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Tamil Nadu

For the visitor wishing to explore southern India extensively, Chennai, the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, is the most convenient point of entry. Chennai has an international airport, a sea port and a rail and road network that links it to all major towns and cities of the region. It also has several deluxe hotels and others to suit modest budgets. Tamil Nadu is a bastion of Hinduism, whose past endures into the present. Temples with towering spires called gopurams are a common feature of this state, seldom seen anywhere else in the country. Temples in Tamil Nadu were the fulcrum of society and even today art forms that have their origin in religious worship continue to colour daily life. Notable among these are splendid bronzes of deities, painting on glass and Bharatnatyam, an evocative dance form.

Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram and Thanjavur are good examples of temple towns where within the temple fortifications grew a multi layered society that preached faith and grew from social harmony. Kanchipuram, also called Kanjeevaram, is famous throughout the country as the center where lustrous silk sarees are woven. Likewise Thanjavur is an important center for bronze figure casting. Mahabalipuram, with its wealth of sculptures, is located by the seaside and has excellent resorts.

The towns of Tiruchirapalli and Madurai also contain famous temples.

Quite a contrast to the temple heritage is provided at Pondicherry, for long a French colony. French is still widely spoken, and seaside villas and cobbled streets are more reminiscent of the south of France than the south of India! Yet another facet of this surprisingly diverse state is two hillstations Ootacamund and Kodaikanal. Both are little patches of England, being much loved by the expatriate population of the Raj. Both places provide delightful relaxation during an extended tour of the south, having a wide range of hotel accommodation. The cuisine of Tamil Nadu, more or less totally vegetarian, has become enormously popular all over the country, and few towns do not have at least one eatery serving popular snacks from the state’s extensive repertoire

Chennai (Madras)


Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu is also its principal harbour and has one of the finest beaches in Asia. It was founded at Fort St. George in 1640 A.D. by Francis Day of the East India Company.

 

How to get there

	Air: Chennai is directly linked by Indian Airlines to Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Goa, Bombay, Bhubaneshwar, Calcutta, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Port Blair, Madurai, Pune, Tirupati, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Puttaparthy, Vishakhapatnam and to Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore. East West Airlines also connects Chennai with Bombay
	Rail: Chennai is connected by rail with Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bombay, Calcutta, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kodai Road, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Ooty ( via Mettupalayam ), Rameshwaram, Trichy, Tirupati Trivandrum and Varanasi.
	Road: Chennai is connected by road with all the major towns in India. Some of the road-distances from Chennai are Bombay 1329 kms, Bangalore 334 kms, Hyderabad 669 kms, Kanyakumari 693 kms, Madurai 461 kms, Mahabalipuram 60 kms, Pondicherry 162 kms, Rameshwaram 619 kms, Kanchipuram 71 kms, Tirupati 143 kms, Ooty 535 kms, Kodaikanal 498 kms, Trivandrum 709 kms, and Thanjavur 334 kms.
	External Transport: Regular buses available from Chennai to Bangalore, Cochin, Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Nagapattinam (Velankanni), Ooty, Pondicherry, Rameshwaram, Thanjavur, Tirupati, Trichy and Trivandrum.

Places of interest

• Fort St. George & St. Mary's Church

• Gandhi Mandapam

• High Court

• Anna Square

• Kapaleeswara Temple

• Light House

• Marina Beach & Aquarium

• Parthasarathy Temple

• San Thom Cathedral

• Snake Park

• Theosophical Society

• Valluvar Kottam

• Ripon Buildings and War Memorial Fort Museum (0900-1700 hrs. Closed on fridays)

• Govt. Museum & Art Gallery (0800-1700 hrs. Closed on fridays)

Excursions

• Covelong 38 kms

• Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary 85 kms

• Pulicat 61 kms

• Kanchipuram 71 kms

• Ennore Beach 18 kms

• Muttukudu 30 kms

• Red Hills 14 kms

• Mahabalipuram 61 kms

• Cholamandal Artists Village 20 kms

• Elliots Beach 11 kms

• Crocodile Bank 42 kms

• Pundi Reservoir 60 kms

• Thirukkalikundram 80 kms

• Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur)

Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)

64 kms from Chennai, connected by regular bus-services. A major beach resort also famous for its magnificent monuments hewn out of rock.

