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Tamil Nadu, is the most prominent state of
India. The capital. Madras is a cosmopolitan
city and the capital of the state. Tamil
Nadu is a bastion of Hinduism, whose past
endures into the present. |
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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. 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 has a vast
wealth of sculptures. In contrast to the
temple heritage Pondicherry is known for
long a French colony. Yet another facet of
this surprisingly diverse state is two hill
stations 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. |
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Chennai
(Madras) |
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Madras, 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. |
| Climate: (deg C)-Summer- Max. 37,
Min. 22.1. Winter- Max. 32, Min. 19.8.,
Best Season: Throughout the year
(Preferably October to March). |
Places Of Interest:
Fort St. George & St. Mary's Church, Gandhi
Mandapam, 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 and Govt. Museum & Art Gallery. |
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). |
Reach -
By Air: Directly linked to the major
cities.
By Rail: Connected with Ahmedabad,
Bangalore, Bombay, Calcutta, Cochin,
Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kodai Road,
Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Ooty,
Rameshwaram, Trichy, Tirupati Trivandrum and
Varanasi.
By Road: 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. |
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Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) |
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64 kms from Madras, connected by regular
bus-services. A major beach resort 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. |
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Kanchipuram |
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Kanchipuram, the capital of the Pallava and
dynasty is one of the serene sacred cities
of India. It is situated 76 kms from Madras,
35 kms from Chingleput & 64 kms from
Mahabalipuram via Chingleput. |
Places of Interest:
Kailashnath Temple, Shri Vaikuntaperumal
Temple, Shri Varadaraja Temple,
Ekambareshwara Temple and Shri Kamakashi
Temple. |
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Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary |
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80 kms away from Madras, the sanctuary is
famous for migratory birds (November to
February) viewing from an observation tower.
It is 30 km away from its nearest railway
station Chingleput. |
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Pondicherry |
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A French colony upto 1954, Pondicherry is a
living monument of French Culture in India.
The Aurobindo Ashram and 'Auroville' the
international township are famous all over
the world. |
| Temperature: (deg C)-Summer- Max
40.8, Min 31.2. Winter- Max 31.1, Min 25.,
Best Season: Throughout the year
(preferably October to March) |
Places of Interest:
Botanical Gardens, Eglise De Sacre Coeur De
Jesus, The Promenade, Govt. Park, Manakula
Vinayagar Temple, Roman Rolland Library, Sri
Aurobindo Ashram, French Institute , Museums
& Art Galleries. |
Excursions:
Auroville- 10 kms, Arikamedu- 10 kms,
Chunnambar Boat House- 8 kms, Mailam- 45 kms,
Mandagapattu- 50 kms, Ousteri Lake- 15 kms. |
Reach -
By Air: The nearest airport is
Madras- 160 kms.
By Rail: Villupuram- 32 kms connected
directly to Madras.
By Road: Bangalore- 503
kms, Chidambaram- 68 kms, Kanchipuram- 113
kms, Madras-162 kms, Mamallapuram- 134 kms,
Thanjavur- 170 kms, Thiruvannamalai- 103
kms, Trichy- 198 kms. |
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Thanjavur
(Tanjore) |
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The world famous Brihadeeswara temple is
situated here. It is built by Raja Chola The
empire builder in the early Dravidian style. |
| Temperature: (deg C) Summer- Max 36,
Min 32. Winter- Max 23, Min 18., Best
Season: October to March. |
Places Of Interest:
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. |
Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport
Tiruchirapalli- 54 kms is connected with
Cochin & Madras.
By Rail: Directly connected to
Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Madras and
Chidambaram.
By Road: Chidambaram- 113 kms,
Kanyakumari- 394 kms, Kumbakonam- 38 kms,
Madras- 310 kms, Madurai- 159 kms,
Pudukkotai- 58 kms, Rameshwaram- 222 kms,
Tiruchirapalli- 54 kms. |
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Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) |
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Tiruchirapalli or Trichy, situated on the
banks of river Kaveri, is famous for the
Ranganatha temple at Srirangam. |
| Temperature: (deg C) Summer- Max. 37,
Min. 26. Winter- Max. 29, Min. 20., Best
Season: October to March. |
| Places of Interest: Rock Fort, Sri
Jambukeshwara Temple, Tiruvannaikaval,
Srirangam, Museums & Art Galleries. |
| Excursions: Viralimalai- 30 kms,
Kodumbalur- 36 kms, Sittannavasal- 13 kms,
Thanjavur- 59 kms. |
Reach -
By Air: Directly connected to Cochin
& Madras.
By Rail: Connected to Bangalore,
Coimbatore, Cochin, Madras, Madurai, Quilon,
Rameshwaram, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli.
By Road: Bangalore- 345 kms,
Coimbatore- 203 kms, Tanjore- 56 kms,
Kumbakonma- 95 kms, Madurai- 142 kms, Ooty-
302 kms, Madras- 320 kms, Kanyakumari- 384
kms, Chidambaram- 162 kms, Rameshwaram- 228
kms, Palani- 135 kms. |
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Madurai |
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Madurai, the most famous of the temple towns
of the south is known for the Meenakshi
Temple. Temperature: (deg C) Summer- Max.
37.5, Min. 36.3; Winter- Max. 21.6, Min.
20.9., Best Season: Throughout the
year. |
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| Places of Interest: 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. |
Reach -
By Air: Connected with Madras,
Calicut and Bombay.
