NAGAPPATTINAM
Formerly Known As : Negapattam
It Was : The Headquarters Of The Region During Chola Period
Famous Festivals : The Festivals At Nagore And The Flag- Hoisting Festival At Velankanni
Nagappattinam, formerly known as "Negapattam", is
the administrative headquarters of Nagappattinam district.
It's Boundaries
The district of Nagappattinam is bounded in the east by the Bay of
Bengal, in the west by Thanjavur
and Tiruvarur districts, in the north by Cuddalore district, and in the
south by Palk Strait. It is a coastal region and the coastline has a
number of harbours of which mention must be made of Nagore, Point
Calimere, and Nagappattinam.
Nagappattinam is an ancient port known to have traded with Europe in
Greek and Roman times, it became a Portuguese and later a Dutch colony.
Nagappattinam is a unique district with all its historical and cultural
significance. It one of the constituents of Cholamandalam, acclaimed as
the most prominent among the ancient Tamil Kingdom.
The History Of Nagappattinam
Nagappattinam town was the headquarters of the region during Chola
period. It was also known as 'Cholkula Vallippattinam' and is mentioned as
'Padarithitha' in ancient Buddhist literature. Padarithitha is the name of
a fruit tree, very common in this region.
Pallava King Rajasimha (690 - 720 BC) permitted a Chinese king to build
Buddha Vihar in Nagappattinam. Hence, a Chinese built Buddha Vihar exists
in Nagappattinam.
Portuguese had a commercial contact with Nagappattinam during the Tanjore
Nayak rule (Sevvappa Nayakkar and Acchuthappa Nayakkar). Portuguese
commercial centre was established in 1554. With the advent of Portuguese,
Velankanni Church came in to existence.
In 1658 the Dutch tried to evict the Portuguese from Nagappttinam to
establish their commercial centre under the agreement reached between King
Vijaya Nayakkar of Thanjavur and the Dutch on 5.1.1662. The Dutch built
Christian Churches and a Hospital. They also released coins with the name
'Nagappattinam' engraved in Tamil letters.
Later Nagappattinam fell into the hands of the British in 1781 after the
prolonged struggles. Thus, Nagappattinam has the history of over 2,000
years for its credit.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Sri Mayuranathaswami Temple
Sri Mayuranathaswami Temple is situated at Mayuram (also called as
Mayiladuthurai), in Nagappattinam district. 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 has a nine storeyed imposing
Gopuram, 164 ft high on the eastern entrance.
The ancient temple was built during the period of the famous Chola kings.
There are many small shrines here of which three are dedicated to Sri
Vinayagar (also called as Ganesha or VInayaka), one for Lord Nataraja, and
the rest to other deities.
Sri Rajagopalaswami Temple
Sri Rajagopalaswami temple, located near Nagappattinam, was constructed
in the 12th century but the sanctum is believed to have been in existence
earlier. The place is known as "South Dwaraka" and it was here
that Lord Krishna gave Darshan to two devotees, Gopralayar and Gopilar. 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.
Nagore
The Nagore Dargah of Meeran Sahib Abdul Qadir Shahul Hamid Badshah is a
spiritual shrine in South India. It is one of the popular pilgrimage
centers for Muslims in Tamil Nadu. About 5km from Nagapattinam, Nagore
makes for a busy pilgrimage, with busloads of tourists arriving from all
over the state. The Dargah features beautiful domed arches and lovely
minarets.
Velankanni
Velankanni (also spelt Velangani) also known as the "Mecca of South
Asian Christianity" is located 12-km south of Nagapattinam, on the
Coromandel Coast, in Tamil Nadu. The shrine is dedicated to Our Lady of
Health, the Madonna of Velankanni and is popularly called as 'Sacred
Arockia Madha Church' and people of all faiths and religions visit it.
Sikkal
Sri Navaneetheswar temple is in Sikkal, a railway station on the
Thanjavur-Nagore line and on the bus route from Thiruvarur to
Nagappattinam. As Sambandar has sung in praise of Sri Navaneetheswar, the
temple can be presumed to be in existence since the 7th century AD. 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.
