Poompuhar Tourism, Tamil Nadu India

 Poompuhar (40Kms) was once the biggest port on the east coast of Tamil Nadu, and was as its peak of glory under the earlier Chola kings. The River Kaveri, merging with the billowing sea. It was known as ‘puhar’ due to the exquisite beauty of the port town, and it later came to be called Poompuhar. Another name for Poompuhar was Kaveripoompattinam. Silappathikaram and Manimekalai, the Tamil epics, bring out the greatness of the city in some of the poems in ‘Sangam’ literature. 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 and scenic beauty of Poompuhar, the whole art Gallery is made to present the environment and atmosphere of the 2nd century A.D by the creation of the Illanji Manram, Pavai Manram, etc. A fine beach and calm waters offer good opportunity for sunbathing and swimming. The department of tourism offers shell and conch-shaped cottages to the tourists in the Poompuhar tourist complex, at a moderate tariff.

 Tour to Poompuhar A tour to Poompuhar is a must-include in your tour itinerary of Tamil Nadu if you want a taste of the intrinsic culture and essence of Tamil Nadu. Noted as the backdrop of one of the greatest Indian epics, the Silapathikaram or the “Epic of the Anklet”, Poompuhar has always enjoyed an immense importance as one of the most important tourist destinations of Tamil Nadu. Located on the estuary of the River Kaveri, this beautiful port town was named so because of the estuary itself which is signified by “Poohar” which actually means an estuary. Located just around 24 kms away from Mayiladuthurai and 21 kms away from Sirkali, Poompuhar is one of the greatest tourist attractions of Tamil Nadu.

Puhar (Tamil: பூம்புகார்) (also known as Poompuhar) is a town in the Nagapattinam district in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was once a flourishing ancient port city known as Kaveri puhum pattinam, which for a while served as the capital of the early Chola kings in Tamilakkam. Puhar is located near the end point of the Kaveri river, aside the sea coast. Earlier on, it was presumed that much of the town was washed away by what is now speculated to be a tsunami around 500 AD.But saint Tirugnanasambandar who lived in 7th century C.E describes in his Patikam on Chayavaneswarar temple of Poompuhar, that it is a thriving city with many high rise buildings. Pattinathar who lived around the same time also gives the same explanation. Ottakoothar, who lived in court of Raja Raja II(1146.C.E-1178.C.E) also describes the town as being a splendid ancient city where Cholas held their coronation ceremony from very ancient times. Many Chola Coins belonging to Parantaka chola I, Raja Raja I, Kulothunga chola I, etc have been discovered from Poompuhar temples like Chayavanam and Pallavaneeswaram. So it is established that the city merged with sea only around 1520.C.E. Ancient Pottery dating back to the 4th or 5th century AD have been discovered off shore around this town.