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The state of Tamil Nadu is located in the southern region of India. It is one of the most prominent destinations for tourism in the country. The state is blessed with exceptional scenic beauty in the form of unblemished beaches, soaring high mountains, lush green forests, and much more. In addition, Tamil Nadu is also home to several famous tourist landmarks, notable historical sites, significant festivals, regional events, etc. If you wish to witness the rich cultural, historical, and natural glory of south India, then Tamil Nadu is a must-visit location.
From thrilling adventures to slow-paced outdoor activities, there’s a lot to do in Tamil Nadu. For example, you can take on challenging paths in a trekking activity, spend time camping in a hill town, or go on a shopping spree across the well-known market districts in Tamil Nadu. There’s always something interesting to do solo or with friends and family in this iconic holiday destination.
Besides the wide range of exciting activities, Tamil Nadu is also famous for its sightseeing aspect. Some prime tourist spots in Tamilnadu include Hogenakkal Waterfalls, Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Paradise Beach, Marina Beach, and so on. In addition, the major cities, like Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Vellore, Ooty, Kanchipuram, etc., are some of the most popular tourist destinations in Tamilnadu for family vacations.
Historical landmarks, religious sites, beaches, hill stations, etc., are just a few examples of what Tamil Nadu tourism offers its visitors. Following is a detailed Tamilnadu tourist places list:
Tamil Nadu offers many thrilling adventures and slow-paced fun activities for tourists. Here is a list of popular activities to do in Tamil Nadu:
Tamil Nadu is an ideal location if you love shopping for regional goods and collecting souvenirs during your vacations. Here are some of the best shopping areas and stores that you can check out:
Tamil Nadu is a prominent location to try out authentic south Indian dishes. Here are some well-known restaurants in Tamil Nadu you can check out:
Tamil Nadu has a thriving nightlife scene across its major cities. It is a great way to get in tune with the local party culture and spend a wonderful evening with delicious food and drinks, dance music and live entertainment in a beautiful ambience. Here are some popular places where you can enjoy the nightlife in Tamil Nadu:
The perfect summer getaway, the scenic hill stations is located near Madurai and is a haven for tourists looking to indulge in some natural beauty and escape the scorching heat of the other cities. Kodaikanal is also necessary see attractions in Tamil Nadu that is ideal for family, groups of friends and honeymoon couples. An itinerary of two nights is enough to completely check out Kodaikanal and still have time to yourself.
The best time to visit Kodaikanal is between the months of September and May, where the place becomes more idyllic in terms of beauty. The place is known to offer some of the most intriguing views and attractions like Pillar Rocks, Silver Cascade waterfalls, Guna Caves (a deadly cave that shot to fame after a Tamil movie called Guna was filmed here) and more. The best part about Kodaikanal is that it is not as much commercialized like Ooty and serenity of the place is still retained to major extents. Tamil Nadu a beautiful destination to explore our past cultural heritage with all the amenities of the present.
Location: Approximately 120 kilometers from Madurai, 100 kilometers from Dindigul and 180 kilometers from Coimbatore
Known for: Its idyllic natural landscapes, chilly temperatures and a range of attractions that offer some of the finest views of the Western Ghats
How to Reach: The nearest airport is Madurai and the railway station is Dindigul. Cabs and buses are easily available from the two cities and it can cost you approximately Rs. 200 per person by bus and Rs. 3000 on cabs depending on the season. At an altitude of 2,133 meters, it takes close to three hours to climb up and reach the prime areas.
Cost: Depends on the places you visit in Kodaikanal. Most places have entry tickets and parking charges extra.
Operating Hours: 24 hours
Any precautions: Since it’s an uphill commute, consider if you would become nauseas when climbing. Carry appropriate tablets and adequate water and keep taking smaller breaks during the climb. It’s always better to take a cab from one of the cities as they offer less giddiness when climbing than the government buses. The place has enough ATMs so you do not worry about cash as well. When coming down, eat light, as nausea might get worse.
Type: Hill Station
Rameshwaram is a beautiful religious city in Tamil Nadu. It is located in the Pamban Island which lies in the sea region of Gulf of Mannar. Pamban Island, which is separated from the mainland of India by the Pamban Channel, is connected by the Pamban Bridge or Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge.