Places of interest

Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, Krishna Mandapa, Shore Temple, Mahishasurmardini Cave, Varaha Mandapa and Mandapams.

Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram, the capital of the Pallava and dynasty is one of the serene sacred cities of India. It is situated 76 kms from Chennai, 35 kms from Chingleput & 64 kms from Mahabalipuram via Chingleput.

 What to see

• Kailashnath Temple

• Shri Vaikuntaperumal Temple

• Shri Varadaraja Temple

• Ekambareshwara Temple

• Shri Kamakashi Temple

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

80 kms away from Chennai, the santuary is famous for migratory birds (November to February) viewing from (1500 to 1800 hours) an observation tower. It is 30 km away from its nearest railway station Chingleput.

Thanjavur (Tanjore)

The world famous Brihadeeswara temple is situated here. It is built by Raja Chola The empire builder in the early Dravidian style.

How to get there

	Air: Nearest airport Tiruchirapalli (54 kms) is connected with Cochin & Chennai.
Fare: Calcutta-Tiruchirapalli via Chennai (Mon,Thu,Fri) Rs.5114 (Y).
	Rail: Thanjavur is directly connected by rail to Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Chennai and Chidambaram.
	Road: Thanjavur is connected by regular bus services with Chidambaram (113 kms), Kanyakumari (394 kms), Kumbakonam (38 kms), Chennai (310 kms), Madurai (159 kms), Pudukkotai (58 kms), Rameshwaram (222 kms), Tiruchirapalli (54 kms).

What to see

• Brihadeeswara Temple

• The Palace

• Sangeetha Mahal

• Saraswati Mahal

• Library

• Raja Museum

• Temple Museum

• Schwarz Church

Excursions

• Velankani-95 kms

• Point Calimere/Kodikarai-30 kms

• Poompuhar-100 kms

Places of interest

• Fort St. George & St. Mary's Church

• Gandhi Mandapam

• High Court

• Anna Square

• Kapaleeswara Temple

• Light House

• Marina Beach & Aquarium

• Parthasarathy Temple

• San Thom Cathedral

• Snake Park

• Theosophical Society

• Valluvar Kottam

• Ripon Buildings and War Memorial Fort Museum (0900-1700 hrs. Closed on fridays)

• Govt. Museum & Art Gallery (0800-1700 hrs. Closed on fridays)

Tiruchirapalli (Trichy)

Tiruchirappalli or Trichy, situated on the banks of river Cauvery, is famous for the ranganatha temple at srirangam.

How to get there

	Air: Trichy is directly connected by Indian Airlines flights to Cochin & Chennai
	Rail: Trichy is an important rail junction connected to Bangalore, Coimbatore, Cochin, Chennai, Madurai, Quilon, Rameshwaram, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli.
	Road: Trichy is connected by regular buses with Bangalore (345 kms), Coimbatore (203 kms), Tanjore (56 kms), Kumbakonma (95 kms), Madurai (142 kms), Ooty (302 kms), Chennai (320 kms), Kanyakumari (384 kms), Chidambaram (162 kms) Rameshwaram (228 kms), Palani (135 kms) etc.

What to see

• Rock Fort

• Sri Jambukeshwara Temple

• Tiruvannaikaval

• Srirangam

• Museums & Art Galleries (0900-1230 & 1400-1700 hrs. Friday closed)

Excursions

• Viralimalai (30 kms)

• Kodumbalur (36 kms)

• Sittannavasal (13 kms)

• Thanjavur (59 kms)

Madurai

Madurai, the most famous of the temple towns of the south is known for the Meenakshi Temple.

How to get there

	Air: Indian Airlines connect Madurai with Chennai, Calicut and Bombay. Vayudoot Services also connect Madurai with Chennai & Pondicherry. East West Airlines also connect Madurai with Bombay.
	Rail: Madurai is Connected by rail via Chennai with all the main places in India.
	Road: Madurai is connected by good motorable roads to Chennai (472 kms), Trichy (142 kms), Rameshwarm (139 kms), Kanyakumari (232 kms), Tirunelveli (151 kms), Kodaikanal (120 kms), Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (136 kms), Palani (122 kms), Thanjavur (223 kms), Bangalore (446 kms), Bombay (1454 kms).
	Bus: Regular bus-services connect Madurai with Chennai,Bangalore, Tanjore, Palani, Courtallam, Kanyakumari, Kodaikanal, Periyar, Tiruchirapalli and Trivandrum.
	Local Transport: Taxi, Autorickshaw, City bus, Cycle-rickshaw available here.

