Singampunari is a town in Sivagangai district, in Tamil Nadu, India. The town comes under the Thirupathur constituency.
This is an industrial and temple town. In Singampunari, the main industry is production of coconut rope. It is the home for many groundnut oil mills and many more small scale industries. The places to see near this town are Piranmalai or Parambumalai which is supposed to be the place of Vallal Pari (one among the seven ancient Tamil patrons) and Vettangudi bird sancutuary situated at Kolikudipatti. Singampunari experience dry weather for most of the year.
It is about 47 km from Madurai, 58 km from Dindigul, 216 km from Coimatore, 65 km from Tiruchi, 50 km from Karaikudi, being 7 km from Kottampatti which lies along the Madurai-Chennai highways. It also lies on the Coimbatore-Palani - Karaikudi-Devakottai route. So all the buses from Coimbatore to Chettinad region via Palani stops in Singampunari.
It has a peculiar history.
The region is known as Anjala Naadu or Aindhu Nilai Naadu. It was situated in a bigger province called Kerala Singa Vala Naadu which is in Vada Pandi Mandalam - North Pandya Country.
This Anjal Naadu was divided into five mangalam - Kanna Mangalam, Seer Serndha Mangalam, vela Mangalam, shatur Vedha Mangalam(s.v.mangalam),and mullai mangalam.
It was made up military cantonments. Since it is in the northern belt of Pandya country, it had a network of forts.
In the past a very dense jungle surrounded the place.
It was watered by a river which was known in inscriptions as 'Vilisilai Aaru'.
Anjal Nadu is the home region of a martial class of people known as 'Ilamaravar' or 'Ilamagar'. It is surrounded by Kallar Naadu. It borders on the Chettinadu area. Singampunari and a few places near it are also the home to a class of Vaisyas known as Aruviyur Nagarathar. Aruviyur was a mercantile mega-town which was one of the headquarters of the Merchant guild called 'Thisai Aayirathu Ainuruvar' or 'Naanadesi'.
Singampunari was an important centre for the Jains-Samanar. The most important temple in Singampunari, is the Temple of Sri Sevuga Perumal Aiyanar Saastha. In the past, it was one of the places where oaths were made to ensure truth. It also houses the SuyamPrakasar who is known as Suyambu. This a naturally occurring Sivalingam placed to the left side of the main shrine. The famous Pidari of Singampunari has a shrine to right side of the central shrine.
The Lord Shree Sevuga Perumal Ayyanar is considered as a brother for all Ayyanars around Singampunari such as Shree Sirai Meetta Ayyanar, Shree Seguttaiyanar Temples present in M.Soorakkudi village, Some 12 Kilometers from Singampunari. Those temples are associated with Sevuga moorthi Ayyanar in many ways. After completing 10 days festival to Shree Sevuga Moorthi Ayyanar, the Maalai, Santhanam is brought to Shree Sirai Meetta Ayyanar, Shree Seguttaiyanar Temples for "Puravi Yeduppu Thiruvizha" which is very famous in and around Districts.
Many people believe that the old name of Singampunari was Singampidaari. This was supposed to have been named after the Pidari. Bali Karuppar, Periya Karuppar, ChinnaKaruppar, Brahmaayee, Adaikkal Kaaththa Aiyanaar, Ganesa, Murugan have their sannidhis. Other deities like Sangil Karuppar, MuthuKaruppar, Valaithadi Karuppar, Sannasi, Saptha Kannika, and others share a common sannidhi. The temple had its own archives with thousands of palm leaf records. The 10 days Brahmothsavam is famous and draws huge crowds. The Ther Thiruvizha(car festival)and PooPallaakku are important festivals. There is a peculiar festival called 'Kaluvan Thiruvila' which is celebrated only in Singampunari.
As of 2001 India census, Singampunari had a population of 16,4150. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Singampunari has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 65%. In Singampuneri, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
There are 3 churches at Singampunari: a Roman Catholic church, Church of South India and Assemblies of God Church (Rev.S.Sornamuthu, Pastor, A.G. Church).A Mosque is available.(sadiq batcha)
There are Government elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and 1 boys higher secondary school and a girls higher secondary school(rani mathurambal rajayee memorial govt girls higher secondary school) with the strength of nearly 1500 pupils each. There are also 4 private English medium schools(Annai Velankanni Matric.Hr.Sec.School,Parivallal Matric. Hr. Sec. School,Venkateshwara Matric. Hr. Sec. School, S.S. Matriculation School). One Teachers Training Institute(aadhavan teacher training institute) is also available.
Chitthar muthu vadugu "vathiyar Ayya" Kovil is a famous temple in this town. In "Vathiyar Ayya" temple special poojas are organised for every full moon day exactly at midnight 12.00. Thousands of people all over Tamil Nadu are attending this pooja. A grand festival is celebrating for "Chitra Pournami" day every year. Special Poojas are also conducted during every "Ammavasai".
Singampunari is 2nd city most tax paying city of Sivaganga Dist. The sub regional office of Coir board is located in Singampunari which covers more than 10 districts. Tamilnadu's first Coir Mega Cluster Programme is sanctioned for Singampunari. Singai Coirs Cluster is established in Manavottan village, A. Kalapur, Singampunari. Singampunari also constitutes an industrial estate in which South India's second largest forging plant MM forgings, LJ textiles, Tamilnadu Gears and many anxilliary units are running successfully. Many Groundnut oil and coconut oil mills are running here.