Cuddalore District
Cuddalore is very famous for some of its specialty that makes the district unique from others. This is well known for the residence of world famous Lord Natarajan Temple. This is the original place of the sculpture of Nataraj. 
This is also the cosmic dancer`s place. Chidambaram is present in Cuddalore district.
The Historic importance of this District can be mentioned properly as it has played role since the time of `Idicasam`. Mr. Robert Clive started his administration from this district. The building that he constructed as the residence and administrative are still stand as the administrative residence of district administration.
This place is also famous for Lignite and Coal Mine. Lignite that is found in abundance is actually a treasure for the community. Like this out of Coal Mine heavy power and electricity is produced and distributed throughout the country.
Cashew nut is known as the rich crop of this district. The world famous Parry sugar and Chocolates are come out from this district only.
District profile:
The geographical position of this district is North Latitude between 15o 5`/11o 11` and 12o 35`East Longitude between 78 o 38` and 80o. The total area of Cuddalore district is 3678 sq.km. Out of total population of 22,85,395, total of 11,50,908 are male while 15,31,034 are female population. The numbers of literates are 14,20,488.
Total cultivated area present in the district is 2,72,159 Hec while the total area sown more than once is 52,268 Hec. Nearly 115 Hec land is used in rice production and production is nearly 316 tonnes. The other important crops that are produced in the district abundantly can be mentioned as follows: millets and other cereals 332 tonnes, pulses 12 tonnes, sugarcane or gur 355 tonnes, groundnut 49 tonnes, gingelly 1 ton, and cotton 1734 tonnes, etc.
Some of the important food crops in the district are as follows: Paddy, Groundnut, Sugarcane, Cholam, Cambu, Redgram, Cotton, Gingelly, Tapioca, Greengram, Blackgram, Coriander, Banana, Maize, Varagu, Cashewnut, etc. There are some other crops that are not used as food but important in other aspects. Those are as follows:, Cotton, Groundnut, and Coconut.
In case of animal husbandry the district has many institution. It has five Veterinary Hospitals, 39 Veterinary Dispensaries, 1 clinical Centres, and 89 Sub Centres. Poultry population in the district can be summarized as Cattle 3,43,131, Buffaloes 38,407, Sheep 57,607, Goat 2,51,160, and Poultry 3,33,043.
There is as such no milk dairy present in the district however, 237 no. of milk co-op. societies are there where the total production of milk is 1,30,16,265 liters per day.
Sri Jayaram Engineering College at Cuddalore DistrictThe literacy rate is in a higher position here in this district. There is one university present in the district whereas the no. of arts and science colleges are 8, one medical college, four engineering colleges, one agricultural college, and 1245 primary schools are also present in the district. There are 9 teacher-training colleges present in the district.
There are number of fisheries present in this locality. Marine fish production in the district is 18000 MT while inland fish production is 5823 MT. Total no. of fisherman engaged are 13769 land/marine.
Out of the total area of 9718.85 Hec forest area, 9467.13 Hec is reserved forest while 196.52 Hec is regarded as reserved lands.
The district is very updated in case of industries. Some of them are mentioned below: no. of working factories are 228, no. of Trade Unions are 57, large Scale Industries are 35, small Scale Industries are 617, cottage industries are 200 while medium scale industries are 114 in number. The name of some important industries in the district can be mentioned as Neyveli Lignite Corporation of Neyveli, MRK Sugar Mill of Sethiathope, EID Parry (I) Ltd of Nellikuppam, Ambiga Sugar Mills of Pennadam, TANFAC of Cuddalore O.T, Vanavil of Cuddalore O.T, National Cotton Mills of Chidambaram, SPIC Pharma Chemicals of Cuddalore O.T, Asian Paints (I) Limited of Cuddalore O.T, Tagros Chemicals (I) LTD. of Cuddalore O.T, Clariant Chemicals LTD. of Cuddalore O.T, etc.
Wellington Lake There are many rivers and lakes, which helps to maintain the irrigation properly in the district. The important ones are Gadilam, Pennar, Vellar, Veeranam, Perumal Eri, and Wellington Lake.
