Cuddalore
Encyclopedia
Cuddalore is a fast growing industrial city and headquarter of Cuddalore district
in the Tamil Nadu
state of southern India
. Located south of Pondicherry on the coast of Bay of Bengal
, Cuddalore has a large number of industries which employ a great deal of the city's population.
Cuddalore is known for its picturesque beaches, particularly Silver Beach
. Cuddalore was the Capital of the English Possessions on the Coromandal Coast from 1748 to 1752.
of three rivers namely Pennaiyar River, Kedilam and Paravanar. Since the British regime, it has been called Cuddalore.
. The Gedilam River flows through the town and separates the Old Town from the new one. The Old Town has been a seaport since ancient times; Cuddalore traded with the Roman Empire
approximately 2000 years ago. Archaeological evidence of these ancient trade relationships can be found in the Cuddalore Government Museum
in Manjakuppam
.
, Cuddalore had a population of 158,569. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Cuddalore has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 81% and female literacy is 70%. In Cuddalore, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
were the first to conquer Cuddalore, followed by Portugal
, France
and later Britain
. The British bought Fort St David
in Cuddalore near Devanampattinam from the Gingee rulers.
The Siege of Cuddalore
was a siege attempt by British troops against a combined French and Mysorean garrison in the fortress of Cuddalore late in the War of American Independence and the Second Anglo-Mysore War. The siege was ended by the preliminary peace between France and Britain.
The naval Battle of Cuddalore
took place on 29 April 1758 during the Seven Years' War near Cuddalore off the Carnatic coast of India and was an indecisive battle between a British squadron under Vice-Admiral George Pocock and French squadron under Comte d'Aché. British casualties were 29 killed and 89 wounded, while France lost perhaps 600 killed.[1]
The two squadrons met again on 3 August at the Battle of Negapatam and again on 10 September at the Battle of Pondicherry
.
province of Arcot. Arcot came under the control of a local Nawab after Mughals lost control southern India in the 18th century. The "subah" of Arcot was ceded to the British East India Company in 1801, and subsequently the district was split into North Arcot and South Arcot. On September 30, 1993 South Arcot District was split into Cuddalore District and Villupuram District.
The town is well known for its temple
s. This is one of the rarest town with both Saiva and Vaishnava temples. The most famous of these is the temple of Shiva
(Saiva), one of the three principal deities of Hinduism
. The incarnation of Shiva at Cuddalore is called Padaleeshwarar. The temple itself is located in Thiruppadirippuliyur [the town's old name is padaliputhiram at SAMANAS period] center of the town. The other one is "Perumal" Temple in Thiruvandhipuram 7 km from Thirupathiripuliyur
. Chidambaram
, a city also known for dance and temples, is only 43 km away from Cuddalore. Cuddalore has famous Vaishnavate temples in and around the city.
Thiruvanthipuram
, the Sacred Abode of Lord Devanatha, is one of the ancient Vaishnavite temples and also one of the 108 Vaishnavite shrines sanctified by the visit of the great Alwars and Acharyas, held in great reverence by the devotees. This place is one of the two Nadunattu Tirupathis. It is situated 7 km west of Thirupathiripuliyur
Railway Station.
Around 9 km from Cuddalore is the ancient Shiva temple of Tirumanikuzhi. It is one of the paadal petra stalas (familiar place for saiva). Thiruvadhigai Veerattaneswarar Temple
and Thirunavalur Shiva temple are also located around 15 km from Cuddalore.jumma mosque very near the bus stand.Cuddalore's magnificent beaches are becoming a tourist attraction, especially the well-known Silver Beach, second largest beach in Tamil Nadu. Cuddalore's harbour is the naturally formed one.
See : Silver Beach (India)
Roads named after British like Napier Road (now called Nethaji Road), Lawrence Road, Imperial Road and streets like Clive street, Wellington street, business establishments like Panpari market and Parry's House remains a reminder of the British rule here.
This district historically consists of Chola Naadu and Nadu Naadu. Nadu Naadu (middle country) probably got its name as this place is between Chola Nadu and 'Thondai Mandalam' - or it might be because of it lying between the 'Pallava Kingdom' and 'Chola Kingdom'. Yet another facet of the name might be because it lies between the main land and the ocean. This land is one of the parts where great personalities have originated - whether be it religion, administration or chiefs and leaders.
To prove it, saivaite pathmakers Thirunaukkarasu, Sundarar were born in this district. Maikaudar, one of the sithas out of eighteen, was born in this district. This district is the birth place of Vallalar Ramalingar.
Ovvaiyar, the Tamil poetess, gave in marriage angavai, Sangavai, the daughters of King 'Pari', the great vallal (one who gives great gifts and never says no to anyone) in Tirukoilur to the king Deiviekan.
The famous temple of Sri Natarajan is situated in this district, which is known for its logic construct and universal form of the lord. It is an interesting subject to scientists and innovators to research on the dancing postage of Lord Sri. Nataraja.
Other temples in and Cuddalore are:
Chozha Naadu Temples[North of River Kaveri]
Nadu Naadu temples
situated on the river Gadilam
, which has a stirring history. As a small fort built by a Hindu
merchant, it fell into the hands of the Maratha
s after the capture of Gingee
by Sivaji
in 1677. From them it was purchased by the English in 1690, the purchase including not only the fort but the adjacent towns and villages within "ye randome shott of a piece of ordnance." A great gun was fired to different points of the compass and all the country within its range, including the town of Cuddalore, passed into the possession of the English. The villages thus obtained are still spoken of as cannon ball villages.
From 1725 onwards the fortifications were greatly strengthened. In 1746 Fort St. David became the First British headquarters for the British India, and Dupleix
' attack was successfully repulsed. Clive was appointed its governor in 1756; in 1758 the French captured it, but abandoned it two years later to Sir Eyre Coote
. In 1782 the French captured it again, and restored it sufficiently to withstand a British attack in 1783, see Battle of Cuddalore (1783)
. In 1785 it finally passed into British possession.
Europeans started establishing their business settlements in Indian coast ever since 17th century. In the eastern coast French established their business settlements in Pondichéry and British established their settlements and business establishments in Cuddalore.
