Nagapattinam Tourism

Location: Eastern Coast, about 350 Km. Nagapattinam is located 320 kilometers from Chennai, the capital of Tamilnadu and 145 kilometers east, from Tiruchirappalli, and a central place of the state. Nagapattinam district is quite unique and has a big cultural and historical significance. The main occupation in the town of Nagapattinam is fishing. Nagapattinam has great significance in Buddhism as well. Nagapattinam is mentioned as Padarithitha in ancient Buddhist literature. Nagapattinam is known for its hot summers and warm winters, owing to its unique position by the sea.

Nagore

Durga of Hazarat meeras sultan syed shahabdul hameed

Nagore is a small town in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Although religious centre for muslims, the Durga of Hazarat meeras sultan syed shahabdul hameed popularly known as Hazarat mian is visited by people of all faiths. The 14-day Kandhuri Urs (also spelled Kandoori or Kandhoori) festival, dedicated to the saint, is held there annually. It is 6 Kms from Nagappattinam.

Velankanni Church

Vailankanni Church Festival

Located just 14 kms away from the town of Nagapattinam, this beautiful village and a hamlet on the sandy shores of the Bay of Bengal. Velankanni can be traced to the mid-16th century and is attributed to three miracles: the apparition of Mary and the Christ Child to a slumbering shepherd boy, the curing of a lame buttermilk vendor, and the rescue of Portuguese sailors from a violent sea storm. The church is the replica of the Basilica of Our Lady of Health at Velankanni. People belonging to different faiths gather here to pray for the health and happiness of their loved ones as it is believed that one will get the same blessings in this shrine of Virgin Mary as he gets in Velankanni. There is also a shrine of 'lady of sorrow' where in the sorrowing Mother is depicted carrying infant Jesus in her hand. A museum is situated opposite to the Basilica. The museum has a very rich variety of exhibits.

How to Reach Velankanni
By Air
Nearest airport is Tiruchirappali that is 165 kilometers. It is well connected to rest of India

By Rail
Nearest railway station is Nagapattinam that is near about 12 kilometers. Nagapattinam in turn is well connected to all major cities in India via Chennai and Tiruchirapalli.

By Road
Velankanni is connected to all the major towns and cities in and around Tamilnadu. Regular bus services are available to Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Kanyakumari, Thanjavur and Pondicherry etc.

Ettukkudi

Lord Muruga

Ettukkudi, 30 km from Nagapattinam. The name ‘Ettukkudi’ is derived from the Etti trees which dominated this area. Muruga Temple is located at Ettukkudi which is 23 kilometers from Tiruvarur on the Thanjavur-Nagapattinam route. The devotees are welcomed by the 'Kandan Valaivu' or Kandan arch. The other entrance leads one to the Ammaiappan Soundara Nayakar sannidhi. During the Krithikai star of every month (Tamil month), Singaravelavar or Murugan goes in procession around the place. Every year, on Chitra Pournami, for ten days, devotees throng this place to lift kavadis. Paal kavadi, Panneer kavadi, Chandana kavadi, Sarkarai kavadi, Pushpa kavadi, Vibhuti kavadi, Ilaneer kavadi, Panchamirtha kavadi and the like are of great significance. The kavadi dancers follow the rhythm of the drums and enter into a hypnotic daze. Ettukkudi Kavadi Festival is a famous festival celebrated during the months of April-May.

TRANQUEBAR(Tharangambadi)

Danish Port

Tranquebar is 35 Kilometres north of Nagappattinam abutting the Bay of Bengal. The Danes landed at this place in 1620 AD. It was already a pre-existing village, when the Danes landed. This is borne out by the temple on the seashore , which is crumbling now due to the sea ingress. Maravarama Sundarapandian, a later Pandya King, constructed this temple called the Masilamani Natha temple in 1305 AD. The Danes constructed fortifications on the coast at Tranquebar. This was the only busy trade centre on the Coromandal coast for the Danes. This fort was a busy trade centre till 1845 AD when the Danes handed over the fort to the English. It was used as a Public Works Department Travellers Bungalow for government servants and colonials till 1977 AD. This fort was declared as a protected monument by the Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamilnadu in 1977 AD. Built in 1620 exists to exhibit Danish architecture. The fort is now under the control of TamilNadu Archeological Department, houses an archaeological Museum. This museum is open on all days except Friday.
Other places of Interest at Danish Port

Zion's Church

Town Gateway

Masilamani Nathar Temple

Danish Governor Bungalow

How to reach
Bus facilities are available to this place from Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Poompuhar, Sirkali and Chidambaram.

Kodiakkarai

Kodiakkarai, located around 55 kms away from the main town of Nagapattinam is one of the best places for excursions from Nagapattinam. Also called Point Calimere, this beautiful town is home to a wildlife sanctuary, where you can see nature in its purest form.