Tamil Nadu Tour

Chennai

Often known as the gateway to the South; this eclectic state capital of Tamil Nadu is certainly the soul of south India. Its impressive temples, colonial buildings, expansive coastline and relaxed vibe add to its charm.

Major Attractions in Chennai

• Kapaleeshwarar Temple-  Shiv temple located in Mylapore, one of the oldest districts in Chennai
• St Thomas Cathedral- A colonial cathedral believed to be built on the burial site of St. Thomas, the first apostle of Jesus.
• Valluvar Kottam Monument- A chariot shaped monument dedicated to the Tamil Saint-poet Thiruvalluvar
• Marina Beach- One of the longest urban beaches in the world.
• Parthasarathy Temple- Dedicated to Lord Vishnu incarnated as Krishna

Madurai

One of the most ancient towns in the south, Madurai is home to Meenakshi Amman, the presiding deity of the city. Wrapped in positive energy and spirituality, Madurai has a calming effect on travelers to the city.

Major Attractions of Madurai

• Meenakshi Amman Temple- A marvel of Dravidian temple art
• Tirumalai Nayak Palace- A Nayak dynasty palace
• Temple Art Museum- Showcasing various bronzes and other figurines
• Gandhi Memorial Museum- Showcasing Madurai’s bond with Mahatma Gandhi

Mahabalipuram

This tiny coastal village, showcasing a group of UNESCO-listed monuments, is a fine specimen of the temple architecture in south India.

Major Attractions of Mahabalipuram

• Shore Temple- Shiva and Vishnu temples by the sea
• Panch Rathas- Magnificent chariots attributed to the five Pandavas from the Hindu epic Mahabharata
• Arjuna’s Penance- A brilliant bas relief sculpture
• Cave Temples- Eight brilliantly carved cave temples dedicated to various Hindu deities
• Mahabalipuram Beach- A tranquil beach

Kanchipuram

This beautiful temple-town of Tamil Nadu lives up to its sobriquet of ‘the golden city with a thousand temples’. The city is also known for its gorgeous Silk sarees that are woven in nearby villages.

Major Attractions of Kanchipuram

• Ekambareswarar Temple- Dedicated to lord Shiva
• Kamakshi Amman Temple- Dedicated to Goddess Shakti
• Kailasanathar Temple- A stunning Shiva temple
• Devarajaswami Temple- A Vishnu Temple

Rameshwaram

An epitome of faith and natural splendor; Rameswaram is a tranquil haven at the edge of Tamil Nadu.

Major Attractions of Rameswaram

• Ramanathaswamy Temple- The temple where lord Rama prayed to lord Shiva
• Adam’s Bridge- A chain of limestone shoals connecting India to Sri Lanka
• Agneetirtham- Take a dip in the holy waters
• Dhanushkhodi Beach- A pristine beach
• Water Bird Sanctuary- A birder’s paradise

Kanyakumari

The mythical land’s end, the confluence of three seas, the mystic lore of the virgin goddess, and the eternal legacy of Swami Vivekananda & Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar is sure to lure you to the shores of Kanyakumari

Major Attractions of Kanyakumari

• Kumari Amman Temple- Dedicated to the virgin goddess
• Vivekananda Rock Memorial- Pay homage to the great religious reformer Swami Vivekananda
• Thiruvalluvar Statue- A 133m tall statue of the Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar
• Padmanabhapuram- A 16th century Travancore dynasty  palace

Ooty

Lush tea plantations, gorgeous lakes, cascading waterfalls and the slow-chugging toy train- Ooty is certainly a picturesque paradise.

Major Attractions of Ooty

• Nilgiri Mountain Railway- A century old heritage train
• Ooty Lake- Go for a boat-ride on this pretty lake
• Botanical Gardens- Colonial era gardens with over 650 different varieties of trees
• Dodabetta Peak- The highest point in the region offering scenic valley views

Wildlife in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu’s thick forests are home to many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries offering the thrill of wildlife safaris. Let’s have a look at some of the famous National Parks of Tamil Nadu:

• Madumalai National Park
• Guindy National Park
• Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park- A marine sanctuary
• Indira Gandhi National Park

Fairs & Festivals of Tamil Nadu

• Pongal- Winter Harvest Festival
• Natyanjali Dance Festival- Celebrating the classical dances of India
• Thiruvaiyaru Festival- Classical music festival of Tamil Nadu
• Karthigai Deepam- Festival of Lights
• Mamallapuram Dance Festival, Mahabalipuram
• Cape Festival, Kanyakumari - A cultural fiesta