One of the Char Dham pilgrimages, Rameshwaram is considered as one of the holiest places in India and a significant pilgrimage center renowned for its Ramanathaswamy Temple, making it a top attraction amongst the Indian devotees. Apart from its religious value and the magnificent temples, it also has picturesque beaches, bridges and a bird sanctuary.
Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, 623526
As per the legend, the temple was built by Lord Rama in dedication to Lord Shiva to absolve him from the sin of killing a Brahmin – Ravan to save his wife Sita. There are two lingams inside the shrine - one built by Sita, from sand, Ramalingam and the one brought by Hanuman God from Kailash called Vishwalingam and it is also considered one of the 12 jyotirlinga temples. The temple is a strikingly magnificent and an epitome of Dravidian styled architecture with the longest hallway in the world at approximately 1,220 meters with over 1,200 brilliantly sculptured pillars adorning the splendid corridor. The temple has around 22 wells that are considered to have holy water with medicinal properties and 12 ponds. Take a dip in the holy waters of Agnitheertham, one of the sacred baths located on the beach side of the temple which is considered to absolve humans from their sins.
Worship Timings: 5 am to 1 pm & 3 pm to 9 pm
A short distance of 2km from the Ramanathaswamy Temple, this temple is famous for the five faced Hanuman idol. Carved out of a large Senthooram Stone, it is perpetually covered by sindoor smeared by the devotees. The temple is believed to house stones that were used to build the bridge from India to Sri Lanka by the army of monkeys for Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman to cross and rescue Sita.
Temple Timings:6 am to 7 pm
Situated in Dhanushkodi, Kothandaramaswamy temple is a shrine dediciated to Lord Rama holding a bow and hence the name ‘Kothandaramaswamy’. Housing statues of Lord Ram, Lord Lakshman, Sita and Lord Hanuman, it is mentioned elaborately in the scriptures of Ramayana and believed to be the place where Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana asked Lord Ram for refuge after fleeing from Lanka. It is surrounded by the sea and is a major tourist attraction.
Temple Timings: 6:30 am to 10:30 am & 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Visit the serene and clean Dhanushkodi Beach adjoined by the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean for a quiet time of peace away from the crowd and pander in some bird watching as it is a natural sanctuary for birds migrating from Europe and Australia such as flamingoes and ocean gulls. The Ariyman Beach is a serene beach with calm waves and sheer beauty. It is perfect for visitors wanting to indulge in water sport activities such as parasailing. It also has a childrens park and a museum.
The bridges at Rameshwaram warrant a visit and are major attractions visited by tourists. The Adam’s bridge or Rama Setu mentioned in the Ramayan, is the bridge built by Lord Ram from India to Lanka to rescue Sita. It is a beautiful formation of limestone shoals that start from the tip of Dhanushkodi into the ocean towards Sri Lanka.
Pamban Bridge boasts as the first and longest sea bridge in India. Consisting of 143 pillars, each 220 feet long and weighing 100 tonnes is an architecture marvel. A rail bridge, it connects Pamban island to the Indian mainland and its double leaf bascule raises itself to allow ships to sail through is an amazing sight. The bi-lane road running parallel offers an uninterrupted spectacular views of the sea and bridge.
The best time to visit Rameshwaram is October to April.
A short getaway and a religious pilgrimage
Air: The nearest airports to Rameshwaram are the Madurai Airport and Tuticorin Airport
Train: Rameshwaram railway station is well connected to the major cities of the country.
Road: There are regular bus services from different parts of the country to the Rameshwaram bus station. A private car or cab can also be hired.
Perched at an altitude of 1,515 meters above sea level and nestled in the Shevaroys range of Eastern Ghats in Salem, Tamil Nadu, it is one of the most popular scenic hill stations. Literally translated, it means ‘lake forest’ owing to the bountiful forests near the Yercaud lake. Yercaud is a paradise of breathtaking beauty with luscious dense green forests, luxuriant hills, vast coffee plantations and various species of flora and fauna.
Big Lake - An alluring lake, it is a popular attraction due to the naturally green hued tranquil waters. Dubbed as the Emerald lake, it is swathed with mountain tops, verdant garden along its banks and a floating fountain in the center making it a magnificent sight to behold. Revel in boating in the lake with a picturesque ambience elevating the experience.
