Tourist Places in Tamil Nadu

The first thing that strikes everyone about the state of Tamil Nadu is a picture of elaborate stone-sculpted temples intrigued in a forgotten past. Some of its temples have even earned the status of World Heritage Monument. But the state of Tamil Nadu has a lot more to it. In its idyllic hill stations, spectacular beaches, scenic planes, and variegated wild lives and not to mention numerous temples, Tamil Nadu offers a heady mix to the travellers and the visitors.

Temples in Tamil Nadu

The temples in Tamil Nadu represent the quintessence of Dravidian culture. Several dynasties like Cheras, Cholas, Pallavas and Pandyans have ruled over the land and left indelible mark on it in their marvelous creations. Master craftsmen have etched in stone time defiling tales from myths and legends, epic battles, demons with intricate details on the temple facades.

Some of the temples in the state are:

Mahabalipuram: The temples at Mahabalipuram were built in the period around 830-1100 BC. The temples were inspired by Pallava architecture. Some of the popular temples in Mahabalipur include the Five Chariots, the shore temple and Arjuna's penance. The temples at Mahabalipuram largely depict battle scenes from Mahabharata on their walls.

Kanchipuram: The city of Kanchipuram has more than 1000 temples. Kailasanathar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, Vardarajar Temple and Vaikunta Perumal Temple are some of the popular temples located in the city of Kanchipuram. The city is located at a distance of 75 kms from Chennai.

Madurai: Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple is a major attraction in the city of Madurai. The thousand pillared temple is a dedication to lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. An architectural wonder, the temple finds a mention in a lot of literature belonging to the Sangam period. The temple attracts a lot of visitors from all across the world and it was even chosen in top 30 nominees for new "Seven Wonders of the World."

Tamil Nadu Tourist Map

Hill Stations in Tamil Nadu

If you are already charmed by the temples of Tamil Nadu, you will absolutely succumb to the charm of the hill stations of the place.

Ooty: Popular as the queen of hill stations, Ooty is one place which is on the travel wish list of every Indian. It has been a favorite spot of shooting for the Bollywood for quite a long time and has been tempting people to explore its tranquil beauty and green surroundings ever since. Ooty is also very popular for tea cultivation. A sip of Ooty tea is bound to leave you revitalized and refreshed.

Kodaikanal: 120 km away from Madurai, Kodaikanal fascinates travellers with its wooded slopes and beautiful lakes. This hill station welcomes you with a pleasant climate all through the year. Kodaikanal Lake, Byrant Park, Bear Shola Falls and Dolphin's Nose are some of the popular tourist destinations in Kodaikanal.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu is located in an area of 321 sq kms. The sanctuary also houses a national park. There are around 266 species of birds in the sanctuary. Besides, the sanctuary also hosts a wide array of plants species. The place is very popular among the travel enthusiasts all across India.

Tourist places around Tamil Nadu

The state of Tamil Nadu is surrounded by Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The tourists heading to Tamil Nadu can also travel some more miles and explore the beauty of these states. Kerala is home to some absolutely beautiful waterfalls and hill stations. The city of Alleppey in Kerala has earned itself the sobriquet of 'Venice of the East' for its free flowing canals and waterfalls. The hill stations like Devikulum, Munnar, Ponmudi are popular places of tourist interest.

The state of Karnataka also has some extremely picturesque beaches and hill stations. Coorg, Chikmagalur, Kudremukh, Agumbe, Kemmanagundi, Kundari, Kodachadri, BR Hills, and Nandi Hills are the popular hill stations whereas the renowned beaches in the state are Gokarna, Karwar, Murudeshwara, Marawanthe, Malpe, Kaup, Mangalore, and St. Mary's Island.

Tourist map of Tamil Nadu will help you locate the mentioned as well as other tourist attractions in the state.

Last Updated on 09/12/2012

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