Tamil Nadu Tourism | Tamil Nadu Map

About Tamil Nadu:

Tamil Nadu is a state in Southern India. Its tourism industry, centered around Hindu temples, wild life sanctuaries, hill stations and waterfalls is the second largest in India, with an annual growth rate of 16%.It has an extensive tourism industry. Tourism in Tamil Nadu is promoted by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), an organisation run by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The tagline adopted for promoting tourism in Tamil Nadu is Enchanting Tamil Nadu. Approximately 1,753,000 foreign and 50,647,000 domestic tourists visited the state in 2007.Along with the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu draws the maximum number of tourists in India.

Geography of Tamil Nadu:

Tamil Nadu covers an area of 130,058 square kilometres (50,216 sq mi), and is the eleventh largest state in India. The bordering states are Kerala to the west, Karnataka to the northwest and Andhra Pradesh to the north. To the east is the Bay of Bengal and the union territory of Puducherry. The southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula is located in Tamil Nadu. At this point is the town of Kanyakumari which is the meeting point of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean.

The western, southern and the north-western parts are hilly and rich in vegetation. The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats and they both meet at the Nilgiri hills.The Western Ghats dominate the entire western border with Kerala, effectively blocking much of the rain bearing clouds of the South West Monsoon from entering the state. The eastern parts are fertile coastal plains and the northern parts are a mix of hills and plains. The central and the south central regions are arid plains and receive less rainfall than the other regions.

Tamil Nadu has a coastline of about 910 kilometres (600 mi) which is the country’s third longest coastline. Tamil Nadu's coastline bore the brunt of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami when it hit India, which caused 7,793 direct deaths in the tate.Tamil Nadu falls mostly in a region of low seismic hazard with the exception of the western border areas that lie in a low to moderate hazard zone; as per the 2002 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) map, Tamil Nadu falls in Zones II & III. Historically, parts of this region have experienced seismic activity in the M5.0 range.

Tamil Nadu Weather:

View Detailed 9 Day Weather Forecasts for Chennai, webcams, weather maps & more at Weather-Forecast.com

Temples of Tamil Nadu:

Brihadeeswarar Temple,Thanjavur:

The Peruvudaiyar Koyil or Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known as Rajarajeswaram,at Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is the world's first complete granite temple and a brilliant example of the major heights achieved by Cholas kingdom Vishwakarmas in dravidian temple architecture. It is a tribute and a reflection of the power of its patron RajaRaja Chola I. It remains as one of the greatest glories of Indian architecture.The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Great Living Chola Temples".

This temple is one of India's most prized architectural sites. The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The 'Vimana' - or the temple tower - is 216 ft (66 m) high and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The Kalash or 'Chikharam' (apex or the bulbous structure on the top) of the temple is not carved out of a single stone as widely believed. There is a big statue of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock, at the entrance measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high.The entire temple structure is made out of hard granite stones, a material sparsely available currently in Thanjavur area where the temple is located.Built in 1010 AD by Raja Raja Chola in Thanjavur, Brihadishwara Temple also popularly known as the ‘Big Temple’ has turned 1000 years in 2010

Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram:

Thillai Natarajah Temple, Chidambaram is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the centre of the temple town of Chidambaram, East-Central Tamil Nadu, South India. Chidambaram Thillai temple is known as the foremost Kovil to Saivites and has influenced worship, architecture, sculpture and performance art for over two millenium. The Sangam classics list chief architect Viduvelvidugu Perumtaccan as directing an early renovation of the shrine. A major shrine of Shiva worship since the classical period, there have been several renovations and offerings to Chidambaram by the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara and Chera royals in the ancient and pre-medieval periods. Its 2nd century BCE bronze statues and 2nd century CE stone sculptures depicting various deities and the famous Thillai trees (Exocoeria agallocha) of the surrounding forest reflect the highpoints of early Chola and Pallava art while its famed gold plated gopuram towers are medieval structural additions by the royals Aditya I, Parantaka Chola I, Kopperunchinga I, Krishnadevaraya and Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan. King Kocengannan Chola was born following prayers his parents offered at the temple and later in his life he refined its structure.The shrine gave the town its name.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam:

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a reclining form of Lord Vishnu. It is counted among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, this temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil literature canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th-9th centuries CE.