Pagoda Point – An impeccable viewpoint, it offers a sprawling resplendent view of Salem, Kakambadi village and the Eastern Ghats flushed with green hills. Visitors can relax and soak in the splendid views while enjoying the cool breeze and the enticing sunrise and sunset Also known as pyramid point, it gets its name due to piles of stones arranged in the form of a pyramid resembling a Pagoda or temple tower and is believed to have been built by the local tribes. Near the Pagoda Point, there is a Sri Rama Temple that is devoted to Lord Rama and is an important pilgrimage site for the locals.
Botanical Garden - A visual treat for nature lovers, the garden is a spectacular green house harboring exotic species of flowers and plant and is divided into different sections like topiary garden, foliage garden, rock garden, bonsai garden, herbal garden, water garden, butterfly garden and sensory garden. It also has an Orchidarium that showcases around 250 different species of orchids out of which 30 are endangered species. There are 3,000 trees and 1,800 shrubs grown in the Orchidarium and it is the third largest Orchidarium in India. Apart from orchids, there are other rare plants and flowers such as Rose, Kurinji flower that blooms once in every twelve years, Sylvan, Shevaroys Bombax and Bamboo plants.
Killiyur Falls – One of the major attractions of Yercaud, the Killiyur falls is located in the Servaroyan hill and is a serene majestic waterfall with water cascading from a height of 300 feet. One of the highest waterfalls in India, it is an entrancing sight especially during and after the monsoons. It is a 2km trek challenging trek through the forest with steep steps and takes about an hour to reach the bottom of the falls.
Shevaroy Temple – Settled at the highest point of Yercaud hills at an altitude of 5,326 feet, it is a beautiful dark cave temple built by the ancient tribals and adorned with the idols of Lord Shevaroyan and Goddess Kaveri. The native tribes flock to the temple annually in May to celebrate their festival. To reach temple, one has to trek through the rugged terrain and once on top, it offers an incredibly spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding pristine hills and Yercaud town.
Lady’s Seat - located to the south-west of Shevaroy Hill, it is a cluster of rock formations in the form of a seat and is especially attractive point during the sunset when it offers a spectacular view of Salem and the sunset. During daytime one can view the Mettur Dam and Salem town with the help of a telescope at the watchtower located at Lady’s Seat.
The best time to visit Yercaud is between October to June. It received heavy rainfall during monsoons and hence can be avoided during the time. During the month of May, a seven-day Summer Festival is organized which includes flower shows, dog shows, boating races and village fairs
A short getaway holiday to the enchanting green hills to invigorate the mind
Flight: The nearest airport is Salem Airport, Tamil Nadu at a distance of 46km. A cab can be hired from there directly to Yercaud
Train: The closest station is Salem railway station at a distance of 30km. A cab can be hired from there directly to Yercaud
Road: It is well connected to major cities and several private and state buses run to Yercaud. Private car and taxi can also be hired.
Kolli Hills is one of the beautiful places, situated in Namakkal District of the state of Tamil Nadu. This beautiful location is referred to as the Kolli Malai, and it means the ‘Mountains of Death.' The hills are over almost 1000 to 1300 meters in height that cover more than 280 sq. Km. You will get nearly 70 hairpin bends, which take the tourists to the top of the hill. Furthermore, the hills are actually the part of discontinuous Eastern Ghats.
The early Hindu literature talks about the actual existence of the Kolli Pavai ghost on the top of these hills and in this way, they have earned the ultimate destination this name. This image or spirit used to tempt the wayfarers and kill them. So, if you are a travel buff, you would surely love to roam around the entire place to explore the beauty of nature as well.
Namakkal district ,Tamil Nadu
Air: The location can be easily accessed from the contiguous airport located at Trichy, and this is around 90 km from Kolli Hills.
Road: You can also get the prepaid taxis, which is accessible from the airport reaching the destination.
Rail: The Salem Railway Station is the nearby railhead, outside which direct buses are available for the Kolli Hills.
