GoneindiaTamilNadu

Tamil Nadu is the temple state, with dozens of beautiful examples of temple architecture.

Though the state attractions don't stop there hill stations, bird parks, beaches and waterfalls are also features of this south eastern state. It's also unusual in that it receives a different monsoon from the rest of India so in July and August when the rest of India is suffering under the monsoon Tamil Nadu remains dry if a little hot and humid.

We'll start our travels in Chennai the largest city in South India,

Marina Beach is one of the mai features in Chennai,where you'll a Light House, memorials, statues, walkways, gardens and drives dotted alongside the beach front. Towards the south of the city of Chennai, Elliot's Beach in Besant Nagar, this is preferred by the younger Chennai crowd, due to its promenade, restaurants and coffee shops.

The Government Museum Complex in Egmore, is a massive complex, with many building and galleries, covering diverse subjects like archeology, numismatics, zoology, natural history, sculptures, palm-leaf manuscripts and Amravati paintings. All in one compound it' a great day out.

Fort St George is another feature of Chennai worth a look. This imposing structure built by the British is known as St George Fort due to construction being finished on on April 23, St. George's day.

The3 settlement that grew up around the fort known as George Town or Black Town is where the modern city of Chennai found it' roots.

Today it is the seat of the Tamil Nadu government but part of it remains open to the general public,

Inside the perimeter wall you find a few things worth your time. like St. Mary's Church is the oldest Anglican church in India, built in 1678-80 AD.

The museum which contains reminders of the British rule in India,objects on display in the museum are weapons, coins, medals, uniforms and other artifacts from Britain, France and India dating back to the British period.

Though not know for temples Chennai as in any town or city has a couple worth a visit.

The Kapaleashwarar temple dedicated to the Hindu Lord Shiva, The age of the temple is the source of much debate but claims say it more than 200 years old. This temple roots in Dravidian Jain culture. But now serves Hindus only.

It features an intricate and colorful 120 foot Gopuram and large tank, and is at it' most exciting during Therotsavam or car festival. Where thousands of devotes watch as the idols of Kapaleashwarar and Karpagambal, decorated with clothes and jewels, mounted on a vahanam, or huge car, are paraded around the temple and tank.

Vayilar Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, was born here and a separate shrine exists for Him.

The outer yard of the temple has some bronze images of the 63 Saivaite saints.

The `Arubathu Moovar` festival is also celebrated here, when idols of 63 saints who worshipped Lord Siva are paraded, this attracts attracts lakhs of people.

Vadapalani Andavar Temple is located in Kodambakkam, Chennai. The temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga, festival here include Purattasi

There are a couple of Christian places of worship in Chennai namely St. Thomas Mount, where St Thomas was believed to have been martyred is revered by Catholics

The Protestant St Georges Cathedral is also worth a look.

The Guindy National Park, the country's smallest National Park with an area of 2.76 km², is located completely inside the city. It has a variety of endangered deer, foxes, monkeys and snakes.

The Guindy Snake Park situated inside the National Park, has a large collection of snakes and is an important source of antivenom serum.

There are three large amusement parks in and around Chennai, MGM Dizzee World, VGP Universal Kingdom and Kishkinta and a water sports center, Dash N Splash located in the outskirts of Chennai.

Leaving Chennai head south along the coast and possibly India' craziest road as speeding vehicles compete with bullock carts.

There are a number of beach resorts along this endangered coastline, small affairs mostly with a small stretch of sand to play one.

The one time fishing village of Mahaballipuram has mushroomed into the biggest beach resort along Tamil Nadu's coast

It's a friendly busy place that cater for both foreign and local tourist alike, There are hotels an restaurants to suit all budgets but the beach itself has seen better days heading north or south of the town brings better options.

Famous for stonework it sometimes seems as if the whole village is tapping away of a rock, turning them into anything fro small pendants to huge carve elephants.

There are a few monuments of note Like the precariously balanced Butter Ball. Or Arjunas penance, relief sculpture on a massive scale which relates episode from the Hindu epic, The Malabar.

Varaha Cave Temple a small rock-cut temple.

The Shore Temple right on the beach is very photogenic as the sun goes down. Recent excavations have revealed new structures here. The temple was reconstructed stone by stone from the sea after being washed away in a cyclone.

Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) - five monolithic pyramidal structures named after the Pandavas (Arjunas, Bhima, Yudhishtra, Nakula and Sahadeva) and Draupadi. An interesting aspect of the Rathas is that, despite their sizes they are not assembled — each of these is carved from one single large piece of stone.

Seafood and Vegetarian food is plentiful and tasty.

An interesting day trip from Mahaballipuram is The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, The bird life (resident & visitors) includes Cormorants, Darters, Herons, Egrets, Open billed Stork, Spoonbill and White Ibis, Little Grebe, Indian Moorhen, Black Winged Stilts, a few migratory ducks and occasionally Grey Pelicans. November to February is the ideal season to visit the sanctuary.

Continuing south, call in on the temple town of Thanjavur (Tanjore)the royal city of the Cholas, Nayaks and the Mahrattas dynasties.

