Tamil Nadu

The South Indian state which is situated on the Bay of Bengal, has a long and illustrious history that is now preparing the way for it to become one of India's most promising states. Chennai, the state capital, is one of the largest metropolitan cities in Tamil Nadu. Carnatic music, classical dance, and culture are well-known.

Observe the splendour of Dravidian architectural wonders. A variety of historical structures and temples, each with its unique storey of creative and cultural achievement, attract history buffs from all over the world. Tamil Nadu is a lovely place to visit to learn about and respect our past cultural history while also taking advantage of current amenities.

Wildlife sanctuaries, temple towns, hill stations, beaches, pilgrimage sites, adventure sports, and tourism are among the many tourist attractions in this state. It is hot and humid in most places of Tamil Nadu. The best times to visit either of these destinations in Tamil Nadu are during the monsoon and winter seasons.

Tourists are drawn to hill stations such as Ooty and Kodaikanal because of their natural beauty. The Tamil Nadu people's mystical belief is defined by mosaic festivals such Karthigai Deepam, Pongal, and others. You may discover more about common dance forms like Bharat Natyam, which reflects Tamil Nadu's culture, through Tamil Nadu tourism.

Main Attractions

Rameshwaram is one of India's holiest sites, located on a lovely island. It is separated from Sri Lanka by the Pamban waterway. According to Hindu mythology, this is where Lord Rama built a bridge across the sea to Sri Lanka.

Also known as Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, is one of India's most prominent and well-known pilgrimage sites. The temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Siva, is a work of art. It was picked as one of the top 30 nominees for the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is one of the most visited tourist sites in Madurai.

Mahabalipuram is well-known for its temples and monuments, particularly the famous Shore Temple. It consists of three temples that were erected as part of a single complex in the eighth century. Another well-known temple is the Pancha Rathas. As the name implies, they are a series of five temples sculpted in the shape of chariots. The Ganga Descent is a large, steep-inclined rock.

Chennai is noted for its beaches, museums, parks, temples, and historical monuments. It is located on the Bay of Bengal's Coromandel Coast. The Government Museum, Marina Beach, Parthasarathy Temple, Kapaleeswarar Temple, and San Thome Cathedral are just a few of Chennai's must-see sites.

Ooty, fondly called as "India's Switzerland" by some, was once the summer capital of the British Madras Presidency. The beautiful hill station is nestled within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is known for its fragile and beautiful nature. In biological terms, it is best recognised as a "hotspot," the word used to justify the designation of a section of the Western Ghats as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kanyakumari is recognised as one of the most fascinating destinations to visit in Tamil Nadu and is a heaven for adventurers. Kanyakumari's art, temple architecture, and even local food, as well as the many culturally relevant places to visit in Kanyakumari, will captivate you! It's also a great destination to visit if you want to attend some of Tamil Nadu's most famous annual events. Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari Beach, Sarvani Shaktipeeth Shri Bhagavathi Temple, Mahatma Gandhi Mandapam, Our Lady of Ransom Church, Thiruvalluvar Statue, and others are all worth visiting.

Brihadeeswara Temple is a superb example of Chola temple construction at its apex, also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Periya Kovil. It was built in 1010 AD by Raja Raja Chola I, the powerful Chola Emperor. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the "Great Living Chola Temples."

Kodaikanal, the town of romance, provides you a new feeling every time you go touring to different areas and makes you feel a step closer to Mother Nature's grandeur with its pure and pristine natural beauty. Kodaikanal attracts a huge number of visitors and travellers each year, as well as national and international adventurers.

Kanchipuram is one of the most well-known pilgrimage destinations in Tamil Nadu. Kanchipuram is one of India's oldest cities, with a long and illustrious past. The temples of Kanchipuram are known for their grandeur and exquisite architecture. Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Karchapeswarar Temple, and Ekambaranathar Temple are among the best locations to visit in Kanchipuram.

Tradition & Culture

Tamil Nadu is a state in southern India that is rich in cultural and historical heritage. Tamil Nadu's residents belong to the famous Dravidian Family, which is considered one of the world's oldest civilisations. The Cholas, Pandyas, and Pallavas have ruled the country since then, and it has flourished. Their art and architecture, as well as their innovations, are still used and maintained today. The people of Tamil Nadu live a great, comfortable existence, and their art and culture are strongly rooted in it. Tamil Nadu's inhabitants are aware of their cultural ethnicity and adhere to the norms and practises of their community. Hinduism is the most widely practised religion, with Hindus accounting for about 88 percent of the population. Christians and Muslims make up rest of the majority of the population.

