Tamil Nadu Tourist Destination

Tamil Nadu State (formerly known as Madras State) is located in the south eastern side of Indian peninsula with Kanyakumari as the southernmost tip of the land. This tip is the meeting point of Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. Tamil Nadu is renowned for its classical dance forms the Bharathanatyam; rich jewel coloured silks of Kancheepuram, elegant bronzes, brass temple lamps and intricately carved wood and stone pillars. With

over 30,000 temples spread across the state, each with its unique rituals and festivals, they are literally living museums of an ancient culture and have earned Tamil Nadu the sobriquet" Land of Temples." The capital city Madras was renamed Chennai in 1996 From Chennai, the capital and gateway to Tamil Nadu, no place is too far. Good road, rail and air services take the traveler to any point in the state with ease. Spread around are the former capitals of powerful kingdoms - the Cholas, Cheras, Pallavas, and Pandyas. Very close to Chennai are two major centers of this heritage: the Pallava towns of Kancheepuram and Mamallapuram. The former is a temple town that has also lent its name to fabulous hand-woven silk; the latter, with its magnificent rock-cut temples, is a fine beach resort. Further south, in the midst of the Cauvery River delta, are to be found the impressive remains of the Chola kings' penchant for the monumental: witness the Brahadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur, listed as a World Heritage Site, and a temple of the same name in Gangaikondacholapuram. The Nataraja temple in Chidambaram draws both the devout Hindu and the historically-minded. Pilgrims are ancient visitors to the state. For Hindus, Rameswaram needs no introduction. Catholics flock faithfully to the shrine of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni. And scores of Muslims make the journey to the nearby Nagore dargah.There's plenty to delight the nature lover. Crowning the cluster of hills in the north-west part of the state is the Nilgiris - or 'Blue Hills'. Udhagamandalam (Ooty) is the state's best-known hill station, with a wealth of eucalyptus trees that give the air a distinct fragrance. This 'Queen of the Hills' has a botanical garden, annual flower shows, select hotels, clubs, golf course, race course, tennis, horse-racing and shopping centres. Close by are Kotagiri, Coonoor, Doddabetta, Snowdown, Elk-Hill, Cairn Hills and Mukurti Peak. Further south is Kodaikanal, a quiet hill station, set around a lake that exudes colonial charm and showcases the coffee plantations of the south.

Chennai

Chennai, one of the metropolitan and the cultural capital of India is also know as temple city due to its magnificent temple heritage and architecture.

Chidambaram

Another temple city, there is a architectural temple here dedicated to Lord Nataraja - God Siva in the form of a Cosmic Dancer.

Tiruchirapalli (Trichy)

Besides a temple city, Trichy is also famous for artificial diamonds, cigars, handloom cloth, glass bangles and wooden and clay toys

Rameshwaram

Apart from being a major pilgrimage for the Hindus, Rameshwaram is also a popular holiday spot.

Madurai

Famous for its celebrated Meenakshi Temple, today, Madurai is a well-known producer of some of the finest textiles in India and some of the best harvests of jasmine flowers.

Kanyakumari

It is also a vital Hindu pilgrim center, renowned for its Kanyakumari temple. One of the unique features of Kanyakumari is the multicolored sand found on its beach.

Kodaikanal

A popular southindia hillstation, thronged by many natural splendors such as waterfalls, a pleasant lake, and many beautiful mountain viewpoints.

Coimbatore

Coimbatore, the third largest city of Tamil Nadu, is one of the most important industrial cities in Tamil Nadu.

Ootacamund (Ooty)

This lovely hill station was established by the Britishers, in the first half of the 19th century. It also serves as summer headquarters for the government of Madras.

Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)

This historical city has been crowned as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The most famous monument here is the Shore Temple, which looks absolutely mesmerizing when lit by moonlight.

Thanjavur

It is the granary of South India and is known as the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur was the center of knowledge and culture which reached its peak between the 10th and 14th centuries, under the reign of the Cholas.

Kanchipuram

Known as the city of thousand temples, it is one of the seven most sacred pilgrim centers for the Hindus. Kanchi has about 126 temples remaining in total and a few more in its outskirts.