TOP 13 PLACES TO VIST IN TAMILNADU
01 Chennai
Chennai (formerly called Madras), the ‘Cultural Capital of India’, is the fourth largest metropolis in the country with a population of over 8 millions. At a distance of 337 km from Bangalore, 629 km from Hyderabad, 453 km from Vijayawada, 170 km from Pondicherry & 772 km from Trivandrum, Chennai is one the largest cities in India and capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. It is also one of the famous Tourist places in Tamilnadu.
The present town was founded in 1639, by Sir Francis Day, who arrived with East India Company. The British East India Company established a fort and a trading post at the small fishing village of Chennai. Today, it has emerged as a major industrial and educational center. Chennai with the Bay of Bengal on its side had been major British trading post for years.
The region around Chennai has served as an important administrative, military, and economic centre since the 1st century AD. It has been ruled by various South Indian dynasties, notably the Pallava, the Chola, the Pandya, and Vijaynagara. The area where the present city exists was awarded to British by Damerla Chennapa Nayaka who a general under Vijayanagaras ruled from Chandragiri, near Tirupathi. The name Chennai believed to be derived from Chennakesava Perumal Temple present in the city.
The city is famous for its beaches, Museums, Parks and several historical places around the city. The major tourist places in Chennai include Marina Beach, Govt Museum, Parthasarathy Temple, Kapaleeswaraar Temple, San Thome Cathedral, etc. There are several other attractions in the vicinity of Chennai like Elliot Beach, VGP Golden Beach, Mahabalipuram, Pulicat Lake, Muttukadu, etc. Kanchipuram, the famous historical & pilgrimage town is situated close to Chennai.
Chennai has great connectivity from major cities in India and countries like Dubai, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, USA & Europe. Chennai has two major railway stations – Chennai Central & Chennai Egmore. Chennai Central is a major junction which is connected with major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Vijayawada, Kochi, etc. Chennai Egmore is primarily provides connectivity with major towns within Tamilnadu. Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) is one of the largest bus terminuses in India with inter-state and inter-city connectivity.
The city is base to around 30% of India’s automobile industry and 35% of its auto components industry. Chennai is highly humid area and winter is the best season to visit.
It usually takes two full days to visit major attractions in Chennai.
02 Hogenakkal
At a distance of 47 km from Dharmapuri, 88 km from Hosur, 85 km from Salem, 146 km from Bangalore, 345 km from Chennai, 180 km from Mysore, 114 km from Yercaud and 217 km from Coimbatore, Hogenakkal Falls is a waterfall in on the Kaveri (or Cauvery) River located in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. It is a major waterfalls near Bangalore and also one of the best waterfalls in India, sometimes referred to as the ‘Niagara of India’.
Hogenakkal is also one of the best waterfalls and one of the wonderful tourist places to visit near Bangalore & Chennai. When the River Kaveri enters the Tamil Nadu border after winding its way through the state of Karnataka, it descends down the lofty landscape forming the Hogenakkal Waterfalls. The Carbonatite rocks found near the waterfall are one of the oldest in the world. The two Kannada words ‘Hoge’ means ‘Smoke’ and ‘Kal’ means ‘Rocks’ give meaning to the word Hogenakkal as Smoky Rocks. It is also called as Marikottayam by the people of Tamil Nadu.
The falls has about 14 channels with drops varying between 15 & 65 ft. To reach the surroundings of waterfalls one needs to take a boat-ride (there is no land access). Coracle riding is one of the main attractions here which is allowed during the monsoon and winter season. Boating is usually stopped in peak monsoons.
Hogenakkal is also the good place to try out your swimming skills. The water is quite challenging. Tourists can also go for trekking on the nearby surrounding hills. The water from the fall flows towards the Mettur Dam which is also known as the Stanley Reservoir.
