Our Great State TAMILNADU

GO AND EXPLORE THE MINDBLOWING PLACES IN TAMLNADU

 CHENNAI

Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu, which is located on the Coromandel coast of the
Bay of Bengal in southern India. Madras was the name given to Chennai in the past.
The “Gateway to the South” is another nickname for the city. The city of Chennai is
surrounded by three rivers and numerous lakes. This city offers a number of lovely
museums that are a must-see for anyone planning a trip to Chennai. Also Chennai is
home to one of India’s oldest medical centres. The city is home to more than a third of
India’s automobile sector. Let’s read more about it.
 YERCAUD

Yercaud is a hill station near Salem, in the Servarayan range of hills (anglicized as
Shevaroys) in the Eastern Ghats. It is at an altitude of 1515 metres (4969 feet) above
the see level. The total extent of Yercaud Taluk is 382.67 Sq.kms. including Reserve
Forest. The entire Taluk is a Township. Yercaud has also a Panchayat Union with its
Head Quarters at Yercaud and its Jurisdiction is the same as for Yercaud Taluk.
Popular as the “Poor man’s Ooty”. Yercaud is one of the low cost hill station destination
in India.
 RAMESHWARAM

Rameswaram also transliterated as Ramesvaram, Rameshwaram) is a municipality in

the Ramanathapuram district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is on Pamban Island
separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel and is about 40 kilometres from
Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. It is in the Gulf of Mannar, at the tip of the Indian peninsula.
Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, is connected to mainland India by
the Pamban Bridge. Rameswaram is the terminus of the railway line from Chennai and
Madurai. Together with Varanasi, it is considered to be one of the holiest places in India
to Hindus and is part of the Char Dham pilgrimage.
According to the Ramayana, Rama is described to have built a bridge from the region
approximating this town across the sea to Lanka to rescue his wife Sita from her
abductor Ravana. The temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, is at the centre of the
town and is closely associated with Rama and Shiva. The temple and the town are
considered a holy pilgrimage site for Shaivas and Vaishnavas.
Rameswaram is the second closest point from which to reach Sri Lanka from India and
geological evidence suggests that the Rama Sethu was a former land connection
between India and Sri Lanka.
The town has been in the news in past due to controversies such as the
Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project, Kachchatheevu, Sri Lankan Tamil refugees
and capturing local fishermen for alleged cross-border activities by Sri Lankan Forces.
 Rameswaram is administered by a municipality established in 1994. The town covers
an area of 53 km2 (20 sq mi) and had a population of 44,856 as of 2011. Tourism and
fishery employ the majority of workforce in Rameswaram.
 KODAIKANAL

Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is one of the most famous honeymoon
destinations in India. A Lakeside resort town of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal has a beautiful
climate, mist-covered manicured cliffs and waterfall that come together to create the
ideal setting for a perfect getaway. Kodaikanal means 'the gift of the forests'.
Nestled amidst the rolling slopes of the Palani Hills, Kodaikanal stands at an altitude of
7200 feet above sea level, and once you visit this hill station, you will find that every bit
of what you have imagined it to be is real. Kodaikanal is a place you can go to take a
break from the rigours of daily city life, and this hill station lets you sit back and connect
with nature as you head out on biking or trekking trails or take a stroll through the vast
forests surrounding the town.
Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is one of the most famous honeymoon
destinations in India. A Lakeside resort town of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal has a beautiful
climate, mist-covered manicured cliffs and waterfall that come together to create the
ideal setting for a perfect getaway. Kodaikanal means 'the gift of the forests'.
 PALANI

Nestled amidst the rolling slopes of the Palani Hills, Kodaikanal stands at an altitude of
7200 feet above sea level, and once you visit this hill station, you will find that every bit
of what you have imagined it to be is real. Kodaikanal is a place you can go to take a
break from the rigours of daily city life, and this hill station lets you sit back and connect
with nature as you head out on biking or trekking trails or take a stroll through the vast
forests surrounding the town.
 AUROVILLE

