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TAMILNADU
Tall palms and taller gopurams, the towering, intricately carved
temple towers amidst land of oriental lushness greet the traveler
to Tamil Nadu, a land that is truly the soul of the South itself.
A land of sun and warmth, of temples and legends and of silver linedbeaches.
Tamil Nadu, lush and colour drenched, sunburnt and romantic, offering
the essence of the eastern life- style, is inexpensive, with the
best of accommodation available to suit every pocket and every taste.
Lies on the Southern Peninsular India. It has a long stretch of
beach running over 900 Kms. The coromandel coast, abutting the Bay
of Bengal, boasts of many ideal locations for sun and surf. Where…
Golden sands are dotted with palm and casuarina groves. Tamil Nadu
is a window to the modern South as much as it is a wide-open archive
of ancient legacies. Yet amazingly, for all its modernity, Tamil
Nadu retains its old- world charm. The blend of the ancient and
the new and the picturesque is truly remarkable. It is the land
that has seen the rise and fall of many as ancient kingdom viz.,
the Cholas, the Pallavas and many others, each leaving behind incredible
cultural treasures.
From Chennai, the capital and gateway to Tamil Nadu, no place is
too far. It is bestowed with a 4.5 Kms. long stretch of Beach, the
second longest in the World, called the Marina Beach.
Chennai
Chennai, once a fishing village is now a sprawling metropolis,
and the capital of Tamil Nadu.
Kancheepuram
The city of thousand temples - Kancheepuram is one of the seven
sacred cities of India - Aformer capital of the Pallavas, it is
famous for its exquisitely woven silk sarees. Places to seeinclude
Ekambareswarar Temple, Varadarajaswamy Temple, Kailasanathar Temple,
Kamakshi Amman Temple and the home of silk fabric weavers.
Access : Chennai, (70kms) is the nearest airport and regular
bus service are available.
Mamallapuram
 Once
a flourishing port of the Pallavas of ancient India, this monument
centre is today a major beach resort holiday centre in South India.
Places to see include the Shore temple, the Five Rathas and Arjuna’s
Penance and the Tiger Cave. About 14 kms, North is a crocodile farm
and 17 kms. West is Thirukazhukundram, a pilgrim centre, known for
its holy kites. There are boating facilities at Muttukkadu backwaters
midway between Chennai and Mamallapuram.
Access : Nearest Airport at Chennai (50 kms). Nearest Railway
Station is Chegalpattu in Chennai - Trichy section.
Chidambaram
Chidambaram is famous for the temple dedicated to Lord Nataraja,
the Cosmic Dancer (Lord Shiva). The Annamalai University located
here us a major residential university. Pichavaram 16 kms from here
is a place of rare scenic beauty with its serene backwaters dotted
with dense mangrove forests.
Access : Chennai is 244 Kms. Express trains and buses connect
Chidambaram with other cities.
Tiruchirappalli
Tiruchirappalli is known for its Rock Fort and its temple at a
height of over 83 metres. Other renowned temples are the Sri Ranganathaswamy
Temple (Srirangam) and the Siva Temple at Tiruvanaikaval, Samyapuram
Temple. Worthwhile excursions include Narthamalai, Sithannavasal,
Kudumiyanmalai, Kodumbalur famous for their ancient monuments, jain
caves with intricate wall paintings. Grand Anicut, across the Cauvery
river, built by the Chola King karikalan in 2nd century A.D. is
an engineering marvel and a fine picnic spot, Avudaiyarkoil 110
kms. away, is known for its life- size sculptures. Mukkombu (20kms).
is another picnic spot. Viralimalai (28kms). is famous for its Murugan
Temple and Peacock Sanctuary.
Access : Thiruchi has airport served by Air Lanka and Indian
Airlines. Tiruchi is 320 kms. from Chennai on the National Highway.
The town is also an important Railway junction on Southern Railway.
Daily express buses connect it with other major towns.
Thanjavur
 The
home of Carnatic music, musical instruments, dance and traditional
handicrafts. Thanjavur is famous for the Brahadeeshwarar Temple.