The falls are less than 1 km from Hogenakkal Bus Station. There are no good food points near the falls, except simple snacks, soft drinks & fish fry. If possible, try to pack your food near Hogenakkal Bus Station or Dharmapuri. There are many lodges and mid-range options of accommodation in Dharmapuri.
The Nearest airport is Bangalore International Airport about 216 km from Hogenakal Falls. Dharmapuri is the nearest railway station, which is about 47 km from Hogenakal. It is connected by rail with Bangalore, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Tuticorin, Coimbatore, Salem, Nagarcoil, Mysore, Pondicherry, Tirunelveli and Ernakulum. Dharmapuri is the nearest major Bus station to Hogenakkal. It has buses from Bangalore, Mysore, Salem, Coimbatore, Chennai, Trivandrum, Kochi, Ooty, Madurai and Hyderabad.
The best time to visit Hogenakkal Falls is from July to October while the peak season is from August to October. Usually it takes one half day to visit Hogenakkal Falls.
03 Kanchipuram
At a distance of 75 km from Chennai, 68 km from Vellore, 65 km from Mahabalipuram, 108 km from Tirupati & 127 km from Pondicherry, Kanchipuram or Kanchi is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district. Kanchipuram is one of the most popular weekend getaways from Chennai and one of the major Places to visit in Tamilnadu.
Kanchipuram has rich history and it’s one of the oldest cities in India. The temples of Kanchipuram are known for their grandeur and great architecture. The architecture of Kanchi monuments were trendsetting with great sculpture work and unique style and became a benchmark for South Indian architecture. This is another popular attraction to visit as part of Chennai tour packages.
The city served as the capital of Pallava Dynasty, and most of the known temples were built during their reign. From the 3rd to the 9th century CE, Kanchi was the capital of the Pallavas who ruled over the territory extending from the river Krishna in Andhra Pradesh to the river Kaveri in the south. The Pallavas fortified the city with ramparts, moats, etc., with wide and well laid out roads and fine temples. They were a great maritime power with contacts with far-off China, Siam, Fiji, etc., through their chief Port Mamallapuram, the modern Mahabalipuram. The Cholas ruled this town from 10th century to 13th century after the fall of Pallavas. Kanchi came under the control of Vijayanagara kingdom from 14th century to 17th century and controlled by British from the end of 18th century.
Kanchipuram is located on the Palar River and known for its temples and silk sarees which are woven manually. There are several big temples, like Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Karchapeshwarar Temple, Ekambaranatha Temple which is one of the five forms of abodes of Lord Siva, (it is the earth abode here, other abodes include Chidambaram (Sky), Sri Kalahasti (air), Thiruvanaikoil (water) and Tiruvannamalai (fire)).
04 Kodaikanal
At a distance of 95 km from Dindigul, 117 km from Madurai, 169 km from Coimbatore, 469 km from Bangalore,272 km from Kochi, 162 km from Munnar, 253 km from Ooty & 528 km from Chennai, Kodaikanal, also referred to as Kodai is a beautiful hill station in Dindigul district of Tamilnadu. It is one of the best hill stations not to miss in a South India tour and among the top places to experince the Tamilnadu Tourism.
Often referred to as the ‘Princess of Hill stations’, Kodai is one of the popular places to visit in summer as part of honeymoon trip. It is situated at an altitude of about 7000 feet (2133 m) on the southern tip of upper Palani hills. It has several scenic natural attractions which are enjoyed by its visitors and make it a popular romantic destination. Coaker’s Walk, Silver Cascade and Kodai Lake are among the must include places in your Kodaikanal tour packages.
The earliest residents of Kodaikanal were the Palaiyar tribal people. Modern Kodaikanal was established by American Christian missionaries and British bureaucrats in 1845, as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains. In the 20th century a few elite Indians started relocating to this enchanting hill station and it started becoming popular among nature lovers.
Kodaikanal is not extensively commercialized like Ooty and it offers a pleasant experience to tourists with relatively less crowd. Apart from the pleasant weather, Kodaikanal has several tourist attractions like Kodai Lake, Bryant Park, Coaker’s Walk, Bear Shola Falls, Silver Cascade, Pillar Rocks, etc. The hills offer beautiful views all around, especially from the Coaker’s Walk.