The temple is also well known for its architectural grandeur. Its ornate gateway tower is the tallest gopuram in India. Known as the Rajagopuram (the royal temple tower), it rises from the base area of around 13 cents (around 5720 sq ft) and goes up to 196 feet (60 m), moving up in eleven progressively smaller tiers. The annual 21 day chariot festival conducted during the month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan) attracts lot of visitors. Everyday during the festival, the sacred Vaishnavite text, Tiruvaimozhi is recited before Lord Ranganatha.

Ramanathaswamy Temple,Rameswaram:

Ramanathaswamy Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to god Shiva located in the island of Rameswaram in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.

According to Shaiva mythology, Lord Rama is believed to have prayed to Shiva here to absolve any sins that he might have committed during his war against the demon king Ravana.

The temple is one of the holiest Hindu Char Dham shrines that has to be visited in one's lifetime and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holy abodes of Lord Shiva

Meenakshi Amman Temple,Madurai:

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple or Meenakshi Amman Temple is an historic Hindu temple located in the holy city of Madurai in India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva - who is known here as Sundareswarar or Beautiful Lord- and his consort, Parvati who is known as Meenakshi. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of Madurai. The complex houses 14 magnificent Gopurams or towers including two golden Gopurams for the main deities, that are elaborately sculptured and painted showing the architectural and sculpting skills of the ancient indian sthapathis. The temple is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, and has been mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature, though the present structure is believed to have been built in 1600. The tallest temple tower is 51.9 metres (170 ft) high.

Annamalaiyar Temple:

Annamalaiyar Temple is a noted Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located at the bottom of the Annamalai hill in Thiruvannamalai town in Tamilnadu, India. It is the home of Annamalaiyar or Arunachaleswarar (Lord Shiva worshipped as a Shiva Lingam) and Unnamalaiyaal (Apitakuchambaal - Parvati), and is one of the largest temples in India.

It occupies a significant place in the Saivite realm and is regarded as one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams (one of the five grand temples associated with the five basic elements) – associated with the element Fire; the other four being Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara (water), Chidambaram Natarajar (sky), Kanchi Ekambareswara (earth) and Kalahasti Nathar (wind).

It is said that the Saivite saint poet Manikkavasagar composed the Tiruvempaavai while at Thiruvannamalai.

Sripuram:

The golden temple of Sripuram is a spiritual park situated at the foot of a small range of green hills in a place known as alaikodi" in the city of Vellore in Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is at the southern end of the city of Vellore, at Tirumalaikodi.

The salient feature of Sripuram is the Lakshmi Narayani temple or Mahalakshmi temple whose 'Vimanam’ and ‘Ardha Mandapam’ have been coated with gold both in the interior and exterior.

Hill stations of Tamil Nadu:

Tamil Nadu is also home to many hill stations. Popular among them are dhagamandalam (Ooty), Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Coonoor, Topslip, Valparai, Kolli Hills, Yelagiri and Sirumalai. The Nilgiri hills, Palani hills, Shevaroy hills and Cardamom hills are all abodes of thick forests and wildlife.

Ooty:

Ooty is a town, a municipality and the district capital of the Nilgiris district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Ootacamund is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills. Originally occupied by the Todas, the area came under the rule of the East India Company at the end of the 18th century. Today the town's economy is based on tourism and agriculture, with manufacturing of medicines and photographic film also present. The town is connected to the rest of India by road and rail, and its historic sites and natural beauty attract tourists.

Kodaikanal:

Kodaikanal is a city in the hills of the taluk division of the Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Its name in the Tamil language means "The Gift of the Forest". Kodaikanal is referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" and has a long history as a retreat and popular tourist destination. It's a lot cooler in temperature than lower elevation cities such as Chennai.

Kodaikanal was established in 1845 as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains. Much of the local economy is based on the hospitality industry serving tourism.

Kolli Hills:

Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai is a small mountain range located in central Tamil Nadu in Namakkal district of India. The mountains are about 1000 to 1300 m in height and cover an area of approximately 280 km². The Kolli Hills has 70 hair pin bends to reach the top of the hills. The Kolli Hills are part of the Eastern Ghats, which is a mountain range that runs mostly parallel to the east coast of South India. The mountains are relatively untouched by commercial tourism and still retain their natural beauty.

Yercaud:

Yercaud is in the Shevaroys) hills of Salem District. It is at an altitude of 1515 metres (4969 ft) above the mean sea level. The stone-age implements were found from the ancient shrine located near the Pagoda Point, which is about 5 km from the Yercaud lake.There are accounts of coffee plantations being introduced by a British officer in the area in the second decade of the 19th century.The cool climate attracted Christian missionaries and they established reputed convent schools in the state.

