Tamil Nadu, a state in South India, is famous for its Dravidian-style Hindu temples. In Madurai, the Meenakshi Amman Temple is known for its tall, colorful towers. On Pamban Island, the Ramanathaswamy Temple is a significant pilgrimage site. Kanyakumari, located at India’s southern tip, is famous for its sunrise rituals. The capital city, Chennai, is known for its beaches and landmarks like the 1644 colonial Fort St. George. Chennai is also a gateway to Kanchipuram, known for its handwoven silk saris and sacred temples, including the Kamakshi Amman Temple. Another destination is Mahabalipuram, which has ancient shrines like the Pancha Rathas. Puducherry, a former French colony, still has a charming French Quarter. Tiruchirappalli’s Rock Fort offers panoramic views from its old citadel. Thanjavur is home to the 11th-century Brihadeeswarar Temple. On Srirangam Island, the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple complex features a tall, ornate tower. The Western Ghats are home to hill stations like Ooty, which was once a summer retreat for the British.
places to visit in Tamil Nadu
Meenakshi Temple
Meenakshi Temple, also known as Meenakshi Amman or Minakshi-Sundareshwara Temple, is a historic Hindu temple situated on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Mudumalai National Park
Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, also a tiger reserve, is located in the Nilgiri Hills, in Nilgiri District, about 150 kilometers northwest of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Brihadishvara Temple
Brihadishvara Temple, also called Rajesvara Peruvudaiyr or Brihadeeswarar Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
Ramanathaswamy Temple
Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Shiva and is located on Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples.
Shore Temple
The Shore Temple, built from granite blocks, is located by the Bay of Bengal. It dates back to the 8th century AD and gets its name due to its proximity to the shore.
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
Kapaleeshwarar Temple, located in Mylapore, Chennai, is dedicated to Shiva. The temple features Parvati in the form of Karpagambal, worshiped in Tamil tradition.
Hogenakkal Falls
Hogenakkal Falls is a waterfall on the Kaveri River in Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu. It is located 180 km from Bangalore and 46 km from Dharmapuri.
Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Arignar Anna Zoological Park, also known as Vandalur Zoo, is located in Vandalur, a suburb of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is about 31 kilometers from the city center and 15 kilometers from Chennai Airport.
Pancha Rathas
Pancha Rathas, a monument complex in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, is an example of monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture, located along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal.
Padmanabhapuram Palace
Padmanabhapuram Palace is a historic palace from the Travancore era, located in Padmanabhapuram, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. It is owned by the Government of Kerala.
Top destinations in Tamil Nadu
Chennai
Chennai is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, located on the Bay of Bengal in eastern India. It is home to the historic Fort St. George, built in 1644, which now serves as a museum. The city’s religious sites include the beautifully decorated Kapaleeshwarar Temple and the 17th-century Anglican church, St. Mary’s.
Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is a hill station in Tamil Nadu, known for its scenic beauty with granite cliffs, forests, lakes, and waterfalls. Located 2,000 meters above sea level, the town is centered around Kodaikanal Lake, where visitors can enjoy boat rides and scenic walks along the 5km Lake Road.
Madurai
Madurai is a bustling ancient city on the Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu. The Meenakshi Amman Temple, with its 14 colorful towers, dominates the skyline. This Dravidian-style temple is a major pilgrimage destination, especially during the Chithirai Festival, celebrated in April with grand processions.
Mamallapuram
Mamallapuram, also called Mahabalipuram, is a town in Tamil Nadu known for its ancient temples and monuments built by the Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries. Key attractions include the Shore Temple with its three granite shrines and Krishna’s Butter Ball, a large boulder balancing on a small hill.
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is a coastal town at the southern tip of India, famous for its views of the sunrise and sunset over the ocean. The town is also a pilgrimage site with the Bagavathi Amman Temple, dedicated to the consort of Shiva, and the Our Lady of Ransom Church, a center of Indian Catholicism.
Thanjavur
Thanjavur is a city in Tamil Nadu, known for the magnificent 11th-century Brihadeeswarar Temple, a masterpiece of Chola architecture. Other attractions include the Thanjavur Maratha Palace, which houses the Saraswathi Mahal Library and Thanjavur Art Gallery with its collection of bronze statues.
Vellore
Vellore, located in Tamil Nadu, is famous for the 16th-century Vellore Fort with its imposing granite walls. Inside the fort, the Jalakandeswarar Temple showcases intricate sculptures. The city is also home to the Government Museum, which displays prehistoric relics and natural history exhibits.
Ooty
Ooty, also called Udhagamandalam, is a popular hill station in Tamil Nadu, known for its picturesque Ooty Lake and lush gardens. The Rose Garden is home to over 2,000 rose varieties, and the Government Botanical Garden features ferns, orchids, and a prehistoric fossilized tree.