The Temple constructed more than a thousand years ago by the Chola
King Raja Rajan is an architect’s marvel. The town of Thanjavur
is also the headquarters of the district of the same name. The district
is the granary of Tamil Nadu. The Art Gallery and the Saraswathi
Mahal Library are also well known places of interest. Excursions
include Thiruvaiyaru, Thirukandiyur, Kumbakonam, Thirubuvanam and
Darasuram, all within 40 kms. at Gangaikondacholapuram (71kms).
is a temple dedicated to Lord Siva ; Nagore (85 kms) is a renowned
pilgrim centre for Muslims ; Velankanni, (90 kms) is a sacred place
for Christians. But people from all walks of life congragate in
the above said two places.
Access : Tiruchirappalli (60kms). is the nearest airport.
Thanjavur is on the Chennai - Tiruchi rail route. Express buses
connect Thanjavur to other towns.
Rameswaram
One of the most sacred towns of India, it is well known for its
temple corridor - the longest in India, the Bathing Ghat, Ganthamathana
Parvatham, Kothandaramar temple, Kurusadai and other nearby Islands.
Access : Madurai (173 kms). is the nearest airport. Rail
and Road links are available.
Kanniyakumari
Another famous pilgrim centre situated at the land’s end of
India, at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal
and the Arabian Sea. Places to see: the Kumari Amman Temple, Gandhi
Memorial, the Beach and the Vivekananda Memorial. Nearby excursions
include Suchindram Temple with musical pillars (13 kms.), the palace
and the museum at Padmanabhapuram (32 kms.) the circular fort or
Vattakotai (6kms). and the Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil (19 kms.)
Access : Trivandrum (89 kms) is th enearest airport. Kanniyakumari
is the railway terminus on the Trivandrum - Kanniyakumari section
of the Southern Railway, Regular bus services are also available
from other places.
Kodaikanal
 Kodaikanal
is one of India’s most beautiful hill stations located at an
altitude of 2133 mts. (7,000 feet) frequented tourists in large
numbers right through the year. Places of see include Byrant Park,
Pillar Rocks, Lake, Solar Observatory, Perumal Peak, Silvar Cascade,
Telescope Houses at Coaker’s Walk and Kurinji Andavar Temple,
Bear Shola Falls, Berijam lake, Museum and Orchidorium at Sacred
Heart College, Shenbaganur. Very good trek routes are available.
Access : Madurai (120kms). is the neaqrest airport and Kodai
Road (80 kms.),the nearest railway station. Regular bus services
to Madurai and other towns available.
Madurai
Once the capital city of Pandyas, Madurai is today the second largest
city in Tamilnadu. It is famous for the Meenakshi Temple, with its
towering gopurams and rare sculptures. Other important attractions
include the Sound and Light Show at Thirumalai Naicker Palace, Mariamman
Tank, Koodal Azhagar Temple and the Gandhi Museum. Nearby excursions
include the Murugan Temple at Thirupparankundram (8 kms.). Lord
Azhagar Temple at Azhagarkoil (21 kms.) and Lord Subramanya Temple
at Pazhamudirsolai (4 kms.) above Lord Azhagar Temple on a hillock,
the Palani temple (122 kms.), the Suruli Waterfalls (128 kms.) Courtallam
Waterfalls (160 kms.) and Vaigai Dam (68 kms). Across the border
in Kerala state, is the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (146 kms.).
Access : Madurai has an airport and is an important Railway
Junction. It is also linked by excellent road network and served
by express buses.
Udhagamandalam
 Popularly
referred to as “Queen of Hill Stations”, Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
is located at a height of 2,286 mts. (7,500 feet). Popular tourist
attractions include the Botanical Gardens, Lake, Doddabetta, Mukurti
Peak, the Pykara Dam and sprawling tea plantations. Trek routes
are available. TTDC has telescope house at Doddabetta. Mudumalai
wildlife sanctuary is 60 kms. from here. T.T.D.C. run conducted
tour to all places of in and around Ooty.
Access : Coimbatore (89 kms.) is the nearest airport. Ooty
and Coonoor are connected by mountain railway with Coimbatore via
Mettupalayam, a journey that promises to be a memorable experience.
Regular bus services are available.
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