Tamil Nadu Travel Guide
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.
Tamil Nadu Tourism: An Overview & Important Facts About Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Tourism | Information |
---|---|
Region | Southern India |
Capital | Chennai |
Area | 1,30,058 Square Kilometer |
Local Language | Tamil |
Current Chief Minister | M.K. Stalin |
Also Known as | God’s own country |
Total Rural Population | 37,19,0000 (According to 2011 Census) |
Total Urban Population | 34,95,0000(According to 2011 Census) |
Total Districts | 38 |
Major Festivals | Pongal, Karthigai Deepam, Natyanjali Dance Festival,Thaipusam |
Tourism Attractions | Beaches, Monuments, Hill Stations, Ayurveda, Wildlife, Cultural Festivals |
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.
Tamil Nadu Tour Packages
Cities of Tamil Nadu
Things To Do in Tamil Nadu
-
Best time to Visit Tamil Nadu
- How to Reach Tamil Nadu
- Arts and Crafts of Tamil Nadu
- Climate in Tamil Nadu
- Culture of Tamil Nadu
- Shopping in Tamil Nadu
- Fairs and Festivals in Tamil Nadu
- Aurbathimoovar Festival, Mylapore
- Cape Festival, Kanyakumari
- Chennai Dance & Music Festival Chennai
- Chithirai Festival Madurai
- Mamallapuram Dance Festival 2023
- Float Festival in Madurai
- Kanthuri Festival Tamil Nadu
- Mahamaham Festival Tamil Nadu
- Meenakshi Kalyanam Madurai
- Natyanjali Dance Festival Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
- Pongal Festival Tamil Nadu
- Summer Festivals Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu
- Tamil New Year
- Tea and Tourism Festival Ooty
- Thaipusam Festival Tamil Nadu
- Thyagaraja Carnatic Music Festival Thiruvariyar
- Tourism Fair Chennai
- Chennai Tourism
- Chettinad Tourism
- Coimbatore Tourism
- Coonoor Tourism
- Dharmapuri Tourism
- Kancheepuram Tourism
- Kanyakumari Tourism
- Kodaikanal Tourism
- Krishnagiri Tourism
- Kumbakonam Tourism
- Madurai Tourism
- Mahabalipuram Tourism
- Ooty Tourism
- Poompuhar Tourism
- Puddukottai Tourism
- Rameswaram Tourism
- Sivagangai Tourism
- Bharat Natyam Dance Tamil Nadu
- Cholamandalam in Tamil Nadu
- Cultural Centers in Tamil Nadu
- Dakshinachitra in Tamil Nadu
- Dances of Tamil Nadu
- Handicrafts in Tamil Nadu
- Kalakshetra Art Village
- Metal Craft in Tamil Nadu
- Musical Instruments Tamil Nadu
- Silk Weaving Kanjivaram
- Cities In Tamil Nadu
- Thanjavur Tourism
- Tirunelveli Tourism
- Thoothukudi Tourism
- Tiruvannamalai Tourism
- Tiruvarur Tourism
- Tourist Attractions in Chennai
- Famous Church in Chennai
- Christ The King Church Chennai
- Luz Church Chennai
- Santhome Cathedral Basilica Chennai
- St. Andrew’s Church Chennai
- St. Mary’s Church Chennai
- Historical Monuments in Chennai
- Bharathiyar Illam Chennai
- High Court Chennai
- Kamraj Memorial House Chennai
- Madras War Cemetery Chennai
- Ripon Building Chennai
- Senate House Chennai
- Vivekananda Illam Chennai
- Mosques in Chennai
- Big Mosque Chennai (Wallajah Mosque)
- Thousand Light Mosque Chennai
- Museums in Chennai
- Government Museum Chennai
- Vivekananda Museum Chennai
- Temples in Chennai
- Chayavaneashwara Temple Chennai
- Jain Temple in Chennai
- Kapaleeswarar Temple Chennai
