Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has a long coastline with a large number of excellent beaches dotted along the shores of the Bay of Bengal. This proximity to the seacoast- blushed the Tamil country on the maritime map of the world even before the dawn of the Christian era. The enterprising Tamils carried on a prosperous trade with Imperial Rome and with ancient Egypt and Greece.

The language spoken here is Tamil. Tamil literature has a greater antiquity than any other Indian languages. The Sangam literature assignable from 2nd century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D. is considered a land mark in the literary and cultural history of India. Also assigned to the beginning of 1st century A.D. is Thirukkural, a didactic work, translated into some of the major languages of the world.'Silappadikaram' and'Manimekhalai' are among the epic literatures in Tamil.

The main occupations are agriculture and weaving. One of the most industrialized states in India a large segment of the population work in small scale and large scale industries.

The classical form of music in South India is called 'Carnatic music'.Lately there is a revival of folk art and music which is rustic and enticingly graceful. Simple in language and tune the music and the dance movements are in close confluence with their way of life based on agriculture. The more refined form of dance,the 'Bharatanatyam' is essentially based on the ancient treatise of Sage Bharatha owing its origin to the Divinest movement and devotional concept.

Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and the fourth biggest city in India. The charming feature of Chennai is its allegiance to ancient traditions.The city has its old values still surviving amidst the humdrum bustle of today and most important-a city that still retains the culture, customs, charm, and the courtesies of the ages.

Sight seeing
Fort St. George was constructed by East India Company in 1653 A.D.Even today the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly and the Government secretariat are housed within the fort.

Government Museum and Art Gallery is well known for its exquisite collections of more than 2000 South Indian bronzes and Amaravathi marbles. Three great buildings of architectural value -the museum theatre, the extension hall and the connemara public Library were built in 1896 A.D. Now the four galleries of Hindu sculpture, the Amaravathi, the bronze and National art gallery are the main attractions. Entrance is free.

Kalakshatra " the abode of Arts" is an ornament to the city of Chennai. Kalakshetra was established by Smt. Rukmini Arundale who dedicated her entire life to the performing arts. Situated in the ancient settlement of Thiruvanmiyur in the midst of age old trees and flower gardens, this insititute reverberates to the sound of music and classical dance. Its dance dramas during December are spectacular.

The Theosophical Society was established by Annie Besant. The Theosophical Society has the most beautiful garden in the city. It is the world head-quarters of the Theosophical movement founded by Madame Blavatsky and Col. Olcott.

Other important places to visit Santhome Cathedral,Deer Park, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Valluvar Kottam, Mahabalipuram,Tirukalikundram, Vedanthangal[Bird Sanctuary].Kodaikanal and ooty are two important summer resorts in Tamil Nadu. Madurai, Thirucirapalli, Tanjavur and Rameswaram deep south is an important pilgrimage and art and cultured center of all India importance- a pilgrimage that binds the north and the south.

Sightseeing is in Madurai:

Madurai, the second largest city in Tamil Nadu and one of the states top destinations is more than 3,500 years old and has remained a major center for Tamil culture and learning. The city is often referred to as the "Athens of the East" because of its similar architectural style, including many alleyways. During the peak of its history, when the Nayakar dynasty ruled, many magnificent temples and buildings were constructed. These days, Madurai attracts pilgrims and tourists in equal numbers.

Meenakshi Temple, is a Must see in south India, is the focal point of Madurai. Evidently, the city was built around the Siva lingam that's inside its sanctum. The temple complex covers 15 acres, and has 4,500 ornamental pillars and 12 towers. one could easily spend days in there, as it's a "living temple" . It's a least worth visiting the temple once in the morning and again in the evening for the night puja rituals .

Puthu Mandapam this is constructed on 17^th century with ornamental pillared hall . This is located just opposite of Meenakshi temple eastern tower. Here one can find plenty of things to purchase like Boutique. fashion jeweleries, etc.

3. Tirumalai Nayakar Palace

Situated around a kilometer southeast of Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayakar Palace is Madurai's second biggest attraction. Built in 1636 by king Thirumalai Nayakar, in Ind-Sarcenic style with the input of an Italian architect, very beautiful and interesting place . Collecting entrance fees. It is open from 9am -5 pm . All the time except for an hour for lunch 1pm -2pm

4. Saint Mary's Cathedral One of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in India, Saint Mary's was first constructed in 1840 although the present structure was built in 1916. Its architecture, featuring two tall bell towers, blends various European and Continental styles. 

5. Gandhi Memorial Museum Across the Vaigai River, housed in the place called Tamukkum Summer Palace of Nayak queen Rani Mangammal, is one of the seven museums in India dedicated to Gandhi. It contains a number of items used by him including a shawl, spectacles, yarn, and the bloodstained dhoti (loincloth) that he was wearing when he was assassinated in Delhi in 1948. Admission to the Gandhi Memorial Museum is free, and it's open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

6. Thiruparankundram Subramanya swami Temple around 10 kilometers southwest of Madurai. At the top of Thiruparankundram hill,

Thiruchirapalli is 80 km from Madurai. One can find ancient Rock fort temple, Sri Ranganathar Temple and Samayapuram Mariyamman temple If arrange a local taxi we can finish those are important places.

Thanjavur is 60 km from Thiruciirapalli. This place is called Rich Literature and Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu. This land is not only in India even the world heritage land mark is Brahadeeswarar Temple (Brah means huge and eswer means Lord Siva) the deity is very big and nandhi also remarkably huge around 25 tons of weight. The temple tower is sculptured with one 80 tons full rock. India's most prized architectural sites. Built by emperor Raja Raja Chola 1 and completed in 1010 AD , It is turned more than 1200 years old. This temple tower is 215 ft high with wide base and it is the tallest of its kind in the world. The kalasam bulbous structure on the top the entrance is measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high. The entire temple structure is made out of granite

Palace : It is an individual quality of by vast Corridors , Large halls,very big courtyards and its peculiar towers. This palace is constructed around 16^th century Now It is running as a royal museum the Royals memorable things.

ART GALLERY – It has immense of collections of Cholas time bronze idols and stone idols and the famous tanavur Art work is the special. 

SARASWATI MAHAL LIBRARY - Built during 1700 AD and located by the art gallery, this library has a huge collection of 30,000 palm leaf and more than 2000 paper manuscripts . It is near to museum houses some interesting exhibits like the Ramayana written on a palm leaf.

Cap Comorin is the Southern-most point of Peninsular India. Here the very special thing is that the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal mingle with the Indian Ocean. Here the sunset and the rising of the moon simultaneously are spectacular, particularly on full-moon days. At the congregation of the 3 oceans we can see amazing 3 colors of sands with a fine beach. The landscape is a rare view of scenic beauty.

Kanyakumari temple, Gandhi Memorial, Vivekananda Memorial are places of interest in Cape Comorin. Akilandeswari temple in Tiruchi, Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Divya-desam Vaishnavaite temples and many prominent Siva Sthalams are important pilgrimage centers. . For details please visit our pilgrimage site Sivasthalams

Specialities
Silk, Carved utensils, HandiCraft,Bronze idols, Stone Idols,

Tourist Information
Government Tourist Office
154, Anna Salai Road,
Chennai 600 002                               Home