Parangipettai
Parangipettai , historically called Porto
Novo ("New Port" in Portuguese) and also it have another name
called "Muhammad Bandhar", is a Panchayath 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. Till today the iron pillars in The
Egmore railway station, Chennai, Tamil Nadu have the imprint ' Made in Porto
Novo'.
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.
History
Through history, Parangipettai has taken many
different names. One was 'Porto novo' during the period of Portuguese colonial
rule. Other names were 'Muthukrishna puri' when the nayakkars ruled, 'Mohammed
banthar' during the era of the Mughal Empire. In
Tamil, Parangi refers to foreigners such as Europeans and Arabs while Pettai means
place. Thus, Parangipettai literally translates to the
pettah or abode of the parangis or Europeans in Tamil. The Portuguese were the ones
who actually named this place "Porto Novo" ("New Port" in
Portuguese) as they set up a port here and made it their trading stronghold.
Muslims living in Parangipettai
have a unique ancestry. Tamil is their mother tongue but it has been heavily
influenced by Urdu and Arabic. Previously, especially during the Tamil Chola
rule of Tamil Nadu, Arab traders used to heavily trade around the Coromandel
coast in which Parangipettai is located in. Some traders, throughout time
decided to settle down here. And hence, Muslims of Parangipettai tend to
resemble Arab features. During the Muslim rule of India under the Mughal
Empire, Muslims from Hyderabad also started settling down in Parangipettai.
Thus the Islamic culture in Parangipettai was influenced by Urdu and Mughal
practices.
The Battle of Porto Novo was fought here in 1781 during
the Second Anglo-Mysore War. The conflict pitted the forces
of the Kingdom of Mysore under Karim Khan Sahib,
accompanied by his father Hyder Ali, against forces belonging to
the British East India Company under Sir Eyre Coote. Though they were outnumbered 5 to 1,
the British prevailed.
The town flourished as a sea port with connections
to southeast Asia and as an industrial centre during British rule, when iron
made here was exported to England. The powerful Nawab of Arcot had his mint at Porto Novo and
the gold coins struck in this mint came to be called the Porto Novo Pagoda. Later the English followed the
same design when they minted the 'Negapatam' (Nagapatnam) Pagoda; the Dutch
minted their coin in the same design at Tuticorin and Colombo mints.
There is a Gandhian connection also. A European
disciple of Mahatma Gandhi established a school, "Seva mandhir",
based on Gandhian principles.
In early 1875 Meir was born to later lead the great
revolution to appoint hockey as the National Sport of India
Religion
There are also different Muslim groups in
Parangipettai, the most common one being Maraicar. Maraicar the
name originally derived from the old Tamil term Marakkalangalin
aayargal meaning Kings of Ships said to be given by the Southern
Tamil King Vijaya Raghunadha Sedhupathy Thondamaan (shortly King Sethu) to the
Arab traders from Yemen and Arabia now Saudi Arabia who were then reigning the
most of the coastal areas with their trade.
Demographics
As of 2001 India census, Parangipettai had a
population of 20,901. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%.
Parangipettai has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national
average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 69%. In
Parangipettai, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Culture
Parangipettai people are also called
"Novians". Many of them have migrated to other countries for their
livelihood. Originally it was to Indo-china, then to Malaya-Singapore, and
presently to Arab countries. Most of the Muslim people depend on the incomes of
their male relatives employed in Arab countries. A sizable section of the
population from the fishing community is employed in the merchant navy.
More than ten mosques are found in Parangipettai:
Meerapalli (Big Masjid and Jumma Palli), Gummath Palli (Jummah Masjid),
Vathiyapalli (Jummah Masjid), Appapalli (Jummah Masjid), Housepalli, Kadriya
Masjid, Madina Palli, Kalima palli, Ukkashah mosque, Magdum Appa Palli (Pakim
Zaad), Kilur Nabi Palli, Habeebiyah Palli and newly constructed TNTJ Markuz.
The grave of Ukkashah, companion of the Muhammad is thought by many
inhabitants to be located in Porto Novo.
Notable Hindu temples are Kumaran Kovil (Temple of
Muruga), the Periya Kovil (Big Temple) for Shiva, the Varadharaja temple,
Karpaga Vinayagar temple, Sanjeevirayar temple of hanuman, Angala parameswari
temple, Ellai Amman Kovil, Oadakarai Maari Amman Kovil, Parasakthi temple and
so many mariayamman temples. The Big Temple has so many historical events (as
said in saivam) this place is called known as Thiruvarunamanmiyam.
Two rivers join the sea here are the Vellaru, a
branch of the Kaveri
River, and the Buckingham Canal.
Holidays
There are two main holidays in Islam: Eid al-Fitr, Ramadan and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at
the end of Ramadan (a month of fasting), and Muslims usually give zakat (charity) on the occasion. Eid
al-Adha is celebrated at the end of Hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca), which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and Muslims usually sacrifice an
animal and distribute its meat among family, friends and the poor. All Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar,
and thus move each year relative to the solar calendar. The Islamic has 12
months and 354 days on a regular year, and 355 days on a leap year.
Business
Historically Parangipettai was used as a trading
port. It now contributes around 3.5% of the total fish catch in the state,
which is distributed to various districts and states in the country. And also
sea food products are being exported to other countries overseas. Among the
major sea foods merchants from the place are Sea Foods, with a well connected
marketing network around the world.
Connectivity
By road:
·
22 kms from Chidambaram.
·
32 kms from Cuddalore.
·
52 kms from Pondicherry.
By Train:
Nearest Railway Station is Parangipettai
By Air:
Nearest Airport: Trichy
(145 kms) , Chennai (229.48 kms)
Accommodation
Nearest accommodation is available at Chidambaram
& Cuddalore.
Facts
·
Local buses are available from
Chidambaram.
·
Std Code: 04144
·
Pin code: 608502