Later British started ruling the region and they built several forts. Fort St. David was the first fort built by British. Robert Clive, who laid a strong foundation for British rule in Indian subcontinent used St. David Fort as the centre for his military operations.
Fort St. David: Fort St. David was built in 1653 A.D. by Elihu Yale. The fort was strengthened on 1693, 1698, 1702, 1725, 1740 and on 1745.
Until 1758 Cuddalore was the capital to South Indian territories which was under British control then. British ruled a greater part of South India (entire Tamil Nadu, parts of present Andra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka) from the fort St. David.
The fort was attacked by French in 1758. It was after this attack St. David Fort lost its political importance. The operational power was shifted to Fort St. George, Madras. Even today the post office in Devanampattinam known as Silver Beach uses the rubber-stamp with Ft. St. David embossed in it.
Garden House: The present official residence of Cuddalore District Collector was then known as Garden House. It was then the residence of Robert Clive. The roof of the Garden House was built without steel and wood. It was built using only bricks and slaked lime. It bears testimony of the later medieval architecture. St. David fort was also built using the same ingredients and techniques.
The large vacant space next to Garden House which now know Chevalier Shivaji Arangam or Manjai Nagar (now known as manjakuppam) Ground was an esplanade then. British used to have esplanades near their fortresses.
Brookes Pet: Brookes Pet is half a kilometre from present Vandipalayam. It was named after Henry Brookes who ruled between 1767 and 1769.
Cumming Pet: The area to north of Thriupathiripuliyur is known as Cumming Pet. It was named after William Cumming who ruled the region from 1778. Cumming Pet was once a place meant for washermen. On 1798 Tipu Sultan-The King of Mysore invaded Cumming Pet and the settlements there cleared on the invasion.
Gadilam Castle: Nawab Umdat-ul-Umara built Gadilam Castle in 18th century. Gadilam Castle was located to the North of Gadilam river. It was built exactly in the place where the present Brindhavan Hotel is located.
Capper Hills: Capper Hills was named after Francis Capper who was the Captain till 1796. He resided in a palace in there. British built a prison in the Capper Hills. Freedom fighters like Barathiar and other prisoners of war were imprisoned there.
British Educational Institution: In 1717 St. David school was started in Cuddalore O.T. to educate the children of East India Company. In 1886 a college was started in its premises. The college was named after St. Joseph. It is one of the earliest schools in India which follows Western education system.
Some of the major schools in the town are:
The colleges in and around the town are:
See: List of Schools and Colleges in Cuddalore District
through a very good rail and road network. Frequent buses run to nearby towns like Pondicherry (Puducherry), Chidambaram
, Panruti
, Tindivanam
and Villupuram. Buses to major cities of Tamil Nadu
such as Chennai
, Tiruchirapalli
, Salem, Tiruvannamalai
are also available from Cuddalore.
Railways
Cuddalore has two railway stations, Thirupadirippuliyur and Cuddalore Port Junction, with station codes TDPR and CUPJ respectively. The station code for Cuddalore Port Junction was previously COT, as the station is located in Cuddalore OT. Thirupadirippuliyur railway station is located in the Cuddalore new town and is at a walkable distance to Cuddalore bus stand.
Roads
See Main Article : Transport in Cuddalore
Currently, the Government is concentrating on small to medium sized industries in and around Cuddalore. Such projects are SIDCO, SIPCOT, Regional Palm Products Manufacturing Society, Regional Sugarcane Research Foundation and more.
The proposed harbour is currently under construction, it can attract the Ship Building industry to Cuddalore.
, a public sector company operating out of Neyveli
, is located near Cuddalore. Of the total quantum of thermal electricity generated in Tamil Nadu, a large percentage—more than 2500 megawatts—comes from the power plants in Neyveli.
Nellikuppam Integrated Sugar Complex is Located near Cuddalore, which is India's first sugar plant and is owned by EID Parry of Murugappa Group
one industrial pocket -SIPCOT
- has also secured it a place in the dubious club of global toxic hotspots owing to the area's high levels of pollution.
As in many other towns in Tamil Nadu such as Kodaikanal
, Mettur
or Karaikal
in Pondicherry, development in Cuddalore has taken a heavy toll among local communities who have struggled to be able to defend themselves.
Reports of the illegal dumping of toxic waste abound, although very little progress has been made through judicial channels.
On 22 March 2008 a report for the Tamil Nadu Pollution Board by the Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute found that residents of the SIPCOT area of Cuddalore were at least 2000 times more likely to contract cancer in their lifetimes due to their exposure to high levels of toxic gases from chemical industries in the region.
, The Hindu
are available in Cuddalore. Tamil daily Dinathanthi has a separate edition for Cuddalore. Apart from that, other Tamil dailies such as Dinamalar, Dinakaran, Dinamani and Maalaimalar are also available in Cuddalore.
Cuddalore falls under the Tamil Nadu Telecom circle.
A station of All India Radio is located in nearby Pondicherry (Puducherry). The town also has several Local TV Channels.
List of leading Mobile networks in Cuddalore:
, Vellore
, Cuddalore, Tiruchi, Salem, Coimbatore
and Madurai
- across the state, apart from 107 sub-jails . Puzhal is the most recently built prison, while the other seven main prisons were built during the British rule.
The Cuddalore Central Prison, set up in 1865 A.D. is another historically important landmark as some eminent personalities and freedom fighters like Subramanya Bharathi and other political leaders had served their prison terms here.
There is a bar at the mouth of the river, which maintains a depth of 5 to 6 feet at low water. During the months of July to September, the depth over the bar is reduced to about 3 to 4 feet.
Apart from Cuddalore Port, the following ports are under construction
SportsmenSportswomenSports Accomplishments
waves that followed the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
near Sumatra
hit the eastern coast of India on 26 December 2004 by 08:32 in the morning. Cuddalore was heavily affected by the waves. 572 bodies were recovered and many are still missing. Several fishing hamlets have simply disappeared. Silver Beach and the historically important Cuddalore Port were devastated. Fort St. David survived without damage.
Cuddalore, being accessible from major cities like Chennai
and Bangalore
, received relief supplies relatively early. The management of relief operations in the district was handled by the local authorities and villagers themselves. Some remote villages became inaccessible due to a bridge breaking apart, leaving rescued villagers very anxious about their homes.
