Venturing into Cuddalore, you are greeted with a beautiful shoreline studded with magnificent beaches that give the city a pristine look. Tucked into the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the city is nestled in the lap of nature, away from the noise and bustle of an urban space. Adding to its beauty is the river Gedilam that flows through the city, dividing it into two parts. As you delve into the city, the numerous temples filled with devotees enchant you with a sense of tranquility that seeps into the atmosphere. Surrounded by nature and fostering spirituality, Cuddalore emanates an air of serenity that enchants every traveler.
The scenic beaches and the beautiful natural locations are the major tourist attractions of Cuddalore. Silver Beach is among the longest beaches in Tamil Nadu. It is an excellent location to relax and enjoy the sea breeze. A stay in the houseboats of Silver Beach is a must. The mangrove forest at Pichavaram is an ideal place for nature lovers. Rowing through its marvelous backwaters, you can spot several rare species of birds in the lush, mangrove-covered islands.
The historical heritage of Cuddalore is equally rich and captivating. There are some fine monuments that represent the colonial history of the city. Fort St. David was once the stronghold of the British forces in Southern India. Built by the Marathas, the British gained control over it in the late 17th century. The ancient Veeratteshwarar Temple and Padaleeswarar Temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva, are well-known for their architectural appeal.
A great time to visit Cuddalore is during the Annual Summer Festival at Silver beach. Other festivals such as Brahmotsavam, Mariamman festival and Masi Magam are celebrated with much enthusiasm.
Cuddalore is a relatively small town and getting around is easy. The government run bus service is a convenient way of moving around the city. The buses ply on all the major areas within the city and provide an affordable local transport option. Privately operated minibuses are another common way of traveling within the city. Though slightly more expensive, they are a more comfortable of getting around. You can also hire private taxis for touring the city. Auto-rickshaws and taxis can also be hired from the streets.
On a daily basis there are approximately 332 flights that operate at Chennai International Airport.IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India are the most popular airline brands that fly frequently to this airport.
Besides flying you can also reach Cuddalore through train.Cuddalore Portis one of the most popular train stations in Cuddalore.On an average about 22 trains pass through Cuddalore on a daily basis.Chidambaram to Cuddalore, Sirkali to Cuddalore, Thanjavur to Cuddaloreare some of the most popular routes to Cuddalore with 45, 37, 34 trains weekly respectively.
By road Cuddalore is surrounded by Pondicherry, Ozhukarai, Viluppuram which are 11.51 km, 13.39 km, 22.12 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.