Melapalayam, மேலப்பாளையம் is a town in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India. The name Melapalayam is derived from its location west of Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli. In Tamil 'Mela' meaning 'West' derived from the word 'Merkku'. Melapalayam is one of the administrative municipal of Tirunelveli Corporation situated in South Indian State of Tamil Nadu with 80% of Muslims and remaining Hindus and Christians. It is located in eastern bank of famous perennial Thamirabarani River. Its east side is covered by Oxford of South India-Palayamkottai. It gets green look in Western side as it is surrounded by fertile paddy fields. Melapalayam was earlier known as Keela Veera Ragavapuram in British Rule. Old age Tamil Name was "Mangai maa nagar" (Tamil→ மங்கை மா நகர்). The total distance between Tirunelveli and Melapalayam is 4.1 km(2.6 miles ).
