Portonova Beach is a sea beach in Parankipatai. This sea beach is one of the lesser known beaches of Tamil Nadu.
Location of Portonova Beach
Portonova Beach is located approximately 30 kilometres away from Cuddalore District. It lies on the north bank of the Vellar River. The town can be reached in approximately within an hour and 15 minutes by road from Cuddalore. The drive from Cuddalore to Parankipatai is said to present extremely beautiful landscapes and beautiful weather will mesmerise the tourists of all sections.
Climate of Portonova Beach
Portonova Beach enjoys sub tropical climate and hence the temperatures are moderate throughout the year. This beach experiences summer in the months of April, May and June. Temperatures are high and the atmosphere is humid and sticky. The minimum temperature during these months is 31 degree Celsius and the maximum goes up to 37 degrees Celsius. The monsoon sets in during the months of July, August and September, characterized by heavy rainfall and gloomy weather for days. Many tourist activities are suspended during this time because of the heavy rainfall the town receives. The November to January is the winter months for Portonova Beach.
Derivation of Portonova Beach
Portonova Beach gets its name from the Portuguese words "Porto Nova" meaning New Port. The Portuguese gave the town its name after they arrived in the region and set it up as one of their biggest trading hubs. Parankipatai has long been one of India`s most important trading centers owing to its location on the Coromandel Coast.
History of Portonova Beach
The town was known as `Muthukrishna puri` during the reign of the Nayakkars and `Mohammed banthar` when the Mughal Empire in India ruled. There are many Muslims living in this area. They speak Tamil, which is the local language there, but it is highly influenced by Arabic and Urdu.
Tourism in Portonova Beach
Portonova Beach is one of the biggest tourist attractions of Parankipatai. It draws crowds to the town all through the year, though it continues to remain one of the less popular beaches of the state.
Visiting information
The best way of reaching Parankipatai is through Cuddalore. There are buses and trains that pass by. Unfortunately, Cuddalore does not have an airport. The nearest airport is a civil airport that does not cater to passenger flights. Hence, getting to this place via air is not an option. Tourists will have to take a flight to Chennai airport and then travel to Cuddalore which is a 25 km ride. Tamil Nadu State buses run from most major cities of the state to Cuddalore. The buses operate daily and make a comfortable ride. There are also many private bus service providers operating in the region. Ticket prices vary between service providers. Luckily, there are many trains that pass by Cuddalore and Parankipatai. However, some trains do not have a stop at Parankipatai. Therefore it is best to get down at Cuddalore and take a connecting inter-city train.
