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   Nagappatinam is a unique District with all its historical and cultural significance. Nagappattinam is one of the constituents of chola mandalam, acclaimed as the Most prominent among the ancient Tamil Kingdoms. Its salient features more than anything else have contributed to the glory of the cholamandalam.

   Costal town Nagappattinam was the Headquarters of a region during the period This region has been named after Kshathiriya sigamani. One of the titles of Raja Raja Cholan. Nagappattinam was also known as ‘Cholakula Vallippatinam’. The Heritage of the town is found in the Burmese historical text of 3rd century B.C. The same text gives evidences of a Budha Vihar built by the great Ashoka. The chineseTraveler Hiuen Tsang. Also mentioned the Budha vihar in his book. Nagappattinam is mentioned as Padarithitha in ancient Buddhist literature According to scholars avurithidal the name of the part of Nagappattinam might have been derived from the word ‘’Padarithitha” is the name of the fruit tree “Bhirtree” very common in this region.

   In ancient times, “NagaNadu”, “Nagappattinam” referred only to Sri Langa. Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka had close links with this town Nagappattinam. “Animangalam Copperplate” of Kulothungachola notes that “Kasiba Thera” [Buddhist Monk] Renovated the Buddhist temple in 6th century AD with the the help of Buddhist monks of ‘Naganadu’ This ‘nagar annam vihar’ later came to be known as ‘Nagananavihar’.

   Pallava King Rajasimha [690-728A D] permitted a chinese king to build Buddha vihar in Nagappattinam. Hence there existed a chinese built budha vihar inNagappattinam. According to Anaimangalam copper plate of Kulothunga I , sriVijayathunga Varman of sri Vijaya kingdam built Raja Raja Perumpalli in the name of Raja Raja Cholanand [Rajendra Chola Perumpalli] in the name of Rajendra Chola in1090A D. This budha vihar also called Sudamani vihar’.Excavations were conducted by the Archaeological department at Vellipalayam in Nagappattinam and more than 300. Budha statues were unearthed and kept at the Museum in Chennai. This dilapidated Budist tower was razed down 200years ago Nagore was called so because it was inhabited by the Nagars. TheNagappatinam Kayaroganam Shiva temple existed even in the 6th century ApparSambandar and Sundarar were associated with this temple ;Kayaroganam Shivatemple is based on the “Laguleesa Pusuptha Cult” .Soundaraja Perumal ViashnavaTemple is one of the notable features of Nagappattinam. This favorite town of Chola Kings was also celebrated latter;by Vijaya Nagara Kings. Portuguese had a commercial contact with this town during the Tanjore Nayakkas rule [Sevvppa Nayakkar] and [Acchuthappa Nayakkar] Portguese commercial centure was eastablished in 1554;’ Since then christianity began to take root under the commercial contact, 10 –villages are taken control of by Portugese traders With the advent of Portugese Velankanni Church came into existence.

In 1658, the Dutch tried to evict the Portugese town Nagappattinam to establish the commercial centre there under the agreement reached between King Vijaya Nayakkarof Thanjavoorand the Dutch on 05-01-1662. The following ten villages namely Nagappattinam Port;Puthur;Muttam, Poruvalancheri, Anthonippettai, Karureppankadu, AzhingiMangalam, Sangamangalam, Thiruthinamangalam, Manjakollai, Nariyankudi were transferred from the Portugese to the Dutch.

Ten Christian churches and a hosptial were built by the Dutch. They also released coins with the name Nagappattinam; engraved in Tamil letters. Accordingto the agreement between the first Maratta King ‘Egoji’ of Tanjore and the Dutch. Naagappattinam and surrounding villages were handed over to the Dutch.on 30.12.1676. Latter this town fell into the hands of the British in 1781after the prolonged struggles 277 villages with Nagur as the Headquarters were handed over to the East India companyin1779 Gold coins bearing the names ‘Nagappattinam Varagan’ and ‘Nagappattinam chornam’ were in circulation during Tanjore Maratha Kings period. Thus the Nagappattinam has the history of over 2000 years for its credit. Today Nagappattinam remains the Head quarters of Nagappattinam District.