Madurai is the nearest Airport to Kodai. There is no direct train facility to Kodaikanal. Kodai Road, situated on Madurai – Dindigul route is the nearest train station. This station has good connectivity with major cities in India. Direct bus connectivity is available from Madurai, Coimbatore, Palani, Dindigul, Ooty, etc. Buses from Madurai to Kodaikanal start from Arappalayam Bus Station. From Coimbatore, buses to Kodaikanal run from Ukkadam Bus stand.
Best time to visit Kodaikanal is April to June during the summer. Monsoon from September to October also offers different experience.
05 Mahabalipuram
At a distance of 57 km from Chennai, 65 km from Kanchipuram, 96 km from Pondicherry, 420 km from Madurai and 290 km from Trichy, Mahabalipuram (also called Mamallapuram) is situated in Kanchipuram district in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is famous for its shore temples built in 7th century. Mahabalipuram is one of the must visit weekend getaways from Chennaifor one day trip. This also a major historical / heritage site in Tamil Nadu and one of the best places to experience Tamilnadu Tourism. Mahabalipuram is one of the best places to include in your Pondicherry tour packages.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the second capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. It is an ancient historic town and was a bustling seaport during Pallava kings in 7th Century AD. According to the legend, it has been named after the demon king Mahabali who was renowned for his generosity. Some maintain that it has been named Mamallapuram after the Pallava King Narasimha Varman I, a great wrestler with the title Mamallan.
It is known for its historical monuments, sculptures, scenic beauty, culture and tradition. Mahabalipuram art can be divided into four categories: open air bas-relief, structured temples, man-made caves and rathas (chariot temples). The famous Arjuna’s Penance and the Krishna Mandapa adorn massive rocks near the centre of the village. The beautiful Shore Temple towers over the waves, behind a protective breakwater. Sixteen man-made caves in different stages of completion are also seen, scattered through the area. The striking feature is that all the sculptures here are monolithic – giant structures carved from single rocks.
The temples of Mamallapuram, built largely during the reigns of Narasimha Varman and his successor Rajasimha Varman, showcase the movement from rock-cut architecture to structural buildings. The mandapas and the rathas shaped as temple chariots are made from the granite rock face, while the famed Shore Temple, erected half a century later, is built as a structured temple with huge blocks of rocks following wonderful architecture. Thirukadalmallai temple, Cholamadal Artist’s Village, Mahabalipuram Beach, Tiger Cave and Crocodile Bank serve as popular picnic spots for people here.
One of the prominent festivals celebrated here is the Mamallapuram Dance Festival, which is organized by the Department of Tourism every year during December – January. As part of the festival, various dance forms are showcased including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi.
The nearest airport to Mahabalipuram is in Chennai, located about 50 km away. The nearest railhead is in Chengalpattu, close to 30 km from Mahabalipuram. It has trains from Chennai, Pondicherry, Kanyakumari, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Kanchi, Tirupati, Ernakulum, Villupuram, Rameshwaram and Jodhpur. Buses arrive here from either Koyembedu (CMBT) or Tiruvanmiyur (in Chennai) and Kanchipuram and Pondicherry.
The best time to visit Mahabalipuram is from October to March while the peak season is from November to February. Usually it takes one full day to visit Mahabalipuram.
06 Ooty
At a distance of 89 km from Coimbatore, 128 km from Mysore, 265 km from Bangalore,158 km from Kozhikode, 244 km from Munnar, 254 km from Kodaikanal, 18 km from Coonoor & 556 km from Chennai, Ooty is one of the best hill stations in India and also one of the top places to experince Tamilnadu Tourism. Ooty can also be visited along with Wayanad as part of Ooty – Wayanad tour packages.