Auroville is a universal township in the making for a population of up to 50,000 people

from around the world. The concept of Auroville – an ideal township devoted to an
experiment in human unity – came to the Mother as early as the 1930s.In the mid 1960s
the concept was developed and put before the Govt. of India, who gave their backing
and took it to the General Assembly of UNESCO. In 1966 UNESCO passed a
unanimous resolution commending it as a project of importance to the future of
humanity, thereby giving their full encouragement.
The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity – in diversity. Today Auroville is
recognised as the first and only internationally endorsed ongoing experiment in human
unity and transformation of consciousness, also concerned with – and practically
researching into – sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social and
spiritual needs of mankind.
 HOGENAKKAL
 Hogenakkal Fall is a waterfall in South India on the Kaveri river on the border between
Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu and Chamrajnagar district of Karnataka.It is located
46 km (29 mi) from Dharmapuri district headquarter and 199 km (124 mi) from
Chamrajnagar district headquarter. It is also located 127 km (79 mi) from Bangalore,
181 km (112 mi) from Mysore, 344 km (214 mi) from Chennai and 200 km (120 mi) from
Coimbatore.It is sometimes referred to as the "Niagara Falls of India," it is known for
bathing areas and hired boat rides and as a major tourist attraction. Carbonatite rocks in
this site are considered to be the oldest of its kind in South Asia and one of the oldest in
the world. The Government of Tamil Nadu made a proposal to convert the falls into
providing drinking water for the state.
 KANYAKUMARI

Kanyakumari, the southernmost point of the Indian peninsular mainland is a district that
is situated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Kanyakumari district got its official name
from the renowned 3000 year old Kumari Amman temple (devoted to Devi Kanya
Kumari, i.e., the virgin goddess - an aspect of Parvathy) enshrined in the region.
Kanyakumari has got a great deal of recognition to its name that the district is regarded
as the most literate district in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Besides, the district is
considered as the second most urbanized territory in the southern state, succeeding
only to Chennai and second most prominent zone in the state of Tamil Nadu in terms of
population density. Kanyakumari district boasts singular and wide-ranging natural
features with ocean on three sides and the mounts of the Western Ghats abutting the
northerly face.
 KUMBAKONAM

Sandwiched between two great rivers of southern India, Cauvery and Arsala,
Kumbakonam is a gorgeous temple town in the heart of the Thanjavur district of Tamil
Nadu.The town is a place for the lovers of history and those seeking to understand
India's cultural roots and Hinduism.
The town is also known for its grand festival called Mahamaham festival which is
celebrated every twelve years at the Mahamaham Tank. The town is one of the oldest
in Indian history, and known for its famed temples, Chola heritage and also for its
marvelous educational institutes.
 MADURAI

Madurai, formerly (until 1949) Madura, city, south-central Tamil Nadu state, southern
India. It is located on the Vaigai River, about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Dindigul.
Madurai is the third most populous, and probably the oldest, city in the state.
 The ancient history of the region is associated with the Pandya kings, and Madurai was
the site of the Pandya capital (4th–11th century CE). Later it was conquered by Chola,
Vijayanagar, Muslim, Maratha, and British rulers. In the 1940s it became known as the
centre of the civil disobedience movement against the British raj, and it remained an
important seat of political leadership.
 COIMBATORE

Coimbatore is the third largest city of the state, one of the most industrialized cities in
Tamil Nadu, known as the textile capital of South India or the Manchester of the South
India, the city is situated on the banks of the river Noyyal, Coimbatore existed even prior
to the 2nd or 3rd century AD by Karikalan, the first of the early Cholas. Among its other
great rulers were Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Pandyas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara
kings. When Kongunadu fell to the British along with the rest of the state, its name was
changed to Coimbatore and it is by this name that it is known today, in local Tamil
language it is also called as Kovai.
In the rain shadow region of the Western ghats, Coimbatore enjoys a very pleasant
climate all the year round, aided by the fresh breeze that flows through the 25 kms long
Palakkad gap. The rich black soil of the region has contributed to Coimbatore’s
flourishing agriculture industry and, it is in fact the successful growth of cotton that
served as a foundation for the establishment of its famous textile industry. The first
textile mill came as far back as 1888 after that many textile mills were started and
provided many employment opportunities to within as well as neighboring Districts. The
result has been a strong economy and a reputation as one of the greatest industrial
cities in South India.
 TANJAVOR