Bragatheeswarar Temple, is an fine example for the Indian sculptural architecture. The temple is surrounded by moat on two sides and Grand Anaicut river on the other side.

Among the other historic buildings is the Vijayanagara fort, which contains a palace, armoury, Bell Tower and the Saraswathi Mahal Library, which contains over 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts written on palm leaf and paper.

There are many Temples in the surrounding area like Puliyur Vyagrapureeswarar Temple and Sikkal Singaravelavar Temple both around 80Kms outside the city.

Or Swamimalai, and Thirubuvanam temples both within 45 Kms of Thanjavur.

turning east back to the coast some may find Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary interesting.

the park is a 21.47-square-kilometre (8.29 sq mi) protected area along the Palk Straight where it meets the Bay of Bengal at Point Calimere, the southeastern tip of Nagapattinam District. Here you can see Spotted Deer, Jackel, Bonnet Monkey, Wild Boar, Monitor lizard, Short-nosed Fruit Bat, Small Indian Civet, Star Tortoise, Indian Grey Mongoose, Black-naped Hare, Jungle Cat and Feral Pony as well as a good selection like Spot-billed Pelican, Spotted Greenshank, Spoonbill Sandpiper and Black-necked Stork. Lesser Flamingo, Spoonbill, Darter and Painted Stork.

The Holy town Of Rameswarem further south along the coast.

Built on an island near on the Gulf Of Mannar it is connected by a man made causeway.. According to legend, this is the place from where Lord Rama built a bridge Ram Setu(also known as Adam's Bridge) across the sea to Lanka to rescue his consort Sita from her abductor Ravana.

Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage centre which is known as the Varanasi of the south.

In Rameshwaram Temple, boasts 1219 m pillared corridor consisting of 3.6 m high granite pillars, richly carved and well proportioned.

Other places of interest include Ramarpaadham Temple,and Gandamadana Parvatham

where the imprint of Lord Rama's feet placed on a Chakra (wheel) is found, the shrine which is at the highest point on the island is 2 km from Rameswaram.

The submerged temples at Ramasetu are also worth some camera shots.

The Most Southerly point of Tamil Nadu and Inida is Kanyakumari.

Its name taken from from the Kumari Amman or Kanyakumari Temple, situated in the town, on the sea-shore.

It lies at the meeting point of the three massive bodies of water: the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

On two rocky islets just off the shore, southeast of the Kumari Amman temple, are the Vivekanda Rock Memorial, built in 1970, and the gigantic 133 feet statue of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar,.

The Gandhi Memorial was built on the spot where the urn containing the Mahatma's ashes were on public viewing before immersion. Fashioned after a central Indian Hindu temples, the memorial was designed in such a way that on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, October 2, the first rays of the sun fall on the exact place where his ashes were kept.

Turning North head for Madurai, and it's famous Meenakshi-Sundareswara.

Regarded as the oldest inhabited city on the India peninsula, the term temple city is apt.

The Meenakshi-Sundareswara temple complex has stunning architecture.

The complex houses 14 magnificent Gopurams or towers including two golden Gopurams for the main deities, that are elaborately sculptured and painted.

It is one of the main attractions in South India.

Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal is certainly worth a visit

This palace complex was constructed in the Indo-Saracen style by Thirumalai Nayakar in 1636 only a shadow of it' former glory, the piece de resistance of this mahal is its carved dome outsoars without the support of girders or rafters. This mahal boasts248 pillars of each 58 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter.

The Muslim shrines of Kazimar Big Mosque and Goripalayam Dargah should not be missed on a tour of the city the twin minerets of the Kazimar Big Mosque are queite exquisite.

25 Kms outside Madurai is Azhagar Kovil, a vishnu shrine. The location is surrounded by wooded hills. This shrine for Lord Kallazhagar is a nice day trip.

Moving west we head for the hill town of Kodaikanal, paasin through lovely scenery the road climbs past waterfalls and forest on the way to Kodaikanal,

The town itself is very busy these days but offers several things of interest.

Kodaikanal Lake, is recognized as Kodaikanal's most popular geographical landmark and tourist attraction. Rowboats and pedalos can be hired at the Kodaikanal Boat Club.

The botanical gardens of Bryant Park are a leafy escape from the traffic. Built in 1908 by Madurai forest officer H.D. Bryant, large section is dedicated to nearly 740 varieties of roses. There is a 1857 Eucalyptus tree and a holy Bodhi tree.

Coaker's Walk, is a paved path running along the edge of steep slopes on the southern side of Kodai. The walk, winding around Mount Nebo, provides stunning panoramic view of the plains below.

Bear Shola Falls, 3 kilometers (2 mi) from the bus-stand, is a tall waterfall in a Reserve forest. The final approach to this quiet area is a gently climbing foot-path..

Other places of interrest in and aroun kodai include, Green Valley View, Shenbaganur Museum of Natural History, Guna caves, Silver Cascade and the pillar Rocks.

Continueing North west , a trip to Coonoor and ooty is a must. Certainly for railway enthousiaists, as here you can take a ride on one of India toy Trains.

