A sprawling beach, with the expanse of the Bay of Bengal lying before you, sparkling waters stretch out as far as the eyes can see. Fishermen go about their day at a far end, throwing open their nets, hoping to make a big catch and relying on the bounty and generosity of the sea. Kids play in the sand, building castles of dreams. Does this blissful picture appeal to you? If it does, you should head straight to the idyllic town of Nagapattinam, in Tamil Nadu, for your next holiday.
A town and region endowed with a rich history and culture, Nagapattinam has much to offer to the discerning traveler. Devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, restoration efforts are still underway as the resilient locals refuse to be beaten down by the forces of nature.
With a strong and interesting Buddhist history, a temple where Hindus and Muslims celebrate together, and its proximity to the famous Christian pilgrimage site of Velankani, Nagapattinam gives you many reasons to fall in love with it.
Plan your trip around the Kanduri festival that takes place at the holy site of Nagore Durgah. Built in the 16th century, this minaret is a beautiful landmark in town. The festival celebrates the death anniversary of Saint Hajrath Shu Hamid, for whom the minaret was built. Not only do people of all religions and faiths come here to participate in the festivities, but there is a sacred ritual that brings Hindus and Muslims together in a show of solidarity.
There are many other temples in and around Nagapattinam that are also worth visiting. These include the Kayarohanaswami Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is believed to have been in existence way back in 6th century CE. The Sikkal-Singaravelavar and Soundararajaperumal Temple, among others, should also be added to your itinerary.
Kodikarrai is just about 68 km from Nagapattinam, and is also worth visiting for its bird sanctuary and beautiful backwaters.
Auto-rickshaws are easily available and are a convenient way of getting around. State-run and private buses also ply through the city, offering a cheaper alternative. You can also hire a private car or cab for a more comfortable experience.
On a daily basis there are approximately 24 flights that operate at Tiruchirapally Civil Airport Airport.Air India Express, Tiger Airways and ماليندو للطيران are the most popular airline brands that fly frequently to this airport.
Besides flying you can also reach Nagapattinam through train.Nagappattinamis one of the most popular train stations in Nagapattinam.On an average about 23 trains pass through Nagapattinam on a daily basis.Thiruvarur to Nagapattinam, Chennai to Nagapattinam, Thanjavur to Nagapattinamare some of the most popular routes to Nagapattinam with 36, 18, 17 trains weekly respectively.
By road Nagapattinam is surrounded by Karaikal, Thiruvarur, Mannargudi which are 9.45 km, 13.85 km, 28.18 km away respectively. These places are ideal spots for people to plan their short weekend break.
Nagapattinam has a total of 2 hotels.There are 2 hotels in Nagapattinam with the popular ones being Neemrana's The Bungalow On The Beach, Tranquebar etc.