Thanjavur, formerly Tanjore, city, eastern Tamil Nadu state, southeastern India. It lies in
the Kaveri (Cauvery) River delta, about 30 miles (50 km) east of Tiruchchirappalli.
An early capital of the Chola empire from the 9th to the 11th century, it was important
during the Vijayanagar, Maratha, and British periods. It is now a tourist centre.
Attractions include the Brihadishvara Chola temple, which was designated a UNESCO
World Heritage site in 1987 (expanded in 2004 by naming two other nearby Chola
temples); a Vijayanagar fort; the palace of Sarfoji, a Maratha prince; and Sarasvati
Mahal Library, known for its large collection of manuscripts dating from the 16th to the
19th century. The city is also known for a distinctive painting style—in which such
materials as gold foil, lace, and semiprecious stones are used to embellish the painting
—and for a style of embossed metal plates. Industries include cotton milling, traditional
hand-loom weaving, and the manufacture of vinas (south Indian stringed instruments).
The city is the seat of Tamil University (1981) and has several other colleges.
 TIRUNELVELI
 Tirunelveli also known as Nellai and historically as Tinnevelly, is a major district in the
Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Tirunelveli city is the administrative headquarters of the
Tirunelveli District. Tirunelveli Municipal Corporation is the sixth-largest municipal
corporation in the state of Tamil Nadu. The name Tirunelveli has been composed of the
three Tamil words i.e. ‘Thiru – Nel – Veli’ meaning Sacred Paddy Hedge. With effect
from 20.10.1986, the district was bifurcated and a new Tuticorin District was formed and
also with effect from 12.11.2019, the district was bifurcated and a new Tenkasi District
was also formed. Now Tirunelveli District has a geographical area of 3876.06 sq. km, in
the Southeastern portion of Tamil Nadu is triangular in shape. It lies between 8°.14’ and
9°.07’ of the Northern latitude and 77°.17’ and 77°.97’ of Eastern longitude. The
Tirunelveli Sthalapurana prescribes a tradition for the origin of the name Tirunelveli. The
puranic version goes that one Vedasarma, a staunch devotee of Shiva, on his
pilgrimage from the North to the South was invited by Lord Shiva in his dream to his
abode on the banks of the sacred river Tamiraparani.
 THIRUVANNAMALAI

On the foothills of the Annamalai Hills nestles the picturesque city of Thiruvannamalai,
alluring travellers with its quaint charm and divine feel. A cultural, spiritual and economic
hub, Thiruvannamalai is one of the cities to be featured in Lonely Planet. The earliest
recorded references of the city date back to the 9th century from Chola inscriptions.
Much of the history of Thiruvannamalai revolves around the Annamalaiyar Temple, the
most notable landmark in the region, which is quite synonymous with the city itself. The
area was under the dominion of Chola kings for over 4 centuries. During the reign of the
Hoysala Kings, Thiruvannamalai served as the capital of their kingdom. The region was
a place of great interest and importance to various dynasties including the Sangama,
Saluva, Tuluva, Vijayanagara empire and the Nawab of Carnatic. By the early 19th
century, Thiruvannamalai fell under the rule of the British.
 OOTY

Coonoor is a municipality and a Taluk located in the Nilgiris district, on the western edge
of the state, Tamil Nadu, India. As far as size is concerned, Coonoor, after Ooty, comes
second in largeness in all of the beautiful hills of the Nilgiris, providing people with a lot
of ground to tour. For more than one trekking expeditions, Coonoor is an ideal base and
leads right into the Nilgiri Hills. The tourist places in Coonoor are breath-takingly
beautiful.
A small hamlet in Tamil Nadu, Velankanni is a popular pilgrim center, especially
renowned for the Church of Mother Mary. As a great number of pilgrims turn up here,
like Lourdes in France, Velankanni is nicknamed as Lourdes of the East. Velankanni is
also famous for its delicate handlooms and silk.
 THOOTHUKUDI
 Traditionally known as “Pearl City” on account of the prevailing Pearl fish in the past in
the area, Thoothukudi has a fascinating History. Forming part of the Pandian kingdom
between 7th and 9th Century A.D., Thoothukudi remained in the hands of the Cholas
during the period between 9th and 12th century. Emergence of Thoothukudi as a
maritime port attracted travelers, adventures, and eventually colonizers. The
Portuguese were the first to arrive in Thoothukudi in 1532 A.D., followed by the Dutch in
1658 A.D. The English Captured Thoothukudi from the Dutch in 1782 and the East India
Company established their control over Thoothukudi in the same year.
On the 20th, October 1986 a new district, carved out of the erstwhile Tirunelveli district
was born in Tamil Nadu and named after V.O.Chidambaranar, a great national leader
hailing from Ottapidaram who led the Swadeshi Movement in the south. Since 1997 as
in the case of other districts of Tamilnadu, this district has also been named after its
headquarters town, Thoothukudi.
 YELAGIRI