What to see

• Meenakshi Temple- 1.6 kms

• Tirumalai Nayak Palace- 2 kms

• Mariamman Tank

• Koodal Alagar Temple

• Gandhi Museum and Government Museum (Timings: 1000-1300 hours & 1400-1800 hours. Closed on Wednesdays)

Excursions

• Alagar Koil (21 kms)

• Tiruparan Kundram (8 kms)

• Pazhamudhirchglai (25 kms)

• Srivilliputhur (74 kms)

• Vaigai Dam (69 kms)

• Kodaikanal (120 kms)

• Trichy (142 kms)

Rameshwaram

The sacred island town of Rameswaram at the extreme south-eastern limit of the Indian Peninsula, has one of India's most venerated temples. A fine example of South Indian architecture,the temple is renowed for its many pillared corridors, about 1220 metres in length.

How to get there

	Air: Nearest airport Madurai (167 kms) is connected by Indian Airlines flights with Bombay, Calicut and Chennai.
	Rail: Rameshwaram is connected by rail directly to Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore where Chennai is connected with all the main places in India.
	Road: Rameshwaram is connected by regular bus services with Kanyakumari 320 kms, Karaikudi 149 kms, Chennai 666 kms, Madurai 167 kms, Ramanathapuram 55 kms, Sivaganga 136 kms, Pudukottai 188 kms, Tanjore 248 kms, Tuticorin 180 kms, Tiruchendur 209 kms etc.

What to see

• Agnitheertham (2.5 kms)

• Shri Ramnathswamy Temple (2 kms)

• Gandhamadhana Parvadham (4 kms)

• Kothandaramaswamy Temple (60 kms)

Excursions

• Kurusadai Island (20 kms)

Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin)

Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of peninsular India. It is the meeting point of thre oceans - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Besides its importance as a pilgrim centre, it is famous for its bearutiful views of sunrise, sunsent and moonrise over the waters.

How to get there

	Air: Nearest airport Trivandrum (80 kms) is directly connected with Bangalore, Bombay, Cochin, Delhi, Goa and Chennai.
	Rail: Kanyakumari is connected to Trivandrum, Delhi and Bombay by broad guage. Tirunelveli (80 kms) is the other nearest railway junction which can be reached by road via Nagaarcoil (19 kms).
	Road: Kanyakumari is connected by road to Trivandrum- 86 kms, Nagercoil- 19 kms, Tirunelveli- 91 kms, Tiruchendur via Ovari- 89 kms, Tuticorin (via Ovari- Tiruchendur)- 129 kms, Rameshwaram via Tuticorin- 300 kms, Courtallam (via Tiruncleveli-Tenkasi)- 130 kms, Madurai via Tirunelveli- 242 kms, Thekkady 358 kms, Kodaikanal via Madurai- 362 kms, Palani via Madurai- 370 kms, Ootacamund (via Madurai-Palanai-Coimbatore)- 576 kms, Cochin (via Quilon-Trivandrum)- 309 kms, Coimbatore (via Madurai-Dindugal)- 478 kms.
	Bus: Kanyakumari is connected by regular bus services with Chennai, Pondicherry, Bangalore, Trichy, Madurai, Mandapam ( Rameswaram ), Nagercoil, Tuticorin, Tiruchendur, Tiruvelveli, Trivandrum etc.

What to see

• Kanyakumari Temple (0430-1130 & 1730-0830 hours. Only Hindus are allowed inside the inner sanctum)

• Gandhi Memorial

• Vivekananda Memorial

• Sunrise-Sunset-Moonrise

Excursions

• Nagercoil 19 kms

• Padmanabhapuram Palace 45 kms

• Sunchindrum 13 kms

• Tiruchendur 85 kms

• Udyagiri 34 kms

• Vattakottai 6 kms

Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal, a charming hill station, stands amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest of the upper Palani Hills near Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

How to get there

	Air: Nearest airport Madurai (120 kms from Kodaikanal) is directly connected by Indian Airlines flights with Chennai, which in turn, is connected with all of the important places in India.
	Rail: The nearest railway station Kodaikanal Road (80 kms) is directly connected by rail with Chennai, which in turn, is connected with all of the important places in India.
	Road: Kodaikanal is connected by road with Chennai- 520 kms, Ooty- 264 kms, Trichy- 197 kms, Coimbatore- 175 kms, Kumili- 160 kms, Madurai- 120 kms, Kodai Road- 80 kms, Palani- 64 kms, Munnar- 90 kms, Periyar- 160 kms.

