Tamil Nadu is a beautiful Southern state of India that is well known for its diverse landscape and historic importance. It has been in existence since the pre historic times and still continues to be a significant part of the country. The beautiful landscape of Tamil Nadu consists of both the mountains and the Sea. Along with these tourist places in Tamil Nadu includes number of historical site, places of religious importance, wildlife sanctuaries and vibrant cities. To tell you more about this amazing state here is a little information about its major attractions in Tamil Nadu.
Photo Credit- Ramkumar
Kodaikanal
A famous honeymoon destination in South India, Kodaikanal is often known as the ‘Gift of the Forests’ and was discovered quiet in 1845. Dramatic waterfalls, prehistoric caves, rock pillars, outstanding water bodies and tranquil forest areas together come to add to the beauty of this place. Kodaikanal is well-known for its spices, homemade chocolates, herbal teas and coffees, oils and the orchids. Berijam Lake, Coakers Walk, Kodai Lake, Kurinjiandavar Temple, Dolphin’s Nose, Bryant Park, Green Valley View and Kodaikanal Solar Observatory are some of the major attractions of Kodaikanal.
Photo Credit- Eric Wienke
Ooty
Udhagamandalam or Udhagai or Ootacamund or Ooty is famous tourist destination in Tamil Nadu. Ooty is located in Nilgiri Hills and is a well known for its mile ling tea gardens. It is a very popular hill station in South India and attracts a large number of tourists including families and couples. The Nilgiri Toy Train gives you the most captivating views of the mountains. Ooty is home to some of the most beautiful attractions like Avalanche Valley, Rose Garden, Kalhatti Falls, Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Deer Park, Wax World and Tribal Museum.
Photo Credit- sanmitrakale
Yelagiri
Yelagiri is a small hill station in the district of Vellore. It is located at a height of 1,110.6 metres above sea level. Punganoor Artificial Lake-cum-Park, Jalagamparai Waterfalls, Swami Malai Hills and Telescope observatory are its major attractions. This place also hosts the famous Yelagiri Summer festival which organized in May end. This unspoilt beauty of Tamil Nadu remains a place of interest among those who wish to explore the hidden secrets.
Photo Credit – ravpix
Coonoor
Coonoor is situated in Nilgiri Mountain Range in Tamil Nadu. It has an average elevation of 1850 metres and features sub-tropical highland climate. The hill station is also renowned for its aromatic teas. Coonoor boasts trekking and hiking activities and is also a paradise for the bird watchers. Undulating hills of tea plantations, bright gardens and cheering atmosphere makes it a popular holiday destination in India. It has a number of important attractions like Heritage Train, Sim’s Park, Dolphin’s Nose, Rallia Dam, Lambs Rock, Laws Fall and Doorg Fort.
Photo Credit- emmanueldyan
Madurai
Madurai is a beautiful city in Tamil Nadu and is home to a number of temples and monuments of historical importance. This cultural headquarter of the state is located on the banks of River Vaigai. Meenakshi Amman Temple and Tirumalai Nayak Palace are its most important attractions. Apart from these Gandhi Sanghralayas, the Eco Park, Rajaji children’s park, Athisayam and many other landmarks are visited by tourists.
Photo Credit- evoo73
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is the southern tip of the Cardamom Hills. The landscape is awe inspiring which makes it a great tourist attraction in Tamil Nadu. Apart from its landscape, the city is also known for historical and religious reasons. The temple of Goddess Kanya Kumari is the most important attraction of this place.
Photo Credit- Girish Gopi
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram is situated on the banks of the Vegavathy River. This city has witnessed the rule of Pallavas, the Medieval Cholas, the Later Cholas, the Later Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, the Carnatic kingdom, and the British. It is home to a number of ancient temples like the Kailasanathar Temple, Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, and Kumarakottam Temple.
Photo Credit- tajhotels.com
Chennai
Chennai is a beautiful city situated on the Coromondal coast of Bay of Bengal. A wide range of historical monuments, ancient temples, calm beaches, museums, national parks and so many more landmarks make up a list of places to visit in Chennai. The picturesque beauty of this amazing city attracts a lot of people. With a charm of the history and the chic style of the modern world, Chennai becomes one of the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Photo Credit- criatvt
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
Mahabalipuram beach is popular for the sea shore temple built by the Pallava Kings. These temples were built during the 7th and 8th centuries. A wide range of historical structures along with rathas, mandapas and the shore temple with sculptors of Shiva can be found here. Mahabalipuram is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The calm beach, the roar of the waves and the beautiful sculptures make this place one of the most beautiful places in India.
