Parangipettai
|
Parangipettai பரங்கிப்பேட்டை |
|
|---|---|
| city | |
 Parangipettai
|
|
| Coordinates: 11°29′N 79°46′E / 11.49°N 79.76°ECoordinates: 11°29′N 79°46′E / 11.49°N 79.76°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Cuddalore |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 25,541 |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 608502 |
| Telephone code | 04144 |
Parangipettai (Tamil: பரங்கிப்பேட்டை), historically called Porto Novo ("New Port" in Portuguese) is a panchayat town in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Parangipettai is located on the north bank of the mouth of the Vellar river at a distance of 30 km from Cuddalore. From the capital city of Chennai, Parangipettai can be reached through the National Highway NH45A stretch between Cuddalore and Chidambaram.
Due to its strategic location on the Coromandel Coast, Parangipettai has long been a major trading centre. In particular, it was an important trading destination for the Arabs, especially the Yemenis. During the colonial era the Portuguese, Dutch and English successively colonized the area.
The first iron and steel industry in India was constructed in Porto Novo in the year 1830 [1]. Till today the iron pillars in The Egmore railway station, Chennai, Tamil Nadu have the imprint ' Made in Porto Novo'.
There is also a Gandhian connection to this place. Anne Marie Petersen became in 1909 a missionary in the so called Loventhal Mission. The foundation stone was laid by Gandhi himself in 1921, and a few years later the school was officially opened under the name Seva Mandir at a place called Porto Novo, near Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, South India.
Today, Parangipettai has evolved into a well-developed town with nearly all basic necessities such as healthcare, education and transport. It also hosts a Marine Biology Station affiliated with the Annamalai University.
Parangipettai is an important pilgrimage centre for both Hindus and Muslims.
...
Wikipedia