Cuddalore District
Cuddalore District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The city of Cuddalore is the district headquarters. For the first time, urn burial grave goods were found in the village of Marungur in the district, carrying inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi from the 1st century...
in the Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
state of southern India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Located south of Pondicherry on the coast of Bay of Bengal
Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal , the largest bay in the world, forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. It resembles a triangle in shape, and is bordered mostly by the Eastern Coast of India, southern coast of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to the west and Burma and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the...
, Cuddalore has a large number of industries which employ a great deal of the city's population.
Cuddalore is known for its picturesque beaches, particularly Silver Beach
Silver Beach (India)
Silver Beach is a beach on the southeast coast of India. It is located from downtown Cuddalore, the headquarters of Cuddalore district in the state of Tamil Nadu. Silver Beach, however, is untouched by the busy life of the city. It is the second longest beach on the Coromandel Coast and one of the...
. Cuddalore was the Capital of the English Possessions on the Coromandal Coast from 1748 to 1752.
Etymology
Earlier the name Cuddalore was spelt as Koodalur (meaning: confluence in Tamil). It is the place of confluenceConfluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
of three rivers namely Pennaiyar River, Kedilam and Paravanar. Since the British regime, it has been called Cuddalore.
Cuddalore Town
There are two large divisions in the town of Cuddalore: the Old Town, and the New Town ThirupathiripuliyurThirupathiripuliyur
Thirupathiripuliyur in Cuddalore is one of the ancient temples in Tamil Nadu. It is named after the Pathiri Tree and the Puliyur, a tiger-legged saint who obtained absolution in the area.- Padaleeswarar Temple:...
. The Gedilam River flows through the town and separates the Old Town from the new one. The Old Town has been a seaport since ancient times; Cuddalore traded with the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
approximately 2000 years ago. Archaeological evidence of these ancient trade relationships can be found in the Cuddalore Government Museum
Cuddalore Government Museum
The Government Museum, Manjakuppam, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, was established in the year 1989. This museum collection represents history, culture, flora and fauna of the district. Natural History specimens include South Indian Timbers, Fibres, Swan, Bear, Lizard and Snakes...
in Manjakuppam
Manjakuppam
Manjakuppam is one of the three large divisions in the town of Cuddalore, India. The Ponnaiyar River flows through the town, the area adjacent to the banks of the river is named as Manjakuppam. It was known as Manja Cupam during the 17th century...
.
Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Cuddalore had a population of 158,569. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Cuddalore has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 81% and female literacy is 70%. In Cuddalore, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
History
The DutchNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
were the first to conquer Cuddalore, followed by Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and later Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The British bought Fort St David
Fort St David
Fort St. David was a British fort near the town of Cuddalore, a hundred miles south of Madras on the Coromandel Coast of India.-History:It was bought from the Mahrattas by the British East India Company in 1690. Robert Clive served as the governor of Fort St David in 1756.The ruins of Fort St David...
in Cuddalore near Devanampattinam from the Gingee rulers.
The Siege of Cuddalore
Siege of Cuddalore
The Siege of Cuddalore was a siege attempt by British troops against a combined French and Mysorean garrison in the fortress of Cuddalore late in the War of American Independence and the Second Anglo-Mysore War...
was a siege attempt by British troops against a combined French and Mysorean garrison in the fortress of Cuddalore late in the War of American Independence and the Second Anglo-Mysore War. The siege was ended by the preliminary peace between France and Britain.
The naval Battle of Cuddalore
Battle of Cuddalore (1758)
The naval Battle of Cuddalore took place on 29 April 1758 during the Seven Years' War near Cuddalore off the Carnatic coast of India and was an indecisive battle between a British squadron under Vice-Admiral George Pocock and French squadron under Comte d'Aché...
took place on 29 April 1758 during the Seven Years' War near Cuddalore off the Carnatic coast of India and was an indecisive battle between a British squadron under Vice-Admiral George Pocock and French squadron under Comte d'Aché. British casualties were 29 killed and 89 wounded, while France lost perhaps 600 killed.[1]
The two squadrons met again on 3 August at the Battle of Negapatam and again on 10 September at the Battle of Pondicherry
Battle of Pondicherry
The Battle of Pondicherry was a naval battle between a British squadron under Vice-Admiral George Pocock and French squadron under Comte d'Aché off the Carnatic coast of India near Pondicherry during the Seven Years' War. The battle took place on 10 September 1759. The outcome was indecisive....
.
South Arcot District
South Arcot is a former district of British India, located in the state of Tamil Nadu. South Arcot was the southern portion of the MughalMughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
province of Arcot. Arcot came under the control of a local Nawab after Mughals lost control southern India in the 18th century. The "subah" of Arcot was ceded to the British East India Company in 1801, and subsequently the district was split into North Arcot and South Arcot. On September 30, 1993 South Arcot District was split into Cuddalore District and Villupuram District.
The town is well known for its temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
s. This is one of the rarest town with both Saiva and Vaishnava temples. The most famous of these is the temple of Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
(Saiva), one of the three principal deities of Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
. The incarnation of Shiva at Cuddalore is called Padaleeshwarar. The temple itself is located in Thiruppadirippuliyur [the town's old name is padaliputhiram at SAMANAS period] center of the town. The other one is "Perumal" Temple in Thiruvandhipuram 7 km from Thirupathiripuliyur
Thirupathiripuliyur
Thirupathiripuliyur in Cuddalore is one of the ancient temples in Tamil Nadu. It is named after the Pathiri Tree and the Puliyur, a tiger-legged saint who obtained absolution in the area.- Padaleeswarar Temple:...
. Chidambaram
Chidambaram
Chidambaram is a fast growing industrial city in Eastern part of Tamil Nadu and the taluk headquarters of the Cuddalore district. It is located in 58 km from Pondicherry, 60 km from Karaikal, and 240 km south of Chennai by rail...
, a city also known for dance and temples, is only 43 km away from Cuddalore. Cuddalore has famous Vaishnavate temples in and around the city.
