Tamil Nadu

Quick Facts

• Capital: Chennai
• Largest City: Chennai
• Official Language: Tamil
• Formation: 26 January 1950 (as Madras State, renamed Tamil Nadu in 1969)
• Nicknames: “Land of Temples”
• Borders: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Bay of Bengal
• UNESCO Sites: Great Living Chola Temples, Mahabalipuram

Contents

1. History & Heritage
2. Geography & Climate
3. Top Places to Visit (Handpicked)
4. Major Temples & Spiritual Circuits
5. Festivals
6. Cuisine – What to Eat
7. Arts, Dance & Culture
8. Adventure & Wildlife
9. How to Reach
10. Best Time to Visit
11. Sample Itineraries
12. Famous Personalities

History & Heritage

Tamil Nadu’s history spans over 2000 years with the rise of the Cholas, Pandyas, and Pallavas. The state is renowned for its classical arts and temple architecture.

• Chola Dynasty: Builders of the Great Living Chola Temples.
• Pallava Heritage: Mahabalipuram monuments.
• Colonial Era: British Madras Presidency.

Geography & Climate

Tamil Nadu stretches from the Eastern Ghats to the Bay of Bengal, with fertile plains and coastal regions.

• Rivers: Kaveri, Vaigai, Palar.
• Climate: Tropical, with hot summers and northeast monsoons.

Top Places to Visit (Handpicked)

1. Chennai: Marina Beach, Kapaleeshwarar Temple.
2. Madurai: Meenakshi Amman Temple.
3. Thanjavur: Brihadeeswarar Temple.
4. Mahabalipuram: Shore Temple, rock carvings.
5. Rameswaram: Ramanathaswamy Temple.
6. Ooty & Kodaikanal: Hill stations.
7. Kanyakumari: Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

Major Temples & Spiritual Circuits

• Meenakshi Temple: Madurai.
• Brihadeeswarar Temple: Thanjavur.
• Ramanathaswamy Temple: Rameswaram.

Festivals of Tamil Nadu

• Pongal: Harvest festival.
• Chithirai Festival: Madurai celebration.
• Natyanjali: Dance festival in Chidambaram.

Cuisine – What to Eat

Tamil cuisine is known for its vegetarian delicacies, spices, and rice-based dishes.

• Staples: Rice, sambar, rasam.
• Specials: Dosa, idli, pongal, Chettinad dishes.

Arts, Dance & Culture

• Bharatanatyam classical dance.
• Kalamkari & Tanjore paintings.
• Temple architecture and Dravidian heritage.

Adventure & Wildlife

• Wildlife in Mudumalai & Anamalai.
• Trekking in Western Ghats.
• Beaches like Marina & Mahabalipuram.

How to Reach

• By Air: Chennai International Airport, Madurai, Coimbatore.
• By Rail: Major railway junctions in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore.
• By Road: Extensive highways and bus networks.

Best Time to Visit

November to March is ideal for sightseeing.

Sample Itineraries

5 Days – Chennai & Mahabalipuram

• Day 1: Explore Chennai temples and beaches.
• Day 2: Visit Mahabalipuram monuments.
• Day 3: Kanchipuram temples.
• Day 4: Shopping & cultural shows in Chennai.
• Day 5: Departure.

6 Days – Madurai, Rameswaram & Kanyakumari

• Day 1: Madurai temple tour.
• Day 2: Travel to Rameswaram.
• Day 3: Ramanathaswamy Temple & Dhanushkodi.
• Day 4: Kanyakumari sightseeing.
• Day 5: Vivekananda Rock & sunset.
• Day 6: Return journey.

Famous Personalities

• C. N. Annadurai: Former Chief Minister.
• Rukmini Devi Arundale: Bharatanatyam revivalist.
• A. R. Rahman: Oscar-winning composer.