Tamil Nadu, the traditional home
of the Dravidian culture is located South-East of
India. Tamil Nadu has 33 river
basins. Prominent among them are the Cauvery, Palar,
Vaigai, and Tamaraparani. 44% of the land is under
cultivation and 17% under forest cover. On the whole
the state covers an area of 1,30,058 Sq.Kms. It is
located on the coast. Tamil Nadu
is a state of unending beaches, exquisite
craftsmanship, strong culture and enduring traditions.
The waters of the "Bay of Bengal" kiss the eastern
shores in the state. The tip of the peninsula touches
the confluence of three water bodies - The Arabian
Sea, The Bay of Bengal and The Indian Ocean. The
bordering states are Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra
Pradesh.
The influence of the various
dynasties and occupying forces that ruled the state
can be seen in its various forms. The Pallavas, the
Cholas, the Portuguese, the British, the Dutch and
the French have left their impression in different
parts of the state. "Tamil Nadu" is
a Dravidian name that was given to the state after
independence. Dravidian culture is reflected in the
dances, the music, and the handicrafts.
The influx of the Aryans from the north drove the
Dravidians to the southern part of the country.
During the Muslim invasion, the Hindu kings of the
south formed the famous Vijayanagar Empire. It
became the stronghold of the Dravidian culture. The
present state of Tamil Nadu was a
part of that great empire. The rich culture of the
Dravidians not only survives but also thrives in the
various customs still prevalent. Festivals here are
always combined with some significant, sacred
activity.
Today, Tamil Nadu
is the most industrialised state in Southern India.
It is also one of the most sought after tourist
destination in the country.
Tamil is the official language of the state. Apart
from English, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi and widely
spoken. The climate varies from area to area in the
state. It is tropical in the western region and
moderate in the coastal zones. BACK TO
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Located 60km from Chennai,
Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram was the second capital
and seaport of Pallavas. The seaport was built by
Mahendravarman during the 7th century AD. The
Pallava chisels breathed life into stones. The
sculptures in Mamallapuram emphasize on blending
mythology, epics and day today life of the people.
The most important of the architectural relics are
the shore temple, the five chariots, Arjuna's
penance and the Mahishasuramardhini temple.
Mamallapuram can be reached by
road that runs along the coast. Regular buses
operate from Chennai. Chennai is the nearest
airport. Various types of accommodation are
available in plenty. But during weekends and
seasons, hotels will be fully booked.
This city of thousand temples is
situated about 76km from Chennai
on the Chennai -Bangalore highway. It was the
capital of Pallavas during 6th - 8th centuries and
during this period the best temples were built.
Later it became the citadel of Cholas, the
Vijayanagar kings, the Muslims and the British.
Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of
India. Kanchipuram is also famous for its pure silk
fabrics woven from pure mulberry. The city can be
reached by rail and road from different places of
the state. The nearest airport is Chennai. BACK TO
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A city of Contrasts and
diversities, Chennai is the forth-largest city in
India. Known world
wide as Madras until recently, the city was renamed
Chennai, evolved from the age-old name,
Chennapattinam.
Chennai is a coastal city with
the second largest beach in the world. The climate
is hot and humid. But the breeze blowing from the
sea makes the climate bearable. In the summer the
temperature reaches up to 42 degree C (month of
May). The winter (Dec.- Feb.) is slightly less hot
than the summer. Mansoon falls in Sept. - Nov.
Chennai is the Capital of Tamil Nadu.
Tanjavur town is the headquarters
of Tanjavur district. It is situated on the eastern
coast of central Tamil Nadu. This
ancient city's history goes way back to the Sangham
Age. Between 10th and 14th century this Chola
capital reached the zenith of its glory. Thanjavur
has about 75 temples and the most famous of them all
is the Brihadeswarar temple. BACK TO
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This city of ancient history
before the Christian Era is 319km from Chennai.
Located on the banks of River Kaveri,
Thiruchirapalli is the headquarters of the district.
It was a Chola citadel during the Sangham age.
Though the Cheras, Cholas, Pallavas, Pandyas,
Chalukyas and Vijayanagar Empire contributed to the
monuments of Trichi, the Nayaks of Madurai built
most of them. The city is connected with other parts
of the state by rail, road and air. BACK TO
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Madurai is one of the ancient
cities of the world. Its history goes several
centuries before Christ. Tamil and Greek documents
record its existence from 4th century BC. The city
is situated on the banks of River Vaigai. The
Pandyans ruled Madurai until 10th century AD. This
was the golden
era of Tamil culture, literature and learning. Then
Madurai changed hands with Cholas, Pandyas, Muslim
rulers, Vijayanagar rulers and finally the Madurai
Nayaks under whom Madurai became the cultural center
of Tamils. Madurai is situated about 472km from
Chennai. One can reach Madurai by road, rail or air.
Flights from Chennai, Bangalore and Trichy connect
Madurai by air.
Kanyakumari is the southern most
extreme of the country. The district headquarters is
Nagercoil. Nagercoil is about 700km from Chennai.
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala,
60km away. Nagercoil
is connected to other parts of the state with rail
and roads. Kanyakumari is the land's end of
peninsular India. It is in Kanyakumari where the
three seas namely the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea
and the Bay of Bengal meet. On the full moon day,
one can watch the sunset and the moonrise
simultaneously.
Coimbatore is situated at the
foot of the Nilgiri Hills in the Western
Tamil Nadu. It is a highly industrialized
city known as the Manchester of South India because
of its production of textiles. One can arrive in
Coimbatore by road, rail or air. Coimbatore is a
major rail junction. Many trains operate daily to
major towns of the state from here. Accommodations
of different ranges are also available in and around
the town. BACK TO
TOURS
nnai
on the Chennai -Bangalore highway. It was the
capital of Pallavas during 6th - 8th centuries and
during this period the best temples were built.
Later it became the citadel of Cholas, the
Vijayanagar kings, the Muslims and the British.
Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of
India. Kanchipuram is also famous for its pure silk
fabrics woven from pure mulberry. The city can be
reached by rail and road from different places of
the state. The nearest airport is Chennai. 
ld
wide as Madras until recently, the city was renamed
Chennai, evolved from the age-old name,
Chennapattinam.
olden
era of Tamil culture, literature and learning. Then
Madurai changed hands with Cholas, Pandyas, Muslim
rulers, Vijayanagar rulers and finally the Madurai
Nayaks under whom Madurai became the cultural center
of Tamils. Madurai is situated about 472km from
Chennai. One can reach Madurai by road, rail or air.
Flights from Chennai, Bangalore and Trichy connect
Madurai by air. 
agercoil
is connected to other parts of the state with rail
and roads. Kanyakumari is the land's end of
peninsular India. It is in Kanyakumari where the
three seas namely the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea
and the Bay of Bengal meet. On the full moon day,
one can watch the sunset and the moonrise
simultaneously.