Nagappattinam - நாகப்பட்டினம்

This important port during the Chola period (10th-11th century) attracted traders from far off lands. The Portuguese had commercial links with Nagappattinam during the Tanjore Nayak rule. Later on, the Dutch became powerful and established their supremacy here. In ancient times, "Naga Nadu", "Nagappattinam" referred only to Sri Langa. Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka had close links with this town Nagappattinam. "Animangalam Copperplate" of Kulothungachola notes that "Kasiba Thera" [Buddhist Monk] Renovated the Buddhist temple in 6th century AD with the the help of Buddhist monks of 'Naganadu' This 'nagar annam vihar' later came to be known as 'Nagananavihar'.