Thiruvanthipuram
Thiruvanthipuram
Thiruvanthipuram Kovil is a Vaishanva Hindu Temple in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu in South India. The primary deity here is Lord Vishnu in the form Devanatha Swami. The koil is among the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, it is mentioned...
, the Sacred Abode of Lord Devanatha, is one of the ancient Vaishnavite temples and also one of the 108 Vaishnavite shrines sanctified by the visit of the great Alwars and Acharyas, held in great reverence by the devotees. This place is one of the two Nadunattu Tirupathis. It is situated 7 km west of Thirupathiripuliyur
Thirupathiripuliyur
Thirupathiripuliyur in Cuddalore is one of the ancient temples in Tamil Nadu. It is named after the Pathiri Tree and the Puliyur, a tiger-legged saint who obtained absolution in the area.- Padaleeswarar Temple:...
Railway Station.
Around 9 km from Cuddalore is the ancient Shiva temple of Tirumanikuzhi. It is one of the paadal petra stalas (familiar place for saiva). Thiruvadhigai Veerattaneswarar Temple
Thiruvadhigai Veerattaneswarar Temple
-Legend:According to the legend Thirugnana Sambanthar was glorified by the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva at this holy place. Appar's sister Thilakavathiyar settled here during her later years and devoted her lifetime service to the Lord Siva. Also notable saints Thirunavukkarasar, and Arunagirinathar...
and Thirunavalur Shiva temple are also located around 15 km from Cuddalore.jumma mosque very near the bus stand.Cuddalore's magnificent beaches are becoming a tourist attraction, especially the well-known Silver Beach, second largest beach in Tamil Nadu. Cuddalore's harbour is the naturally formed one.
Silver Beach
Silver Beach is a beach on the southeast coast of India. It is located 2 km from downtown Cuddalore, the headquarters of Cuddalore district in the state of Tamil Nadu. Silver Beach, however, is untouched by the busy life of the city. It is the second longest beach on the Coromandel Coast and one of the longest beaches in Asia.See : Silver Beach (India)
Silver Beach (India)
Silver Beach is a beach on the southeast coast of India. It is located from downtown Cuddalore, the headquarters of Cuddalore district in the state of Tamil Nadu. Silver Beach, however, is untouched by the busy life of the city. It is the second longest beach on the Coromandel Coast and one of the...
Cuddalore Old Town (O.T.)
Present day Cuddalore O.T. was known as Islamabad during the Mughal period. Even today the majority of the people in Cuddalore O.T. follow Islam. Cuddalore O.T. has one of the oldest and biggest mosque in South India. The mosque and most of the houses there were built in Persian style. Until 1866 District Collectorate, Cuddalore Municipal Office and other administrative offices were in present Cuddalore O.T. In 1866 all these offices were shifted to Manjai Nagar. It was only after the shift in 1866 the term Cuddalore OT and Cuddalore NT (NewTown) came into existence. Still there are several streets and localities named after popular British rulers. Clive street, Wellington street are some to name.Roads named after British like Napier Road (now called Nethaji Road), Lawrence Road, Imperial Road and streets like Clive street, Wellington street, business establishments like Panpari market and Parry's House remains a reminder of the British rule here.
Temples around Cuddalore
In puraana, this district is described as part of Sri. Rama Khetra. This town and the district are very old, being mentioned in many of the older texts and literature. Vriddhachalam is an example where a mountain once prevailed disappeared with time.This district historically consists of Chola Naadu and Nadu Naadu. Nadu Naadu (middle country) probably got its name as this place is between Chola Nadu and 'Thondai Mandalam' - or it might be because of it lying between the 'Pallava Kingdom' and 'Chola Kingdom'. Yet another facet of the name might be because it lies between the main land and the ocean. This land is one of the parts where great personalities have originated - whether be it religion, administration or chiefs and leaders.
To prove it, saivaite pathmakers Thirunaukkarasu, Sundarar were born in this district. Maikaudar, one of the sithas out of eighteen, was born in this district. This district is the birth place of Vallalar Ramalingar.
Ovvaiyar, the Tamil poetess, gave in marriage angavai, Sangavai, the daughters of King 'Pari', the great vallal (one who gives great gifts and never says no to anyone) in Tirukoilur to the king Deiviekan.
The famous temple of Sri Natarajan is situated in this district, which is known for its logic construct and universal form of the lord. It is an interesting subject to scientists and innovators to research on the dancing postage of Lord Sri. Nataraja.
Other temples in and Cuddalore are:
Chozha Naadu Temples[North of River Kaveri]
- Aadhinath Jain Temple at Cuddalore OT
- Natarajar Temple at Chidambaram
- Pasupateswarar Temple at Thiruvetkalam
- Uchinathar Temple at Thirunelvayil
- Paalvanna Naathar Temple at Thirukkazhippalai
- Patanjali Nathar Temple at Omampuliyur
- Tuyartheerthanathar Temple at Thirukkaanaattumulloor
- Soundareswarar Temple at Thirunaarayur
- Amritaghateswarar Temple at Kadambur
- Natarajar Temple at Neyveli
Nadu Naadu temples
- Theerthapureeswarar Temple at Thiruvattaturai
- Sudarkozhuntheesar Temple at Pennaagadam
- Nerikkattunayakar Temple at Goodalaiyatrur
- Swetargavaneswarar Temple at Erukkattampuliyur
- Sivakkozhuntheeswarar Temple at Tiruttinai Nagar
- Mangalapureeswarar Temple at Tiruchopuram
- Veerateswarar Temple at Thiruvathikai
- Vridhagireeswarar Temple at Vriddhachalam
- Pasupateeswarar Temple at Thirutturaiyur
- Vaamaneswarar Temple at Thirumaanikkuzhi
- Paataleeswarar Temple at Thiruppaatirippuliyur
- Devanathaswamy Temple at ThiruvanthipuramThiruvanthipuramThiruvanthipuram Kovil is a Vaishanva Hindu Temple in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu in South India. The primary deity here is Lord Vishnu in the form Devanatha Swami. The koil is among the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, it is mentioned...
