Thoothukudi (formerly Tuticorin) is a port city, a municipal corporation, and an industrial city in Thoothukudi district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The city lies on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Thoothukudi is the capital and headquarters of Thoothukudi district.
It is located about 590 kilometres (367 miles) southeast of Chennai, 190 kilometres (118 miles) northeast of Thiruvananthapuram, and 580 kilometres (360 miles) southeast of Bengaluru. According to the Confederation of Indian Industry, Thoothukudi has the second highest Human Development Index in Tamil Nadu, next to Chennai. Thoothukudi City serves as the headquarters of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited, one of the leading private sector banks in India.
Major educational establishments in the city include the Government Thoothukudi Medical College, Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Maritime Academy, V.O. Chidambaram College, Kamaraj College, Anna University (Thoothukudi Campus), and Government Polytechnic College. The V.O.
Chidambaranar Port Authority is one of the major ports in India. Thoothukudi is an emerging energy and industrial hub of South India.Thoothukudi is known as "Pearl City" due to the pearl fishing carried out in the town. It is a commercial seaport that serves the inland cities of southern India and is one of the sea gateways of Tamil Nadu.
It is also one of the major seaports in India, with a history dating back to the 6th century CE. The city is believed to be of significant antiquity and has been ruled, at different times, by the Early Pandyas, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Later Pandyas, Ma'bar Sultanate, Tirunelveli Sultanate, Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Chanda Sahib, Carnatic kingdom, Portuguese, Dutch, and the British.
Thoothukudi was settled by the Portuguese, Dutch, and later the British East India Company.
The city is administered by the Thoothukudi Municipal Corporation, which covers an area of 353.07 km2 (136.32 sq mi) and had a population of 237,830 in 2011. The urban agglomeration had a population of 410,760 as of 2011.The majority of the people of the city are employed in salt pans, sea-borne trading, fishing, and tourism. The 21 islands between Thoothukudi and Rameswaram shores in the Gulf of Mannar are noted as the first Marine Biosphere Reserve of India and have around 36,000 species of flora and fauna.
This protected area is called the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. Our Lady of the Snows Basilica festival is celebrated annually in August. This and the Shiva temple festivals, including Adi Amavasai, Sasti, and Chittirai chariot festivals, are the major festivals of the area.
Roadways are the major mode of transport to Thoothukudi, while the city also has rail, air, and sea transport.
Tuticorin is famous for Our Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica festival which takes place during August every year. To show their love and gratitude, devotees presented a golden car which is used to carry the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Snows around the town during her feast day. The Golden Car first appeared in procession on 2 February 1806 and since then on 5 August of every year. A big star rests over the royal crown on the top of the car, signifying the name of Our Lady as the Star of the Sea (Stella Maris). The statue is one of three works of religious art brought by explorer Ferdinand Magellan to the Philippines, the others being the Santo Niño de Cebu and the Manapad altar crucifix.
The Lady of Snows is fondly called by the local people Maathaa (literally Mother). This church is known for religious harmony among Hindus and Christians in Tuticorin. Peoples of all religions from Hindu and Muslim also come to the festivals. Some Hindus light the candle and pray (by standing in front of Lady of Snows). You can see portrait of Maathaa along with other Hindu deities in some Hindu houses.
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Lodges exist in areas around the Old Bus Stand and along V.E road.
Thoothukudi has two main bus stations, namely the New Bus Stand and Arignar Anna Bus stand. Town buses connect both of them with other parts of the town. A network of mini-buses makes getting around Thoothukudi easier.
Auto-rickshaws are also preferable. If you want to travel by the auto, consult local friends or relatives beforehand to find out reasonable prices for the distance you intend to go and negotiate a rate with the driver before the journey.
Palayamkottai Road (stretching westward from Arignar Anna Bus Stand), areas surrounding the Lord Bhagam Priyal temple, Lord Shiva and Lord Perumal temples, WGC (West Great Cotton) Road, its parallel V.E. (Victoria Extension) Road and the streets adjacent to WGC Road form the main area of Thoothukudi. One should be careful and aware of the one-way traffic along the WGC Road.
