Tamil Nadu Tourism | How to Plan a Trip to Tamil Nadu

An enticing mix of historical splendour, colour and modernity, Tamil Nadu in India is a land that simply charms all its visitors. As one of India’s most popular tourist destinations, Tamil Nadu receives a good number of footfalls every year. In fact, a visit to South India can never be considered complete without a Tamil Nadu Tour and its delightful tourist attractions.

From beautiful beaches to ancient temples, a Tamil Nadu Tour in India is sure to throw up many delightful surprises for its visitors to remember. Interspersed with the Tamilnadu tourist attractions is its rich history that is simply fascinating. It is common to see tourists devouring every little detail offered by the tourist guides or the locals.

Tamil Nadu Tour will also introduce you to the state’s rich culture that amazes visitors from all across the world. Be it a Bharatanatyam performance or a shopping tour around some of its colourful markets, you will see that the culture of Tamil Nadu is reflected in everything you can see around you. Indeed, nothing can beat the splendour of this Indian state that has remained in perfect touch with its roots even as it makes giant strides in the modern world. So take a look at our Tamil Nadu travel guide.

Temples in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is the abode of divine temples. There are around 38615 temples in the state of Tamil Nadu. Legends say that most of the temples in Tamil Nadu date back to 800 to 5000 years old. The temples in Tamil Nadu depict the bygone era glories and the grandeur of the royal dynasties running at that particular time. Temples of Tamil Nadu leave tourists spellbound with their impeccable architecture and astounding sculptures and intricate carvings.

A visit to the Tamil Nadu temples is the gateway to unlock the opulence taste of erstwhile royal kings ranging from different dynasties like Nayakas, Pallavas, Cholas. Tamil Nadu tourism is much dependent on its temples as they are the backbone of Tamil culture. The most spirituality defining temples of Tamil Nadu that are on the tourism radar are as follows: Read More Details Here.

• Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
• Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai
• Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram
• Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
• Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram

Wildlife in Tamil Nadu

Apart from the religious sites, the wildlife in Tamil Nadu is another reason for the tourism boom. There are several popular wildlife reserves harboured on the land. The entire estimated area of Tamil Nadu is 7,072.95 sq. km (approx.) which is almost 31% (approx.) of the state’s forest area. With around 5 national parks, 4 tiger reserves, 15 wildlife sanctuaries, 15 bird sanctuaries, and 2 conservation reserves under its belts, Tamil Nadu is the mecca of wildlife lovers.

Establishing the wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves is to protect endangered animals from hunting and poaching. Those who wish to spend their holidays in the wilderness can witness species like Wild boar, Chital, Hyena, Bonnet macaque, Teals, Black Buck, tiger, and leopard. Explore the wilderness of Tamil Nadu early summers, monsoon and winters at the following places for wildlife in Tamil Nadu: Get more details here.

• Vallanadu Sanctuary
• Mudumalai Sanctuary
• Mukurthi National Park
• Anamalai Tiger Reserve
• Guindy National Park

Hills in Tamil Nadu

The beloved state of Tamil Nadu has around 25 (approx.) hill stations under its belts. The hill resort towns of Tamil Nadu provide respite from the heat. Be it be with family, friends, or sweetheart, the hill stations are diverse with spiritual, romantic, and adventurous touch. There are mesmerizing peaks that act as beautiful vantage points. Serene ambience prevails at each of the famous hill towns of Tamil Nadu. 

Those who wish to enchant their mind with emerald greenery would be in constant retreat. From lush green tea gardens to colonial-style architecture and ancient temples, a tourist would not find any dull moments in the state of Tamil Nadu. Taking of the best hill stations in Tamil Nadu, here we bring you a handful of beautiful hill resort towns in Tamil Nadu:

• Yercaud
• Kodaikanal
• Kotagiri
• Coonoor
• Yelagiri
• Anaimalai

Arts and Culture of Tamil Nadu

Starting with the culture of Tamil Nadu, its roots are associated with Sangam literature. The Sangam literature dates back to 300 BC – 300 AD. Moreover, the same as the oldest extant literature amongst Dravidian languages. One could observe the culture of Tamil Nadu in its language, literature, music, dance, folk, arts, painting, etc. Culturally bound with their roots, the locals of Tamil Nadu have a strong attachment with their native Tamil language, which in local terms call “Tamil Annai”, translating into the mother tongue of Tamil. There is an estimate that 88% of the people in Tamil Nadu are Hindus, and therefore, worshipping their ancestors as gods is one of the common practices. One could observe the Tamil culture in its different dance, art, and festival forms.

Furthermore, its Bharatnatyam dance is widely popular across the borders also. Even the hype of Karakattam dance is unmatched when it comes to the arts of Tamil Nadu. Furthermore, stone carvings are considered one of the ancient crafts of Tamil Nadu.

Interesting Facts About Tamil Nadu

• UNESCO has crowned 8 World Heritage Sites in Tamil Nadu.
• The state of Tamil Nadu completely relies on rainwater.
• There are rivers, but the source of water is much rainfall or monsoon.
• Around 60% of the total archaeological inscriptions in India are in Tamil Nadu.
• World’s second-largest mangrove forest is tucked in Tamil Nadu.
• The state tops the list of the most visited tamilnadu tourism map destinations in regards to international tourists and domestic tourists.
• The state is the mecca of energy-based power projects like nuclear, solar, and wind energy.
• The second-largest contributor to India’s economy is Tamil Nadu state.
• It is the 11th largest state of India in terms of population.
• The Tamil language saves the spot of being one of the oldest living languages.
• The debit and credit system of banking was initiated in India at Tamil Nadu.
• The Hindi language is acknowledged in Tamil Nadu as the third language that too only in private schools.