Photo Credit- ajay_g
Rameshwaram Island
Also known as Pamban Island, Rameshwaram Island. It is a major pilgrimage site and is located between peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Most of Pamban Island lies below sea-level. However, there are a few mound in the vicinity of Rameswaram of which Mt.Gandamadana is the tallest. Coconut, palm trees, fig and eucalyptus plants are found in abundance on this island.
Photo Credit- rampix
Srirangam Island
Srirangam Island is a river island situated within the city of Tiruchirappalli. The island is 19 miles in length and 1.5 miles wide and is bounded by the Upper Anaicut to the west and the Grand Anaicut to the east. It is even an important Hindu Vaishnavite pilgrimage centre.
Photo Credit- holidayiq.com
Covelong Beach
Covelong is a fishing village near Mahabalipuram and is well known for its beach. It is one of the few places in the west coast that promotes wind surfing. The fort in the village that was built by the Dutch has now been converted into a resort. The beach has swaying palm trees, white sandy, beautiful sea shells and a soothing ambience for a lovely vacation.
Photo Credit- darshansphotos
Marina Beach
Marina Beach is the longest urban beach of India. Swimming and bathing is not permitted on the beach because the undercurrent is very chaotic. The beach is home to olive ridley sea turtles. You may mind fishes loke mullets, sharks, silver bellies, rays, ribbon fish, skates, white bait, dussumeria, jew fish, horse mackerel, crabs, seer, pellona, pomfret, perches, lactarius, lethrius, flying fish, engraylis, sardines, lobsters, sabre fish, barracuda, hilsa, tunny, Indian salmon, leather jackets, cookup, breams, catfish, snappers, synagris, bonito, soles, polynemus, and prawns along the beach.
Photo Credit- vinothchandar
Elliot’s Beach
Elliot’s Beach is another very popular tourist place in Chennai. Located in Besant Nagar, this beach along with soft white sand and a wide array of aquatic life has a number of other attractions too. Karl Schmidt Memorial is an important landmark in this place. The Ashtalakshmi Temple that is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi is also located near the Elliot’s Beach. You will also find the Velankanni Church in this area.
Photo Credit- Sertion
Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary
Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Tamil Nadu and was established in 1962. It was declared a tiger reserve in 1988 and is spread across an area of 895 square kilometers. The forest is home to Tiger, Leopard, Jungle cat, Giant squirrel, wild dog and Elephant etc.
Photo Credit- C Fotografia
Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across an area of 958 sq kilometers. It is home to several endangered animals like Bengal Tiger, Elephants, Sloth Bear, Indian Leopard, Pangolin and the Sambhar deer. It is also surrounded by several peaks and rivers.
Photo Credit- Sudharsun Jayaraj
Guindy National Park and Snake Park
Guindy National Park and Snake Park is the 8th smallest National Park of India. It is home to 400 blackbucks, 2,000 spotted deer, 24 jackals, a wide variety of snakes, geckos, tortoises and over 130 species of birds, 14 species of mammals, over 60 species of butterflies and spiders each, a wealth of different invertebrates like scorpions, mites, earthworms, grasshoppers, ants, termites, crabs, snails, slugs and millipedes.
Photo Credit- prince_tigereye
Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tanjavur
Brihadeeswarar Temple is one of the Great Living Chola Temple. It is well known for its extensive art work and architecture. The temple was built in the 11th century. It is also mentioned in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Brihadeeswarar Temple is one of the largest temples in India and is built in the Tamizh architecture during the Chola period. It is one of the most famous temple in Tamil Nadu.
Photo Credit- Vinayaraj
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram
The Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva and is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India. The temple has a lot of mythological importance. It is among one of the famous Jyothirlinga temples where lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Jyothirlinga. The temple has the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India.
Photo Credit- vinothchandar
Kapaleeshwar Temple
Kapaleeswar Temple in Chennai was built in the 7th century on the lines of Dravidian architecture. There are two entrances to the temple marked by the gopuram on either side. The vahanas at the temple includes the bull, Adhikaranandi, elephant, bandicoot, peacock, goat and parrot. There is golden chariot too in the temple premises.
St George’s Church, Coonoor
St. George’s Church was constructed in the year 1826. The deep ochre colored stucco that has white coverings is quite impressive part of the church. The architecture of the church was based on the lines of a classic Cantonment Church.
Leave a Reply