Tamil Nadu - India

State Capital   Chennai

Population           56 million approx
Area                   130000 sq. km
Language            Tamil

Best Season     January to September

Tamil Nadu is the cradle of South Indian temple architecture that originated in the 7th century and matured in the huge temple complexes studded with towering gateways called ‘Gopurams’ that soar above the markets of almost every town. Quite a contrast to the temple heritage is provided at Pondicherry which remained a French colony for a long time. French is still widely spoken, and seaside villas and cobbled streets are more reminiscent of South France than South India ! Another facet of this diverse state is the two hill stations of Ootacamund and Kodaikanal. Both are little patches of England in India !!

The major tourist places in the state are:

Anamalai : Wildlife sanctuary.

Auroville : International Utopian city being built, Aurobindo Ashram Associations.

Chidambaram : Temple, Tamil culture centre.

Coimbatore : Industrial centre, temple.

Coonoor : Hill stations, Botanical garden.

Covelong : Beach resort.

Gingee : Fort, picnic spot.

Hogenakal : Waterfalls.

Kanchipuram : one of India’s seven sacred cities, temples, handloom silk.

Kanyakumari : Land’s end, temple, beach, rock memorial, sunrise, sunset and moonrise.

Padmanabham : Ancient capital, palace, museum, temple.

Chennai : Fort, beaches, temples, churches, museums, art galleries, parks, memorials, culture centres.

Cholamandal : artists’ colony.

Pulicat : Backwaters, bird-life, boating, beach.

Suchindram : Hanuman temple, exquisite sculpture.

Kodaikanal : Hill resort, solar physics laboratory, museum, orchidarium, lake, Kurinji flower which blossoms once in 12 years.

Point Calimere : wildlife sanctuary- Black Buck and Flamingo.

Kotagiri : Hill stations, waterfalls.

Thiruvanmiyur : Kalakshetra – dance, music and handloom academy.

Madurai : Temples, handlooms, palaces, handicrafts, museum.

Mahabalipuram : Temple, sculpture, beach resort, crocodile farm.

Mudumalai : Wildlife sanctuary.

Mandanthurai : Tiger sanctuary, Wildlife Sanctuary.

Nagore : Muslim dargah, pilgrimage centre for all faiths. Annual fair.

Poompuhar : Excavations of historic port, art gallery, beach.

Pudukottai : Palace, Museum, temples.

Rameswaram : One of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrimage centre, temple, place associated with Sri Rama, beach, one thousand pillared Mandapam.

Thanjavur : Temples, Frescoes, palaces, art gallery, churches, museums, handicrafts.

Kumbakonam : Pilgrimage centre, temples, handicrafts.

Tiruchchirappalli : Temple, fort, Muslim and Christian antiquities, museum.

Srirangam : Unique temple town, major Hindu pilgrimage centre, river island.

Tirunelveli : Temples, handicrafts.

Tiruvannamalai : Temple, Sri Ramana Maharishi Ashram.

Ootacamund : Hill resort, botanical gardens.

Vendanthangal : Bird sanctuary.

Vellore : Famous Mission Hospital, fort and temple.

Yercaud : Hill station, lake, park, waterfalls, temple.