Valparai:

Valparai in Coimbatore district is located 3,500 feet (1,100 m) above sea level on the Anaimalai Hills range of the Western Ghats.While major portions are owned by private tea companies, large forest areas continue to be out of bounds to tourists.

Kalvarayan Hills:

Kalvarayan Hills are situated 10 km north of Attur, and spread over an area of 600 km2. There is a botanical garden on these hills. These hills also have two waterfalls. The area is ideal for those interested in trekking. A summer festival is also held in the month of May every year.

Yelagiri Hill:

Yelagiri near Vellore comprises 14 small villages. The tribal people who live here are engaged in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, etc. Their customs, habits, and the structure of their houses are unique and attract tourists.

Javadu Hills:

Javadu Hills is situated in the northwestern part of Thiruvannamalai, and a part of the Eastern Ghats. The beautiful mountain lies at about 2,350 feet (720 m) to 3,500 feet (1,100 m) above sea level. The cliffs and precipices of hills allure and excite tourists. Places of interest in the Javadu hills are Beema Falls, Komutteri Lake, Kavalur Observatory,Amirthi Forest, and the Glass House.

Tamil Nadu Forests:

The mangrove forests in Pichavaram is the second largest mangrove forest in the world, located near Chidambaram. Mukurthi National Park & Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve are the two tiger reserves in the state. Tamil Nadu has many National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Elephant and Bird Sanctuaries, Reserved Forests, Zoos and Crocodile farms. Prominent among them are Mudumalai National Park, The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and Arignar Anna Zoological Park.

The Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, now also declared a Tiger Reserve, lies on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills (Blue Mountains), in Nilgiri District, about 160 km (99 mi) north-west of Coimbatore in the westernmost part of Tamil Nadu, on the interstate boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala states in South India. Mudumalai, which means 'first hills’, is one of the first wildlife sanctuaries established in India. The sanctuary is divided into 5 ranges - Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota.

Water falls in Tamil Nadu:

There are many waterfalls in Tamil Nadu that are popular destinations for picnicking and recreation. Some of the waterfalls are:

Courtallam:

Courtallam (Kutrallam) situated at a mean elevation of 160m on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District. Many seasonal and a few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region. The numerous waterfalls and cascades along with the ubiquitous health resorts in the area have earnt it the title the Spa of South India.

Catherine falls:

Catherine Falls is a double-cascaded fall located 7 km from Kotagiri, located on the Mettupalayam road branching off at Aravenu. The upper fall drops 250 feet (76 m) to the floor, and is the second highest in the Nilgiris (mountains).The waters from the upper stream of the Kallar river are crossed by the invisible Mettupalyam-Ooty road beyond the mountains in the south-west.Catherine Falls is named after the wife of M.D. Cockburn, believed to have introduced the coffee plantation to Kotagiri. The native name of the Catherine Falls is Geddhehaada Halla, meaning "Foothills Dale River".

Hogenakkal falls:

Hogenakkal Falls on the Kaveri (or Cauvery) River is located in the Dharmapuri district about 180 km from Bangalore.It is sometimes referred to as the "Niagara of India". With its fame for medicinal baths and hide boat rides, it is a major site of 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. This is also the site of a proposed project to generate drinking water.

Vattaparai falls:

Vattaparai Falls are located at: 8°15.919′N 77°27.062′E, elevation 40 M, in the Keeriparai reserve forest near Bhoothapandi village (Pin:629852) (Met Sta #10145) on the Pazhayar River in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu state, South India.It is 13 km N of Nagercoil) and 32 km NW of Kanyakumari. This 20 km² area is proposed to be a Wildlife Sanctuary.

Ayyanar falls:

Ayyanar Falls is in Western Ghats of Virudhunagar District named after a Temple near the falls.A small Dam near the Falls provides water to nearby towns.

Agaya gangai:

Agaya Gangai is located in Kolli Hills of the Eastern Ghats. Panchanathi, a jungle stream cascades down as the Agaya Gangai, near the Arapaleeswarar temple atop the Kolli Hills in Namakkal district.

Kiliyur falls:

Kiliyur Falls is in the Shervaroyan hill range in the Eastern Ghats, the waters overflowing the Yercaud Lake fall 300 feet (90 m) into the Kiliyur Valley.

Kumbakkarai Falls:

Kumbakkarai Falls is in the foothills of the Palani Hills. along the Kodai-Vellagavi-Periyakulam foot path.These falls have two stages. At the first stage water collects in huge rock recesses which are each named after wild animals such as tiger, elephant, snake etc.. The Pambar river then flows .5 kilometres (0.31 mi) to the second stage before falling as the main waterfall.