There are khadi as well as village industries present in the district. The sale of Cotton is 12.37 lakhs while woolen is 1.24 lakhs, silk is 36.02 lakhs and polyster is 5.36 lakhs. In case of village industries sales the sale of soap is 19.96 lakhs, pottery is 0.88 lakhs while leather is 0.39 lakhs.
The normal rainfall of the district can be mentioned, as N E Monsoon is 716.5 mm while S W Monsoon is 373.6mm. The actual rainfall in the district is N E Monsoon is 1346.1 and S W Monsoon is 340.3mm.
There are three revenue divisions, six revenue taluks, 32 revenue firkas and 896 revenue villages present in the districts. The maximum temperature is 36.8 C while the minimum temperature is 19.9 C. the district is well connected by roadways; railways and also seaways serve here properly.
There are many places, which are very enchanting to visit at times. Some of the tourist`s places that are popularly visited are given below.
Eco-tourist circuit:
Pichavaram:
Pichavaram is regarded as the most exquisite scenic spot along with some other important one of the Cuddalore district. This place is packed with abundant and varied tourism resources. The Vellar and Coleroon system interconnect the backwaters. This offers abundant scope for water sports. The water sports usually include rowing, kayak and canoeing. The Pichavaram forest not only offers water scope and backwater cruises, the place is also very famous for the mangrove forest. These are the trees permanently rooted in a few feet of water.
Pichavaram Mangrove Forest GardenThe Pichavaram mangroves are considered among the healthiest mangrove in the world. This tourist spot consists of a number of islands placing a vast expanse of water and covered with green trees. The area is about 28 acres and is separated from the sea by a sand bar. This place is a boon for a botanist. As rare species like Avicennia and Rhizophara are present here in abundance. Same n case of an ornithologist, as numerous birds like Watersnips, Cormorants, Egrets, Storks, Herons, Spoonbills and Pelicans holds great interest. All total 177 species of birds belonging to 15 orders and 41 families have been recorded at this place. Every year at the month of September to April these birds come at this place. Peak population of birds can be seen from November to January. The availability of different habitat types such as channels, creeks, gullies, mud flats and sand flats and adjacent seashore offers ideal habitat for difference species of birds. Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) offers boating facilities to the visiting tourists. As a whole it can be said that tourists can enjoy the best of their time at this place.
TTDC and the district administration of Cuddalore district have proposed to conduct an Eco Tourism festival namely "Dawn Fest" at Pinchavaram. This is also known as Vidiyal Vizha in local language.
The special attractions of `Dawn` fest are:
1. Boat ride witnessing the Irula Tribals catching prawns and Crabs.
2. Enjoying Folk and traditional instrumental music performances on a "Floating stage" from boats.
3. Night dinner i.e. Seafood festival.
4. Viewing `sun rise` in the background of South Indian instrumental music and yoga demonstration.
5. Early morning Bird watching and boating through the mangroves.
Dawn fest offers a unique experience to international and domestic tourists as well. All of them enjoy a lot here. The expenditure it costs is very nominal. This rare Eco-Tourism event also offers an opportunity to written the devastation of Tsunami and the spectacular recovery. Thus international as well national tourists can come here and can get the pleasure of life to be a part of it.
Cuddalore Port:
Cuddalore Port The Cuddalore Port is situated in Lat.110 43 N. and Long. 790 49` East. This is placed at the confluence of the rivers Gadilam and Paravanar discharging as combined river into the sea in the District of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu. The ships anchor in midstream at a distance of about a mile from the shore and cargo is loaded and discharged at this place.
There is a bar at the mouth of the river, which maintains a depth of 5` to 6` at low water. During the months of July to September the depth over the bar is reduced to about 3 to 4 feet.
The hinterland of Cuddalore Port consists of the districts of Cuddalore and parts of Salem and Thiruchirapalli as well. The area is rich in minerals. The area named Neyveli that contains Lignite is placed at about 40 Kms from the port and iron ore deposits in Salem District. There is several oil crushing mills present in and around the port. Sugar factories are present at Nellikuppam, Pennadam and Mundiyampakkam.
All these factories and ports are well visited by the tourists.
