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 Welcome to the Dravidian heartland of India, Tamil Nadu, with the most visible legacy of great temples and paradise for all art-lovers.
The beautiful beaches, picturesque wildlife sanctuaries, colourful festivals and a plethora of panoramic sites make Tamil Nadu tourism an enthralling experience. Tamil Nadu is a blend of ancient and modern world, Tamil Nadu offers you myriad of breathtaking sights and relish its natural beauty.
At a Glance:
Capital: Chennai
Language: Tamil is the principal language. English is widely spoken and understood in urban areas.
Area : 1,30,058 sq km
Religion : Hinduism (88.67%), Islam (5.46%), Others (5.87%)
Climate: Maximum Temperature : 45.2°C
Minimum Temperature : 31.0°C
Best Time To Visit : October To March
Tamilnadu - A Temple State
Tamil Nadu, the cradle of south Indian temple architecture, is a living museum of styles that originated in the 7th century and matured in the huge temple complexes studded with towering gateways-"Gopurams"-that soar above the markets of almost every town. Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Rameswaram, Palani, Srirangam, Tiruttani and Kanyakumari are some of the famous pilgrim centres in Tamil Nadu. The famous Meenakshi temple of Madurai is a must see.
History of Tamilnadu
Tamil Nadu was ruled by three major dynasties-the Cholas in the east, the Pandyas in the central area and Cheras in the west. This was during the Sangam Age-the classical period of Tamil literature-that continued for some 300 years after the birth of Christ. The Pallava dynasty was influential particularly in the 7th and 8th centuries, the testimonies to which are the monuments at Mamallapuram.
In the 13th century, with threats of Muslim invasions from the north, the southern Hindu dynasties combined and the empire of Vijaynagar (also spelt as Vijayanagar), which covered all of South India, became firmly established. However, by the 17th century, due to the disintegration of the Vijaynagar Empire, various small rulers like the Nayaks ruled southern India.
By the middle of the 18th century, there were frequent conflicts between the British, French, Danes, and Dutch due to their interest in these areas. The British were finally victorious, while small pocketed areas including Pondicherry and Karaikal remained under French control. Under the British rule, most of south India was integrated into the region called the Madras Presidency. In 1956, the Madras Presidency was disbanded and Tamil Nadu was established.
The Nilgiri Panorama
In the west of the state, where the hill stations of Kodaikanal and Ooty are the premier travel attractions, sylvan hills offer mountain views and a network of trails winds through forests and tea and coffee plantations. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, a vast spread of deciduous forest in Tamilnadu dominated by teak, offers a good chance of spotting elephants and dholes, wild pack-hunting Dogs, Tigers and Leopards.
Annamalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, closer to Kodaikanal in the Palani hills, is better known for its Lion-tailed Macaques (black-maned Monkeys).
Festivals of Tamilnadu
The main festival of Tamilnadu is Pongal, which is a harvest festival celebrated in the month of January. Feasting, music and dance mark this festival. "Karthigai Deepam" and "Varushapirapu" (Tamil New Year's Day) are also celebrated on a grand scale.
How to reach Tamil Nadu:
Air: The nearest airport is Madras (160 kms) connected by major domestic and International Airlines. Other Airports are Coimbatore, Trichy and Madurai.
Rail: Chennai is connected to major cities in India.
Road: Chennai is connected by good motorable roads to places in in South India.
| South India Tours Packages | Enchanting Temple Tour
Duration: 03 Nights / 04 Days
Destinations covered: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Chennai
More details... | Discover Kerala
Duration: 09 Nights / 10 Days
Destinations covered: Cochin - Munnar - Thekkady - Kumarakom - Allepey - Kovalam - Kanyakumari - Trivandrum
More details... | Southern Symphony
Duration: 20 Nights / 21 Days
Destinations covered: Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Kovalam - Kumarakom - Cochin Bangalore - Mysore - Hassan - Halebid - Belur
More details... | Heights of South
Duration: 08 Nights / 09 Days
Destinations covered: Trivandrum - Alleppey - Thekkady - Munnar - Cochin - Ooty - Coimbatore
More details... |
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