Other places
In the neighborhood are the ruins of Fort St DavidFort St David
Fort St. David was a British fort near the town of Cuddalore, a hundred miles south of Madras on the Coromandel Coast of India.-History:It was bought from the Mahrattas by the British East India Company in 1690. Robert Clive served as the governor of Fort St David in 1756.The ruins of Fort St David...
situated on the river Gadilam
Kedilam River
The Kedilam River flows through the Cuddalore and villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu.The root word is believed to be Karuda + nadhi...
, which has a stirring history. As a small fort built by a Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
merchant, it fell into the hands of the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
s after the capture of Gingee
Gingee
Gingee is a panchayat town in Viluppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The nearest town with a railway station is Tindivanam, 28 km away....
by Sivaji
Sivaji
The name Sivaji can be referred to:* Sivaji , an Indian film directed by S. Shankar* Sivaji , an Indian soundtrack album by A. R...
in 1677. From them it was purchased by the English in 1690, the purchase including not only the fort but the adjacent towns and villages within "ye randome shott of a piece of ordnance." A great gun was fired to different points of the compass and all the country within its range, including the town of Cuddalore, passed into the possession of the English. The villages thus obtained are still spoken of as cannon ball villages.
From 1725 onwards the fortifications were greatly strengthened. In 1746 Fort St. David became the First British headquarters for the British India, and Dupleix
Dupleix
Dupleix could refer to one of the following:*Joseph François Dupleix, governor general of the French establishment in India in the 18th centuryFour ships of the French Navy have been named Dupleix:...
' attack was successfully repulsed. Clive was appointed its governor in 1756; in 1758 the French captured it, but abandoned it two years later to Sir Eyre Coote
Eyre Coote (East India Company officer)
Lieutenant-General Sir Eyre Coote, KB was an Irish soldier. He is best known for his many years of service with the British Army in India. His victory at the Battle of Wandiwash is considered a decisive turning point in the struggle for control in India between British and France...
. In 1782 the French captured it again, and restored it sufficiently to withstand a British attack in 1783, see Battle of Cuddalore (1783)
Battle of Cuddalore (1783)
The Battle of Cuddalore was a battle between a British fleet under Admiral Sir Edward Hughes and a slightly smaller French fleet under the Bailli de Suffren off the coast of India near Cuddalore during the American Revolutionary War, which in 1780 had sparked the Second Mysore War in India...
. In 1785 it finally passed into British possession.
Europeans started establishing their business settlements in Indian coast ever since 17th century. In the eastern coast French established their business settlements in Pondichéry and British established their settlements and business establishments in Cuddalore.
Later British started ruling the region and they built several forts. Fort St. David was the first fort built by British. Robert Clive, who laid a strong foundation for British rule in Indian subcontinent used St. David Fort as the centre for his military operations.
Fort St. David: Fort St. David was built in 1653 A.D. by Elihu Yale. The fort was strengthened on 1693, 1698, 1702, 1725, 1740 and on 1745.
Until 1758 Cuddalore was the capital to South Indian territories which was under British control then. British ruled a greater part of South India (entire Tamil Nadu, parts of present Andra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka) from the fort St. David.
The fort was attacked by French in 1758. It was after this attack St. David Fort lost its political importance. The operational power was shifted to Fort St. George, Madras. Even today the post office in Devanampattinam known as Silver Beach uses the rubber-stamp with Ft. St. David embossed in it.
Garden House: The present official residence of Cuddalore District Collector was then known as Garden House. It was then the residence of Robert Clive. The roof of the Garden House was built without steel and wood. It was built using only bricks and slaked lime. It bears testimony of the later medieval architecture. St. David fort was also built using the same ingredients and techniques.
The large vacant space next to Garden House which now know Chevalier Shivaji Arangam or Manjai Nagar (now known as manjakuppam) Ground was an esplanade then. British used to have esplanades near their fortresses.
Brookes Pet: Brookes Pet is half a kilometre from present Vandipalayam. It was named after Henry Brookes who ruled between 1767 and 1769.
Cumming Pet: The area to north of Thriupathiripuliyur is known as Cumming Pet. It was named after William Cumming who ruled the region from 1778. Cumming Pet was once a place meant for washermen. On 1798 Tipu Sultan-The King of Mysore invaded Cumming Pet and the settlements there cleared on the invasion.
Gadilam Castle: Nawab Umdat-ul-Umara built Gadilam Castle in 18th century. Gadilam Castle was located to the North of Gadilam river. It was built exactly in the place where the present Brindhavan Hotel is located.
Capper Hills: Capper Hills was named after Francis Capper who was the Captain till 1796. He resided in a palace in there. British built a prison in the Capper Hills. Freedom fighters like Barathiar and other prisoners of war were imprisoned there.
British Educational Institution: In 1717 St. David school was started in Cuddalore O.T. to educate the children of East India Company. In 1886 a college was started in its premises. The college was named after St. Joseph. It is one of the earliest schools in India which follows Western education system.
Tourist Spots
Tourist Spots in and near cuddalore are- Silver Beach at Devanampatinam
- St. David Fort
- Padaleeswarar temple
- Thiruvandheepuram Devanatha swamy temple
- Thiruvandhepuram Haiyakrever temple
- PichavaramPichavaramPichavaram is located near Chidambaram in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, in South India. The nearest railway station is Chidambaram from where it is accessible by road....
one of the world's largest mangrove forests - Cuddalore Thouheed Mosque
- Thirumutam Boovaraga Swami
- Vadalur Vallalar Sathya Gnana Sabha
- Kurinjipadi Subraya Swamigal temple
- Vengadampet Venugopalaswamy temple
- Thiruvadhigai Veerataneswar temple
Educational institutions
Cuddalore has some respected Schools, Colleges.St. David' High School, Cuddalore Port which is one of the oldest school started during 1717 by SPG Missionaries. Many schools were founded by Europeans in the 17th century and they are some of the oldest surviving schools in IndiaSome of the major schools in the town are:
- Sri Valliammal Matriculation hr.sec school (formerly, Valliammal Vidyalaya matriculation higher secondary school), Thirupadhiripuliyur, Cuddalore - 607002
- Government higher secondary school, cuddalore
- Aristo Public School, Thirupadhiripuliyur
- P R S Memorial Matriculation School
- CK School Of Practical Knowledge
- Government Municipal Boys Hr. Sec. School
- St. Mary's Matriculation Higher Secondary School
- A.R.L.M. Matriculation Higher Secondary SchoolA.R.L.M. Matriculation Higher Secondary SchoolA.R.L.M. Matriculation Higher Secondary School is a school in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, India. It was founded by, and named after, the famous Arcot Twins Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar and A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar. Located in the heart of Cuddalore, it has a campus.A private charitable...