The location can be visited any time of the year, excluding the monsoon season when there is a danger of landslide due to heavy rainfall. So, once you are there, you will get to visit lots of places for sure.
|
Places to Visit in Kolli Hills |
Distance from city center |
Approximate cost |
|
Arapaleeswarar Temple |
76.2 km. approx |
No entry fee |
|
Botanical Garden |
14 km approx |
20 Rs. Entry fee for Children: 10 Rs. |
|
Tampcol Medicinal Farm |
502 km approx |
No entry fee |
Arapaleeswarar Temple
Along with a rich historical and cultural significance, which dates back to as long as the 1st century CE, the Arapaleeswarar Temple was built by the Valvil Ori. The place is dedicated to Lord Shiva and an essential part of Kolli Hills sightseeing, the temple stands as the witness to the excellent Dravidian style of architecture till today.
Botanical Garden
This is situated at a distance of only 3 km from Semmedu. The Botanical is one of the paramount places to visit in Kolli Hills. It features a beautiful rose garden, eco-friendly cottages, and a majestic viewpoint and also a Children's Park. This is an absolute must visit.
Tampcol Medicinal Farm
The place is much famed for being the home to the medicinal plants in abundance. This is a beautiful place to roam around as well. If you are a travel buff, you will surely love to wander around the area for sure.
This is a beautiful place where you can visit the entire year. But avoiding monsoon, you can easily visit this place anytime you want. Winter months are moderately cold, and that is why you will not be able to enjoy the beautiful season at that time too. The ideal time to visit Kolli Hills is from the months of March to June. You will be a witness to some beautiful foggy scenes over there.
To make your trip entirely smooth, you need to carry some essentials stuff along with.
Warm Clothes: Whenever you travel to a hill station, warm clothes are a must-have. The climate is entirely cold all around the year. So, before planning the trip, you should take weather into account. Try to choose the clothes, which keep you warm and comfortable. Along with that you also should take medicines, shoes, socks, and bags as well.
There are ample amount of activities that you can try such as:
Trek to Agaya Gangai Waterfalls
The notable part of the Eastern Ghats and situated in the famous Kolli Hills, the Agaya Gangai Waterfalls or the Kollimalai Falls, measures up to 300 feet, includes of about the 1000 steps descending to the base, and this is much famed amidst the trekkers. Along with the trail stretching up to the distance of only 1 km from Arapaleeswarar Temple, the trek to Agaya Gangai waterfalls is a crucial part of Kolli hills trekking in Tamil Nadu. Post monsoons during the months from November to January.
Vasalurpatty Boat House
This is situated at a distance of about 5 km from city center of Vasalurpatty, and the boathouse has been built on the artificial lake which is one of the favorite places to visit in Kolli Hills. The tranquil lake is surrounded by the vibrant green landscape of the hills that makes is it one of the most experience in Kolli Hills.
Explore The Siddhar Caves
If you are in the Kolli, you will surely love to explore lots of beautiful places and amongst all Siddhar Caves is one of the exciting places to roam around. Fit for only one or even two people to enter the caves at a time, and this has been believed that the Siddhar Caves are surrounded by medicinal herbs on all sides that are also the specialty of Kolli Hills.
Other things to do
Kolli Hills is a beautiful mountain block in a particular shape of the kidney bean. Part of the Eastern Ghats, Kolli Hills is east of Namakkal as well as Rasipuram towns in Tamil Nadu. The Kaveri River flows not very far from the southern and western edge of the mountain block. The curved side of this mountain has the good forests, which has been started from the bottom to the top of this mountain. So, considering an erosional incident is rising the way up, this might have been a headwork of the excellent river, which joined the Kaveri.
Situated in the midst of the Indian Ocean at a short distance from the Indian mainland, the Vivekananda Rock is probably one of the must visit destinations in Tamil Nadu. Built on a stone suspended in the ocean, the rock memorial was opened in 1970 to honor Swami Vivekananda. Tourists flock to the place to catch the rising sun from the rock’s behind, slowly witnessing the sun illuminating the entire sky. The rock memorial is a blend of conventional and contemporary architectural styles and has meditation halls inside. The breeze that hits you is unparalleled and once on the rock, you can actually the confluence of the three mighty water bodies, separated by different hues of blues – the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
The place also has a temple of Kumari Amman, the glitter of the nosering of whose served as a lighthouse to the then explorers and ships. There is also the statue of Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar located next to the Rock Memorial. Together, they make for a scenic background on the ocean. Tamil Nadu a beautiful destination to explore our past cultural heritage with all the amenities of the present.
