Tamil Nadu
For the visitor wishing to explore southern
India extensively, Chennai, the capital of the
state of Tamil Nadu, is the most convenient
point of entry. Chennai has an international
airport, a sea port and a rail and road network
that links it to all major towns and cities
of the region. It also has several deluxe hotels
and others to suit modest budgets. Tamil Nadu
is a bastion of Hinduism, whose past endures
into the present. Temples with towering spires
called gopurams are a common feature of this
state, seldom seen anywhere else in the country.
Temples in Tamil Nadu were the fulcrum of society
and even today art forms that have their origin
in religious worship continue to colour daily
life. Notable among these are splendid bronzes
of deities, painting on glass and Bharatnatyam,
an evocative dance form.
Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram and Thanjavur
are good examples of temple towns where within
the temple fortifications grew a multi layered
society that preached faith and grew from
social harmony. Kanchipuram, also called Kanjeevaram,
is famous throughout the country as the center
where lustrous silk sarees are woven. Likewise
Thanjavur is an important center for bronze
figure casting. Mahabalipuram, with its wealth
of sculptures, is located by the seaside and
has excellent resorts.
The towns of Tiruchirapalli and Madurai also
contain famous temples.
Quite a contrast to the temple heritage is
provided at Pondicherry, for long a French
colony. French is still widely spoken, and
seaside villas and cobbled streets are more
reminiscent of the south of France than the
south of India! Yet another facet of this
surprisingly diverse state is two hillstations
Ootacamund and Kodaikanal. Both are little
patches of England, being much loved by the
expatriate population of the Raj. Both places
provide delightful relaxation during an extended
tour of the south, having a wide range of
hotel accommodation. The cuisine of Tamil
Nadu, more or less totally vegetarian, has
become enormously popular all over the country,
and few towns do not have at least one eatery
serving popular snacks from the state’s
extensive repertoire
Chennai (Madras)
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu is also
its principal harbour and has one of the finest
beaches in Asia. It was founded at Fort St.
George in 1640 A.D. by Francis Day of the
East India Company.
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max. 37, Min. 22.1
Winter: Max. 32, Min. 19.8
Season: Throughout the year (Preferably October
to March).
STD Code: 044
How to get there
Air: Chennai is directly linked by Indian
Airlines to Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Goa, Bombay,
Bhubaneshwar, Calcutta, Cochin, Coimbatore,
Delhi, Hyderabad, Port Blair, Madurai, Pune,
Tirupati, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Puttaparthy,
Vishakhapatnam and to Colombo, Kuala Lumpur,
Singapore. East West Airlines also connects
Chennai with Bombay
Rail: Chennai is connected by rail with Ahmedabad,
Bangalore, Bombay, Calcutta, Cochin, Coimbatore,
Delhi, Hyderabad, Kodai Road, Lucknow, Madurai,
Mangalore, Ooty ( via Mettupalayam ), Rameshwaram,
Trichy, Tirupati Trivandrum and Varanasi.
Road: Chennai is connected by road with all
the major towns in India. Some of the road-distances
from Chennai are Bombay 1329 kms, Bangalore
334 kms, Hyderabad 669 kms, Kanyakumari 693
kms, Madurai 461 kms, Mahabalipuram 60 kms,
Pondicherry 162 kms, Rameshwaram 619 kms,
Kanchipuram 71 kms, Tirupati 143 kms, Ooty
535 kms, Kodaikanal 498 kms, Trivandrum 709
kms, and Thanjavur 334 kms.
External Transport: Regular buses available
from Chennai to Bangalore, Cochin, Coimbatore,
Kanyakumari, Madurai, Nagapattinam (Velankanni),
Ooty, Pondicherry, Rameshwaram, Thanjavur,
Tirupati, Trichy and Trivandrum.
Places of interest
Fort St. George & St. Mary's Church
Gandhi Mandapam
High Court
Anna Square
Kapaleeswara Temple
Light House
Marina Beach & Aquarium
Parthasarathy Temple
San Thom Cathedral
Snake Park
Theosophical Society
Valluvar Kottam
Ripon Buildings and War Memorial Fort Museum
(0900-1700 hrs. Closed on fridays)
Govt. Museum & Art Gallery (0800-1700
hrs. Closed on fridays)
Excursions
Covelong 38 kms
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary 85 kms
Pulicat 61 kms
Kanchipuram 71 kms
Ennore Beach 18 kms
Muttukudu 30 kms
Red Hills 14 kms
Mahabalipuram 61 kms
Cholamandal Artists Village 20 kms
Elliots Beach 11 kms
Crocodile Bank 42 kms
Pundi Reservoir 60 kms
Thirukkalikundram 80 kms
Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur)
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
64 kms from Chennai, connected by regular
bus-services. A major beach resort also famous
for its magnificent monuments hewn out of
rock.
