Arappalayam(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.
In Tamil, Aaru means river and Palayam means area. As it is situated on the river bank it got the name Arappalayam (aka Aatruppalayam).
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Arappalyam has a very long history. Arappalyam is mentioned in one of the 63 Thiruvilayaadalgal of lord Siva. Arappalyam is called as "Pittukku Mann sumantha thiruthalam." and also it has Ramarpathan which was called Ramanpettai.
Arapalayam is nearly 1km from Meenakshi Amman Temple, Railway station and central bus stand(periyar) . Arapalayam a busiest industrial
area few years back "Madura coats" a cotton mill will employees around 20000+ in 3 shifts unfortunately now its strength is 500+.
Sundaram BPO, reliance fresh, Mathi theathre, Bus stand, River, Market are few attractions in Arapalayam.
Arappalyam Main Road, Manjal medu, Komas palayam, West Ponnagaram (a total of 10 streets), 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.
As per the myth, once, the Pandiya King ordered every household in Madurai to offer one person for putting sand on the banks of the river Vaigai to control flood. An old lady, who sold 'Puttu' (a kind of rice pudding) to make a living, had none whom she can send for the flood control work. Lord Shiva disguised as a youth approached the old lady with a deal. He will do the work for the lady and in return she has to give him 'Puttu' every day and hence the name "Puttukku Mann sumantha thiruthalam" meaning - place (thiruthalam) where Shiva carried (sumantha) sand (mann) for 'Puttu'. The agreement is, she need not give him the 'Puttu' which is in good shape, but only the left-overs. The old lady agreed. But Lord Shiva, with his magical powers, made each of the 'Puttu' she cooked as a shapeless unsellable left-over and ate every thing. 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. As per the myth, 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 river bank of Arappalayam and 'Puttu' is cooked in every household.
Punitha Valanar Aalayam @ St. Joseph’s Church, Gnanaolivupuram, Madurai is one of the biggest Catholic Parish in Tamil Nadu. 50 years ago the parish began as a small unit, and by the Grace of the Almighty, and under the Patron of our Parish, St. Joseph, today flourishing with Spiritual and Social activity in the heart of the city.
There are Mosques in DD Road, Karimedu.
Arapplayam Bus Stand is a major junction for the TNSTC, SETC buses going to Bangalore, Salem, Theni, Kambam, Kumuli, Dindugal. Well connected with Railway Station, Maattu Thavani Bus Stand, Anna Bus stand and Periayar Bus Stand. Buses are operated to Thirumangalam, Theppakulam, Anna Nagar and Madurai Kamaraj University from Aarappalyam Bus stand.
Many theatres are there in Aarappalaym: