Located in the southern Peninsula of the Indian mainland, Tamil Nadu is a treasure trove of nature�s bounty and is the hub of ancient Dravidian culture and heritage. Having an long coastline of the Bay of Bengal, it features a vast range of flora and fauna, enchanting hill stations, impressive Hindu temples featuring Dravidian architecture, picture perfect beaches and various pilgrimage sites. Your tour to Tamil Nadu is incomplete without a visit to the famous tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu, some of which are:

Chennai:
This town is one of the most significant ones in the state and apart from being the capital of Tamilnadu it is also a key access point for the domestic and foreign visitors. It is a blend of urban planning and ancient traditions thus making for a wonderful tourist getaway. There are many historical landmarks and buildings strewn all over the state that are evocative of the bygone era. The must see places of Tamil Nadu include Kapaleeshwarar temple, Parthasarathy temple, San Thome Basilica, Fort St. George, Marina Beach and Guindy National Park.

Kanyakumari:
It is one of the leading tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu renowned for its brilliant sunrises and sunsets, particularly on full moon days. The beach itself is a gorgeous sight with multihued sand. There is a lighthouse from where one can catch panoramic vistas of the cool blue waters of the sea.



Rameshwaram:
Located in the Gulf of Mannar, it is a stunning island and an important pilgrim centre for the Hindus. According to the legends, Lord Rama is said to have built the mythical bridge to Sri Lanka in order to save Sita, his wife, from the captivity of Ravana. Rameshwaram Temple is the major attraction of this place and the exquisite locale of this place makes it ideal for swimming and sunbathing.

Tiruchirappalli:
Located on the banks of River Kaveri, this town is a famous religious site for the Vaishvanites and is remarkable for the Shirangam temple. This town was also a seat of the Cholas during the ancient times and is strewn with numerous historic temples, monuments, churches and mosques. The man-made dam known as �Kallanai� built by the rulers of Chola dynasty is also a major draw for the tourists.

Udhagamandalam:
It is one of the most charming hill stations of south India and indisputably one of the top tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu. This paradisiacal hill station was discovered by the British, in the early 19th century and is also popularly known as Ooty. Botanical garden, St. Stephen�s Church and Government Museum are some of the must see things at this hill station.

Apart from all these places to visit in Tamil Nadu, the fairs and festivals also occupy a prominent place in the tour itineraries and while on your holidays in Tamil Nadu, you should not miss out to be a part of these extravagant events. The most important among all the festivals is Pongal, celebrated in the month of January. The other ones are Thaipusam, Chithirai festival, Mahamagam festival and Dance Festival.

Find useful travel information regarding Tamil Nadu tourist attractions on the site touristplacesinindia.com that also offers valuable inputs on the other places of tourist interest in India.

Events And Festivals

The main festival of the state is Pongal, which is a harvest festival celebrated in the month of January. Feasting, music and dance mark this festival. Another festival, Thaipusam, celebrated in the month of January/February in Thanjavur and Palani, is marked by ritual bathing. Several temple car festivals are held throughout the state, the primary ones being at Kanchipuram, Tiruchirapalli, Rameshwaram, Chidambaram, and Thiruvarur.

The Chithirai festival, another major festival, is celebrated in the month of April/May, especially in and around Madurai. The Mahamagam festival is celebrated once in 12 years at Kumbhakonam. The Arubathimoobar festival in Chennai is marked by a procession of the 63 saints of Lord Shiva. During the Meenakshi Kalyanam festival in Madurai, during April-May, the temple Goddess is wedded to her celestial husband. Besides these, Navratri, Deepavali, and Christmas are also celebrated with traditional gaiety and fervor.

A truly secular festival is the Kanthuri festival, where devotees flock to the shrine of saint Quadirwali, believed to do equal good to people of all faiths. One of the descendants of the saint is chosen as a peer or spiritual leader and is honored with offerings. On the tenth day of the festival, the saint's tomb is anointed with sandalwood, and later the holy sandal paste, renowned for its healing powers, is distributed among the devotees.

In January, the Tamil Nadu Tourist Development Corporation (TTDC) Trade Fair is held in Chennai. The Dance Festival at Mamallapuram is held in the month of January and is famous throughout the country. Lord Nataraja, the 'cosmic dancer', is paid rich tributes in the temple city of Chidambaram. The summer festival at Ooty, Kodaikanal and Yercaud attracts thousands of tourists every year and is marked by boat races and flower and fruit shows. The Tyagaraja Music Festival at Thiruvaiyur in January attracts music lovers from all corners of the world. The Float Festival at Tiruchi, in the month of March, is also famous.