Nagapattinam district, the land of communal harmony, was carved out by bifurcating the composite Thanjavur district on 18.10.1991. This district hastraditionally been referred to as East Thanjavur and Paddy granary of South India Nagapattinam District lies on the shores of the Bay of Bengal between Northern Latitude 10.10' and 11.20' East Longtitute 79.15' and 79.50' This is peninsular delta District surrounded by Bay of Bengal on the East, Palk Straint on the South and land on the West and Northern Side. This District is predominantly, A Coastal District having a large coast line of 141 kilometres. This District has a numerous places of historical importance. Nagapattinam is an old Port Town.

This District is having an area of 2715.83 Sq. Kms in its fold. The DistrictHeadquaters is Nagapattinam. This district is enveloping 11 Panchayat Unions, 3Municipalties, 9 Town Panchayats on its Development Side. On the Revenue Side,it is housing 2 Revenue divisions with 4 and 3 Taluks respectively and 523 revenueVillages.

   Decades back to Sangam-age, NAGAPATTINAM district was ruled over by Chola Kings and by Pandiyas for a short while.

   Among the Chola kings, King Karikalan renovated and built the renowned port of Poompuhar (located in Nagapattinam district).

   Kosagan - the brilliant and illustrious king of Chola age built numerous shiva temples including the famous Singaravelar temple at Sikkal.

   Nagapattinam is one of the oldest port cities of Chola empire. It was called as "Naval Pattinam"- The city

The District of Nagapattinam has been carved out as a separate district due to bifurcation of Thanjavur district. According to this division, six taluks namely Sirkazhi, Tharangampadi, Mayiladuthurai, Valangaiman, Nagapattinam and Vedaranniyam were detached from their parent district i.e. Thanjavur to form this new district. The earlier history of this district is more or less the same as of its parent district i.e. Thanjavur being its part till recently. Tamil and Telugu are the main languages spoken in the district. Important fairs and festivals celebrated/organised in the district are Navarathri, Adi Pooram, Avani Moolam, Karthigai, Skandha Sashti, Thula Uthsavam, Vaikashi Brahmothsavam, Valli Kalyanam, Thirukkarthigai, Ahyayana Uthsavam, Chithirai and the floating festival, Mahasivaratri, Panguni Uthiram, 18 days theerthavari festival, Wedding of the Lord and His consort on the Sukla Sapthami day, Karthigai Deepam, Dhanur pooja (Thiruvathirai), Poosam and Pongal.

S.No.	Name of the Taluks
1	Nagapattinam
2	Kilvellore
3	Vedaranniyam
4	Mayiladuthurai
5	Sirkazhi
6	Tharangampadi
7	Thirukuvalai

Vedaranniyam salt swamp forms another great natural division. It runs along the coast from Point Calimere for about 48 kms. and is about 7 to 8 km. wide. This is the longest swamp of its kind in the state. It is filled by two periodical high tides during the full moon of months, May and June and retains sea water to a depth of two feet over a considerable area enclosed by low earthen banks, which when closed prevent the water from flowing back into the sea after the tide recedes. It is in this manner the well-known Vedaranniyam spontaneous salt is produced.

Poompuhar (Sirkazhi block), Tharangampadi (Sembanarkoil block), Velankanni (Velankanni block), Nagore (Nagapattinam block) and Point Calimere (Vedaranniyam block) are the main tourist spots in the district. The first 4 tourist spots are visited throughout the year and the last tourist spot is visited from August to March. The foreign tourist arrivals have fluctuations and domestic tourist arrivals have been steadily increasing except in the years 1992-93 and the tourist arrivals both domestic and foreign are estimated at 2,99,150 during 1996. These five tourist spots are also included in the tourist circuits identified by the Tourism Department.

