Experience of Tamil Nadu with Kanyakumari

Chennai

Chennai or Madras as it was called before, is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, a State of the Indian Sub continent. It is a major industrial, commercial, cultural, economic and educational centre of the Southern India. Chennai City is the sixth largest populated in Indian cities. It is known as the "Detroit of India" because many automobile industries are located here.

There are many versions and legends as to how this city’s name kept changing from Madras and Chennai from time to time. Originally this city was called as Madras, from Madraspattinam during Nayakars rule. It was a fishing village situated to the north of the present Fort St. George. British bought the piece of land from the King of Vijayanagar and built the Fort St. George that houses today’s Secretariat complex of Government of Tamil Nadu. British retained the name as Madrasapattinam, though the locals called it as Chennapattinam. A Legend also says, this city was first named Chennai in honour of Damal Chennappa Nayakkar. In 1996, the then ruling Government of Madras, renamed it as Chennai and it stands good -

Beautiful Beaches, One day leisure outlets, Modern Sea Port and Airport, Long and beautiful Highways, Convenient multi-Transport system, Theme parks, Industrial cities, Hi ,Tech software silicon valley parks, Sophisticated Multi Speciality Hospitals, World Class Universities, High Rise Business and Residential complexes are the present days outlook of the great Chennai, most sought after by the people of all walks of life from all parts of the world.

Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram, now officially called Mamallapuram, is a town in the Kanchipuram district of the Tamil Nadu state. It is a 7th-century port city of the famous Pallava dynasty, a home to various significant monuments that were constructed between the seventh and the ninth centuries. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the presence of these aforementioned historical monuments. Mahabalipuram faces the Bay of Bengal and is situated on the Coromandel Coast. During the Golden Age of the Pallavas, the years between 650-750 AD.

Pondicherry

You can find a perfect blend of adventure, beach, heritage and cultural experiences in Pondicherry. You can reach to Pondicherry from all other major cities in India either by flight or train or bus. The major tourist attractions are Paradise Beach, Auroville Ashram, Raj Niwas, Pondicherry Botanical Garden, Chunnambar Boathouse that offers all kinds of water sports, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Scuba Diving, Aurobindo Ashram, Manakula Vinayagar Temple and Promenade beach.

Thanjavur

Thanjavur, also known as the ‘Rice Bowl of India’ has many historical sites. The major tourist attractions are Brahadeeswara Temple that was constructed in the 10th century, Airavateshwara Temple, Thanjavur Royal Palace, Gangaikonda Temple. The city is distinct among the other cities of Tamil Nadu due to the dolls known as 'thalayatti bommai' and the famous Thanjavur paintings.

Trichy

The 4th largest town in Tamil Nadu, - Tiruchirappalli - is an ancient town with a recorded history that dates back to the 3rd century BC. The city has been ruled by various ancient and historical kingdoms and empires. The Cholas, the Pandya, the Pallava, the Vijaynagar Kingdom, the Carnatic Kingdom and the British have ruled this region and have deeply influenced the city’s culture over the years. As a result of the various cultural influences Tiruchirappalli is famous for its various monuments and temples. Also, due to the city being surrounded by various channels of the Kaveri River is rich in vegetation and natural resources. Here’s the list of the - best places you must visit in Tiruchirappalli.

Chettinad

Chettinadu the Land of Heritage and Devotion. The origin of the Nagaraththar or the successful Trading Community of Chettiars, also called as the Nattukottai Chettiars begins in the 13th century when the Nattu Kottai Chettiars migrated from the Kaveripoompattinam presumably after a massive and devastating flood . The new settlement became the Land of Chettiars with 96 villages spreading over 1000 Sq.miles. Currently it has shrunk to 56 villages in Sivagangi and 20 villages in Pudukottai Districts totaling 76 villages. By virtue of their business activities, in the 19th Century, they travelled extensively and settled in the nearby countries of Sri Lanka[Ceylon], Java, Sumatra Islands, Singapore, Myanmar[Burma], Cambodia , Vietnam[Saigon] and Malaysia. They grew wealthy and became a powerful community in India. Abundance of money made the Nagarathar to concentrate in the activities of Religion, Education and Finance. Nagarathar’s were the one who had dedicated the Indian Overseas Bank, Indian Bank, Bank of Madura and also the United India Insurance as private banking and Insurance establishments to the country. Large number of this community’s population is settled in West Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States too. Chettinad is known for its unique art and architecture, Nagarathar temples and Aromatic and tasty local cuisine.

Chettinad is famous for its tourist attractions -the traditional palaces and mansions that will help one to understand the simple, yet classy life of the wealthy Chettiar community. Some of the interesting tourist attractions in Chettinad are the museums-the Kamban Mani Mandapam and the Kaviarsar Kannadhasan Mani Mandapam, both built in honor of late poet-laureates. The latter has a museum with an amazing collection of artefacts -traditional jewellery, clothing, huge copper vats and grain bins. Visit to Devakottai , where the streets of Devakottai afford one the pleasure of walking through a typical Chettiar lane lined with old mansions, the most famous being Periya Minor's Veedu. The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Devakottai is famous for the 108 statues of Vinayakar.

Chettinad Houses : The Chettinad region is most popular and adored for its 18th century mansions, unique and ornamented palatial houses , with wide courtyards and spacious rooms embellished with marble and teak. Beautiful front court yard with wide and lengthy corridors on all four sides lined with ornamental pillars and antiques are a part of the Chettinad Houses. These palatial houses are found in the villages of Kaanadukathan, Aathangudi, Kandanur, Kad-iyapatti. Many of these mansions were built using a type of limestone known as karai hence they are also called as Karai[limestone] veedu. Local legend narrates that the mansion walls were polished with a paste made out of egg whites to give them a smooth and shiny texture.

Madurai

Thiruvananthapuram (or Trivandrum) is the capital of the southern Indian state of Kerala. It's distinguished by its British colonial architecture and many art galleries. It’s also home to Kuthira Malika (or Puthen Malika) Palace, adorned with carved horses and displaying collections related to the Travancore royal family, whose regional capital was here from the 18th,20th centuries

Rameshwaram

Located on Pamban Island, Rameswaram that has religious significance is a must visit place. The nearest airport to Rameshwaram is Madurai Airport and Tuticorin Airport. You can find trains and regular buses from all major places in state. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Jada Tirtham, Dhanushkodi Temple, Adam’s Bridge, Nambu Nayagiamman Temple, Water Bird Sanctuary, Lakshmana Tirtham, Villoondi Tirtham, Thiruppullani and Gandamadana Parvatham are the places you should not miss.

Kanyakumari

If you want to watch both sunrise and sunset and how sky changes those shades very close then visit Kanyakumari. The nearest airport to Kanyakumari is the Trivandrum International Airport and you can find multiple trains and buses from other places in the state. Kanyakumari Temple, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kanyakumari Beach and Thirparappu Falls are the major tourist attractions.

Trivandrum

Thiruvananthapuram (or Trivandrum) is the capital of the southern Indian state of Kerala. It's distinguished by its British colonial architecture and many art galleries. It’s also home to Kuthira Malika (or Puthen Malika) Palace, adorned with carved horses and displaying collections related to the Travancore royal family, whose regional capital was here from the 18th,20th centuries