Page 597 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

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9 Coromandel Driving Tour

Named after Cholamandalam (“the Realm of the Cholas”),
the Coromandel Coast extends from the Godavari Delta
in Andhra Pradesh in the north, to Point Calimere in the
south. This spectacularly beautiful strip of land played a
significant role in the maritime history of India. Its great
ports have, through the ages, attracted traders and
merchants in search of textiles and spices. Dansborg Fort at Tarangambadi
Chidambaram
1 Tirumullaivasal Sirkazhi 2 Poompuhar
A magnificent This historic port city once
shrine to Shiva had trade links with ancient
dominates this Greece and Rome. An
small coastal town. interesting museum here
Kaveri
recreates stories of its past
glory in bas-reliefs.
Mayiladuthurai
3 Tarangambadi
More popularly known as Key
Tranquebar, this little town Tour route
was a Danish settlement in Other roads
the 17th century. It has an
impressive fort, churches
and a beautiful brick
gateway, the Town Gate. 0 kilometres 10
0 miles 10
4 Karaikal
This former French town
Vettar
has many 19th-century
Thiruvarur mansions and a Neo-
Gothic church.

6 Nagapattinam
An old Chola port, this Vellar
was also a major Buddhist
centre till the 13th century.
It was later occupied by Tirutturaippundi
the Portuguese, the Dutch 5 Nagore
and, finally, the British. The 16th-century tomb
of Hazrat Sayyid Shahul, a
Muslim saint who died in
Nagore, attracts devotees of
all religions, castes and creeds.

Tips for Drivers
Length: 90 km (56 miles).
Stopping-off points: Hotel Tamil
Nadu at both Poompuhar and
Nagapattinam are convenient
7 Velankanni 8 Point Calimere stopping-off points. The route is
People of all religions seek This wildlife sanctuary spread well connected by government
cures at the Neo-Gothic over 20,000 ha (49,421 acres) and private buses.
Basilica of Our Lady of of saline marshland is a
Good Health. haven for migratory birds.

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