Places of interest
Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, Krishna Mandapa,
Shore Temple, Mahishasurmardini Cave, Varaha
Mandapa and Mandapams.
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, the capital of the Pallava and
dynasty is one of the serene sacred cities
of India. It is situated 76 kms from Chennai,
35 kms from Chingleput & 64 kms from Mahabalipuram
via Chingleput.
What to see
Kailashnath Temple
Shri Vaikuntaperumal Temple
Shri Varadaraja Temple
Ekambareshwara Temple
Shri Kamakashi Temple
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
80 kms away from Chennai, the santuary is
famous for migratory birds (November to February)
viewing from (1500 to 1800 hours) an observation
tower. It is 30 km away from its nearest railway
station Chingleput.
Thanjavur (Tanjore)
The world famous Brihadeeswara temple is situated
here. It is built by Raja Chola The empire
builder in the early Dravidian style.
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max 36, Min 32
Winter: Max 23, Min 18
Best Season: October to March.
STD Code: 04362.
How to get there
Air: Nearest airport Tiruchirapalli (54 kms)
is connected with Cochin & Chennai.
Fare: Calcutta-Tiruchirapalli via Chennai
(Mon,Thu,Fri) Rs.5114 (Y).
Rail: Thanjavur is directly connected by
rail to Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Chennai and
Chidambaram.
Road: Thanjavur is connected by regular bus
services with Chidambaram (113 kms), Kanyakumari
(394 kms), Kumbakonam (38 kms), Chennai (310
kms), Madurai (159 kms), Pudukkotai (58 kms),
Rameshwaram (222 kms), Tiruchirapalli (54
kms).
What to see
Brihadeeswara Temple
The Palace
Sangeetha Mahal
Saraswati Mahal
Library
Raja Museum
Temple Museum
Schwarz Church
Excursions
Velankani-95 kms
Point Calimere/Kodikarai-30 kms
Poompuhar-100 kms
Tiruchirapalli (Trichy)
Tiruchirappalli or Trichy, situated on the
banks of river Cauvery, is famous for the
ranganatha temple at srirangam.
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max. 37, Min. 26
Winter: Max. 29, Min. 20.
Best Season: October to March.
STD Code: 0431
How to get there
Air: Trichy is directly connected by Indian
Airlines flights to Cochin & Chennai
Rail: Trichy is an important rail junction
connected to Bangalore, Coimbatore, Cochin,
Chennai, Madurai, Quilon, Rameshwaram, Tuticorin,
Tirunelveli.
Road: Trichy is connected by regular buses
with Bangalore (345 kms), Coimbatore (203
kms), Tanjore (56 kms), Kumbakonma (95 kms),
Madurai (142 kms), Ooty (302 kms), Chennai
(320 kms), Kanyakumari (384 kms), Chidambaram
(162 kms) Rameshwaram (228 kms), Palani (135
kms) etc.
What to see
Rock Fort
Sri Jambukeshwara Temple
Tiruvannaikaval
Srirangam
Museums & Art Galleries (0900-1230 &
1400-1700 hrs. Friday closed)
Excursions
Viralimalai (30 kms)
Kodumbalur (36 kms)
Sittannavasal (13 kms)
Thanjavur (59 kms)
Madurai
Madurai, the most famous of the temple towns
of the south is known for the Meenakshi Temple.
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max. 37.5, Min. 36.3
Winter: Max. 21.6, Min. 20.9
Best Season: Throughout the year
STD Code: 0452.
How to get there
Air: Indian Airlines connect Madurai with
Chennai, Calicut and Bombay. Vayudoot Services
also connect Madurai with Chennai & Pondicherry.
East West Airlines also connect Madurai with
Bombay.
Rail: Madurai is Connected by rail via Chennai
with all the main places in India.
Road: Madurai is connected by good motorable
roads to Chennai (472 kms), Trichy (142 kms),
Rameshwarm (139 kms), Kanyakumari (232 kms),
Tirunelveli (151 kms), Kodaikanal (120 kms),
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (136 kms), Palani
(122 kms), Thanjavur (223 kms), Bangalore
(446 kms), Bombay (1454 kms).
Bus: Regular bus-services connect Madurai
with Chennai,Bangalore,Tanjore,Palani, Courtallam,Kanyakumari,Kodaikanal,Periyar,Tiruchirapalli
and Trivandrum.