The district has a large number of temples and many of these are under the management of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board. Among these, some selected ancient temples are briefly described in the following paragraphs:

The ancient temple of Sri Mayuranathaswamy is situated at Mayuram, a town deriving its name from this renowned temple. The presiding deity is a Swayambu Lingam with consort known as Abhayapradhambikai, Adhayambikai, Anjalanayaki, Anjalai, etc. meaning one who gave refuge to the peahen. The inspiring temple measures 719' x 52' and has a nine-storeyed imposing gopuram, 164 ft. high on the eastern entrance. The ancient temple is said to have been built during the period of the famous Chola kings. Some renovations were done to the temple about 400 years ago. There are many small shrines here of which three are dedicated to Sri Vinayagar one for Lord Natarajar and the rest to other deities. Navarathri, Adi Pooram, Avani Moolam, Karthigai, Skandha Sashti, Thula Uthsavam in Ayppasi and the Vaikasi Brahmothsavam are the regular annual festivals celebrated attracting thousands and thousands of pilgrims. The head of the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam who is the hereditary Trustee of the temple manages the affairs of the temple.

Sri Swaminathaswamy temple is built on an artificial hillock about sixty feet high in Swaminalai, the renowned place of pilgrimage in South India. This ancient shrine is said to have been built by the famous king Kartha Veeryarijuna. The main shrine is a specimen of old architecture while the rest are by recent renovations. The hill temple is provided with a flight of sixty stamps. The presiding deities are the life-style images of Moorage and Siva, the former imparting the divine message to the latter. A six feet high granite icon in a standing posture offering a spectacular view to devotees represents Sri Swaminathaswamy. In the ground floor of the temple, there are separate shrines dedicated to Sri Sundareswarar and goddess Meenakshi. Of the major festivals, mention may be made of the six days Skandha Sashti, Valli Kalyanam and the ten-day Thirukarthigai, which attract thousands of devotees. The affairs of the temple are managed by and Executive Officer and Board of Trustees consisting of five members, all appointed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Sri Navaneetheswarar temple is in Sikkil, a railway station on the Thanjavur - Nagore line and on the bus route from Tiruvarur to Nagapattinam. As Sambandar has sung in praise of Sri Navaneetheswarar, the temple can be presumed to be in existence since the 7th Century A.D. The temple was in a state of ruin towards the close of the last century and Sri Alagappa Chettiar of Thekkur of Ramnad district renovated it. There are eight stone inscriptions in the temple. Though, the presiding deity is Navaneetheswarar, the temple is more widely known as one of the seats of Lord Subrahmanya who is known as Singaravelavar. He is the processional deity. There are numerous other deities including a Perumal who is installed in a separate sanctum. His name is Kola Vamanar. The temple covers an area of about 2 acres and maintains an orphanage where poor orphans are fed clothed and educated free of cost. A small hospital is also maintained for the benefit of those in the orphanage. Apart from Skanda Sashti, the other main festival is Brahmotsavam in Chithirai, which attacks thousands of devotees. An Executive Officer and three Trustees manage the temple.

Sri Rajagopalaswamy temple was constructed in the 12th century but the sanctum is believed to have been in existence earlier. The place is known as South Dwarka and Lord Krishna gave dharsan to two devotees, Gopralayar and Gopilar. Lord Krishna is said to have enacted before them all his 32 exploits from his birth to his becoming a charioteer of Arjuna. A Naik King of Thanjavur made extensive additions. It is one of the important Thengalai Vaishnavite shrines in South India, adopting Pancharatragama. There are two sub-temples attached to the main temple, viz. Sri Gopralaya and Sri Lakshminarayana Perumal temple. The temple celebrates a number of festivals annually, of which the most important ones are Adipooram for 10 days, Ahyayana Uthsavam for 20 days in margazhi, Brahmothsavam for a period of 25 days during the months of Panguni and Chithirai and the floating festival in the month of Ani. These festivals attract a large number of devotees from the adjoining villages, towns and districts. An Executive Officer and a Board of Trustees appointed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board manages the affairs of the temple. Sri Vedaranyaswamy temple dedicated the Lord Siva in Vedaranniyam was renovated by the Chola Rulers. Since both Appar and Sambandar have worshipped the Lord here, the temple should have been in existence prior to 7th century A.D. Sri Vedaranyaeswarar and His consort Sri Vedanayaki Amman are the presiding deities of the temple. It covers an area of 6 acres and has some 90 stone inscriptions. The temple is fashioned like the Tiruvarur temple and has two prakaras and a tower. There are three mandapas in the temple precincts. The regular annual festivals observed in the temple are Brahmotsavam, 18 days theerthavari festival during Masimakham, Mahasivarathri, and Panguni Uthhiram, wedding of the Lord and His consort on the Sukla Sapthami day, Skandasashi (Surasamharam), Karthigai Deepam, Dhanur Pooja (Thiruvathirai), Poosam and Pongal. Of these, the 'Thirukalyana Utsavam' during the month of Chithirai is the most important one, which attracts a large congregation of devotees from the neighbouring villages, taluks and districts. An Executive Officer and a single hereditary trustee appointed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board are managing the affairs of the temple.

