Major Tourist Places in Tamil Nadu

• Mahabalipuram

  Mamallapuram, or Mahabalipuram, is a town on a strip of land between the Bay of Bengal and the Great Salt Lake, in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It???s known for its temples and monuments built by the Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries. The seafront Shore Temple comprises 3 ornate granite shrines. Krishna???s Butter Ball is a massive boulder balanced on a small hill near the Ganesha Ratha stone temple.

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• Thanjavur

  Thanjavur is a city in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Its many temples include the 11th-century Brihadeeswarar Temple, a vast Chola dynasty???era complex with a frescoed interior. Thanjavur Maratha Palace is home to the centuries-old Saraswathi Mahal Library, with palm-leaf manuscripts, and Thanjavur Art Gallery, with bronze statues. Tamil University Museum displays coins, folk artifacts and musical instruments.

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• Kanyakumari

  Kanyakumari is a coastal town in the state of Tamil Nadu on India's southern tip. Jutting into the Laccadive Sea, the town was known as Cape Comorin during British rule and is popular for watching sunrise and sunset over the ocean. It's also a noted pilgrimage site thanks to its Bagavathi Amman Temple, dedicated to a consort of Shiva, and its Our Lady of Ransom Church, a center of Indian Catholicism.

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• Madurai

  Madurai is an energetic, ancient city on the Vaigai River in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Its skyline is dominated by the 14 colorful gopurams (gateway towers) of Meenakshi Amman Temple. Covered in bright carvings of Hindu gods, the Dravidian-style temple is a major pilgrimage site. Millions attend the processions and ceremonies of April's Chithirai Festival celebrating Meenakshi and Lord Vishnu.

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• Rameswaram

  Rameswaram is a town on Pamban Island, in the southeast Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It's known for Ramanathaswamy Temple, a Hindu pilgrimage site with ornate corridors, huge sculpted pillars and sacred water tanks. Devotees bathe in the waters of Agni Theertham, off the beach east of the temple. Gandamadana Parvatham is a hill with island views. A chakra (wheel) here is said to bear an imprint of Lord Rama's feet.

  The area is dotted with Hindu places of worship, including Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple, with its 5-faced statue of the monkey god Hanuman. A thin strip of land extending southeast off the island is home to the huge, sandy Dhanushkodi Beach, a popular surfing spot. Farther southeast is the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, a collection of biodiverse islands and coral reefs, with forests and mudflats. It’s home to native mangroves, tropical fish and endangered species such as the sea cow. To the west, the 1914 Pamban Bascule Railway Bridge connects the island to mainland India.

  Jyotirlinga

• Thiruvannamalai

  Tiruvannamalai is a Hindu pilgrimage town in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. At the foot of sacred Arunachala Hill is the vast, ancient Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, with intricately carved gopurams (towers). To the west, the huge Sathanur Dam was constructed in 1958 on the Thenpennai River. Nearby there are gardens, plus a crocodile farm and a small zoo.

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• Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

  Sri Ranganathaswamy temple located in Srirangam is dedicated to Ranganatha, a reclining form of Lord Vishnu. It is considered to be foremost among the 108 Divya Deshams or holy abodes of Lord Vishnu. Spread over a sprawling 156 acres, the Ranganathaswamy temple is the largest temple in India, largest functioning temple in the world and one of the world’s largest religious complexes. The temple, also known by the names, Thiruvaranga Tirupati, Periyakoil, Bhoologa Vaikundam and Bhogamandabam is renowned for its architectural splendour. The 72m high Rajagopuram is an impressive structure towering over its surroundings. The Hall of 1000 Pillars with beautifully carved pillars is another magnificent feature of this temple.

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• Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

  Located in the temple city of Madurai on the banks of River Vaigai is Meenakshi Amman Temple dedicated to Parvati who is referred to as Meenakshi. Ancient, majestic and gorgeous, Meenakshi temple is revered by the people of Tamil Nadu and forms the lifeline of the 2500 years old city of Madurai. Embodiment of spirituality and peace, the temple is an exquisite work of art. It is one of the finest examples of Dravidian architectural style. The temple has enormous gopurams towering over the city with rich carvings. The mandapam consists of 985 pillars, some of which produce music. Each pillar is carved out of a single block of granite. The image of Meenakshi is believed to be carved out of a single emerald. According to mythology the marriage of Meenakshi and Shiva took place in Madurai which is still celebrated every year with much pomp and show.

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• Sripuram Golden Temple, Vellore

  Stretched across 100 acres the Golden Temple at Sripuram in Vellore is a spiritual park that was inaugurated in 2007. The temple owes its name to the vimana and ardhamandapa of the Lakshmi Narayani Temple which is coated in gold both in the interior and the exterior. The temple is headed by spiritual leader Sri Sakthi Amma.

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• Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur

  The Brihadeshwara Temple is a masterpiece and one of the finest living artistic creations of the Chola period. It bears testimony to the architectural brilliance that was attained by them. One of the cornerstones of Indian craftsmanship, the Brihadeshwara Temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Greatest Living Chola Temples.’ Built in 1010 A.D the entire temple made out of granite is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Brihadeshwara Temple also marks the culmination of the Dravidian style of architecture that dominated temple architecture of the south.

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• Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

  The Chidambaram Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The presiding deity here is Thillai Koothan or Thillai Nataraja or Shiva, The Lord of Dance. It is in Chidambaram that the representation of Shiva as the cosmic dancer took shape. It is a Tamilian concept in Chola art that has now become a symbol of Hinduism. Chidambaram is one of the five holiest Shiva temples, each representing one of the five natural elements. Chidambaram represents akasha (ether).

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• Annamalaiyer Temple, Thiruvannamalai,

  Located at the base of Annamalai Hills in Thiruvannamalai, the Annamalaiyer Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Spread out over 10 hectares, the temple is one of the largest in India. It has four gopurams the tallest being the eastern tower which is 217ft making it one of the tallest towers in India. The temple houses numerous shrines and halls.

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• Kailashanatha Temple, Kanchipuram

  Built under the patronage of the Pallava rulers, the Kailashanatha Temple is the oldest temple of Kanchipuram dedicated to Lord Shiva. Famous for its architectural splendour, the temple marks the evolution of Dravidian Architecture. The temple is a poetry in stone, unparalleled in beauty, grace and grandeur. It is a cultural and architectural treasure trove which even after centuries can sweep you off your feet with its elegance and craftsmanship.

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• Kanyashram: Shakti Sravani

  Kanyashram: Shakti Sravani, Body part--Spine: This famous temple is located in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.  Devi is in the form of Shakti Sravani.

  Shakti Pithas

• Nainativu: Shakti Indrakshi

  Nainativu: Shakti Indrakshi, Body part--Anklets: This Shakti Peeth is in Nainativu, Manipallavam, 26 kms from the ancient capital Jaffna, Nallur in Sri Lanka.  The idol of the goddess is  believed to made by Lord Indra and was worshipped by both Lord Rama and King Ravan. The anklet of Maa Sati is said to have fallen here.

  Shakti Pithas