Clothing is a significant aspect of Tamil Nadu's culture and symbolises the state's rich tradition. Women often wear sarees, which are recognised for their elaborate yet elegant designs and brilliant colours. The Kanjeevaram saree is the most popular type of saree in the state, and many ladies wear it on important occasions. Young girls wear the half-saree, which comprises a blouse, a full-length skirt, and a Davani shawl, whereas Tamil males wear lungis and shirts with an Angavastra. A vital aspect of a man's clothing is his angavastram. With traditional skirts, modern ornaments such as necklaces, Oddiyanam, and gold payals are commonly worn. They are so enamoured of flowers that they wear them on their heads.

In this region, Tamil is the most widely spoken language. Tamil is primarily a hybrid of two languages: English and Sanskrit. Many English words have been influenced by Sanskrit and are now used in Tamil. Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Malaysia, and Singapore are among the countries that utilise it. It is both our first classical language and one of the languages on our list.
 

Fairs & Festivals

Fairs and Festivals of Tamil Nadu: 

Tamil Nadu, in India's southern state, is famed for its unique festivities, which the Tamils who live there celebrate with much pomp and pride. Visiting Tamil Nadu during one of its auspicious local festivals is well worth the trip because it gives you the opportunity to learn about the Tamil people's culture and religious practises.

  • Pongal- Pongal is Tamil Nadu's most popular event, spanning more than three days. On the first day of the month, Tamils celebrate Bogi Pongal. On Bogi Pongal, individuals burn household things like mats, brooms, and other items before offering tasty sweets to God before sunrise. On the second day, Tamilians cook Melagu Pongal and sakkarai pongal in earthen pots as a sacrifice to the Gods. During Maatu Pongal, cattle are venerated (Maatu-cow). Before being taken to the temple, cows are cleansed and their horns are painted. Competitions are also held during this time. Kaanum Pongal is honoured on the fourth day with the presentation of new clothing to maids and servants.

 

  • Thiruvaiyaru Festival- This is an annual festival held at Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu Thiruvaiyaru is a well-known Tamil Nadu music festival annually in Thanjavur. Saint Thyagaraja, a well-known music composer, is honoured at this festival. On Pushya Bahula Panchami day, Saint Thyagaraja reached Samadhi, and this festival is held every year on this day.A great number of composers visit Thanjavur every year in January to take part in the festivities.

 

  • The Tamil New Year- Also known as Puthandu, falls in the first month of the Tamil calendar, in mid-April. On Puthandu morning, women decorate the doorways of their homes with colourful Kolams. People glance at money, betel leaves, nuts, and fruits, among other things, throughout the day. A bath should be followed by a visit to the Kanni temple.

 

  • Thaipusam- Thaipusam is a renowned Tamil Nadu celebration that takes place in the Thai month of the Tamil calendar. Lord Subramaniam, Lord Shiva's younger son, was born on the day of the celebration. Devotees wearing 'kavadis' over their heads to render penance to the Lord on the festival day are the festival's main attraction. A 'Kavadi' is a long stick with two hanging pots on each side filled with rice and milk offerings.

 

  • The Karthigai Deepam Festival- Also known as the 'Festival of Lights,' takes place in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November to mid-December). This happens on the day when the moon is connected with the constellation Karthigai. This festival's major goal is to keep negative things out while inviting good things in. This ten-day festival takes place in Tamil Nadu.

 

  • Natyanjali Dance Festival- The greatest site to watch this dance festival in all of its splendour is at the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. Dance and Offering are the meanings of the words Natya and Anjali, respectively. The primary idea behind this event is to give a dance performance as an offering to the Lord. Almost 500 dancers from all over the world have gathered here to pay their respects.

 

  • Mahamaham Festival- The Mahamaham Festival occurs every 12 years. This event occurs when Jupiter enters the constellation of Leo. Mahamaham is a Hindu festival held in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, at the Mahamaham tank. All of India's rivers are reported to meet at the tank on this day, and a purifying bath at the tank on this day is akin to a dip in all sacred rivers.
     

Cuisines

Cuisines

Tamil food was first introduced to Southern India by Tamils numerous centuries ago. The use of rice, beans, and lentils, as well as the blending of spices such as curry leaves, tamarind, coriander, ginger, garlic, chilli, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, cumin, nutmeg, coconut, and rosewater to obtain its characteristic scent and flavour, distinguishes it.