How to Get To Tamil Nadu

Reaching Tamil Nadu by air, train, and road is possible. However, the mode of communication would depend on the travel distance you will cover. For instance, those who are coming from long-distance locations like the north part of the country should come via air. On the other hand, those who want to save money on travel can arrive via train. Well, road travel is only suggested to the people living in and around Chennai. Have a quick glimpse of how to get to Tamil Nadu:

By Air: There are 4 international airports in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai airport, Coimbatore airport, Madurai airport, and Tiruchirappalli airport. Out of which the most convenient way to reach Tamil Nadu via air is to arrive at Chennai International Airport, which is 21 kilometres (approx.) from the city centre. The same airport is well connected with domestic and international flights. International travellers could board a direct flight to and from Sharjah, Mauritius, London, Dubai, Singapore to Chennai.

By Train: If you are coming to plan Tamil Nadu from the nearby hill towns like Coimbatore, Ooty, look no further than the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. It is regarded as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tamil Nadu as the train passes through some of the most exuberant green landscapes. On the other hand, Chennai Railway Station is the major railhead in Tamil Nadu, which is well connected with trains across Indian cities or towns covering North India too!  The other significant railway stations to arrive in Tamil Nadu includes Madurai, Katpadi, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, and Coimbatore Junction.

By Road: Road travel to Tamil Nadu is suggested for those coming from the neighbouring towns or cities. The total road system of Tamil Nadu encompasses around 1,70 lakh km (approx.). Tamil Nadu State Corporation manages road connectivity. The highways that run from Tamil Nadu to Kerala are National Highway 47, NH 49, NH 208, and NH 220. While NH 67, NH 207, and NH 209 connect Tamil Nadu with Karnataka. Those who are coming from Andhra Pradesh can take NH 205, NH 219, and NH 234. In addition, one can choose the bus option, private taxi/cab option. The state buses come in a variation like deluxe, semi-deluxe, and sleeper coaches. 

Best Time to Visit Tamil Nadu

Ideally, the best time to visit Tamil Nadu is from November- February, which marks the winter seasons. But that does not mean you can’t explore Tamil Nadu in any other season. Every season in Tamil Nadu is also different. Upon carefully observing the best time to visit Tamil Nadu, you can make your trip to this Southern State of India a big success. So, dive deep into the summer, monsoon, and winter months of Tamil Nadu:

Summer in Tamil Nadu (April – May)

During the advent of April, the summer season in Tamil Nadu hits. The average temperature of Tamil Nadu capital town Chennai shoots up to 40°C (approx.). If you wish to explore the coastal towns, avoid visiting Tamil Nadu in the summers. However, you can visit the Nilgiri Hills to get respite from the heat. A handful of hill stations in Tamil Nadu are the perfect antidote for a suppressive city’s heart. If you’re intent on exploring the coastal towns of Tamil Nadu in summer, make sure you visit early summers, mainly in March.

Moreover, spiritual tourists would get a chance to attend Chithirai Festival in Madurai. A handful of summer festivals in Tamil Nadu include Putandu, which marks the new year of Tamils. The most popular summer hill stations in and around Tamil Nadu are Ooty, Kodaikanal, and Yelagiri.

Monsoon in Tamil Nadu (June – September)

Tamil Nadu topography and geography is unique as the monsoon arrives here in two phases. One is from June to September, and the other one is in between December to January. During the late monsoon, the eastern seaboard of Tamil Nadu is prone to cyclone warning sometimes. Thus, it is advisory to confirm the weather status in monsoon. In the first spell of monsoon, rainfall happens in a long spell with an average high temperature of 35°C (approx.) with some humidity. Therefore, those who are planning to explore the coastal towns and indulge in beach activities should avoid the monsoon period. However, backpackers plan their trip to the hill stations and see the hill stations drenched in lush greenery. But, keep yourself updated with the rainwater status and confirm if the roads are blocked due to landslides or not!

Winter in Tamil Nadu (October-February)

This is the best time to visit Tamil Nadu and explore its coastal towns and hill stations. The temperature and climate is salubrious with no humidity with maximum high upto 15°C (approx.). Indulging in water sports during winter is the best thing to do in Tamil Nadu. Moreover, festival gatherings are found in abundance during winters. Tamil locals celebrate the Pongal festival in January with full fervour, which marks the harvest season. A gathering of traditional dance and music is best enjoyed at Natyanjali Festival in February. If you want to plunge into the rich culture and history of Tamil Nadu, the bookmark winter season for holidays.

Festivals and Fairs in Tamil Nadu

Tamilians proudly celebrate their festivals and fairs in Tamil Nadu. From the art of the season and harvest festival, every festive gathering in Tamil Nadu calls up some unique kind of celebration and fervour. Even the New Year, according to the Tamil calendar, is celebrated with full enthusiasm. The main highlight of festivals encircles around legends and god. The things used to adorn or add charm strokes in festivals include rangoli, incense fumes, bright silks, and scrumptious local food. Here are a few famous festivals and fairs in Tamil Nadu that will take you close to their unique culture. Have a look:

• Pongal
• Karthigai Deepam
• Thaipusam
• Mahamaham
• Thiruvaiyaru Festival

Essential Travel Tips for Tamil Nadu

• Respect the customs and traditions of the locals.
• Don’t point our fingers towards the locals and the deity inside the temple.
• Follow the dress code to take entry into the temples.
• Select the airport wisely to reach Tamil Nadu out of 4 international airports.
• Explore religious sites on a guided excursion.
• Make sure to visit the coastal towns before the monsoon, early summers.