Monkey Falls:

Monkey Falls is near the Pollachi–Valparai road in the Anaimalai Hills range.An interesting trek route at the Monkey Falls; a linear stretch of evergreen forests surrounded by rocky cliffs, is available and regular guided treks are conducted during favourable season. Prior request should be given to the Tamil Nadu Forest Department before a fortnight.

Suruli falls:

Suruli falls is located 56 km (35 mi) between Theni10 km (6.2 mi)and Cumbum It is a 2 stage Cascading water fall. The Suruli River supplying the falls originates from the Meghamalai mountain range.The falls drop from a height of 150 feet (46 m) gathers into a pool, flows for a short distance and again plummets an additional 40 feet (12 m).

Tirparappu waterfalls:

Tirparappu Waterfalls are located in Kanyakumari district. The Kodayar River makes its descent at Thiruparappu. The water fall at this place is about 13 kilometres (8.1 mi). from Pechiparai Dam. The river bed is rocky and about 300 feet (91 m) in length. The water falls from a height of nearly 50 feet (15 m) and the water flows for about seven months in a year. The whole bed above the falls is one rocky mass which extends 250 metres (820 ft) upstream where the Thirparappu weir has been constructed for supplying water to the paddy fields. On either side of the river, on the left bank of the river in between the waterfalls and the weir, there is a temple dedicated to Siva enclosed by strong fortification. The District Administration has recently constructed a swimming pool for children over here which is very popular among the children.

Palani Hills:

There are many scenic waterfalls in the Palani Hills Some of which are popular tourism destinations. Others require some hiking and local guide to reach. Thalaiyar Falls is 975 feet (297 m) high. It is the highest waterfall in Tamil Nadu and the third highest in India. Silver Cascade, 55 metres (180 ft) high, is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Kodaikanal) on the Ghat Road. Bear Shola Falls are only 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Kodaikanal,

Kutladampatti Waterfalls:

Kutladampatti Waterfalls is waterfall located in the village of Kutladampatti near Vadipatti in Madurai district about 30 km north west of Madurai, Tamil Nadu in India. The falls is in a reserve forest managed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. The water falls from a height of about 90 feet.

Wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu:

Vellode - Birds Sanctuary:

Vellode Birds Sanctuary is a Sanctuary of some specific variety of Birds that comes for seasonal migration to the large lake available near the village of Vellode. It is located near the city of Erode, Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary features thousands of birds coming from various countries, some of which can be easily identified. Some easily found bird species include cormorants, teals, pintail ducks, and Darters.

Vedanthangal - Birds Sanctuary:

Vedanthangal This sanctuary for water and other migratory birds has come up around a village tank that is surrounded by a grove of trees. It is a haven for migratory birds such as herons, egrets, sandpipers, white ibis, spoonbills, swans and grey wagtails among others. There is also a sizeable population of resident breeding water birds. Between October–February is the season to visit Vedantangal.

Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger reserve:

Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), situated in the Southern Western Ghats in Tirunelveli district, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is the second largest protected area in Tamil Nadu State. This reserve was created in 1988 by combining Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary (251 km²) and Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary (567 km²), both established in 1962. Notification of 77 km² of parts of Veerapuli and Kilamalai Reserve Forests in adjacent Kanyakumari district, added to the reserve in April 1996, is pending. A 400 km2 (150 sq mi) core area of this reserve has been proposed as a National Park

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park:

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park (IGWLS&NP) is a protected area named after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who visited the park on October 7, 1961. It is often called "Topslip", a village in the northeast corner of the park which is the main visitor center. This name is derived from the local 19th century practice of sliding Teak timber logs down from the hills. It is located in the Anaimalai Hills of Pollachi, Valparai and Udumalpet taluks of Coimbatore District, Tamilnadu state, South India. The 108 km² National Park is the core area of the 958 km² Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, formerly called Anaimalai Wildlife Sanctuary. It was notified as a sanctuary in 1974 and 108 km2 of its unique habitats at 3 places - Karian Shola, Grass hills, Manjampatti were notified as National Parks in 1989.

Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary:

The Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS) was declared to protect the Vulnerable Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura). It is one of the best preserved forests south of the Palghat Gap. The sanctuary covers 480 square kilometres (190 sq mi) in western Tamil Nadu, South India in the eastern water-shed of the Western Ghats and consists of high hills and valleys, with a number of peaks reaching up to 1,800 metres (5,900 ft).