Local Transport: Taxi, Autorickshaw, City
bus, Cycle-rickshaw available here.
What to see
Meenakshi Temple- 1.6 kms
Tirumalai Nayak Palace- 2 kms
Mariamman Tank
Koodal Alagar Temple
Gandhi Museum and Government Museum (Timings:
1000-1300 hours & 1400-1800 hours. Closed
on Wednesdays)
Excursions
Alagar Koil (21 kms)
Tiruparan Kundram (8 kms)
Pazhamudhirchglai (25 kms)
Srivilliputhur (74 kms)
Vaigai Dam (69 kms)
Kodaikanal (120 kms)
Trichy (142 kms)
Rameshwaram
The sacred island town of Rameswaram at the
extreme south-eastern limit of the Indian
Peninsula, has one of India's most venerated
temples. A fine example of South Indian architecture,the
temple is renowed for its many pillared corridors,
about 1220 metres in length.
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max.37, Min. 30
Winter: Max. 30, Min. 25
Best Season: Throughout the year, but preferably
October to March
STD Code: 04573
How to get there
Air: Nearest airport Madurai (167 kms) is
connected by Indian Airlines flights with
Bombay, Calicut and Chennai.
Rail: Rameshwaram is connected by rail directly
to Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore
where Chennai is connected with all the main
places in India.
Road: Rameshwaram is connected by regular
bus services with Kanyakumari 320 kms, Karaikudi
149 kms, Chennai 666 kms, Madurai 167 kms,
Ramanathapuram 55 kms, Sivaganga 136 kms,
Pudukottai 188 kms, Tanjore 248 kms, Tuticorin
180 kms, Tiruchendur 209 kms etc.
What to see
Agnitheertham (2.5 kms)
Shri Ramnathswamy Temple (2 kms)
Gandhamadhana Parvadham (4 kms)
Kothandaramaswamy Temple (60 kms)
Excursions
Kurusadai Island (20 kms)
Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin)
Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of peninsular
India. It is the meeting point of thre oceans
- the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the
Indian Ocean. Besides its importance as a
pilgrim centre, it is famous for its bearutiful
views of sunrise, sunsent and moonrise over
the waters.
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max34.8, Min 21.6
Winter: Max 33, Min 20.4
Best Season: Throughout the year, but preferably
October to March
How to get there
Air: Nearest airport Trivandrum (80 kms)
is directly connected with Bangalore, Bombay,
Cochin, Delhi, Goa and Chennai.
Rail: Kanyakumari is connected to Trivandrum,
Delhi and Bombay by broad guage. Tirunelveli
(80 kms) is the other nearest railway junction
which can be reached by road via Nagaarcoil
(19 kms).
Road: Kanyakumari is connected by road to
Trivandrum- 86 kms, Nagercoil- 19 kms, Tirunelveli-
91 kms, Tiruchendur via Ovari- 89 kms, Tuticorin
(via Ovari- Tiruchendur)- 129 kms, Rameshwaram
via Tuticorin- 300 kms, Courtallam (via Tiruncleveli-Tenkasi)-
130 kms, Madurai via Tirunelveli- 242 kms,
Thekkady 358 kms, Kodaikanal via Madurai-
362 kms, Palani via Madurai- 370 kms, Ootacamund
(via Madurai-Palanai-Coimbatore)- 576 kms,
Cochin (via Quilon-Trivandrum)- 309 kms, Coimbatore
(via Madurai-Dindugal)- 478 kms.
Bus: Kanyakumari is connected by regular
bus services with Chennai, Pondicherry, Bangalore,
Trichy, Madurai, Mandapam ( Rameswaram ),
Nagercoil, Tuticorin, Tiruchendur, Tiruvelveli,
Trivandrum etc.
What to see
Kanyakumari Temple (0430-1130 & 1730-0830
hours. Only Hindus are allowed inside the
inner sanctum)
Gandhi Memorial
Vivekananda Memorial
Sunrise-Sunset-Moonrise
Excursions
Nagercoil 19 kms
Padmanabhapuram Palace 45 kms
Sunchindrum 13 kms
Tiruchendur 85 kms
Udyagiri 34 kms
Vattakottai 6 kms
Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal, a charming hill station, stands
amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest
of the upper Palani Hills near Madurai in
Tamil Nadu.
Altitude: 2,133 metres
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max 19.3, Min 11.3
Winter: Max 17.3, Min 8.3
Best Season: April to June and September
to October
STD Code: 04542
How to get there
Air: Nearest airport Madurai (120 kms from
Kodaikanal) is directly connected by Indian
Airlines flights with Chennai, which in turn,
is connected with all of the important places
in India.