Starting at Mettupalayam the train slowly winds it' way 46 Kms through the Nilgiri Hills. passing through Hilligrove, Coonoor, Wellington, Aravankadu, Keeti, Lovedale stations and finally ending up at Udagamandalam or Ooty.

Between Mettupalayam and Coonoor, the line uses the rack and pinion system to climb the steep gradient.

It' a truly beautiful way to reach Conoor and ooty.

In Coonoor itself there are several attraction to while away your days.

Viewpoints such as Dolphin's Nose, Lamb's Rock and Lady Canning's Seat and Katary waterfalls. Or the huge Sims Park, for a stroll.

Another town that is gradully deminishin in interest as human activity takes over the hills get there soon.

Continueing on up the track we come to Ooty. Again the crush of humanity has had an impact but still there' a few places to enjoy the views and forest.

Such as the botanical gardern. Other things of interest are, Stone House, Ttis was the first "Pukka" house in Ooty, built by John Sullivan. It is situated inside the premises of the Government Arts College.

Toda Huts, there are a few number of Toda Huts up in the hills of Botanical Garden's were Toda tribals still dwell.

Railway Station, the railhead of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The station itself is part of this World Heritage Site. Ooty Railway station offers a unique glimpse of the British raj built railways.

Ooty Lake & Boat House, this is an artificial lake built by John Sullivan. It used to be much larger than its present size, and encompassed the present bus stand and race course as well as much of the present market. Next to the lake there is a Mini Garden with an amusement park for children and a toy train.

The Fernhills Palace, Fernhill Palace was the erstwhile summer residence of the Maharaja of Mysore

From ooty we turn East again heading for Salem and Yercaud.

Salem is mainly a hub for the hillstation of Yercaud and is of little interest to the tourist.

Yercaud in the Servarayan range of hills of the Eastern Ghats,lying at an altitude of 4700 feet.

This is another one of those towns where you can esczpe the heats.

The town has a boating lakes and some interesting walks around the town to viewpoints with the distinctly British names of a lost era, King Arthurs seat, Tipperary View Point, Ladies and Gents seat, or Anna Park.

All offer cool late afternoon strolls, with views of the town and lake.

For plant lovers visit the Orchidarium ran by theBotanical Survey of India, ewhere you'l find many examples of the hundreds of local orchids and rare plants and tree. Like a Shevaroys Bombax.

The nearest rail halt for Yercaud is at Salem.

Heading North we make for the pilgrimage town of Tiruvannmalai. Named after the holy mountain "Tiruvannan Malai". Geologist consider this mountain is older than The Himalayas.

The town has many fine temples in and around the town. Like the Annamalaiyar Temple, one of the great Shivaite temples of South India.

It is to here the pilgrims flock as it is It occupies a special place in the Saivite realm and is regarded as one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams (one of the five grand temples associated with the five basic elements – associated with the element Fire; the other four being Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara (water), Chidambaram Natarajar (sky), Kanchi Ekambareswara (earth) and Kalahasti Nathar (wind).)

Again heading north take a look at the bustling rural town of Vellore.

Vellore 145 km from Chennai, is a semirural bazaar town. For tourists, it has only a cpu-ple of things of note. The Vijayanagar fort and its Jalakanteswara Temple, which are in an excellent state of preservation and worth visiting.

Vellore Fort, built by the Nayakar chieftains of the Vijayanagar Empire is completely built of granite blocks. It was built in the 16th century and frequently exchanged hands between various rulers throughout it's history.

The small Vellamalai temple is woirth a look.

Named after Valli, second wife of Lord Murugan, the temple is situated on the hilltop is carved out of a massive rock. The temple is dedicated to Murugan.

Heading east towards the coast, call in Kanchipuram

This temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district. In ancient times it also known as Kachi and Kachiampathi.

Kanchipuram is located on the Palar River, and known for its temples and silk sarees. There are several big temples, including some of the greatest Shiva Temples of Tamilnadu, like Varadharaja Perumal Temple for Lord Vishnu and Ekambaranatha Temple which is one of the five forms of abodes of Lord Siva (like the Annamalaiyar Temple, in Tiruvannmalai) Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kumara Kottam, Kachapeshwarar Temple, Kailasanathar Temple and many more.Kanchipuram isn't called as "City of 1000 Temples". for nothing.

The temple architecture here is amongst the finest in South India.

Click the link to see some photos of the amazing temples of Kanchepuram

Kanchipuram is also famous for its silk sarees, which are hand woven. And much sought after by Indian ladies of taste and grace.

Lastly we head towards another famous temple town, namely Tiruvallur well known because of the Veera Raghavar temple which is one of the 108 sacred shrines of Vaishnavites.

There is a pond nearby this temple, where the tank festival is held. There is a Siva temple near this shrine which is also quite popular among the locals. There is also a 40 feet tall Viswaroopa Panchamukha Hanuman temple, where the murti is made of a single green granite stone.

So from beaches to hill stations, temples to wildlife, Tami Nadu offers a wealth of destinations, all offered up in that traditionly warm welcome from Tamils themselves.