Yelagiri is a hill station located in the newly formed Tirupattur district of Tamil Nadu,
India, situated off the Vaniyambadi-Tirupattur road.[1] Located at an altitude of 1,110.6
metres above Mean Sea Level and spread across 30 km2, the Yelagiri Hill (also spelled
Elagiri Hill at times) is surrounded by orchards, rose-gardens, and green valleys.[2]
Yelagiri is a branch of Annamalai Hills.
 KANCHIPURAM

Kancheepuram district is situated on the northern East Coast of Tamil Nadu and is
adjacent by Chennai city and is bounded in the east by Chengalpattu District, west by
Vellore District , south by Thiruvannamalai district, in the north by Thiruvallur district and
Chennai district. It lies between 11° 00′ to 12° 00’ North latitudes and 77° 28′ to 78° 50′
East longitudes. The district has a total geographical area of 1704.79 Sq.Kms .
Kancheepuram, the temple town is the district headquarters. For administrative
reasons, the district has been divided into 2 revenue divisions comprising of 5 taluks
with 520 revenue villages. For development reasons, it is divided into 5 development
blocks with 274 Village Panchayats.
 CHETTINAD

The word "Chettiar" refers to the social caste of mercantile bankers. The Chettiars are
known to be traders in salt and spices and this is reflected in the Chettinad cuisine.
Meals also consist of cooked lentils, Brinjal curry, drumstick sambar, ghee for flavouring
rice, and sweet meals like payasam and paal paniyaram. In general, beef and pork
dishes are not served. Some well-known local dishes are Chicken Chettinad (spicy
chicken curry), Vegetable Chettinad (a vegetable curry) and dishes featuring seafood.
 TRICHY
 Tiruchirappalli, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in
Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. Trichy is
a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Apart from the Fort,
there are several Temples dating back to the 1760s. The town and its fort, now in Trichy
were built by the Nayaks of Madurai. This District has given great scholars and leaders
whose contributions to the society have been very significant.
 CHIDAMBARAM

Chidambaram – Land of Nataraja

A tiny town tucked away along the Bay of Bengal in the Cuddalore district of Tamil
Nadu, Chidambaram is home to what is perhaps the most iconic Shiva temple in India.
With several other important temples dotting the landscape, beautiful beaches, rivers,
canals, backwaters and widespread mangroves, Chidambaram is so much more than
just a temple town.
The Chidambaram Nataraja temple, also known as the Thillai Nataraja Temple, is one
of the few temples in India that feature Shiva as an anthropomorphic being rather than
being represented by the lingam. The bejeweled idol enshrined at the temple poses in
the iconic cosmic dance (the Bharatnatyam mudra known as ananda tandava).
Consisting of five courts, the 10th century temple was rebuilt around 1213 AD and
sprawls over 50 acres in the heart of Chidambaram city. The temple is ancient and
important both from both the historical and the architectural viewpoint.
 KUTRALAM

Are you looking for waterfalls with miraculous water that can cure all your body ailments
and make your body rejuvenated, then Courtallam is your destination. This famous
waterfall is the summer retreat for Tamilnadu people.
This waterfall ranks first in attracting lots of tourists every year. This lovely waterfall is
what one need to heed to escape from the scorching sun. The Courtallam waterfall is a
combination of nine waterfalls, each differs in size, volume of water, height and water
current.
Speciality of the place
These falls are considered to be natural spa, which could remove all your body pains.
The river sources of thess falls are River Chittra, Manimutharu, Pachaiyar and
Tamirabarani which cascades over 60m-92 m. The bitter part of this falls is, during
season time, it will be over crowed and thronged with people.
The nine waterfalls at Courtallam are as follows Main Falls (Peraruvi), Small Falls
(Chittaruvi), Chembakadevi (Shenbaga) Falls, Honey Falls (Thenaruvi), Five Falls
(Aintharuvi), Tiger Falls (Puliaruvi), Old Courtallam Falls (Pazhaya Courtallam), New
Falls (Puthu Aruvi), Fruit Garden Falls or Orchard Falls (Pazhathotta Arvui).
 VELLORE
Vellore had the previlege of being the seat of the Pallava, Chola, Nayak, Maratha, Arcot
Nawabs and Bijapur Sultan Kingdoms. It was described as the best and the strongest
fortress in the Carnatic War in the 17th Century. It was witnessed the massacre of
European soldier during the mutiny of 1806.
Vellore district lies between 12° 15’ to 13° 15’ North latitudes and 78° 20’ to 79° 50’ East
longitudes in Tamilnadu State. The geographical area of this district is 5920.18 sq. k.m.