Also known as Udhagamandalam, Ooty is often referred to as ‘Queen of hill stations’. It is the capital of Nilgiris district in the state of Tamilnadu. Nilgiris means ‘Blue Mountains’. A land of picturesque picnic spots & lakes, it was a popular summer and weekend getaway for the British during colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 7,440 feet (2,240 meters) above sea level. Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden and Rose Garden are among the must include places in your Ooty tour packages.
Ooty was originally a tribal land occupied by the Todas along with other tribes. The Nilgiri territory came into possession of East India Company as part of the ceded lands, held by Tipu Sultan in 1799. In 1818, Wish and Kindersley, Assistant and Second Assistant to Collector of Coimbatore visited this spot and submitted their experience report to the Collector of Coimbatore John Sullivan. John Sullivan later began the construction of his bungalow at Dimbhatti the first European dwelling on the hills. Ooty served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency and other small kingdoms, much visited by British during the colonial days. Its stunning beauty and splendid green deep valleys inspired the British to name it Queen of Hill Stations. Sullivan later developed the town and encouraged the establishment of tea, chinchona, and teak trees.
Apart from pleasant weather, Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Wenlock Downs, Pine Forest, and Emerald Lake are the popular Ooty sightseeing places. The toy train, known as Nilgiri Mountain Railway that runs from Mettupalayam to Ooty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must be experienced. The train route wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens. The train route was developed by the British engineers in 1908, covering 42 kilometers length with 108 curves, 16 tunnels and 250 bridges.
The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the visitors on most routes. The annual Tea and Tourism Festival (Jan) and Summer Festival (May) attract crowds in huge numbers.
Ooty is also connected by bus with major cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore and Coimbatore. From Coimbatore, Ooty buses start from Coimbatore North Bus Station (also known as New Bus Station or Mettupalyam Road Bus Station).
07 Chidambara
At a distance of 217 km from Chennai, 189 km from Kanchipuram, 43 km Cuddalore, 66 km from Pondicherry, 43 km Mayiladuthurai, 85 km from Nagapattinam, 303 km from Madurai and 173 km from Trichy, Chidambaram is a pilgrimage town in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. Well known for Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram is one of the most celebrated shrines in South India and also one of the famous Tamilnadu places to visit.
Chidambaram is also known as Thillai. The name Chidambaram comes from the Tamil word Chitrambalam which means the small hall or stage of wisdom. According to legend, it was once a forest of thillai, a mangrove species of trees. There was once a small shrine on the banks of a tank. The saints Vyagrapada and Patanjali are said to have worshipped at this shrine, now called Thirumoolanathar. It is believed that their penance attained perfection with the revelation of Shiva’s cosmic dance by Lord Nataraja on the auspicious Thai Poosam day.
The town of Chidambaram has been ruled by many kingdoms over the centuries, most notably the Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Pandyas, Vijaynagar Kingdom, the Marathas, and the British. The town is known for the Thillai Nataraja Temple and the annual chariot festival held in the month of April. Chidambaram Nataraja Temple was built during the 11th century and is one of the most celebrated Shaivite Temples in South India. Lord Nataraja is the family deity of Vikrama Chola (1128 CE) and his successors. The golden hall of dance was built and covered with gold plates by Jatavarman Sundra Pandya.
Chidambaram Temple has great religious as well as historic and cultural significance. This is one of the Panchabhoota Stalas signifying the five elements of wind (Kalahasti), water (Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai), earth (Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram).
Lord Vishnu as Lord Govindaraja Perumal is worshipped in the same temple complex. Thillai Kaali Amman Temple, Pichavaram, Sattanathar Temple, Bhuvanagiri, Parangipettai, Annamalai University, Kollidam (river) and Poompuhar are the other attractions in and around Chidambaram.
Brahmotsavam, Ani Thirumanjanam, Thai Poosam and Arudra Dharshan are some of the Chidambaram temple festivals that attract large crowds from far and nearby places. Natyanjali Dance Festival is a major festival held in the month of February. Many eminent dancers give their performances during this festival.