Vallanadu wildlife sanctuary:

Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary is a Protected area of Tamil Nadu in South India created for the protection of Blackbuck Antelope. Located on an isolated hillock in Vallanadu Village of Srivaikundam Taluk, it is the southernmost place in India where a natural population of Blackbuck exists.

Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park:

The Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park is a proposed Protected area in Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu State South India. The Park will be an upgrade and expansion of the 736.87 km² (PRO) Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary being established in 2008. The park includes about 36% of the 2,068 km² in the Palani Hills.The park is located between Latitude 10°7' - 10°28' N and Longitude 77°16' - 77°46' E. Central location 10°17.5′N 77°31′E is .7 km west of the Aeon centre of Cosmology and 7.4 km N X NE of Kodaikanal.

Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary:

The Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, now also declared a Tiger Reserve, lies on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills (Blue Mountains), in Nilgiri District, about 160 km (99 mi) north-west of Coimbatore in the westernmost part of Tamil Nadu, on the interstate boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala states in South India. Mudumalai, which means 'first hills’, is one of the first wildlife sanctuaries established in India. The sanctuary is divided into 5 ranges - Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota.

Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary:

Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary (PCWBS) is a 21.47-square-kilometre (8.29 sq mi) protected area in Tamil Nadu, South India along the Palk Straight where it meets the Bay of Bengal at Point Calimere at the southeastern tip of Nagapattinam District. The sanctuary was created in 1967 for conservation of the near threatened Blackbuck Antelope, an endangered endemic mammal species of India. It is famous for large congregations of waterbirds, especially Greater Flamingos.International name: Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, IBA Code: IN275, Criteria: A1, A4i, A4iii.The 7-square-kilometre (2.7 sq mi) core area of this sanctuary has been proposed as a National Park

Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary:

Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary is a .45 km² (0.2 sq mi) Protected area in Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu state, India. The Sanctuary is mostly an irrigation tank that is fed by water from Mettur dam and by the northeast monsoon from August till December. It remains dry from April till August.

Suchindram Theroor Birds Sanctuary:

The Suchindram Theroor Birds Sanctuary is a proposed protected area comprising the Suchindram Kulam wetlands at 8°7′30″N 77°27′30″E, and the Theroor Kulam wetlands at 8°10′45″N 77°27′45″E, both near Suchindram town in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu state, South India. It is located between Nagercoil and Kanyakumari on the National Highway No. 47. Being at the extreme southern tip of India, this area underlies the southernmost continental range of the Central Asian Flyway. Constitution of this new wildlife sanctuary was proposed in 2002 and remains under consideration of the Government. International name is Suchindram Therur, Vembanoor, Important bird area code no. IN279, criteria: A1, A4i.

Water Bird Sanctuary:

There are around five hundred water tanks in Ramanathapuram District (Rameswaram) and most of these are happy hunting grounds for water birds from October to January during the north-east monsoon season. The native birds come for feeding, while the migratory birds, from as far as Europe and Australia, come for breeding. The Arichamunai Bird Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi, the Kanjirankulam and Chittirankudi Sanctuaries on the mainland in Ramanathapuram are a paradise for bird watchers. October to January is a good time to visit Ramanathapuram and explore these sanctuaries.

Beaches in Tamil Nadu:

Tamil Nadu is known especially for its blue beaches and sunny skies.

Marina beach:

Marina Beach is located on the eastern side of Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal, which is the second longest beach in the world. Watching the sunrise from the beach is an enthralling experience. Though bathing and swimming can be dangerous, as the undercurrent is very strong, even then people come for swimming here. In the evenings, the beach is virtually a fair ground with various kinds of entertainment and food stalls lining the beach

Covelong:

Covelong (Kovalam) Kovalam or Covelong as it was known earlier is a small fishing village located 40 km from Chennai on the way to Mahabalipuram. Now it is a luxury beach resort. This beach has a fort built by the Nawab of Carnatic, Saadat Ali. Covelong (Kovalam) is a fishing village in India, 40 kilometres south of Chennai, on the East Coast Road en route to Mahabalipuram. Covelong was a port town developed by the Nawab of Carnatic, Saadat Ali. It was taken over by the French in 1746, and destroyed by the British in 1752. The Dutch built a fort in Covelong during the colonial times, which today has been made the Taj Fisherman's Cove, a private luxury beach resort. Covelong beach is one of the few places in the East Coast where wind surfing takes place.