Rail: The nearest railway station Kodaikanal
Road (80 kms) is directly connected by rail
with Chennai, which in turn, is connected
with all of the important places in India.
Road: Kodaikanal is connected by road with
Chennai- 520 kms, Ooty- 264 kms, Trichy- 197
kms, Coimbatore- 175 kms, Kumili- 160 kms,
Madurai- 120 kms, Kodai Road- 80 kms, Palani-
64 kms, Munnar- 90 kms, Periyar- 160 kms.
Places of interest
Kodaikanal Lake- 5 kms
Coaker's Walk- 1 km
Astrophysical Observatory- 3.2 kms
Fairy Falls- 4.8 kms
Kurinji Andavar Temple- 3.2 kms
Shenbaganur Museum- 5.6 kms
Pilar Rocks- 7.2 kms
Green Valley View- 6.4 kms
Excursions
Silver Cascade- 8 kms
Dophin's Nose- 8 kms
Perumal Peak- 11 kms
Beryam Lake- 21 kms
Kukkal Caves- 40 kms
Coimbatore
Coimbatore known as the "Manchester of
South india" is a commercial city of
Considerable importance, the chief commodity
being textiles.
Temperature (°C):
Summer Max. 39.4, Min. 23.3
Winter Max. 32.8, Min 20.7
Best Season: October to March.
STD Code: 0422
How to get there
Air: Coimbatore is connected by Indian Airlines
daily services with Chennai, Bangalore &
Bombay. East West Airlines also connects Coimbatore
to Bombay.
Rail: Coimbatore is connected by rail with
all important places in South India.
Road: Coimbatore is connected by road with
Bangalore 363 kms, Chennai 526 kms, Madurai
226 kms, Palani 105 kms, Trichy 203 kms, Udhagamandalam
( Ooty or Ootaacamund ) 89 kms, Yercaud 190
kms
What to see
Perur Temple (7 kms)
Marudhamalai Temple (12 kms)
Agricultural University (5 kms)
V.O.C.Park (10 kms)
Forest College (3.5 kms)
G.D.Naidu Industrial Exhibition
Glass Forest Museum
Excursions
Anamalais Wildlife Sanctuary/Indira Gandhi
Wildlife Sanctuary- 90 kms
Top Slip- 37 kms
Bhavani 102 kms
Bhavani Sagar Dam- 80 kms
Chennimalai- 80 kms
Coonoor- 70 kms
Kodumudi- 105 kms
Kotagiri- 118 kms
Palani- 105 kms
Udhagamandalam/Ooty- 89 kms
Udhagamandalam / Ootacamund (Ooty)
Ootacamund, the queen of the hill stations
of South India, is situated in the Nilgiris
at an altitude of 2240 metres. One can see
many profiles of nature, each with a distinctive
orandeur. Ooty is nited for its extraordinary
scenic beauty and salubrious climate amidst
the "Nilgiris" or "Blue Mountains".
Altitude: 2240 metres
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max 25, Min 10
Winter: Max 21, Min 0
Best Season: April to June and September
to October
STD Code: 0423
How to get there
Air: The nearest airport Coimbatore (89 kms)
is connected by Indian Airlines' flights with
Bombay, Calicut, Chennai and Madurai.
Fare: Calcutta- Coimbatore (via Chennai)
Rs.4,781 (J), Rs.6644 (Y).
Rail: Ooty is connected by narrow guage train
services with Mettupalayam which in turn connected
through Chennai & Coimbatore to major
cities in India.
Road: Good motorable roads connect Ooty to
Bombay- 1320 kms, Bangalore- 290 kms, Calicut-
178 kms, Coimbatore- 89 kms, Coonoor- 19 kms,
Kotagiri- 29 kms, Madumalai- 64 kms, Chennai-
535 kms, Mysore- 160 kms, Trivandrum- 498
kms, Tiruchirapally- 302 kms.
Places of interest
Botanical Gardens (2 kms)
Tiger Hill (16 kms)
Dodabetta Peak (10 kms)
Valley View Lake (1 km)
Wilson Fish Farm, St. Stephen Church, Marlimund
Lake (5 kms)
Wenlock Downs (2 kms)
Avalanche (15 kms)
Elk Hill, Kalhatti Falls (14 kms)
Snowdon, Glen Morgen (25 kms)
Excursions
Wellingtion (16 kms)
Kotagiri (29 kms)
Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (64 kms)
Coonoor (19 kms)
Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary (78 kms)