The nearest airport to Chidambaram is at Chennai, about 212 km away. Chidambaram is located on the Madras-Trichy main line of the Southern Railway. It is connected with Trichy, Chennai, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Bangalore, Villupuram, Mayiladuturai, Thanjavur and Tirupati. Chidambaram is well connected by bus with Chennai, Trichy, Rameshwaram, Pondicherry, Madurai, Bangalore and Villupuram.
Best time to visit Chidambaram is July & October to March while the peak season is July & December to February. Usually it takes two full days to visit Chidambaram.
08 Madurai
At a distance of 464 km from Chennai, 136 km from Trichy, 169 km from Thanjavur, 170 km from Rameswaram, 114 km from Kodaikanal & 209 km from Coimbatore, Madurai is the third largest city in Tamilnadu and one of the most famous centers of pilgrimage in India and also the prime site of heritage in Tamil Nadu. The city is very well known for Madurai Meenakshi Temple and among the must include places in your South India tour packages.
Situated on the banks of the River Vaigai, Madurai is also referred to as Athens of the East and Temple Town. Madhurai is the oldest continually inhabited city in the Indian peninsula, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre-Christian era. It has been inhabited since at least the 3rd century BCE. It is considered as the cultural capital of Tamilnadu.
Madurai was the seat of power of the Pandyan Empire. It was built by the Pandyan king Kulasekhara and was the capital city of the great Pandya kings of South India. It was later ruled by Cholas, Later Pandyas, Madurai Sultanate, Vijayanagara, Madurai Nayaks and finally British. Pandyas and Nayaks contributed enormously to the development of Meenakshi Amman Temple and Madurai city.
Meenakshi Amman Temple (known as Madhurai Meenakshi) is the biggest landmark of Madurai. It is one of the largest temples in India. The temple has a stunning architecture and a significant testimony for Vishwakarma Brahmins for their master architecture in sculpting this temple. The core city of Madurai is built parallel to the streets of Madhurai Temple.
Along with Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal & Koodal Alagar Temple are other important places to visit in Madurai. Madurai is also a base station to visit Trichy, Thanjavur, Rameswaram and kodaikanal.
The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar – that are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions even today.
Madurai has several bus stations. Most of the long distance buses and inter-state buses start from Mattuthavani Bus Terminus (8 km from Railway Station). Buses to Chennai, Bangalore, Trichy, Rameswaram, Thanjavur, Tirupathi, etc start from here. Arappalayam Bus Station is another major bus station (3 km from Railway Station) with connectivity to Kodaikanal, Palani, Theni, Dundigal, etc. Periyar bus station near Railway station is the hub for local city buses.
09 Rameshwaram
At a distance of 562 km from Chennai, 227 km from Tirunelveli, 311 km Kanyakumari, 387 km from Pondicherry, 230 km from Trichy, 171 km from Madurai, 371 km from Trivandrum and 607 km from Bangalore, Rameshwaram is one of the most famous Pilgrimage centers in South India & also a Jyotirlinga, situated in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. Rameshwaram is also one of the best Tourist places in Tamilnadu and among the popular pilgrimage places to visit as part of South India tour packages.
Rameshwaram Temple is one of the most famous Shiva shrines in India. It is significant for Hindus as a pilgrimage to Banaras is incomplete without a Pilgrimage to Rameswaram. According to the legend, Rameswaram is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita from Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage which is known as the Varanasi of South. Rameswaram along with Dwarka, Puri and Badrinath form the four Char Dhams.
Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Agnitheertham, Gandamadana Parvatham, Dhanushkodi, Kothandaraswamy Temple and Erwadi are the popular and the most visited pilgrimage attractions of Rameshwaram. Sri Ramanathaswamy temple (Rameswaram Temple) is one of the most fascinating temples in entire India. This is renowned for its magnificent corridors and massive sculptured pillars. The third corridor of Ramanathaswamy temple is the longest one in the world. The presiding deity here is in the form of a Linga with the name Sri Ramanathaswamy, it also happens to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This temple stands as an epitome of Dravidian architectural style of the medieval ages.