- Viswaroopa Adhivyadhihara Sri Bhakta Anjaneyaswami Temple Chennai
- Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Chennai
- Varadaraja Temple Chennai
- Tourist Attraction in Chettinad
- Weekend Getaways from Chettinad
- Temples in Chidambaram
- Nataraja Temple Chidambaram
- Tourist Attractions in Coimbatore
- Kovai Kutralam Falls Coimbatore
- Monkey Falls Coimbatore
- Temples in Coimbatore
- Dhyanalinga Temple Coimbatore
- Eachanari Vinayagar Temple Coimbatore
- Karamdai Ranganathar Temple Coimbatore
- Marudhamalai Temple Coimbatore
- Perur Patteeswaraswamy Temple Coimbatore
- Velliangiri Hill Temple Coimbatore
- Weekend Getaways from Coimbatore
- Places to Visit in Coonoor
- Catherine Falls in Coonoor
- Droog Fort in Coonoor
- Hidden Valley Coonoor
- Law’s falls in Coonoor
- St. George’s Church in Coonoor
- Tourist Attractions in Kanchipuram
- Temples in Kanchipuram
- Chitragupta Temple Kancheepuram
- Devarajaswami Temple in Kanchipuram
- Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram
- Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram
- Kamakshi Amman Temple
- Ulagalanda Perumal Temple in kanchipuram
- Tourist Attractions in Kanyakumari
- Historical Monuments in Kanyakumari
- Gandhi Memorial Kanyakumari
- Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kanyakumari
- Thiruvalluvar Statue in Kanyakumari
- Vivekananda Memorial in Kanyakumari
- Temples in Kanyakumari
- Kumari Amman Temple
- Sri Bhadrakali Devaswom Temple
- Thirparappu Falls in Kanyakumari
- Weekend Getaways from Kanyakumari
- Tourist Attractions in Kodaikanal
- Berijam Lake in Kodaikanal
- Coakers Walk in Kodaikanal
- Dolmen Circle in Kodaikanal
- Kodaikanal Lake
- Kurinji Andavar Temple in Kodaikanal
- Pillar Rocks in Kodaikanal
- Sacred Heart Natural Science Museum
- Silver Cascade Falls in Kodaikanal
- Palani Temple in Kodaikanal
- Weekend Getaways from Kodaikanal
- Tourist Attractions in Kumbakonam
- Temples in Kumbakonam
- Airavatesvara Temple in Kumbakonam
- Kumbeswara Temple in Kumbakonam
- Tourist Attractions in Lothal
- Tourist Attractions in Madurai
- Historical Monuments in Madurai
- Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal Madurai
- Museums in Madurai
- Gandhi Memorial Museum Madurai
- Saint Mary’s Cathedral Madurai
- Temples in Madurai
- Alagarkoil Madurai
- Koodal Alagar Temple Madurai
- Mariammam Theppakulam Madurai
- Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai
- Pudhu Mandapam Madurai
- Thiruparangundram Temple Madurai
- Theni Town
- Tourist Attractions in Mahabalipuram
- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
- Museums in Mahabalipuram
- Sculpture Museum in Mahabalipuram
- Sea Shell Museum in Mahabalipuram
- Temples in Mahabalipuram
- Five Rathas Mahabalipuram
- Ganesha Ratha in Mahabalipuram
- Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram
- Mandapams in Mahabalipuram
- Vedagiriswarar Temple in Mahabalipuram
- Tourist Attractions in Nagappattinam
- Churches in Nagappattinam
- Velankanni Church
- Temples in Nagappattinam
- Sirkazhi Sattanathar Temple
- Tourist Attractions in Ooty
- Activities in Ooty
- Elk Hill Murugan Temple, Ooty
- Golf Course in Ooty
- Kamraj Sagar Dam in Ooty
- Nilgiri Mountain Railways in Ooty