- St. Joseph's Hr. Sec. School, Koothapakkam
- Krishnasamy Memorial Matriculation and Higher Secondary School
- St. Joseph's Higher Secondary SchoolSt. Joseph's Higher Secondary SchoolSt. Joseph's Higher Secondary School is one of the well established schools in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.St. Joseph's High School which was started in 1868. This school was elevated into a college in 1884 through the efforts of Father Tarbes and was affiliated to the University of Madras...
NT, ManjakuppamManjakuppamManjakuppam is one of the three large divisions in the town of Cuddalore, India. The Ponnaiyar River flows through the town, the area adjacent to the banks of the river is named as Manjakuppam. It was known as Manja Cupam during the 17th century... - St. Joseph's Higher Secondary SchoolSt. Joseph's Higher Secondary SchoolSt. Joseph's Higher Secondary School is one of the well established schools in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.St. Joseph's High School which was started in 1868. This school was elevated into a college in 1884 through the efforts of Father Tarbes and was affiliated to the University of Madras...
NT, Thirupadhiripuliyur - Sri Saraswathi Vidhyaalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Cuddalore-Port
- St. David's Matriculation school
- St. Anne's Girls Higher Secondary School, Pudupalayam
- Lakshmi Chordia Memorial Matriculation School, Thirupadhiripuliyur
The colleges in and around the town are:
- Periyar Government College of Arts and Science
- St. Joseph's College of Arts and Science
- Kandhaswami Naidu College of Arts & Science for Women
- Krishnaswamy College of Engineering & Technology
- Sri Jayaram Engineering CollegeSri jayaram Engineering collegeSri Jayram Engineering College is co-educational engineering college established in 2002. It is located in Cuddalore, a district capital in the state of Tamil Nadu, India....
- J.S.J.V Teacher Training Institute
- Jayavignesh Teacher Training Institute
See: List of Schools and Colleges in Cuddalore District
Transportation
Cuddalore is connected to other parts of Tamil NaduTamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
through a very good rail and road network. Frequent buses run to nearby towns like Pondicherry (Puducherry), Chidambaram
Chidambaram
Chidambaram is a fast growing industrial city in Eastern part of Tamil Nadu and the taluk headquarters of the Cuddalore district. It is located in 58 km from Pondicherry, 60 km from Karaikal, and 240 km south of Chennai by rail...
, Panruti
Panruti
Panruti is a town, municipality and taluk headquarters in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Panruti lies between Cuddalore and Villupuram.-Geography:Panruti is located at . It has an average elevation of 32 metres...
, Tindivanam
Tindivanam
Tindivanam is a town and a municipality in Viluppuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Important roads from north to south Tamil Nadu pass through Tindivanam and similarly from west to east.-History:Tindivanam is a Selection grade Municipal Town...
and Villupuram. Buses to major cities of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
such as Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, Tiruchirapalli
Tiruchirapalli
Tiruchirappalli ) , also called Tiruchi or Trichy , is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli District. It is the fourth largest municipal corporation in Tamil Nadu and also the fourth largest urban agglomeration in the state...
, Salem, Tiruvannamalai
Tiruvannamalai
Thiruvannamalai is a pilgrimage Temple city and special grade municipality in Thiruvannamalai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of the Thiruvannamalai district. Thiruvannamalai is home to the Annamalaiyar Temple located at the foot of the Annamalai hill and...
are also available from Cuddalore.
Railways
Cuddalore has two railway stations, Thirupadirippuliyur and Cuddalore Port Junction, with station codes TDPR and CUPJ respectively. The station code for Cuddalore Port Junction was previously COT, as the station is located in Cuddalore OT. Thirupadirippuliyur railway station is located in the Cuddalore new town and is at a walkable distance to Cuddalore bus stand.
Roads
- National HighwayIndian highwaysThe National Highways Network of India, is a network of highways that is managed and maintained by agencies of the Government of India. These highways measured over as of 2010, including over of limited-access Expressways....
NH-45A (the Villupuram–Pondicherry–Cuddalore–ChidambaramChidambaramChidambaram is a fast growing industrial city in Eastern part of Tamil Nadu and the taluk headquarters of the Cuddalore district. It is located in 58 km from Pondicherry, 60 km from Karaikal, and 240 km south of Chennai by rail...
–NagapattinamNagapattinamNagapattinam is a town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Nagapattinam District. It is a prominent seaport on the east coast of India and an important centre of trade and commerce.The town of Nagapattinam dates back to the Sangam period...
Highway) passes through Cuddalore.
See Main Article : Transport in Cuddalore
Transport in Cuddalore
Cuddalore is connected to other parts of Tamil Nadu through a very good rail and road network. Frequent buses run to nearby towns like Pondicherry , Chidambaram, Panruti, Tindivanam and Villupuram...
Medical Facilities
There are hundreds of private clinics and a bunch of private nursing homes in Cuddalore. Almost all the surrounding towns and small towns are heavily relying on Cuddalore's Government Hospitals, doctors and private clinics for minor treatment and sickness consultations.Business and industrialization
Even though Cuddalore has a bunch of industries, the main business of Cuddalore in the past, was fisheries. The original Cuddalore town is called Old Town, it was once an anchor point for imports and exports, but after the Government started accumulating and organising imports and exports to the nearest Metro city, Cuddalore's labor force was diluted to Factories and Industries.Currently, the Government is concentrating on small to medium sized industries in and around Cuddalore. Such projects are SIDCO, SIPCOT, Regional Palm Products Manufacturing Society, Regional Sugarcane Research Foundation and more.
The proposed harbour is currently under construction, it can attract the Ship Building industry to Cuddalore.
