Formerly known as Tuticorin, Thuthukudi is the headquarters of Thuthukudi district in Tamil Nadu. One of the major port cities in India, Thuthukudi is unique for having a natural harbor. Thuthukudi is famed for pearl fishing, production of salt, and as a center for folk art.
Location
Situated in the Gulf of Mannar, Thuthukudi is about 540 km southwest of Chennai, 230 km from Thiruvananthapuram, and 130 km from Madurai.
History
One of the oldest sea ports in the world, Thuthukudi was the sea port for Pandyan Kingdom after Korkai and later was taken over by the Portuguese in 1548, seized by the Dutch in 1658, and surrendered to the British in 1825. Besides, Thuthukudi is famous as the place from where freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai set sail his ship to protest against British rule in India.