There are about 64 thirthas situated in Rameshwaram, of which, 24 are considered as important. Bathing in these Tirthas is a major aspect of the pilgrimage to Rameswaram and is considered equivalent to penance. Twenty-two of the Tirthas are within the Ramanathasvami Temple. Ramanathapuram, Tirupullani, Uthirakosamangai, Sethu are the nearby attractions to Island of Rameshwaram. Beautiful beaches at Olaikuda, Danushkodi and Pamban are other attractions apart from the religious point of view. Scuba diving and Migratory birds watching during winter are the activities here.
Rameshwaram is located on the Pamban Island, which lies at the very tip of the Indian peninsula in the Gulf of Mannar. Pamban Island, which is separated from the mainland of India by the Pamban Channel, is connected by the Pamban Bridge or Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge.
The nearest airport to Rameshwaram is at Madurai, which is located at a distance of 176 km. Rameshwaram Railway Station is well connected by rail to major cities of Tamil Nadu like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Thanjavur and Trichy. Rameshwaram is well connected by bus with Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Pondicherry, Trichy and Thanjavur.
10 Thanjavur
At a distance of 56 km from Trichy, 112 km from Chidambaram, 86 km from Nagapattinam, 170 km from Madurai, 326 km from Chennai, Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore, is a city and district headquarters in the state of Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is famous for the Brihadeeswarar Temple built by Rajaraja Chola in the year 1010 AD. Also known as the Big Temple, it is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India and also one of the popular places to experince Tamilnadu Tourism.
Situated on the banks of River Cauvery, Thanjavur has a rich historical heritage and is a must visit place in Thanjavur as part of Tamilnadu tour. The city was once the stronghold of the historic Cholas and at one time was also the capital of the Cholas, Mutharayars and Marathas when they were at the peak of their power. Since then, Thanjavur has been one of the chief political, cultural and religious centers of South India.
Thanjavur became the most important city in the Chola Empire and remained its capital till the emergence of Gangaikonda Cholapuram in about 1025. During the first decade of the eleventh century, the Chola king Raja Raja Chola I (985-1014) constructed the Brihadeeswarar Temple. The temple is considered to be one of the best specimens of South Indian temple architecture.
Thanjavur is one of the older cities in Tamil Nadu and has a lot of significance in Dravidian history. Thanjavur was eventually annexed along with the rest of the Chola kingdom by the Pandya king Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I in 1279. Later it went into the hands of Delhi Sultanate from whom Vijayanagara rulers have conquered. It was governed by Thanjavur Nayaks under Vijayanagara suzerainty. Thanjavur was successfully conquered by Ekoji I in 1674, the Maratha feudatory of the Nawab of Bijapur and half-brother of Shivaji. Ekoji founded the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom which ruled Thanjavur till 1855. The kingdom was eventually absorbed into British India in 1855 by the Doctrine of Lapse when Shivaji II (1832-55), the last Thanjavur Maratha ruler, died without a male heir.
Apart from Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur and the surrounding areas have several important tourist attractions like Thanjavur Palace, Kumbakonam, Darasuram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Thiruvaiyaru, Thirubuvanam, etc.
It usually takes a full day to visit the places within Thanjavur town. Thanjavur is also famous for metal sculptures moulded with great facial expressions and beautiful finish.
11 Tiruchirappalli
At a distance of 334 km from Chennai, 133 km from Madurai, 57 km from Thanjavur and 212 km from Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, also called Tiruchi or Trichy is the 4th largest city and administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli District in Tamilnadu. Situated on the banks of the Cauvery River, Trichy is one of the famous Tourist places in Tamilnadu.
