TUTICORIN :

Thoothukudi is known as Tuticorin. Tuticorin is a city in Tamil Nadu state of southern India. It is the headquarters of Tuticorin District. Tuticorin is surrounded on the north by the districts of Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram, on the east and southeast by Gulf of Mannar and on the west and southwest by the district of Tirunelveli.

Tuticorin is a main Port city of India. The major harbour of Tuticorin is well known as pearl diving, fishing centre and shipbuilding. The city is also known as " Pearl City ” and "Muthu Nagar”. Tuticorin is famous for pearl fishing, production of salt, fishing and other related businesses. Totally 70% salt is manufactured in Tuticorin.

The major harbour of Thoothukudi is well known as a pearl diving and fishing centre. Thoothukudi was founded by the Portuguese in 1548, captured by the Dutch in 1658, and ceded to the British in 1825. The lighthouse built in 1842 marked the beginning of the history of Thoothukudi harbour development.

It was the seaport of the Pandyan kingdom. Thoothukudi was the stronghold of the Paravas, a community from the lineage of Pandyan kingdom and still continues to be a strong base of this community. This community also claims the status of uncrowned kings of the land holding a sway over power. But recently there is a slide in the community's stronghold since most of it's youth are employed abroad. The Paravas community have a unique way of living; their cultural demarcations are very strong from that of the other communities in that region. The traditional old houses of the Paravas in the city are unique, built in both Victorian style and Chettinad style from Burmese teak wood. Another community in this region is the Nadars -the southern trading community. Thoothukudi became the centre of the Indian independence movement in the early 20th century, with such leaders as the poet Subramanya Bharathy, Kattabomman, and V.O. Chidambaram Pillai.

Facts

State : Tamil Nadu
District : Thoothukudi
Coordinates : 8.72° N 78.12° E
Area : 4621 km²
Time zone : IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2001) : 216,058
Density : 46.75/km²
District Collector : Dr. R.Palaniyandi I.A.S.
Codes : Postal628xxx
Telephone : +91 (0)461
Vehicle : TN-69 to TN-6

Sights

Here is one Sivan Temple called as Sri Sankara Rameswarar Temple and one Sri Vaikundapathy Temple built by the Pandya King Sankara Pandyan.

Our Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica , Our Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica is the State-of-the-Art shrine in Tuticorin. The renowned shrine of Virgin Mary stood up at seashore in the year 1582. Ever since all the devotees are blessed and cared by Mary. Here we bring you all the features about our shrine basilica and its services. We welcome all people to visit this legendary shrine and get the blessings of Mother Mary. We describe the features of the church and bring you important ceremony live to your eyes. http://www.snowschurch.org/

Port

On 11th July 1974,the newly constructed Thoothukudi port was declared as the 10th Indian major port and is second largest port in Tamil Nadu. Thoothukudi is a natural port. The Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project, a project to create a shipping channel through the shallow Palk Strait to allow larger ships through, is headquartered at the Port of Thoothukudi [2]. The Tata Group has proposed to extract chromium from the sands of coastal Tamil Nadu and the headquarters of this project is planned to be stationed in Thoothukudi. http://www.tuticorinport.gov.in/

Hotels and accommodation

http://www.hotelstamilnadu.com/tuticorin.htm

Hospitals

These are the major hospitals in Tuticorin with their phone numbers.

Government Hospital: 321051
A.V.M Hospital: 325461
American Hospital: 325438
Leprosy Hospital: 320733

External links :