Industries
The Neyveli Lignite CorporationNeyveli Lignite Corporation
Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited is a government-owned lignite mining and power generating company in India. NLC operates the largest open-pit lignite mines in India, presently mining 24 MT of lignite and has an installed capacity of 2490 MW of electricity per year. It also supplies a large...
, a public sector company operating out of Neyveli
Neyveli
Neyveli is a mining and power generation township in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located at 11.30° N - 79.29° E. It is 52 km inland from Bay of Bengal, west of Pondicherry and 197 km south of Chennai. The township was developed after mining of lignite...
, is located near Cuddalore. Of the total quantum of thermal electricity generated in Tamil Nadu, a large percentage—more than 2500 megawatts—comes from the power plants in Neyveli.
Nellikuppam Integrated Sugar Complex is Located near Cuddalore, which is India's first sugar plant and is owned by EID Parry of Murugappa Group
Murugappa Group
The Murugappa Group is conglomerate company headquartered in Chennai, India, with a valuation of Rs. 17,051 crores . It is a market leader in diverse areas of business including Engineering, Abrasives, Finance, General insurance, Bicycles, Sugar, Farm Inputs, Fertilizers, Plantations, Bio-products...
Port-Based Industries
- Petroleum Refinery developed by Nagarjuna Oil Corporation Limited
- Shipyard developed by Goodearth Shipbuilding Pvt Ltd
- Mid sea oil field by Hardy Exploration and Production India Inc
- Thermal Powerplant by SRM Energy India
- Chemplast Sanmar PVC Plant
- APT Global Marine Engineering PVT LTD (APT group,Dubai).
Pollution in the SIPCOT Area
Cuddalore's recent past has been overshadowed by the consequences of its industrial development.one industrial pocket -SIPCOT
SIPCOT
The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu , Limited is an institution owned by the government of Tamil Nadu and is intended as a catalyst for the development of small, medium and large scale industries in Tamil Nadu. It was established in 1972.SIPCOT has established industrial...
- has also secured it a place in the dubious club of global toxic hotspots owing to the area's high levels of pollution.
As in many other towns in Tamil Nadu such as Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal
-Climate:Kodaikanal has a monsoon-influenced subtropical highland climate . The temperatures are cool throughout the year due to the high elevation of the city.-Economy:...
, Mettur
Mettur
Mettur is an industrial Town municipality in Salem district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is best known for the Mettur Dam.However in recent years it has been associated with rampant industrial polluting, with the Chennai-based Community Environmental Monitoring arguing in their report...
or Karaikal
Karaikal
Karaikal is a major port city of east coast of India and a municipality in Karaikal district in the Union Territory of Pondicherry, India. Several explanations are offered for the word 'Karaikal'. The imperial Gazetteer gives it the meaning 'fish pass'. According to Julien vinson the town is said...
in Pondicherry, development in Cuddalore has taken a heavy toll among local communities who have struggled to be able to defend themselves.
Reports of the illegal dumping of toxic waste abound, although very little progress has been made through judicial channels.
On 22 March 2008 a report for the Tamil Nadu Pollution Board by the Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute found that residents of the SIPCOT area of Cuddalore were at least 2000 times more likely to contract cancer in their lifetimes due to their exposure to high levels of toxic gases from chemical industries in the region.
Media and Communication
Leading Tamil, English and other regional languages newspapers are available in Cuddalore. English dailies such as, Deccan Chronicle, The New Indian ExpressThe New Indian Express
The New Indian Express is an Indian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper published by the Express Publications. It was founded in 1932 as the Indian Express, under the ownership of Chennai-based P. Varadarajulu Naidu. In 1991, following the death of the then owner Ramnath Goenka, the Goenka...
, The Hindu
The Hindu
The Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...
are available in Cuddalore. Tamil daily Dinathanthi has a separate edition for Cuddalore. Apart from that, other Tamil dailies such as Dinamalar, Dinakaran, Dinamani and Maalaimalar are also available in Cuddalore.
Cuddalore falls under the Tamil Nadu Telecom circle.
A station of All India Radio is located in nearby Pondicherry (Puducherry). The town also has several Local TV Channels.
List of leading Mobile networks in Cuddalore:
| Network Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Aircel | GSM |
| Airtel | GSM |
| BSNL | GSM |
| Vodafone | GSM |
| Reliance | CDMA,GSM |
| Tata Indicom | CDMA |
| Tata Docomo | GSM |
| MTS | CDMA |
| IDEA | GSM |
Cuddalore Central Prison
Tamil Nadu prison has eight major prisons - Puzhal (near Chennai), PalayamkottaiPalayamkottai
Palayamkottai , known as the "Oxford of South India", is a town in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Tirunelveli city corporation. It is on the eastern bank of the Thamirabarani river, while its twin city Tirunelveli is on the western bank.-Etymology:The archaic word Palayam...
, Vellore
Vellore
Vellore It is considered one of the oldest cities in South India and lies on the banks of the Palar river on the site of Vellore Fort. The city lies between Chennai and Bangalore and the Temple towns of Thiruvannamalai and Tirupati...
, Cuddalore, Tiruchi, Salem, Coimbatore
Coimbatore
Coimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
and Madurai
Madurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
- across the state, apart from 107 sub-jails . Puzhal is the most recently built prison, while the other seven main prisons were built during the British rule.
The Cuddalore Central Prison, set up in 1865 A.D. is another historically important landmark as some eminent personalities and freedom fighters like Subramanya Bharathi and other political leaders had served their prison terms here.
Cuddalore Port
The Cuddalore Port is situated in Lat. 110 43 N. Long. 79049’ East at the confluence of the rivers Gadilam and Paravanar discharging as combined river into the sea in the District of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu. The ships anchor in mid stream at a distance of about a mile from the shore and cargo is loaded and discharged through lighters.There is a bar at the mouth of the river, which maintains a depth of 5 to 6 feet at low water. During the months of July to September, the depth over the bar is reduced to about 3 to 4 feet.
Apart from Cuddalore Port, the following ports are under construction
- Thiruchopuram port
- Silambimangalam port
- Parangipettai port
- PY-03 Oil Field (Operational).
