Nagapatnnam
Nagappattinam is a unique District with all its historical and cultural significance. Nagappattinam one of the constituents of Chola mandalam, acclaimed as the most prominent among the ancient Tamil Kingdom. Its salient features more than anything else have contributed to the glory of the cholamandalam.

Capital:
Town Nagappattinam was the Headquarters of a region during Chola period.Nagappattinam was also known as 'Cholkula Vallippattinam'. The heritage of the town is found in the Burmese historical text of 3rd century B.C. The same text gives evidences of a Buddha Vihar built by the great Ashoka. The Chinese Traveller Huang Tsuang also mentioned the same Buddha Vihar in his book. Nagappattinam is mentioned as 'Padarithitha' in ancient Buddhist literature. According to scholars Avurithidal (the name of part of Nagappattinam might have been derived from the word "Padarithitha"), Padarithitha is the name of a fruit tree, very common in this region.

In ancient times, "Nagannadu" , "Nagatheezam" referred only to Sri Lanka. Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka had close links with this town Nagappattinam. "Anaimangalam Copperplate' of Kulothungachola notes that "Kasiba Thera" (Buddhist -Monk) renovated the Buddhist Temple in 6th centurey B.C. with the help of Buddhist monks of 'Naganadu'. This Nagar Annam Vihar later came to be known as Naganana Vihar

Pallava King Rajasimha (690 - 720 BC) permitted a Chinese king to build Buddha Vihar in Nagappattinam. Hence there existed a Chinese built Buddha Vihar in Nagappattinam. According to Anaimangalam copper plate of Kulothunga CholaI, Sri Vijayathunga Varman of Sri Vijaya Kindon built 'Raja Raja Perumpalli' in the name of Raja Raja Cholan and 'Rajendra Chola Repumpalli' is the name of Rajendra Chola in 1090 BC. This Buddha Vihar was also called Sudamani Vihar. Excavations were conducted by the Archaeological Department at Velipalayam in Nagappattinam and more than 300. Buddha statues were unearthed and kept at the Museum in Chennai. The dilapidated old Buddhist tower was razed down 200 years ago.

Nagur was called so because it was inhabited by the Nagurs. The Nagapattinam Kayaroganam Shiva temple existed even in the 6th century. Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar were associated with this temple. Kaya Roganam Shiva temple is based on the "Laguleesa Pasupatha Cult". Soundaraja Perumal Vaishanava temple glorified by Thirumangai Mannan of 9th century is one of the notable features of Nagapattinam.

This favourite town of Chola Kings was also celebrated later by Vijaya Nagara Kings. Portuguese had a commercial contact with this town during the Tanjore Nayak rule (Sevvappa Nayakkar) and Acchuthappa Nayakkar . Portuguese commercial centre was established in 1554. Since then Christianity began to take root under the commercial contact.Ten villages were taken control of by the Portuguese traders. With the advent of Portuguese, Velankanni Church came in to existence.

In 1658 the Dutch tried to evict the Portuguese from Nagappttinam to establish their commercial centre there under the agreement reached between King Vijaya Nayakkar of Thanjavur and the Dutch on 5.1.1662. The following ten villages namely Nagappattinam Port, Puthur, Muttam, Poruvalancheri, Anthonippettai, Karureppankadu, Azhinji Mangalam, Sangamangalam, Thiruthina mangalam, Manjakollai, Nariyankudi were transferred from the Portuguese to the Dutch.

Ten Christian Churches and a Hospital were built by the Dutch. They also released coins with the name 'Nagappattinam' engraved in Tamil letters.

According to the agreement between the first Maratta king 'Egoji' of Tanjore and the Dutch Nagappattinam and surrounding villages were handed over to the Dutch on 30.12.1676. Later this town fell into the hands of the British in 1781 after the prolonged struggles. 277-Villages with Nagur as the headquarters were handed over to the East India Company in 1779. Gold coins bearing the names ' Nagappattinam Varagan' and 'Nagappattinam chornam' were in circulation during Tanjore Maratha Kings period.

Thus Nagappattinam has the history of over 2000 years for its credit. Today Nagappattinam remains the Headquarters of the District in the same name.