Nagapattinam

     Nagapattinam is a unique District with all its historical and cultural significance.  This town was known from very early times as a trading centre and even today it is a minor port. It was the headquarters of a region during the Chola period and was pride of the Cholamandalam coast.  The other name of this place is Cholakula Vallippattinam.  The Burmese hostrical text of 3rd century B.C. mentions this place and gives evidence of a Buddha vihar built here by the emperor Ashoka the Great.  The Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang also mentions it in his travel accounts.  The ancient Buddhist literature names it as ‘padarithitha’.  Avurithidal, the name of a part of Naggappattinam might have been derived from padarithitha, the name of a fruit tree common in this region.  Nagapattinam is the administrative headquarters of Nagapattinam District, it was carved out by bifurcating the composite Thanjavur district on 18.10.1991. other names of the town are Naganadu, Cholakula  Vallippatinam and Siva Rajadhani. Buddhist monks of Sri Lanka had close connection with this place.  Anaimangalam copper plates of Kulothunga Chola mentions that ‘Kasiba-thera’, a Buddhist monk renovated this Buddhist temple in 6th century A.D. Pallava king Rajasimha (695-722 A.D.) permitted a Chinese king to be buried in Buddha vihar in Nagappattinam.  The Anaimangalam copper plate also reveals that Vijayathunga Varman of Sri Vijaya Kingdom built two Buddha vihars in the names of Rajaraja and Rajendra named respectively Rajarajapperumpalli and Rajendrapperumpalli.  The Latter was also called Soodamani Vihar. Excavations by the Archaeological Department at Velippalayam in Nagappattinam unearthed more than 300 Buddha statues.  They are kept in the Govt.  Museum at Chennai. Kayaroganam Shiva temple here existed in the 6th century and was sanctified by the Vishnu temple here has been sung by Thirumangai Alwar of 9th century.  This town was famous trading centre during the Vijayanagar period.  The Portuguese settled here in 1554 during the Thanjavur Nayaka rule. Then Christianity began to take root and the famous Velankanni church came into existence. Nagore durgah is located at just 7 km from the district Nagapattinam is located close to many temples, hosting the Kayarohanam – Neelayadhakshi Amman Koil, the Soundararajan Perumal Koil, Krishnar Koil, Nellukadai Maraimman Koil and close to the church at Velankanni. Of historical importance, Lord Murugan temple is situated in Sikkal. In 1658, the Dutch supremacy prevailed and ten Christian churches and a hospital were built by them.  They also released coins with the name ‘Nagappattinam’ engraved on them.  The British were the last owners of this place after a prolonged struggle in 1781. Gold coins bearing the name of East India Company were issued from here.  They were called ‘Nagappattinam Varagan’ and ‘Nagappattinam Sornam’ and were in circulation during the Thanjavur Maratha rule.  Nagappattinam has thus a vast history of over 2000 years.  Today, it is the headquarters of Nagappattinam district.