By Rail: Connected via Madras with
all the main places.
By Rail: Madras- 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. |
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Rameshwaram |
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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. |
| Temperature: (deg C) Summer- Max.37,
Min. 30; Winter- Max. 30, Min. 25., Best
Season: Throughout the year, but
preferably October to March. |
Places Of Interest:
Agnitheertham, Shri Ramnathswamy Temple,
Gandhamadhana Parvadham, Kothandaramaswamy
Temple- 60 kms. |
Excursions:
Kurusadai Island- 20 kms. |
Reach-
By Air: Nearest airport Madurai- 167
kms is connected with Bombay, Calicut and
Madras.
By Rail: Connected directly to
Madras, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore.
By Road: Kanyakumari- 320 kms,
Karaikudi- 149 kms, Madras- 666 kms,
Madurai- 167 kms, Ramanathapuram- 55 kms,
Sivaganga- 136 kms, Pudukottai- 188 kms,
Tanjore- 248 kms, Tuticorin- 180 kms,
Tiruchendur- 209 kms. |
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Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) |
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Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of
peninsular India. It is the meeting point of
three oceans - the Bay of Bengal, the
Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Besides
its importance as a pilgrim centre, it is
famous for its beautiful views of sunrise,
sunset and moonrise over the waters. |
| Temperature: (deg C)-Summer- Max34.8,
Min 21.6. Winter- Max 33, Min 20.4., Best
Season: Throughout the year, but
preferably October to March. |
Places Of Interest:
Kanyakumari Temple .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,
Udayagiri 34 kms, Vattakottai 6 kms. |
Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport Trivandrum-
80 kms is directly connected with Bangalore,
Bombay, Cochin, Delhi, Goa and Madras.
By Rail: Kanyakumari is connected to
Trivandrum, Delhi and Bombay. Tirunelveli-
80 kms is the other nearest railway junction
which can be reached by road via Nagaarcoil-
19 kms.
By Road: Trivandrum- 86 kms,
Nagercoil- 19 kms, Tirunelveli- 91 kms,
Tiruchendur via Ovari- 89 kms, Tuticorin-
129 kms, Rameshwaram- 300 kms, Courtallam-
130 kms, Madurai - 242 kms, Thekkady- 358
kms, Kodaikanal- 362 kms, Palani- 370 kms,
Ootacamund- 576 kms, Cochin - 309 kms,
Coimbatore - 478 kms. |
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Kodaikanal |
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Kodaikanal, a charming hill station, stands
amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest
of the upper Palani Hills near Madurai in
Tamil Nadu. |
| Altitude: 2,133 mts.,
Temperature: (deg C)-Summer- Max 19.3,
Min 11.3. Winter- Max 17.3, Min 8.3.,
Best Season:April to June and September
to October. |
Places Of Interest:
Kodaikanal Lake, Coaker's Walk,
Astrophysical Observatory, Fairy Falls,
Kurinji Andavar Temple, Shenbaganur Museum,
Pillar Rocks, Green Valley View. |
Excursions:
Silver Cascade- 8 kms, Dophin's Nose- 8 kms,
Perumal Peak- 11 kms, Beryam Lake- 21 kms,
Kukkal Caves- 40 kms. |
Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport Madurai- 120
kms.
By Rail: Kodaikanal Road- 80 kms.
By Road: Madras- 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. |
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Coimbatore |
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Coimbatore known as the "Manchester of South
India" is a commercial city of Considerable
importance, the chief commodity being
textiles. |
| Temperature: (deg C)-Summer Max-
39.4, Min- 23.3; Winter Max- 32.8, Min
20.7., Best Season: October to March. |
Places Of Interest:
Perur Temple, Marudhamalai Temple,
Agricultural University, V.O.C.Park, Forest
College, 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. |
Reach -
By Air: Connected with Madras,
Bangalore & Bombay.
By Rail: Connected with all important
places of south.
By Road: Bangalore- 363 kms, Madras-
526 kms, Madurai- 226 kms, Palani- 105 kms,
Trichy- 203 kms, Udhagamandalam ( Ooty or
Ootaacamund )- 89 kms, Yercaud- 190 kms. |
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Udhagmandalam / Ootacamund (Ooty) |
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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". |
| Altitude: 2240 metres.,
Temperature: (deg C)-Summer- Max 25, Min
10; Winter- Max 21, Min 0., Best Season:
April to June and September to October. |
Places Of Interest:
Botanical Gardens, Tiger Hill, Dodabetta
Peak, Valley View Lake, Wilson Fish Farm,
St. Stephen Church, Marlimund Lake, Wenlock
Downs, Avalanche, Elk Hill, Kalhatti Falls,
Snowdon, Glen Morgen. |
Excursions:
Wellingtion, Kotagiri, Madumalai Wildlife
Sanctuary, Coonoor, Bandipur Wildlife
Sanctuary. |
Reach -
By Air: The nearest airport
Coimbatore- 89 kms is connected with Bombay,
Calicut, Madras and Madurai.
By Rail: Connected with Mettupalayam
which in turn is connected through Madras &
Coimbatore to major cities in India.
By Road: Bombay- 1320 kms, Bangalore-
290 kms, Calicut- 178 kms, Coimbatore- 89
kms, Coonoor- 19 kms, Kotagiri- 29 kms,
Madumalai- 64 kms, Madras- 535 kms, Mysore-
160 kms, Trivandrum- 498 kms,
Tiruchirapally- 302 kms. |
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