Known for
Being a memorial for Swamy Vivekananda and house the imprints of Swamy’s foot. It is also known for its scenic beauty.
How to Reach
You have to reach Kanyakumari to visit the Rock Memorial. Depending on where you are, you can take a train or a bus to Kanyakumari. While trains can cost you around Rs. 400 for a sleeper class ticket per person approximately, buses can cost you approximately Rs. 600 per person. Once in Kanyakumari, you can easily reach the jetty on foot or an auto.
Approximate Cost
Though there is no cost to enter the memorial, tourists have to take a ferry to reach the place located at around 500 meters from the mainland. The ferry rides can cost you approximately Rs. 60 per person.
Operating Hours
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Any Precautions
Since you need to take a ferry, be extra careful when seating and commuting in the ferry. It goes on a water body that has fierce currents. Wear the lifejacket they provide even if it is a ride for not more than 15 minutes. Take your camera with you as the ride is thrilling and scenic.
Type
Monument
Marina Beach in Tamil Nadu is the opening scene in tons of Tamil movies and is a place of iconic significance. The seaside avenue is one of the busiest and is home to offices like the Commissioner’s Office, All India Radio, Doordarshan and landmarks like Chepauk stadium, Queen Mary’s College and more. The place is buzzing with people throughout the year and is also one of the most secure places to be in. With a coastline of over 600 kilometers, the natural beach is the world’s second largest urban beach. It is sandy and one of the most visited places in Chennai. During weekends, the Marina beach attracts over 50,000 visitors per day which increases during summers, when over 2,00,000 people visit the place daily. This is the place perfect for morning walks, jogs, exercising, and a hot cup of filter coffee after that. The entire avenue with the lighthouse in its proximity is a heritage and probably one of the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu.
Known for
Marina beach in Tamil Nadu has a long coastline, food stalls, buzzing tourists and safety
How to Reach
You need to be in Chennai to visit the Marina Beach. There are local trains, taxis and buses that commute frequently from all corners of the city to Marina beach. While local trains can cost you approximately less than Rs. 10 per person, buses can cost you approximately Rs. 15 per person and cabs depending on meter charges and distance from your accommodation.
Approximate Cost
NA
Operating Hours
Though 24 hours, visitors are not allowed stroll after late evenings. Regular police patrolling will ensure you move out of the shore and spend time on the food stalls set up at a short distance from the shore.
Any Precautions
Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, the sea breeze starts in the evening, however leaving traces of salinity in your skin. Apply sunscreen and wear light when you visit and wear flipflops. Swimming and getting far into the ocean are legally prohibited and cops on horses will consistently check and pull out visitors attempting to do so.
Type Beach
Also referred to as Rajesvara Peruvudaiyr, the Brihadisvara temple located in Thanjavur is a monument and a place of worship of historic importance. The design of the main temple is not vague but intricate. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is in a city that is known to house temples of significance in Tamil Nadu. Built by Raja Raja Chola I of the Chola dynasty, the temple has been standing for over a thousand years and represents an architectural style that is called Dravidian. Just the piece of structure on the top of the temple weighs 80 tons and the entire temple is said to have been built using over 60 tons of granite. Tamil Nadu a beautiful destination to explore our past cultural heritage with all the amenities of the present.
Location: Thanjavur
Known for: Its gigantic structure, intricate design and architectural significance and for being over a centuries old
How to Reach: Tiruchirappalli is the closest airport to Thanjavur and takes about 3 hours by road from the airport. There are both buses and cabs that you can take from Tiruchirappalli and will cost you approximately Rs. 150 per person by bus and approximately Rs. 3000 for a cab ride.
Cost: NA
Operating Hours: 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Any Precautions: As much as it might stand for architecture and design, it is a place of worship. Dress conservatively. The place is really hot during summers. So remember that you have to walk barefoot all through the temple premises. So time your visit around the early mornings or evenings when it is manageable to walk. Carry adequate water and maintain silence. Do not write on the temple walls as they have inscriptions that are over 1000 years old. Wear light yet conservatively.
Type: Temple