Places of interest

• Kodaikanal Lake- 5 kms

• Coaker's Walk- 1 km

• Astrophysical Observatory- 3.2 kms

• Fairy Falls- 4.8 kms

• Kurinji Andavar Temple- 3.2 kms

• Shenbaganur Museum- 5.6 kms

• Pilar Rocks- 7.2 kms

• Green Valley View- 6.4 kms

Excursions

• Silver Cascade- 8 kms

• Dophin's Nose- 8 kms

• Perumal Peak- 11 kms

• Beryam Lake- 21 kms

• Kukkal Caves- 40 kms

Coimbatore


Coimbatore known as the "Manchester of South india" is a commercial city of Considerable importance, the chief commodity being textiles.
 

How to get there

	Air: Coimbatore is connected by Indian Airlines daily services with Chennai, Bangalore & Bombay. East West Airlines also connects Coimbatore to Bombay.
	Rail: Coimbatore is connected by rail with all important places in South India.
	Road: Coimbatore is connected by road with Bangalore 363 kms, Chennai 526 kms, Madurai 226 kms, Palani 105 kms, Trichy 203 kms, Udhagamandalam ( Ooty or Ootaacamund ) 89 kms, Yercaud 190 kms

What to see

• Perur Temple (7 kms)

• Marudhamalai Temple (12 kms)

• Agricultural University (5 kms)

• V.O.C.Park (10 kms)

• Forest College (3.5 kms)

• G.D.Naidu Industrial Exhibition

• Glass Forest Museum

Excursions

• Anamalais Wildlife Sanctuary/Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary- 90 kms

• Top Slip- 37 kms

• Bhavani 102 kms

• Bhavani Sagar Dam- 80 kms

• Chennimalai- 80 kms

• Coonoor- 70 kms

• Kodumudi- 105 kms

• Kotagiri- 118 kms

• Palani- 105 kms

• Udhagamandalam/Ooty- 89 kms

Udhagamandalam / Ootacamund (Ooty)

Ootacamund, the queen of the hill stations of South India, is situated in the Nilgiris at an altitude of 2240 metres. One can see many profiles of nature, each with a distinctive orandeur. Ooty is nited for its extraordinary scenic beauty and salubrious climate amidst the "Nilgiris" or "Blue Mountains".

How to get there

	Air: The nearest airport Coimbatore (89 kms) is connected by Indian Airlines' flights with Bombay, Calicut, Chennai and Madurai.
Fare: Calcutta- Coimbatore (via Chennai) Rs.4,781 (J), Rs.6644 (Y).
	Rail: Ooty is connected by narrow guage train services with Mettupalayam which in turn connected through Chennai & Coimbatore to major cities in India.
	Road: Good motorable roads connect Ooty to Bombay- 1320 kms, Bangalore- 290 kms, Calicut- 178 kms, Coimbatore- 89 kms, Coonoor- 19 kms, Kotagiri- 29 kms, Madumalai- 64 kms, Chennai- 535 kms, Mysore- 160 kms, Trivandrum- 498 kms, Tiruchirapally- 302 kms.

Places of interest

• Botanical Gardens (2 kms)

• Tiger Hill (16 kms)

• Dodabetta Peak (10 kms)

• Valley View Lake (1 km)

• Wilson Fish Farm, St. Stephen Church, Marlimund Lake (5 kms)

• Wenlock Downs (2 kms)

• Avalanche (15 kms)

• Elk Hill, Kalhatti Falls (14 kms)

• Snowdon, Glen Morgen (25 kms)

Excursions

• Wellingtion (16 kms)

• Kotagiri (29 kms)

• Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (64 kms)

• Coonoor (19 kms)

• Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary (78 kms)