Cuddalore District is one of the districts of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The city of Cuddalore is the district headquarters. The district has an area of 3,564 km². Cuddalore is well-known for its temples. Chidambaram, a town, known for dance and temples, is only 43 km away from Cuddalore. The sandstone deposits in the town are popular. The Pennayar River runs north of the town while Gadilam River runs across it. Cuddalore is situated at a distance of 200 km from the state capital Chennai and 18 km from Puducherry, the neighbouring union territory. Being a coastal town, historically, Cuddalore’s main industry was fishing. Pichavaram, which is 58 km from Cuddalore, a world-renowned mangrove forest. Pataleeswarar Temple, a Hindu temple, built during the 7th century and dated a millennium earlier, is the most prominent landmark in Cuddalore. The name, Thirupathipuliyur, is associated with the legend behind the temple. The temple is revered in the verses of 7th-century Saiva saints Appar and Tirugnanasambandar in their works in Tevaram. Silver Beach is a 2 km long beach located in Cuddalore and is another prominent visitor attraction of the town.