Nagappattinam is a town of Tamil Nadu. This town was known from very early times as a trading centre and even today it is a minor port. During the Chola period, it was the headquarters of a region and was a pride of the Cholamandalam coast.

This place is also known as Cholakula Vallippattinam. As per the Burmese historical text of 3rd century B.C., this place has the evidence of a Buddha vihar built here by the emperor Ashoka the Great. Nagappattinam has got mention in the travel accounts of the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang.

The ancient Buddhist literature names it as `padarithitha`. Avurithidal, the name of a part of Nagappattinam might have been derived from padarithitha, the name of a fruit tree common in this region. Buddhist monks of Sri Lanka had close connection with this place. According to the Anaimangalam copper plates of Kulothunga Chola `Kasiba-thera`, a Buddhist monk renovated this Buddhist temple in 6th century A.D.

It is also said that Pallava king Rajasimha (695-722 A.D.) allowed a Chinese king to be buried in a Buddha vihar in Nagappattinam.

The Anaimangalam copper plate also exposes that Vijayathunga Varman of Sri Vijaya kingdom built two Buddha vihars in the names of Rajaraja and Rajendra. They were then named respectively Rajarajap-perumpalli and Rajendrapperumpalli. The latter was also called Soodamani Vihar.

The Archaeological Department at Velippalayam conducted excavations in Nagappattinam and unearthed more than 300 Buddha statues. These can be found in the Govt. Museum at Chennai now. In the 6th century, a Siva temple named `Kayaroganam` existed here. It was sanctified by the hymns of three Nayanmars.

Thirumangai Alwar of 9th century sang about the Vishnu temple in Nagappattinam. During the Vijayanagar period, this town was a famous trading centre. During the Thanjavur Nayaka rule, the Portuguese settled here in 1554. Then Christianity started to take root and the famous Velankanni church was established.

In 1658, the Dutch supremacy prevailed and then they built ten Christian churches and a hospital. They also released coins with the name `Nagappattinam` engraved on them. The British were the last owners of this place after a prolonged struggle in 1781. Gold coins bearing the name of East India Company were issued from here. They were called `Nagappattinam Varagan` and `Nagappattinam Sornam` and were in circulation during the Thanjavur Maratha rule. Nagappattinam has thus a vast history of over 2 000 years. Today, it is the headquarters of Nagappattinam district.