Parangipettai

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Parangipettai | type = city | latd = 11.49 | longd = 79.76
state_name = Tamil Nadu
district = Cuddalore
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population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 20,901| population_density =
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Parangipettai (Tamil:பரங்கிப்ேபட்ைட), historically called Porto Novo, is a panchayat town in Cuddalore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Parangipetta is situated on the north bank of the mouth of the Vellar river at a distance of 30-km from Cuddalore. It has an interesting historical background.

Due to its strong geographical position along the Coromandel Coast, Parangipettai has been a major trading centre. Particularly, 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.

Today, Parangipettai is a town flourishing with money from overseas, particularly the Middle East and South East Asia. It also hosts a Marine Biology Station affiliated with the Annamalai University.

Parangipettai is an important pilgrimage centre for Muslims. Parangipettai also has a unique and divesified Muslim population. It is ironic that Parangipettai still remains as a town in Tamilnadu, as it has seen the arrival of wealth and different people even before the dawn of globalisation.

History

Pettai means "market place" and Parangipettai means "the market place of foreigners" in Tamil. The town was called "Mahmood Banthar" during the Mughal Empire period, and later "Porto Novo" by the Portuguese, who controlled the region from the early 16th century to the early 18th century. The French named this place "Portonovo" when they temporarily occupied it before moving on to establish their colony in Pondicherry. Muslims living in Parangipettai have a unique Arab ancestry. It had other old names, such as Muthu krishnapuri when Nayakkar ruled here. This place also was called Varunapuri (the place for 'Varuna', a god of rain) and even now at every monsoon season high amounts of rain are recorded.

The Second Anglo-Mysore War was fought here between Hyder Ali and the British under Sir Eyre Coote in July 1781. 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 coin 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 and the Dutch minted their coin in the same design at Tuticorin and Colombo mints. In Ceylon (Srilanka), in the Sinhalese language, it was known as 'ParangiPatta'.

There is a Gandhian connection also. A European disciple of Mahatma Gandhi established a school, the "Seva Sadan", based on Gandhian principles.

Muslims in Parangipettai

Muslims in Parangipettai have an unique origin. Muslims in Parangipettai can trace their origin to several locations, particularly in the Middle East and North India. There are also different Muslim groups in Parangipettai, particularly the Maraicars and Sahibs.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , 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. 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 Mosque and Jumma Palli), Gummath Palii (Jummah Moque), Vathiyapalli, Housepalli, Appapalli, Housepalli, Kadriya Mosque, Madina Palli, Kalima palli, Ukkashah (RA) mosque, Habeebiyah Palli. Our forefathers' history relates that the grave of Ukkashah Ibn Mihsan (Radiallahu anho), companion of the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam is in Porto Novo, Allah knows best.

Notable Hindu temples are Kumaran Kovil (Temple of Lord Muruga), and the Periya Kovil (Big Temple) for Lord Shiva; the Big Temple has so many historical events (as said in saivam) this place is called known as 'Thiruvarunamanmiyam'. In this temple 'Chitragupta', 'Sun' and 'Varuna' are worshiped to get the bliss. And it has a very special event: at the start of every Tamil year in Chitthirai month's first ten days the the sun's rays fall on the Linga God and Goddess. So many other Amman Temples (Temples of Goddesses) are here. Here, in the year 203 AD, Kriya Babaji Nagaraj was born on the night before the new moon during the Tamil month Karthigai (November 30). Here is a temple constructed for him.

Two waterways join the sea here: the 'Vellaru', a branch of the Kaveri River, and the Buckingham Canal.

External links

* [http://the.portonovo.googlepages.com Portonovo HomePage]
* [http://www.portonovo.in Latest Updates on Porto Novo]

References