Nagapattinam

Tamilnadu > Nagapattinam

Velankkani Church, Nagappatnam

Nagapattinam is located 320 kilometers from Chennai, the capital of Tamilnadu. Its long stretch of coastline runs along the Bay of Bengal for nearly 200 kilometers. Due to its prominence on the fisheries map Nagapattinam has one of the most thriving harbors in India. The city has some very famous temples such as Shri Kayahorana Swami, Neelayathatchi Amman, Sowriraja Perumal and Nellukkadai Mariamman. The name is derived from its ancient name 'Nagur'. It was called so because of the Nagurs, an ancient and now somewhat extinct aboriginal race that inhabited this place.

Nagapattinam is a unique town that has its own historical and cultural significance. Nagapattinam was one of the constituents of Cholamandalam, and was acclaimed as the most prominent of the then cities. The city contributed to the glory of the erstwhile Chola Kingdom. It was the Cholas who built the Nagapattinam Kayaroganam Shiva temple in the 6th century AD. Some of the famous Shivite poets such as Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar were associated with this temple.

Nagapattinam has great significance in Buddhism as well. Nagapattinam is mentioned as Padarithitha in ancient Buddhist literature. The Pallava King Rajasimha permitted a Chinese king to build Buddha Vihar in Nagapattinam. This Buddha Vihar was known as Sudamani Vihar.

A Portuguese commercial center was established in Nagapattinam in the year 1554 and since then Christianity began to take root through Portuguese influence. The Portuguese traders took control of ten villages around the shores and built a harbor and a garrison. With the advent of Portuguese, the Velankanni Church came in to existence.

History of Nagapattinam

Nagapattinam district was carved out by bifurcating the composite Thanjavur district on 18.10.1991. 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.

Other Information of Nagapattinam

• Location: Eastern Coast, about 350 Km. South of Chennai
• Population: 92,525
• Rainfall: 350mm
• Best Time: Throughout the year
• Languages Spoken: Tamil and English
• Std Code: 04365
• Temperature: Winter: Max 29°C, Min 21°C; Summer: Max 36°C, Min 28°C