The history of Tiruchirappalli begins in the 3rd century BC, when it was under the rule of the Cholas. It was a stronghold of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. But the Pallavas never really managed to retain control of this strategic city and lost it to the Pandyas several times. Trichy continued to be in the possession of Cholas until the decline of the empire after which it became a Vijayanagara stronghold. Trichy came under the rule of Nayaks of Madurai after the collapse of Vijayanagara, later to the Marathas of Tanjore, the Nawabs of Carnatic, the French and finally the British. Trichy flourished under Madurai Nayaks and prospered to be the city that it is today. The city played a critical role in the Carnatic Wars (1746-1763) between the British and the French East India companies.
Tiruchirappalli is home to numerous historical monuments and temples that attract tourist and pilgrims from all parts of the country throughout the year. Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam, one of the most famous pilgrimage centers in South India is situated near Trichy. Rockfort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rock is another important monument in old city of Trichy. The Rockfort, Jambukeswarar temple at Thiruvanaikaval, Uraiyur, Maariamman Temple, Government Museum and the St John’s Church are other attractions in Trichy.
Tiruchirappalli is internationally known for a brand of cheroot known as the Trichinopoly cigar. The city is very popular for its cigars, handloom saris and stone-studded jewelry, Pith models and cheroots. According to the National Urban Sanitation Policy (2010), Tiruchirappalli was one of the ten cleanest cities in India.
Trichy is well connected by flight, train and bus with major cities of India and Tamilnadu. Trichy has two major bus stations called Central Bus Station (750m from Trichy Jn Station) and Chathiram Bus Station (6 km from Trichy Jn Station & 2 km from Trichy Town Station). The Central Bus Station handles long distance and inter-state buses like Bangalore, Chennai, Tirupathi, Coimbatore, Mysore, Vellore, Madurai, Thanjavur, etc. While the Chathiram Bus Station handles buses to nearby destinations like Lalgudi, Samayapuram, Navalpattu, etc and local destinations like Srirangam, Railway Junction, Rockfort, etc.
The best time to visit Trichy is during the months of November to March. It usually takes two full days to explore all the important places in Trichy.
12 Kumbakonam
At a distance of 35 km from Mayiladuthurai, 43 km from Thanjavur, 54 km from Karaikal, 65 km from Nagapattinam, 72 km from Chidambaram, 105 km from Trichy, 129 km from Pondicherry, 235 km from Madurai and 282 km from Chennai, Kumbakonam is one of the ancient temple town located amidst the two rivers Cauvery and Arasalar in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Kumbakonam is one of the top places to visit in Tamilnadu and among the popular places to visit near Chennai.
The name Kumbakonam in English means the Pot’s Corner. In olden days it was called Thirukudamookku and it is also popularly called as Kudanthai now. According to history, Kumbakonam dates back to the Sangam period and was ruled by the Early Cholas, Pallavas, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Kings, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks and the Thanjavur Marathas. It rose to be a prominent city between the 7th and 9th centuries AD, when it served as a capital of the Medieval Cholas. The town reached the zenith of its prosperity during the British Raj when it was a prominent center of European education and Hindu culture; and it acquired the cultural name, the Cambridge of South India.
Kumbakonam is known for its temples and mutts (monasteries). There are around 188 Hindu temples within the municipal limits of Kumbakonam. Adi Kumbeswarar temple, Nageswaraswamy temple and Kasi Viswanathar temple are the prominent Shiva temples in the town and it has one of the few temples dedicated to the god Brahma. Sarangapani temple is the largest Vaishnava shrine present in Kumbakonam. The Dhenupureeswarar Temple at Patteeswaram, the Oppiliappan Kovil, the Swamimalai Murugan temple and the Airavateeswarar temple at Darasuram are the other temples located in the vicinity of Kumbakonam.
Kumbakonam also has a number of mutts. Sri Sankara mutt of Kanchipuram, two Vellalar mutts in the nearby towns of Dharmapuram and Thiruppanandal and a Raghavendra mutt in Kumbakonam are the different mutts here. There is also a branch of the Vaishnava Ahobila mutt in Kumbakonam.
