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ILAYANGUDI is an ancient township, its history goes back to 3rd and 2nd century BC, the Golden Era of Zainism (Samanam) and Buddhism flourished in Tamil Land.
The foot prints of Samanam and Buddham can be still witnessed in the township. Mahavirar Statue (Ammana Samy - as we call it locally) can be seen outside the Shivaite Temple, which proves that this temple might be one among the Zains (Samana Palli) Temple, which was converted as Hindu Temple during 7th Century by Sambhanthar.
Same way, the foot prints of Buddhism can be witnessed, as we still call our Public Water tank in the city, neat bus stop - THEAVOORANI. Which is a slang of THEARAR OORANI. Thearar is the terminology used to call Buddhist Monk in Tamil.
ISLAM was introduced to this township during 6th and 7th Century by Arab Traders during the life time of PROPHET MOHAMED (Peace Be Upon Him). During that period tamil land was undergoing religious genocide between Vedic (Brahmins) and Zains (Samanar) & Buddhists. Government sponsored genocide forced Zains (Samanars) and Buddhist for a mass exodus or to change their faiths. Quiet a large members of these religious sect embraced ISLAM. During that tenure, the Muslims were enjoying good relationship with Tamil Kings as they were commanding their Calvary and Naval forces thus they were called as RAWOOTHERS and MARAKKAYARS. Also, many ISLAMIC groups were migrated to ILAYANGUDI from SIVALAPERI, UDANGUDI, SUNDRAPANDIYAPATTINAM, THENMALAI, THIRUNELVELI and others parts of South India.
Since then ISLAM remains the Major Force in the Township bringing prosperity and peace to the land, benefiting the people of ILAYANGUDI and its surrounding villages.
Thus the roots of ILAYANGUDI has been influenced by different historical, religious, social and economical factors. The old and new city of ILAYANGUDI was conceived and moulded by ISLAM. The olden Muslim Community were performing three major trades such as TEXTILE WEAVING, TRANSPORTATION and PLANTATION of Betel Leaves. Based on their trades each Jamath were identified as NESAVU PATTADAI, ERUTHU PATTADAI, KODIKAL PATTADAI. The adjacent suburban of SALAIYUR were having two jamaths based on their Madhgabs as HANAFI & SHAFI.
To conclude, the literal meaning of ILAYANGUDI in Tamil is NOT AN INFERIOR SOCIETY, which is the nature of these sons of soil.

India
Tamilnadu
Sivagangai District
Mahavirar Statue - Foot prints of Samanam
Thevoorani-Foot prints of Buddham
Thozhugai Medai Pallivasal - offering prayer since AD 1553
Melapallivasal - Offering prayer since AD 1744
Salai Hanafi Pallivasal - Offering prayer since AD 1811
Salai Shafi Pallivasal - Offering prayer since AD 1775

Ilayangudi History - Ancient

Ilayangudi History - Islamic

Ilayangudi History - Epic

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	ILAYANGUDI is an ancient township, its history goes back to 3rd and 2nd century BC, the Golden Era of Zainism (Samanam) and Buddhism flourished in Tamil Land. The foot prints of Samanam and Buddham can be still witnessed in the township. Mahavirar Statue (Ammana Samy - as we call it locally) can be seen outside the Shivaite Temple, which proves that this temple might be one among the Zains (Samana Palli) Temple, which was converted as Hindu Temple during 7th Century by Sambhanthar. Same way, the foot prints of Buddhism can be witnessed, as we still call our Public Water tank in the city, neat bus stop - THEAVOORANI. Which is a slang of THEARAR OORANI. Thearar is the terminology used to call Buddhist Monk in Tamil. ISLAM was introduced to this township during 6th and 7th Century by Arab Traders during the life time of PROPHET MOHAMED (Peace Be Upon Him). During that period tamil land was undergoing religious genocide between Vedic (Brahmins) and Zains (Samanar) & Buddhists. Government sponsored genocide forced Zains (Samanars) and Buddhist for a mass exodus or to change their faiths. Quiet a large members of these religious sect embraced ISLAM. During that tenure, the Muslims were enjoying good relationship with Tamil Kings as they were commanding their Calvary and Naval forces thus they were called as RAWOOTHERS and MARAKKAYARS. Also, many ISLAMIC groups were migrated to ILAYANGUDI from SIVALAPERI, UDANGUDI, SUNDRAPANDIYAPATTINAM, THENMALAI, THIRUNELVELI and others parts of South India. Since then ISLAM remains the Major Force in the Township bringing prosperity and peace to the land, benefiting the people of ILAYANGUDI and its surrounding villages. Thus the roots of ILAYANGUDI has been influenced by different historical, religious, social and economical factors. The old and new city of ILAYANGUDI was conceived and moulded by ISLAM. The olden Muslim Community were performing three major trades such as TEXTILE WEAVING, TRANSPORTATION and PLANTATION of Betel Leaves. Based on their trades each Jamath were identified as NESAVU PATTADAI, ERUTHU PATTADAI, KODIKAL PATTADAI. The adjacent suburban of SALAIYUR were having two jamaths based on their Madhgabs as HANAFI & SHAFI. To conclude, the literal meaning of ILAYANGUDI in Tamil is NOT AN INFERIOR SOCIETY, which is the nature of these sons of soil.	India Tamilnadu Sivagangai District Mahavirar Statue - Foot prints of Samanam Thevoorani-Foot prints of Buddham Thozhugai Medai Pallivasal - offering prayer since AD 1553 Melapallivasal - Offering prayer since AD 1744 Salai Hanafi Pallivasal - Offering prayer since AD 1811 Salai Shafi Pallivasal - Offering prayer since AD 1775
Ilayangudi History - Ancient

Ilayangudi History - Islamic
Ilayangudi History - Epic
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