A famous Roman Catholic pilgrim centre is located at Velankanni, six miles south of Nagapattinam. The church here is dedicated to 'Our Lady of Health' draws thousands of pilgrims including people of other faiths also. The annual festival is held in the first week of September and continues till 8th September, the day of Saint Mary's birthday. Pilgrims mostly Catholic Christians from all over India throng the place to complete their vows and seek holy blessing. Among other things, the church maintains a museum which is worth visiting due to a number of rare gift articles mostly in silver and other presentations offered to the lady of Health by the devotees in lieu of getting cured of their diseases of having got the fulfilment of their cherished wishes and desires. Other famous churches in the district are at Tranquebar town known as the Jerusalem Church, the Zion church and the church of Our Lady of Rosery.

Apart from the religious places of historical importance mentioned above, other places of interest for the tourists are Bird and wild life sanctuary at Point Calimere and Manora fort.

Point Calimere, an important tourist place and a heaven for bird-watchers, is situated in Tirutturaippundi taluk about 120 kms. from Thanjavur and is northern point of the Palks bay. The sanctuary here is noted for its incredible congregation of black bucks, spotted deer, wild pig, wild ponies and heavy concentration of migratory waterfowl. Twenty to thirty thousands of flamingoes can be seen here at one time during the winter months. During spring when the trees and shrubs are laden with wild fruits, thousands of birds like the green pigeons, mynas, barbets etc. can be seen. A bath in the sea at Kodikkarai, a sacred place nearby, is considered holy especially on the new moon day of Thai, Adi and Purattasi. Manora fort is located in the village of Sethubaba Chattiram on the eastern coast 16 kms. off Peravurani. The fort facing the Bay of Bengal is an eight storeyed victory tower built by the Maharaja Serfoji, the then ruler of Thanjavur, in 1814 to commemorate the victory of the British over Napoleon Banaparte in the War of Waterloo. The tower has steps in a circular way which look enchanting and one can have a panoramic view of the green surroundings and the sea from this 30 metres high tower. This place is presently under the care of the Central Archaeological Department as a protected monument. Of late, it has become a picnic spot and people do come to enjoy their weekends here.

Kaviripoompattinam, known in classics has Poompuhar, was one of the chief cities and an important seaports of the Chola Kingdom. The original city port was submerged in the sea and at present there is only a small village. It is a sacred bathing place, being the confluence of the Mother Cauvery with the sea. The place is also birthplace of Saint Pattinathar, the poet and Kovalan and Kannagi. The temple of Pallavaneeswara immortalised by the saint Sambandar actuated here. It is a sight for such tourists who would like to wander amidst history. The ancient glory of the place has been revived to some extent by the government of Tamil Nadu and it has been made a place of tourist importance. An Art Gallery depicting scenes from the Tamil Epic, Silapathigaram of Kannagi and Kovalan was opened in 1972. Monuments on the Nedungal Mandram, the Pavai Mandram, the Elango Mandram and the Kotrapandal are also at display.

Mayuram is an important pilgrim centre. Mayuram means a peahen and the legend say that Lord Siva turned His consort Parvati into an apeahen because of her disobedience. She was blessed with her original form only after repentance, when she worshipped and bathed in the Mayilamman tank. Pilgrims from all parts of the state congregate at the annual Thula festival in October-November. On the occasion the holy Ganges is believed to mingle here with Mother Cauvery and a dip in these waters is believed to purge off the sins of devotees. The festival is popularly known as Kudamuzhukku Vizha.

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