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Manapad Manavai | |
|---|---|
village | |
  Manapad Location in Tamil Nadu, India Show map of Tamil Nadu Manapad Manapad (India) Show map of India | |
| Coordinates:8°22′39″N78°3′8″E / 8.37750°N 78.05222°E /8.37750; 78.05222 | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Tuticorin |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 628 209 |
| Nearest city | Tuticorin |
| PARLIAMENT constituency | Tuticorin |
| Legislative constituency | Tiruchendur |
| Website | manapad |
Manapad is a coastal village in southIndia, 60 kilometres (37 mi) fromTuticorin and 18 km (11 mi) south ofTiruchendur.[1]
St.Francis Xavier came to Manapad in 1542, conductingmissionary activity on thePearl Fishery Coast.[1][2] He lived in a grottocavern on the seaward face of acliff and held mass at a chapel of the Captain's Cross, built close to the sea from a ship's mast after a storm in 1540. In 1581, the grotto was built into a big Church, when Fr John de Salanova was the Parish Priest of Queen of Heaven Church, Manapad. In 1583, The relic of theTrue Cross, sent byPope Gregory XIII, arrived at Manapad, after a grand tour along the coastal belt with halts in the places of Catholic predominance. Every year, from 1st to 14th of September, the relic of the True Cross is publicly displayed to thousands who attend the festival season.Pope Leo XIII, in one of his writings mentions Manapad as "Little Jerusalem"(5 April 1889).
Valliamman cave is located nearby.[3]
Traditional stories say that in 1540, aPortuguese tradingvessel, while sailing around theCape of Good Hope on its way to the East, encountered a violent storm splitting its sails and snapping the hind mast, leaving it at risk offoundering. The captain, who was devoted to the veneration of theHoly Cross, implored and entrusted the safety of the vessel and that of the crew to Christ. He made a vow that he would construct a cross from a portion of the splintered mast and have it planted on the shore where they alighted in safety. By chance, the vessel, after having drifted for several days, sought haven at the port ofKulasekharapatnam.
Thefestival of theExaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated annually by theCatholic Church on 14 September. It is a Portuguese tradition to lay the cross in the places where they live. This festival has been celebrated for generations over centuries.
The movieNeethaane En Ponvasantham had a climax shootout there and the coverage exposed the place to manyTamil people.
A major part of Maniratnam'sKadal movie was shot in Manapad.
Singam II has some parts pictured at this church premises. Many short films were shot there.
A major part of Seenu Ramaswamy'sNeerparavi was shot in Manapad.
A major part of SP Jananathan'sIyarakai movie was shot in Manapad.
Certain portions of Shoojit Sircar'sMadras Cafe were shot in this town.
And neer paravai and iyerkai movie