Chidambaram

Chidambaram is also known as Thillai, since the place was originally a forest of Thillai
( Excecaria agallecha ) shrubs. It is an important pilgrim centre and a holy place for Saivaites as the famous Nataraja Temple is located here.

Poompuhar

Poompuhar in Sirkazhi Taluk of Nagai district is also known as Kaveripoompattinam. Tourists have to alight at Sirkazhi railway station , to proceed to Poompuhar by road, Visitors from Chennai by train have to get down at Sirkazhi. Poompuhar is connected to Mayiladuthurai as well as Sirkazhi by road. The distance from Poompuhar to Mayiladuthurai is 24 Kms. and to Sirkazhi , 21 Kms.

Thirusaikkadu ( Sayavanam )

It is situated 2 Kms away from Poompuhar estuary. The Temple is for Thirusayavaneswarar and Iraivi Kuyilinam Nanozhi Ammai. This temple has been praised by Nayanmars in their hymns. Chola inscriptions are found in the temple.

Thiruppallavaneeswaram ( Poompuhar )

This is and ancient and very beautiful temple. Iyarppakai Nayanar and Pattinatthar were born here. The hero and heroine of Sillappathikaram Kovalan and Kannagi were also born here. This temple was praised by the Saivaite-saint Thirugnanasambandar.

Melapperumpallam and Keezhapperumpallam

These two Thalams are situated very near Poompuhar and Thiruvengadu. The Valampuranathar temple at Melapperumpallam has Chola inscriptions. It is noted for the famous Nayanmar’s hymns. Keezhapperumpallam is at distance of 2 Kms form Poompuhar. It is the temple where the famous “ Kethu” has a separate thalam.

Thiruvengadu

Thiruvengadu is situated at a distance of 10 Kms from Sirkazhi. The place is near Poompuhar. Hymns on it have been sung by four great Saivaite Saints. This is the place where Meykandar was born. “ Pudhan” (MERCURY) has a separate Thalam in Thiruvengadu temple. The presiding deity is Sri Swetharanyeswarar.

Thiruvakkur

It comes under Tranquebar Taluk. The Shiva temple is based on Madakkoil pattern. Sirappuli Nayanar one of the 63 Nayanmars was born at this place. Hymns have been sung on this temple by the Nayanmars.

Sempanarkoil

The antique temple referred to as Thirusumponpalli in Devaram hymns is situated in this place. It is on the bus route between Tranquebar and Mayiladuthurai. It is a temple of historical significance.

Punjai

The place lies near Sevpondarkoil. This Shiva Temple here has received tributes from Devaram. It is a beautiful temple of architectural wonders of Cholas.

Thirukkadaiyur ( Thirukkadayur )

Thirukkadaiyur is on the bus route between Mayiladuthurai and Tranquebar. It is one of the eight temples ( Atta Veerathanam ) glorifying the heroic deeds of lord Shiva. Thalapuranam says that lord Shiva exterminated Yama at this place to save the life of Markkandeya. It is one of the famous Sakthi Thalams. The holy hymn of Abirami Andhathi, have been sung by the greate poet and devotee Abirami Pattar in this place. People prefer this place to celebrate their Shastiyapthapoorthi ( completion of sixty years )

Anantha Manglam

It is small village near Thirukkadiyur. The temple here is noted for the presiding deily of “ Dasapuja Veera Anjaneya “.

Vaitheeswaran Koil

This place lying between Mayiladuthurai and Sirkazhi on the bus route is called Pulirukkuvelur in Thevarams. This age-old temple has the deities of Vaithyanathan (Shiva ) Nayaki (Sakthi) and Muthukumarasamy ( Murugan) .This temple is famous for its sculptural wonders. It is a special Thalam for one of the Navagraghas Angrahan sevvai ( Mars).

Nangoor

Nangoor is in Sirkazhi Taluk . Eleven of the 108 Thivya Desam’s are found in and around Nangoor. The Vaishnava temples in Nangoor were sanctified by Thirumangai Alvar.

Thirunallaru

The famous Shiva temple lies at a distance of 5 Kms for Karaikkal. The Shiva temple here is glorified in Thevarams. It is one of the ‘ Sapthividanga ‘ Thalams. The temple for Saneeshwara ( Saturn) of one of the Navagrahas, is famous.

Thiruvarur

Thiruvarur is at a distance of 65 Kms from Sirkazhi and 20 Kms from Nagapattinam. This place is noted for Thiyagaraja temple and the chariot ( temple car ). It is the most prominent among the “ Atta Veerattanam “. The art gallery depicting the myths of Manuneethi Chola , the grand Kamalambal temple is one of the famous ‘ Sakthi Peedams ‘. The unique feature of the town is that it has three Shiva temples at one place. The well known Panchamuga Vathyam and ParuNageswaram are still played during regular Poojas. The Musical Trinity of Thiyagaiyyar, Muthusamy Deekshither and Shiyama Sastri were born here.

Tranquebar ( Tharangampadi )

It is 35 Kms north of Nagapattinam on the coastal line of Bay of Bengal. Danish fort and Buildings with Danish architecture are the attractions of Tranquebar.

Pitchavaram

Pitchavaram , 35 kms , east of Sirkazhi , ranks among the most scenic spot with abundant and varied tourism resources. The Backwaters which are interconnected by the Vellar and Kollidam System offer abundant scope for water sports parasailing , rowing and canoeing.

The Pitchavaram forest not only offers waterscape and backwater cruises but combines another very rare occurrence - the mangrove forest - trees permanently rooted in a few feet of water. The Pitchavaram mangroves are considered among the healthiest mangrove occurence in the world. Pitchavaram consists of a number of islands interspersing a vast expanse of water and covered with green trees. The area is about 2800 acres and is seperated from the sea bar which is a patch of Extraordinary loveliness.