The town is well – known for its prestigious educational institutions and carved Panchaloha idols, silk products, brass and metal wares. It is primarily a market town for the predominantly agriculture based villages surrounding it. Betel leaves are cultivated more in Kumbakonam since it is also called as Kumbakonam Vettrilai (in Tamil).
The important festival of Kumbakonam is the Mahamaham festival. It takes place once in 12 years during the Tamil Month of Masi (February/March) and lakhs of pilgrims visit Kumbakonam and takes a holy bath in the sacred Mahamaham tank which is situated in the heart of the town.
Trichy Airport is the nearest airport, which is about 95 km from Kumbakonam. Kumbakonam Railway Station is well connected by train with Chennai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, Pondicherry, Mysore, Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Trichy, Bhubaneswar, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirupati, Bangalore and Thirunelveli. Kumbakonam is well connected by road with Chennai, Madurai, Rameswaram, Karaikal, Trichy, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Thanjavur, Thirunelveli and Trivandrum.
The best time to visit Kumbakonam is from November to March, while the peak season is from December to February. Tourists in Kumbakonam can avail various accommodation options, ranging from budget hotels to 5 star hotels.
13 Kanyakumari
At a distance of 707 km from Chennai, 85 km from Trivandrum, 22 km from Nagercoil, 242 km from Madurai, 375 km from Trichy, 82 km from Tirunelveli and 130 km from Tuticorin, Kanyakumari is a coastal town in Tamil Nadu. Located at the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula, it is also called Cape Comorin. Kanyakumari is a famous pilgrimage places to visit as part of Tamilnadu tour and also one of the best Places to visit in Tamilnadu.
Kanyakumari has been a great centre for art and religion for centuries. It was also an area of great trade and commerce. It was ruled by Cholas, Pandyas and Nayaks. Later on, Kanyakumari came under the rule of the Venad dynasty and its capital was located at Padmanabhapuram. In spite of the troubles encountered in the southern border of Venad, Marthanda Varma expanded the kingdom northwards to Aluva and established the kingdom of Travancore. In 1745, the capital was shifted from Padmanabhapuram to Thiruvananthapuram. Kanyakumari was ruled by the kings of Travancore, under the authority of the British, till India’s independence in 1947, after that it became a part of the independent Indian Union.
This is a popular tourist place and a place of great natural beauty. The city gets its name from the Hindu goddess Kanyakumari who was also known as Kumari Amman. Swami Vivekananda is said to have been lived here for a while and meditated. It is situated at the confluence of Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. This place offers marvelous Sunset and Sunrise views. It is the only place in India where one can enjoy the unique spectacle of Sunset and Moonrise simultaneously on full moon days.
Kanyakumari is held in high regards by the Hindus owing to its scared temples. One of the main attractions in Kanyakumari is the Kumari Amman Temple. Considered as one of the Shakti Peethas, this temple attracts large number of devotees every year. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Gandhi Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Suchindram, Pechiparai Reservoir, Vattakottai Fort, St Xavier’s Church and Udayagiri Fort are the places to see in Kanyakumari. Some of the popular beaches near Kanyakumari are Thengapattinam Beach, Sanguthurai Beach and Chothavilai Beach.
Trivandrum Airport is the nearest airport, which is about 97 km from Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari is also connected by rail with cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai and Jammu. It has good bus connectivity with Trivandrum, Madurai, Trichy, Tirunelveli, Pondicherry, Kochi, Chennai, Bangalore and Tirunelveli.
The Chaitra Poornima Festival, Navratri, and the Holy Annual Festival of the Catholic Church are some of the major festivals celebrated in Kanyakumari. Kathakali is the most popular traditional dance form in this region.
Best time to visit Kanyakumari is from October to March while the peak season is from November to February. Usually it takes one full day to visit Kanyakumari.
Tourist Places 