The following suggestions are worth a shot:

  • Rasam- It is a traditional South Indian food. It's essentially a soup-like liquid that complements a wide range of dishes. It is, however, best served as a soup rather than as a side dish. Rasam is a spicy curry that uses a lot of coriander leaves. It has a spicy, garlicky flavour and is usually easy to digest. It has a pleasant flavour and is thought to be a miracle cure for colds and coughs.
  • Dosa- Dosa, also known as dosai, is a popular breakfast dish in Tamil Nadu. It's often served with sambar and chutney and is made from rice flour and gram. Masala Dosa, Paneer Dosa, Mushroom Dosa, Ghee Dosa, Egg Dosa, and a variety of other dosas are popular. Dosas are typically crisp and paper-thin, with the batter thinly spread across a skillet during frying.
  • Sakkarai Pongal- During the Pongal harvest festival, a sweet dish called Sakkarai Pongal is served as a main entrée. This sweet meal is made by boiling rice and then topping it with almonds and dried fruits. Among the components used in the dish's preparation are cardamom and green gram.
  • Milagu Pongal- Milagu Pongal is a light breakfast meal cooked with rice and moong dal sautéed with cumin, pepper, and asafoetida. The mouth-watering aroma of this light and heavenly-tasting dish, also known as "ven pongal," is the comfort food of a majority of Tamilians. It's mostly eaten for breakfast, but it's also eaten at lunch and dinner.
  • Kolambhu- Kolambhu (sometimes spelled kuzhambu) is a thin vegetable stew with spices. It can also appear in a variety of forms. Mor kulambu is the most popular kind, which starts with buttermilk and thickens it with a rice and lentil paste to make a spicy stew with veggies inside.
  • Kaapi Filter- Coffee is a popular beverage all over the world. Filter Kaapi, often called "Filter Coffee," is an Indian beverage made by filtering frothed milk with boiled coffee powder. The drink is called Kaapi, which means "coffee" in Tamil. In cities like Chennai and Kumbakonam, where it's known as "Kumbakonam Degree Coffee," the drink is well-known. Filter kaapi has a lovely perfume that will transport you to another universe.
  • Rava Kesari- Rava Kesari is a roasted semolina (also known as "sooji") dish. Rava, sugar, ghee, cashews, and cardamom powder are used to make this popular delicacy. One of the desserts that may be produced fast is this flavorful, "melt-in-your-mouth" meal. The term "kesari" refers to the saffron that is used to colour the dish and enhance its flavour.

Apart from that, Tamil Nadu's Chettinad cuisine has a distinct following and fan base. Chettinad cuisine is far from the bland food of traditional Tamilian Brahmins; it is one of India's spicier, oilier, most fragrant cuisines. With fresh ground masalas, the dishes are spicy and pungent.
 

Excursion

Shopping

Tamil Nadu is one of India's oldest states, with a rich culture, architecture, and historic temples. Shopping is a delightful activity among the numerous elements of the state that must be investigated. The following are the best sites to buy them:

  • Pondy Bazaar, Chennai- One of the city's most prominent bazaars, the Pondy Bazaar caters to individuals looking for trendy clothing, apparel, cell phones, and accessories. The market's vibrant spirit is palpable, as evidenced by the street merchants selling their items straight under the spotlight. With a variety of tasty restaurants, this area is also one of the best places to shop in the city.

 

  • George Town, Chennai - The marketplaces in George Town are well-known for displaying a city's genuine essence, such as Chennai. This region has become quite congested and noisy as one of the city's oldest occupied areas, yet the market's vitality makes it a must-see shopping destination in Chennai. The Burma Bazaar is an excellent place to start if you're seeking for good places to stock up on your sari collection.

 

  • Puthu Mandapam, Madurai- Observe the tailors in the alley as they sew their beautifully coloured selection of products. This market, located on the Meenakshi Temple's eastern side, specialises in brass, bronze, and aluminium vessels, but the tailors' presence should not be neglected. This is one of the markets that has stayed extremely active throughout the week.
     

Things To Do

Getting There

By Air – The state of Tamil Nadu has a well-developed domestic airline network that connects the state's major cities to the rest of India. Domestic and international airports in Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, and Madurai serve flights to the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Sharjah, Malaysia, and other locations. Cities such as Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) and Salem have domestic airports.

By Railway – Southern Railways is cantered in Chennai and serves a number of cities in Tamil Nadu. Chennai Central is the primary railway station, however there are others as well, such as Chennai Egmore. Train stations can be found at Madurai, Katpadi, Salem, and Coimbatore.

By Road – National and state highways in Tamil Nadu are well-maintained, making travel to the state a snap. You can also hire a call taxi or a tourist taxi for your journey. In a well-organized inter- and intra-state network, government and commercial buses run through Tamil Nadu and to the neighbouring states of Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry, and Andhra Pradesh.

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