- Churches in Ooty
- St. Stephen’s Church Ooty
- Museums in Ooty
- Government Museum in Ooty
- Tea Museum Ooty
- Natural Sights in Ooty
- Avalanche Lake in Ooty
- Dolphin’s Nose in Ooty
- Emerald Lake in Ooty
- Kalhatti Falls in Ooty
- Pykara Lake and Waterfall in Ooty
- Ooty Hill Station
- Parks and Gardens in Ooty
- Botanical Garden Ooty
- Rose Garden Ooty
- Tourist Attractions in Rameswaram
- Adam’s Bridge Rameshwaram
- Agnitheertham Rameshwaram
- Rameshwaram Beach Tamil Nadu
- Pamban Bridge Rameshwaram
- Temples in Rameshwaram
- Gandamadana Parvatam Rameshwaram
- Ramanathaswamy Temple Rameshwaram
- Places to Visit in Tamil Nadu
- Beaches in Tamil Nadu
- Covelong Beach Tamil Nadu
- Edward Elliot’s Beach Chennai
- Kanyakumari Beach
- Mahabalipuram Beach
- Marina Beach Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Nagapattinam Beach Tamil Nadu
- Poompuhar Beach Tamil Nadu
- Sadras Beach Chennai
- Thiruchendur Beach Tamil Nadu
- V.G.P. Golden Beach Tamil Nadu
- Caves in Tamil Nadu
- Churches in Tamil Nadu
- Hill Stations in Tamil Nadu
- Coonoor Hill Station
- Kotagiri Hill Station Tamil Nadu
- Yelagiri Hills Station Tamil Nadu
- Yercaud Hill Station
- Historical Monuments in Tamil Nadu
- Ramaswamy Temple Kumbakonam Tanjore
- Holy Cities in Tamil Nadu
- Mosques in Tamil Nadu
- Museums in Tamil Nadu
- Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha Chennai
- Religious Places in Tamil Nadu
- Temples in Tamil Nadu
- Brihadeeswarar Temple Tanjore
- Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram
- Kapaleeswarar Temple Chennai
- Kumari Amman Temple
- Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram
- Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai
- Murugan Temples in Tamil Nadu
- Naganathaswamy Temple Tanjore
- Nataraja Temple Chidambaram
- Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu
- Ramanathaswamy Temple Rameshwaram
- Wildlife in Tamil Nadu
- Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary Tamil Nadu
- Tourist Attractions in Tanjore
- Historical Monuments in Tanjore
- Manora Fort Tanjore
- Sangeetha Mahal Tanjore
- Saraswati Mahal Library Tanjore
- Museums in Thanjavur
- Tanjore Art Gallery
- Thanjavur Royal Palace Museum
- Siva Ganga Garden Tanjore
- Temples in Tanjore
- Adi Kumbeswarar Temple Kumbakonam Thanjavur
- Airavatesvara Temple Thanjavur
- Aiyarappan Temple Tanjore
- Brihadeeswarar Temple Tanjore
- Mahalingeswarar Temple Tanjore
- Naganathaswamy Temple Tanjore
- Ramaswamy Temple Kumbakonam Tanjore
- The Great Living Chola Temples
- Thirunallar Temple Tanjore
- Tourist Attractions in Tiruvannamalai
- Temples in Tiruvannamalai
- Arunachaleswarar Temple
- Kubera Perumal Temple
- Tourist Attractions in Tiruvarur
- Tourist Attractions in Trichy
- Churches in Trichy
- Kandal Cross Shrine Trichy
- Lourde’s Church Trichy
- St John’s Church Trichy
- Temples in Trichy
- Chayavaneashwara Temple Trichy
- Jambukeshwara Temple Trichy
- Samayapuram Mariamman Temple Trichy
- Sri Ranganathaswami Temple Trichy
- Tourist Attractions in Vellore
- Weekend Getaways from Vellore
- Trade Shows in Tamil Nadu
- Trichy Tourism
- Velankanni Tourism
- Vellore Tourism
- Virudhunagar Tourism