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, located along the Vegavathi River, is famous for its historical temples like the Kailasanathar Temple and Vaikunta Perumal Temple. Once a center of education and religious learning, Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred Tirtha sites in Hinduism.
Coimbatore
Coimbatore, a city in Tamil Nadu, is known for its ancient temples like Arulmigu Subramaniyaswami Temple and Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple. The Gass Forest Museum showcases preserved animals and tree trunks, while Singanallur Lake is home to a variety of birds and butterflies.
Coonoor
Coonoor, a hill station in Tamil Nadu, is known for its tea estates in the Nilgiri hills. Visitors can enjoy the scenic Sim’s Park, which features rhododendrons and eucalyptus trees, and take a ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, passing through Coonoor en route to Ooty.
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli, also called Nellai, is a city in Tamil Nadu, located on the Thamirabarani River. The city has a rich history, having been ruled by various dynasties. The city is also known for its educational institutions and was a significant site during the Polygar War, led by Veerapandiya Kattabomman.
Hogenakkal
Hogenakkal is a waterfall located on the Kaveri River in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. The falls, located about 180 km from Bangalore, are known for their stunning views and are a popular destination for tourists.
Dhanushkodi
Dhanushkodi is an abandoned town at the southeastern tip of Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu. Destroyed by the 1964 Rameswaram cyclone, the town remains uninhabited and is known for its haunting, desolate beauty.
Tuticorin
Tuticorin, also known as Thoothukudi, is a port city located on the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu. Known for its industries and the nearby beaches, the city is about 590 km south of Chennai and serves as an important commercial hub.
Chidambaram
Chidambaram, located in Tamil Nadu, is known for the Thillai Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The town has a rich history and hosts an annual chariot festival that attracts visitors from all over India.
Rameshwaram
Rameswaram, located on Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu, is famous for the Ramanathaswamy Temple, a major pilgrimage site for Hindus. Visitors often bathe in the sacred waters of Agni Theertham. Gandamadana Parvatham offers panoramic views of the island.
Tiruchirappalli
Tiruchirappalli, or Trichy, is an ancient city in Tamil Nadu known for the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in India. The Rock Fort Temple provides stunning views of the city, and the city is a key religious and cultural center.
Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam, known as the “temple town,” is famous for its many temples, including the Mahamaham Festival, which attracts visitors from around the world. The town has a rich history and served as a capital during the Chola dynasty.
Yelagiri Hills
Yelagiri, a hill station in Tamil Nadu, is known for the Velavan Temple, offering scenic views of the surrounding valley. The Jalagamparai Waterfalls is a popular spot for picnics, and the Nature Park features an aquarium with fish and tortoises.
Yercaud
Yercaud is a hill station in Tamil Nadu, famous for its orange groves and plantations. The Yercaud Lake, surrounded by gardens, is a popular spot for boat rides, while Lady’s Seat offers spectacular views from a vantage point.
Velankanni
Velankanni, once a trading port, is famous for the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, one of the most visited Roman Catholic shrines in India. The town is known for its peaceful ambiance and historical significance.
Mudumalai
Mudumalai National Park, located in Tamil Nadu, is a tiger reserve and wildlife sanctuary. The park is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and shares boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala. It is divided into five ranges: Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi, and Nellakota.
Tiruvannamalai
Tiruvannamalai, located in Tamil Nadu, is a pilgrimage town known for the Arunachaleswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The sacred Arunachala Hill and nearby attractions like the Sathanur Dam add to the town’s spiritual and natural beauty.
Velankanni
Velankanni is a coastal town in Tamil Nadu, famous for the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. It is a significant pilgrimage site for Christians, attracting devotees from around the world. The town was once a thriving port and has historical connections to trade with Rome and Greece. Velankanni is known for its annual festivals and serene atmosphere by the Bay of Bengal.
Tiruchendur
Tiruchendur, located on the Gulf of Munnar, is known for the Subramanya Temple, one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. The temple’s location amidst beautiful natural surroundings makes it a popular pilgrimage and tourist destination.
Chettinad
Chettinad, located mainly in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, is known for its unique cuisine, traditional architecture, and historical temples. It is the home of the prosperous Nattukottai Chettiar community, famous for its business and banking practices.
Best Time to Visit Tamil Nadu
The ideal time to visit Tamil Nadu is from October to February. During this period, the weather is generally cool or dry, making it perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Tamil Nadu typically experiences a tropical climate, which means it’s either “hot and humid” or “hot and dry,” with no real in-between.
Summers in Tamil Nadu are quite warm and humid, with temperatures often reaching as high as 40°C. However, the state’s hill stations like Ooty, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, and Yelagiri offer a refreshing escape with cooler temperatures. Additionally, the Chithirai Festival in Madurai and the Summer Festival in Ooty attract large crowds during this time.
Tamil Nadu experiences two main monsoon seasons: the South West Monsoon and the Northeast Monsoon. Despite the rain, many travelers still visit during the monsoon season, as the average rainfall is not very high.