EXCURSIONS
Point Calimere Sanctuary
Sprawling on 17.26-sq-km surrounded by sea and shore, comprising forests
of tidal swamps, dry evergreen forests of mangroves, this coastal
sanctuary also known as "Kodikkarai", is 68-km from
Nagappattinam, in a wetland, which juts out into the Palk Strait
separating India and Sri Lanka. It is noted for the vast flocks of
migratory waterfowl, especially flamingos, which congregate here every
winter.
Vedaranyam (Thirumaraikkadu)
Vedaranyam is situated about 58-km from Nagappattinam near Tiruvarur. It
is one of the 64 Sakthi Peethams (Sundara Peetham) of India and it is also
one of the 7 Saptavitanka Shrines special to Tyagaraja - associated with
the Mucukunda Chola legend.
Ettukkudi
The distance between Nagappattinam and Ettukkudi is 28-km. Murugan temple
at Ettukkudi is very famous and finds a place in hymns of saint
Arunagirinathar.
Saraswati Ambal Temple At Koothanur
Koothanur is a small village located near Poonthottam in the heart of the
temple belt of Tamil Nadu. The village is 45-km from Nagappattinam and is
especially famous for the Saraswathi (also spelt as Saraswati) temple and
its association with Ottakoothar, the Tamil poet.
Mannarkudi
Mannargudi is a place of religious antiquity and legendary importance. It
is located at a distance of 56-km from Nagappattinam. The famous Vishnu
temple at Mannargudi is dedicated to Sri Rajagopalaswami and was built by
the Chola King Kulottunga I (1070-1120 AD).
Sri Subramanyaswami Temple in Swamimalai
Tiruverakam, popularly known as "Swamimalai" is located at a
distance eight kilometers from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district on the
northern banks of the river Cauvery. It is about 60-km from Nagappattinam.
Swamimalai is one of the six famous abodes (Arupadaiveedu) dedicated to
Lord Muruga (also spelt Murugan). Lord Muruga preached Pranava mantra "OM"
to Lord Shiva and that why he is called "Swaminathan".
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest airport is at
Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), at a
distance of about 141-km.
Rail: Nagappattinam has a railway station and trains are available
to Thanjavur,
Tiruchi, Nagore and
Chennai.
Road: Regular bus services are available from Thanjavur, Tiruchi,
Chennai, Nagore and other places of the state. For local transportation,
taxis, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available at the moderate class and small budgeted hotels and lodges in Nagappattinam.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
The Flag- Hoisting Festival At Velankanni
Large concourses of devotees witness the flag hoisting on the 29th of
August every year. The flag of our lady is hoisted every day for nine
days. During this ceremony an intense feeling is aroused leaving behind
rapturous eyes and murming lips, proclaiming Her praises. Another
important and crowd pulling event of the festive days is the car
procession that takes place at 8.00 p.m. every day.
The Festivals At Nagore
Every year, during the lunar month of Jumada al-Thani, the Nagore Dargah
Shrines celebrate a festive season known as 'Kandhuri Urs'. Pilgrims,
including non-Muslims, from far and wide come for 'ziyarat'. It is
obnoxiously painful to note that the votaries worship Him, instead of
respecting and revering Him. Kandhuri Urs marks the death anniversary of
Meeran Sahib.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 14.8-sq-km.
Population: 86,489 (1991 Census)
Latitude: N 10o 35' to 11° 25'
Longitude: E 79o 35' to 79o 50'
Clothing: Light Cottons
Languages Spoken: Tamil and English
STD Code: 04365
Climate: Tropical
Temperature Range (deg C):
Summer- Max 36.2ºC, Min 30.4ºC
Winter- Max 23.1ºC, Min 22.0ºC
Rainfall: 1,288 mm
NEARBY CITIES
Aduturai - 47-km
Ariyalur - 93-km
Chidambaram - 69-km
Cuddalore - 108-km
Pudukottai - 119-km
Thanjavur- 89-km
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