan and his descendants had appointed Nayakars as the village heads in the Zameen. Kamanayakkan was one of the Ettappan's captain captured The Paandiyan Army base of Ilasa Naadu and named after him as Kaamanaayakkan Patti.

The Nayakkars and Paandiya Soldiers had a continuous fight over the Army Base. In 1610, the தத்துவ போதகர் Roberto De Nobili converted the Spiritual leaders of the Village to Christian Faith. In 1679, the entire town embraced Christianity by Arul Aanandhar and the first Church was built. The death of Aurangzeb in 1707 has changed the Political scenario of the Nation. In 1710 Veeramaamunivar (Constantine Joseph Beschi)came, stayed for some years in Kaamanaayakkan Patti and served as the Parish Priest and established Christianity in the nearby villages. He built two big wooden Cars for the church.

The descendants of the Kingdom of Ilasa Naadu, Maaraveera Paandiyan had consolidated the Kingdom again in 1724, and kept Kaama Nayakkan Patti as his Capital. He has established the relationship with the Sri Lankan Kingdom. In 1736 the Nayakkar Kingdom came to an end by Chantha Sahib and 1751 saw the British took control on the entire Thamizh Naadu.

In 1770, Maaraveera Paandiyan has married his second Daughter Santhana Maria to the Travancore Prince and had send his youngest son Swamy Adiyaan as his Ambassoder with 5000 gold. Maaraveera Paandiyan has send his Army and supported his Son in Travancore to stop the infiltration and plundering of Kallars in the East border of the Kingdom. The Prince Swamy Adiyaan had wiped off the Kallars and has taken control of the entire Maravan Thattu / Maravankudieruppu.

Similarly in 1781, he has send his second son to Karur, where the descendants of the defeated Chera Kings were assembled. The Kingdom fought against the British three times but in vain and lost its glory along with all Paandiya Sub Kingdoms in the State.

Church

This is one of the oldest church in south Tamil Nadu. The church was initially built by St.John De Brito about 400 years back. And after that it had crossed several stages of renovations and finally it has transformed into a beautiful Chapel as today.

The Rev. Father Constant Joseph Beschi, known as reverentially Veeramamunivar, who has written the Paramartha Guru Stories and much more Tamil literature including Thembavani, also served as priest in this Parish. There are two big teak wooden cars in the church were built by him.

The Church is one of the parish in RC Diocese, Palayamkottai. The parish includes near by villages Ettunayakkanpatti, Kuruvinatham and Sevalpatti.

Our Lady of Assumption

The miraculous statue of Our Lady of Assumption at the throne over the main altar of the Church is the specialty here. The faith and love of the villagers for Mother Mary (அன்னை மரியாள் in Tamil) is really amazing. However, their faith and love have their own reason that is the grace and mercy of Mother Mary for the villagers.

The migrants from Kamanayakkan Patti like Prince Swamy Adiyaan have taken the legacy of Mother Mary wherever they went and had built Churches for her. The Church for Our Lady of Assumption Built by Swamy Adiyaan in Travancore Kingdom in Maravan Thattu or Maravankudieruppu is later converted as the Church of Our Lady of Snows.

Our Lady of Assumption Festival

The feast day recognizing Mary's passage into Heaven is celebrated as the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary every year on 15 August here. The feast preceded by hoisting of the flag on 6 August and ends with a Eucharistic Procession around the village on 15 August evening. During these ten days of the Feast, about 2 to 4 lakhs of pilgrims visit the church. The traditional Car Procession around the village with the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Assumption is the highlight of the Feast. The car procession starts with a special Holy Mass on 14 August midnight and ends with a public procession of the Eucharist on 15 August evening.

Notable Borns

1. Bishop Manuel Visuvasam† - Born on 18 Jun 1916, Ordained as Priest on 22 Dec 1941, Ordained as Bishop of Coimbatore, India on 3 May 1972, Deceased on 2 Jun 1979
2. Prof. MJ Xavier, Director at Indian Institute of Management Ranchi 3. Mr. Antony Germanus, Industrialist and Managing director HOTEL GERMANUS, Madurai.

Institutions

SCHOOLS

1. Govt Higher Secondary School

2. St. Aloysius High School

3. Mother Terasa Primary school

BANKS

1. Bank of India

2. Co-operative Society Bank

Transportation

Kamanayakkanpatti lies on Kovilpatti to Puthukottai road. Kamanayakkanpatti is well connected with Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchendur, Pulliampatti, Eppothum Vendran, Pasuvanthanai, Puthiyampuththur, Kayaththar and nearer villages through buses. Nearest Railway station is Kovilpatti (code: cvp). Nearest Domestic airport is Tuticorin Airport and nearest International airport is Madurai International Airport. There are many vans and cars for tourists.