Notable people
- A. Subbarayalu ReddiarA. Subbarayalu ReddiarDiwan Bahadur Agaram Subbarayalu Reddiar was a landlord, Justice Party leader and Chief Minister or Premier of Madras Presidency from December 17, 1920 to July 11, 1921....
- the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is from Cuddalore
- Jothi Ramalinga Swamigal, also familiarly known as Vallalar (October 5, 1823 - January 23, 1873), was born, as Ramalingam, in a village near ChidambaramChidambaramChidambaram is a fast growing industrial city in Eastern part of Tamil Nadu and the taluk headquarters of the Cuddalore district. It is located in 58 km from Pondicherry, 60 km from Karaikal, and 240 km south of Chennai by rail...
.
- Vethathiri Maharishi http://india4info.com/indian-cites/cuddalore-city-tamil-nadu-india.html
- Vetrimaaran, director of the movies Pollathavan and Aadukalam. Winner of two national awards. National Film Award for Best Direction and National Film Award for Best ScreenplayNational Film Award for Best ScreenplayThe National Film Award for Best Screenplay winners:-References:...
- N. S. RamaswamiN. S. RamaswamiNallathagudi Srinivasa Ramaswami was an Indian sports journalist who worked for four decades with The Hindu, Mail and Indian Express, and became an assistant editor at all three newspapers...
, journalist was born in Cuddalore (In the line of Cardus http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/368544.html)
- JayakanthanJayakanthan- Biography:Jayakanthan was born in 1934 in a family of agriculturists in Cuddalore, in the South Arcot district of Tamil Nadu. He quit school after completing grade 3 education. He was then considered a problematic child. He was close to his mother and grandfather. He had a rocky relationship with...
,(born April 24, 1934) is a Tamil writer, essayist, journalist, pamphleteer, film-maker and critic.
- Famous Indian Twins also known as "Arcot twins Brothers" Sir Arcot RamaSwamy Mudaliar and Sir Arcot Lakshmana Swamy Mudaliar were born and resided in this town. Legendary twins
- Aswath Damodaran (famous Professor of Finance at the Stern School of Business at New York, grandson of Sir Arcot Ramaswamy Mudaliar).
- Cuddalore Janani is a fast upcoming singer. She has a bagful of awards. The pick of the lot - National Award for Exceptional Achievement In Classical Music (Vocal) - 2001 from the Central Government and the Ilam Kalaimani Award from the Tamil Nadu Government in 2003
- Kriya BabajiParangipettaiParangipettai , historically called Porto Novo, is a panchayat town in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Parangipettai is situated on the north bank of the mouth of the Vellar river at a distance of 30 km from Cuddalore. From Chennai, Parangipettai can be reached through...
- In the year 203 AD, Kriya Babaji Nagaraj was born on the night before the new moon during the Tamil month Karthigai (November 30). There is a temple constructed for him in his place of birth. - C.K. Ranganathan of founder of Chik Shampoo was born and raised in Cuddalore.
- Shri Kannayan Ramalingam, Chairman of Airport Authority of India (AAI).
- Muralidhar Swamigal was born in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, South India on 8 November 1961.
- V. Vaithilingam (born October 5, 1950 in Cuddalore) was a Chief Minister of Pondicherry, serving from 1991 to 1996 and 2008 to 2011.
- Justice K. Kannan, Judge, high court of Judicature at Madras. author of several leading law books including ones on injunction and insurance. Editor of the Oldest private Journal, Madras Law Journal.
- Sri Gopi Bhagavathar Panduranga Leela Bhajans hails from Cuddalore
- Peter TranchellPeter TranchellPeter Andrew Tranchell was a British composer.Tranchell was born at Cuddalore, India, on July 14, 1922, and educated at the Dragon School , Clifton College and King's College . During the Second World War he served, like his father, Col...
(14 July 1922 September 1993) was a British composer
- India's Under World Don Haji MastanHaji MastanHaji Mastan Mirza, popularly known as Haji Mastan or Bawa, was a Bombay gangster and smuggler in the 1960s and 1970s. Mastan became the first celebrity gangster of the city, expanding his clout in the film industry. As Mastan's influence in Bollywood grew, he began to produce films...
was born in Cuddalore.
SportsmenSportswomenSports Accomplishments
- Abraham Rajan Asian Games Gold Medalist, trained in Cuddalore during the late 70s and early 80s.
- Balambal Balasubramaiyam (born and raised in Cuddalore) was a national athlete during the early 70s, represented Railways and participated in the World Masters championship held in Spain.
- R. Ramkumar, Tamil Nadu Ranji Cricketer was born in Cuddalore
- Krish Srikanth (Indian Captain, Cricket Commentator and Current(2010) Indian Team Selection Committee Chairman. Srikanths family hails from Cuddalore)
- S. Balaji (born in Cuddalore, cricketer, played for Railways in the Ranji Trophy and represented ICF in the Chennai League).
- Cuddalore (Earlier South Arcot) won the Inter-District Cricket Championship in 1969 (SS Rajan Trophy), PR Thevar Trophy (U-19) in the year 1980 and Runners up in 1979.
The 2004 Asian Tsunami Disaster and aftermath
TsunamiTsunami
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake...
waves that followed the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
near Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
hit the eastern coast of India on 26 December 2004 by 08:32 in the morning. Cuddalore was heavily affected by the waves. 572 bodies were recovered and many are still missing. Several fishing hamlets have simply disappeared. Silver Beach and the historically important Cuddalore Port were devastated. Fort St. David survived without damage.
Cuddalore, being accessible from major cities like Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
and Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, received relief supplies relatively early. The management of relief operations in the district was handled by the local authorities and villagers themselves. Some remote villages became inaccessible due to a bridge breaking apart, leaving rescued villagers very anxious about their homes.
External links
- Villages in Cuddalore District
- A website on industrial pollution in Cuddalore
- Cuddalore District web site
- Cuddalore's weather forecast from BBC
- SIPCOT, Cuddalore, A Global Toxic Hotspot for Air Pollution
See also
- Cuddalore (Lok Sabha constituency)Cuddalore (Lok Sabha constituency)-Assembly segments:Before 2009, Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency was composed of the following assembly segments :#Ulundurpet #Nellikkuppam#Cuddalore#Panruti#Rishivandinam#Sankarapuram...