Mamallapuram:

Mamallapuram, 58 km south of Chennai, has a beautiful beach spanning a distance of over 20 km. An erstwhile port of the Pallava dynasty the place abounds with stone carvings, caves, rock cut temples also attract tourists. A crocodile farm, snake. venom extracting centre, schools of art and sculpture and a wide choice of resorts along the beach draw holiday-seekers all round the year.

Kanyakumari beach:

Kanyakumari beach At the southern most tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, lies Kanyakumari, an important pilgrim center. Kanyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets, especially on full moon days. The beach itself is a beautiful sight with multi-colored sand. There is a lighthouse from where one can get a panoramic view. The Government museum offers a good collection of sculptural art crafts of Tamil Nadu.

Muttukkadu beach:

Muttukkadu beach is another beach resort created in memory of erstwhile "Kaveripoompattinam", a legendary Port city, washed away by the sea. The present complex was designed on the basis of the information available in the Tamil epic 'Silapathikaram'. The historical happenings depicted in Silapathikaram and the landmarks mentioned therein are brought back to life here in stone. The Department of Tourism offers conch and shell type accommodation here.

Silver beach:

Devanampattinam It is a beautiful golden sandy beach on the eastern side of the Cuddalore New Town. With the help of the District Administration, Cuddalore new town, the Cuddalore Municipal Administration, Tourism Department and other private organisations have joined together to create the entertainment for the people. Fun activities like boating, horse riding, a children's park have been created. The District Annual Summer Festival held in the month of May–June.

Tamil festivals:

Pongal:

Tamil Nadu is a land of many festivals. January marks the beginning of the festival season in the state. Pongal is the first festival and it is celebrated with much enthusiasm. It is the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu. "Pongal" is actually the name of a rice and lentil dish cooked in Tamil Nadu, and on this festive day Pongal is cooked. It is celebrated on January 14, each year. In fact, four festivals are celebrated in Tamil Nadu for four consecutive days in that week. Bhogi is celebrated on January 13, Pongal on Jan 14, Maattu Pongal on Jan 15, and Kannum Pongal and Thiruvalluvar Day on Jan 16.

BHOGI to rid the society of evil. People clean up their houses of all the junk that they have accumulated in the past year. All the waste stuff is burnt. Houses are freshly painted. Farm animals are bathed and decorated with colored powders and paint.

Pongal is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai. It is considered to be an auspicious month. The Sun God is worshipped. In rural areas, people gather in front of their houses and cook pongal in new pots. Stoves are made with clay and wood is used as fuel. When the pongal is almost made, everybody shouts in ecstasy pongal o pongal. When milk is boiled, if it overflows, it is believed to be a sign of a prosperous agricultural during the coming season.

People visit their friends and relatives. Pongal food and sweets are exchanged among neighbours and relatives. The sugarcane crop ripens at the time of Pongal. Sugarcane is harvested and it is available in markets and children can be seen crunching sugarcane.

Natyanjali festival:

The Natyanjali dance festival at Chidambaram brings together all the prominent dancers of India. They offer their abhinaya and their dance to the Lord Nataraja. To many of them it is like a dream come true, to be able to perform in the vicinity of the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Nataraja's temple, whose padams and varnams they often use creating an imaginary figure of the Lord Nataraja . This festival opens on the auspicious occasion of the Maha Shivaratri day and of course in the right kind of venue, which is the Prakara of the Chidambaram temple. Similar to Chidambaram Natyanjali in Mayiladuthurai Mayura Natyanjali a grand dance festival is celebrated during the time of Maha Shivaratri.

Karthikai Deepam:

The celebration of the festival Karthikai Deepam marks the conclusion of the ten day Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Karthikai.This event beats the Tirupathi Brahmotsavam in attracting number of devotees to the temple. On 1st of December 2009 around 3 million people participated to celebrate the Maha Deepam in the city of Tiruvannamalai. Four Brahmotsavams are celebrated every year, the most famous of which is the one celebrated during the Tamil month of Karthigai November/December). This ten day event culminates on the day of Karthigai Deepam and on that evening, a huge lamp is lit in a cauldron with three tons of ghee at the top of the Annamalai hill.Every full moon night, tens of thousands of pilgrims worship Shiva by circumambulating the Arunachala hill barefoot. The circumambulation covers a distance of about 15 km. On the yearly Chitra Powrnami (full moon) night in the Tamil calendar year, lakhs of pilgrims come from across the world to worship Him. The height of the Arunachala hill is approximately 1,600 feet (490 m).