LOCATION AND AREA 

Nagappattinam Quaid-E-Milleth district is bounded in the east by the Bay of Bengal, in the west by Thanjavur and A.T. Panneerselvam districts in the north by South Arcot Vallalar district and in the south by Palk Strait. It is a coastal region and the coastline has a number of harbours of which mention may be made of Nagore, Point Calimere, Nagappattinam. The administrative headquarters of this district is located at Nagappattinam town, and it is spread over in an area of 4614 sq. kms.

TOURISM 

The district have 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 pea-hen. The inspiring temple measures 719' x 52' and has a nine-storeyed imposing gopuram, 164 ft. high on the eastern entrace. 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 age. 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 affairs of the temple are managed by the bead of the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam who is the hereditary Trustee 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 stemps. The presiding deities are the life-style images of Muruga and Siva, the former imparting the divine message to the latter. Sri Swaminathaswamy is represented by a six feet high granite icon in a standing posture offering a spectacular view to devotees. 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 day 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 Thiruvarur to Nagappattinam. 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 proessional 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. The temple is managed by an Executive Officer and three Trustees. 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 manage 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 Thiruvarur 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, 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 Nagappattinam. The church here 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 fulfillment of their cherished wishes and desires. Other famous churches in the district are at Tranquebar town known as the Jesrusalam 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, Manora fort and a visit to Thiruvaiyaru, Thiruvarur and Mayuram. 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 it's incredible congregation of black bucks, spotted deer, wild pig, wild ponies and heavy concentration of migratory waterfall. 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 build by the Maharaja Serfoji, the then ruler of Thanjavur, in 1814 to commemorate the victory of the British over Nepoleon 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 sea-ports 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 birth place of Saint Pattinathar, the poet and Kovalan and Kannagi. The temple of Pallavaneeswara immortalized by the saint Sambandar is situated 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 pea-hen and the legend say that Lord Siva turned, His consort Parvati into a 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'.

INDUSTRIES 

The district is deprived of any major industry but it is a flourishing centre of cottage industries and handicrafts alike. the district is equally well known for its pith articles consisting of beautiful models of Hindu idols, temples, mosques, flower garlands, bouquets, parrots and peacocks. The flower garlands and bouquets are much in demand during Christmas days. pith is grown on the beds of tanks in the Sirkazhi, and Mayuram taluks. The making of musical instruments of jack wood like the veena, the tambura, the violin, the mridangam, the tabla and the kanjara exhibit excellent taste, knowledge and workmanship. The jack wood has special quality for producing musical sounds. Government has established an industrial training institute at Nagappattinam. This is to promote industrial development in the area. With a view to improve the condition of the weavers, various welfare measures have also been initiated by the State Government like housing schemes, introduction of group insurance etc.

TRADE, COMMERCE AND EXPORT 

So far as the sea-borne trade is concerned, most of the exports and imports pass through the port of Nagappattinam and only a very small amount of trade is carried on at the other ports.