Poompuhar Beach
Location
: 40-km from Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
Unsuitable For
: Swimming
Also Known As
: Kaveripoompattinam
Yet another beach resort created in memory of erstwhile "Kaveripoompattinam",
a legendary Port city, washed away by the sea. The present complex was
designed on the basis of the information available in the Tamil epic 'Silapathikaram'.
The historical happenings depicted in Silapathikaram and the land marks
mentioned therein are brought back to life here in stone. The Department
of Tourism offers conch and shell type accommodation here. Poompuhar,
once the biggest port on the east coast, was at its peak under the
earlier Chola Kings. The greatness of the city is brought out in some of
the poems in Sangam literature and also by Silappathikaram and
Manimekalai among the epics. The life and time of the Tamil classic 'Silappathikaram'
has been recreated at Poompuhar to the immense pleasure of the Tamils.
In order to conjure up the decorative ornamental scenic beauty of
Poompuhar, an art gallery is made to present the environment and
atmosphere of the 2nd century AD by the creation of the llanji Mandram,
Paval Mandram, the Buddhist School, Arugan Kottam, Tirumal Kottam, Murugu Kottam, etc.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air : The nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli (141-km).
Rail : Poompuhar in located in Sirkali taluk of Nagappattinam district. The nearest railway stations are Mayiladuthurai railway junction (24-km) and Srikali railway station (21-km). Visitors from Chennai, by train have to get down at Sirkali.
Road : Poompuhar is well connected to Mayiladuthurai and Sirkali by road. Tourists from Chennai to Poompuhar by private carriers can take the route via Tindivanam, Pondicherry, Cuddalore and Sirkali. Those who come from Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli may proceed via Melur, Tiruppathur, Karaikudi, Tharangampadi and Akkur. They can also come via Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, and Mayiladuthurai
