Tamil Nadu is the land of temples and it has a history that dates back to several thousand years - where tradition and culture blend together in harmony. Tamil Nadu state has a population of about 6.2 Crores as per census 2001 and covers an area of 1,30,058 sq.kms. This beautiful state is nestled in the southern India surrounded by the Bay of Bengal and the deep blue Indian Ocean.Kanyakumari is the southern most point of Peninsula India and the meeting point of two seas and an ocean – The Bay of Bengal, The Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is famous for its beautiful views of sunrise and sunset over the waters. Saint poet Thiruvalluvar’s statue (Author of Thirukkural) is a 133 feet (40.5m) tall stone sculpture is located atop a small island near the town of Kanyakumari, denoting the 133 chapters in the Thirukkural.
A begins the alphabet
And God, primordial, the world
- Thirukkural
This is a beautiful couplet (kural) in which the poet Thiruvalluvar portrays God. To this saying there are more than 30,000 temples in Tamil Nadu, which gives the title ‘Land of Temples’.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
Temples: Tamil Nadu is a land of festivals and land of temples. There are many famous temples, to name a few:
Madurai- Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple - is one of the biggest temples in India, which is situated in Madurai- 500 Km away from Chennai. Chithirai festival which comes during the month of April is a famous one in south Tamil Nadu. Airport is situated in Madurai and one can reach Madurai by air or by rail or by road |
 |
|
Kanchipuram- silk city, which is situated 71 Km from Chennai, is famous for silk and for temples. The impressive Kamakshi Amman Temple is in Kanchipuram. The nearest airport is in Chennai and one can reach there by rail or by road. |
Kumbakonam- Believers in astrology will definitely visit Kumbakonam in Tanjavur district, where we can see Nava graha (nine planets) temples. They are located within 60 km radius around Kumbakonam. One can reach Kumbakonam by road and rail from Chennai. |
 |
Rameswaram is in the south east part of Tamilnadu. Sri Ramanatha Swamy Temple is constructed at the spot where Lord Rama offered worship to sand Lingam. The nearest airport is in Madurai. One can reach Rameswaram by means of road or by rail. |
 |
 |
| Tiruchirappalli city is also famous for Temples. Rockfort Temple, Srirangam and Samayapuram Mariamman temples are in Tiruchi. There is an airport in Tiruchi. So we can reach Trichi by air. It is also well connected by rail and by road. |
 |
| |
Sripuram Golden Temple- The golden temple of Sri Mahalakshmi was built with
in a short span of 7 years. It is situated near Vellore. The nearest airport is Chennai. Sripuram is connected by road from Chennai. |
 |
| |
HILL STATIONS
Ooty – The Queen of Hill Stations is the most popular hill station in the south. Located in the Western Ghats at a height of 2240 m. |
 |
 |
Kodaikkanal said to be the Princess of Hill station is situated near Madurai. It lies 2133mts. Above sea level. The season is from April to June and from September to to October. |
|
|
| |
 |
Yercaud is a picturesque hill station of Tamil Nadu. It is situated near Salem. Its natural beauty is extraordinary. The most suitable time to visit Yercaud is from February to June and September to November. The nearest airport is in Salem. Yarcaud is connected by road from Salem. |
| |
|
SANCTUARIES:
The Mudumalai wild life sanctuary is located in the Nilgiri Hills, at a point where the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats. |
 |
| |
|
Vedanthangal is the oldest bird sanctuary in the country.It is located 90 kms. away from Chennai in Kanchipuram district. The best season is November to February. One can reach here by road. |
 |
| |
|
Crocodile Bank – 44kms away from Chennai and close to Mamallapuram. Several species of Indian and African crocodiles and alligators are bred in captivity here. |
 |
| |
|
|
ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES:
Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple is the world’s first complete Granite temple. It remains as one of the greatest glories of Indian architecture. There is a big statue of Nandi(sacred bull) carved out of a single rock. It is also known a Big Temple.
It is connected by road/rail from Chennai. |
Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram is an outstanding example of Dravidian art and architecture and a jewel in the crown of Tamil Nadu. There are nine rock -cut cave temples. It is situated near Chennai. It is easily connected by road. |
 |
 |
| |
|
 |
Thiruvannamalai Temple – Arunachaleshwara Temple – this gigantic temple is located at the foot of the sacred Annamalai or Arunachala Hill. The carved stone sculptures stand as admirable testimony to the Dravidian architecture and skills of the master craftsmen of the yester years. Circumbulate (Girivalam) the hill is a usual one in Thiruvannamalai. |
| |
|
| CUISINE: Tamil Nadu provides the visitor with a wide variety of delicious food both for vegetarians and non vegetarians. Most food in Tamil Nadu consists of grains, lentils, rice and vegetables. Spices are added to give a distinctive taste. |
 |
 |
| |
|
CLIMATE:
The climate in southern India shows only slight seasonal variations. Temperature remains high all year around. Rainfall is common at any time of the year. Weather during the month of January is a maximum of 29°C. During February too, the maximum temperature is around 31°C and the minimum is 21°C. In view of clothing, cotton, lightweight clothes are required. An umbrella is required throughout the year.
|
|
