Tamil Nadu, India

Flanked by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the north and Kerala in the west, Tamil Nadu is a magnetic tourist destination. Often referred as the Land of Temples, Tamil Nadu houses around 1000 temples. This exotic land of Tamils has made a unique place of its own in the Indian tourism map, with a history dates back to thousand of years. With a coastline that stretches nearly a 1000 kms along the Bay of Bengal, this beautiful land of culture and heritage is waiting to be discovered.
City Tour of Tamil Nadu
In the cities of Tamil Nadu, several cultures and traditions have seen their budding days. Your Tamil Nadu city tour will show you the perfect harmony for past several centuries. While you are on your tour to Tamil Nadu, visit some of the most important tourist destinations of South India. The most important tourist cities of Tamil Nadu include



Chennai
Chennai, the gracious capital city of Tamilnadu is also known as the Madras. Founded in 1639, on a piece of land given by the Raja of Chandragir, Chennai is located on a 17km stretch of the Coramandel coast.

Highlights: Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple, Guindy National Park, Fort ST. George, Government Museum Complex, Valluvar Kottam, Valluvar Kottam, Birla Planetarium, The Marina etc

Kanyakumari
Surrounded by Majestic Hills, terrains bordered by colourful beaches, fringed with coconut trees and paddy fields, Kanyakumari will offer you true delight of a beach holiday.

Highlights: Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Suchindrum, Udayagiri Fort, Mathur Hanging Bridge, St. Xavier Church, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Muttom Beach, Vattakottai (Circular Fort) etc

Kodaikanal
Nestling amidst the folds of the verdant Pali Hills, Kodaikanal or Kodai is an idyllic retreat from the scorching heats and pollution of the city. A trip to Kodaikanal will offer you a revitalizing yet soothing holiday.

Highlights: Berijam lake, Shenbaganur Museum (5.6 Kms), The Kurinji Andavar Temple (3.2 Kms ), The Kurinji Andavar Temple (3.2 Kms), Palani (64 Kms), Mariamman Temple, Vinayagar Temple, Murugan Temple, Francis Xavier Church, Gorapur, St.Mary's Church, Lassalette, St.Joseph's Church, Luthern mission Church etc

Ooty
Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam is located around 7,349 feet above sea level in the lap of Nilgiris. Popularly known as the Queen of southern hill resorts of India. Ooty was founded by the Britishers, in the early part of the 19th as their summer capital.

Highlights: Ooty lake, Botanical Gardens, St. Thomas's church, Charing Cross , Spencer’s departmental store, Ootacmund Club, Ooty Gymkhana Golf Club, The Ootacmund Derby Kandal Cross, Kalhatti Falls, Mac Ivor's Bund, Mukerti Peak, Mukerti Lake, Pykara Lake, Tiger Hill and Marlimun Lake, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary etc

Architectural Heritage of Tamil Nadu
There are many travel agents in Tamil Nadu, who offer heritage tour to Tamil Nadu, where you will see several old heritage buildings in Tamil Nadu. There are five UNESCO-certified heritage monuments in Tamil Nadu – Mamallapuram, Tanjavur, Darasuram, Gangaikondacholapuram and Nilgiri Mountain Rail. Apart from this your Tamil Nadu heritage tour options also will lead you to the lesser known destinations such as Elagiri, Thirukadaiyur, Vedaranyam, Tranquebar, Thirumanancheri, Sithannavasal, Puliancholai, Tharamangalam, Kolli Hills, Hogenakkal, Bhavani Kooduthurai, Valparai, Megamalai, Sirumalai, Thirupudaimarudhur and Thirparappu. Experience the local culture and traditions of each destination.

Adventure Travel in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu boasts of several ideal locations for adventure activities. To attract the visitors, Tamil Nadu government is giving manifold facilities. The hills of Ooty, Annamalai, Elagiri, Jalagambarai, Kolli Hills and Kodaikanalare are perfect for taking up trekking trails. The rough, strong but safe coast of Coromandel gives the most convenient place for surfing. For wind surfing, you can visit Muttukadu. Another budding up game Hang-Gliding is quite popular in the outskirts of Chennai; the hills of Kodaikkanal and Udhagamandalam.

Tamil Nadu Wildlife Tour
Of the 1, 30,058 sq km of Tamil Nadu, 17.6 are covered with forest area. Rich in flora and fauna, Tamil Nadu inherits some of the finest wildlife sanctuaries like Vedanthangal Birds Sanctuary, Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary, Crocodile Bank, Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal and Karikili Bird Sanctuaries, Guindy National Park, Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary etc. so if you are not that much into temples, monuments, then ask your travel agent for other Tamil Nadu tour options like wildlife safari and wildlife camping tours.

Cultural Tour of Tamil Nadu
The colourful state of Tamil Nadu has a vast array of artistic forms, cultures and practices. To enjoy its cultural and traditional richness, explore how people out there, celebrate the glory of eternity through their dance, clothing, and sculptures. Bharatanatyam, Bommalattam (Puppet Show), Karagaattam, Mayilattam, Kavadiattam etc distinct dance forms of Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu festivals exhibit a perfect blend of dance, music and religion. Festivals like Pongal Festival, Tea and Tourism Festival, Natyanjali Festival, Chithirai Festival, Mango Festival, Summer Festival, Cape Festival, Dance Festival, Karthigai Deepam etc. bring out the colour of the India.

Famous Cuisines of Tamil Nadu
If you want to taste the various south Indian dishes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, Tamil Nadu will be your hot destination. In vegetarian food item’s Idli (rice cakes), dosa, vada and Pongal (a mash of rice and lentils boiled together and seasoned with ghee, cashew nuts, pepper and cummin seeds) are most famous. Among non-veg items, Chettinad cuisine of Tamil Nadu consists of varieties of fish, mutton, and chicken are a unique feature. Pamper your taste buds with South Indian delicacies like irresistible 'Payasam', other sweet dishes.

Popular Shopping Centres in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu offers exciting shopping experiences to its visitors. Take some help form the Tamil Nadu Travel guide and explore the most popular shopping centres of the state. Renowned for its rich culture heritage, traditional items like Kanchipuram silks, Pattamara mats and the leaf and palmyra-fiber handicrafts from Tirunellveli, bronze and brass castings and traditional jewelry from Kumbakonam, metal works from Tanjore and stone sculptures from Mahabalipuram are quite a hot favorite with the visitors. South Indian silk, embroidered silk sarees, hand-woven garments and handicrafts items are world famous.

Major Airports/ Railway Stations of Tamil Nadu
Being one of the hotspots of the Indian tourism, Tamil Nadu is well connected by air, be road and by train.

Major Airports:

• Salem Airport (20 Kms from City Salem)
• C.A.Coimbatore (11Kms from City Coimbatore)
• Tiruchirapalli Airport (05 Kms from City Tiruchirapalli)
• Madurai Airport (9 Kms from City Madurai)
• Tuticorin Airport (10 Kms from City Tuticorin)
• Chennai International Airport

Major Railway station:

• Chennai Central Railway Station (4 km off the city)
• Egmore Railway Station
• Kanyakumari railway station
• Coimbatore North Junction
• Erode Junction