Viluppuram district (also spelt Villupuram) is a district in the north-eastern part of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The town of Viluppuram serves as the district headquarters. The district lies along National Highway 32 (formerly NH-45) and the Chennai–Tiruchirappalli railway corridor, making it an important transit zone between northern and southern Tamil Nadu.
| State | Tamil Nadu |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Viluppuram |
| Region | Northern Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
| Major language | Tamil |
| Successor district | Kallakurichi district (bifurcated in 2019) |
Viluppuram district was carved out of the larger South Arcot district on 30 September 1993, when South Arcot was bifurcated into Viluppuram and Cuddalore districts. The region has historical associations with the Pallava and Chola dynasties, and the temple town of Tindivanam and the pilgrimage centre of Gingee (Senji), known for its hill fort, lie within the district's broader cultural footprint.
The district is bordered by Kanchipuram and Tiruvannamalai districts to the north, the Bay of Bengal and the union territory of Puducherry to the east, Cuddalore and Kallakurichi to the south, and Tiruvannamalai to the west. The terrain is largely a coastal plain interspersed with low hills inland; the Then Pennai (South Pennar) river is among the principal waterways draining the area.
On 26 November 2019, the Government of Tamil Nadu bifurcated Viluppuram district to create the new Kallakurichi district, which took over the southern and western taluks including Kallakurichi, Sankarapuram, Chinnasalem, Tirukkoyilur, and Ulundurpet. After the reorganisation, Viluppuram district retained taluks such as Viluppuram, Tindivanam, Gingee, Vanur, Marakkanam, Vikravandi, and Kandachipuram.
The district's economy is predominantly agrarian, with paddy, sugarcane, groundnut, and pulses being major crops. Cashew cultivation is significant in the coastal belt around Marakkanam and Vanur. Viluppuram Junction is a major railway hub of the Southern Railway zone, where the Chennai Egmore–Tiruchirappalli main line meets branches to Puducherry, Katpadi, and beyond. The town is also linked by NH 32 and NH 38.
Tamil is the predominant language, and Hinduism is the majority religion, with significant Christian and Muslim populations particularly in the older urban centres. The district is associated with traditional folk arts of northern Tamil Nadu, including Therukoothu street theatre and Villupattu narrative singing.