TAMIL NADU GUIDE |
| |
 |
Tamilnadu is bounded by Karnataka
and Andhra Pradesh in the north and Kerala in
the west. The eastern and western
tips of the Tamilnadu are defined by the Point
Calimere and Mudumalai wildlife sanctuaries
while the northern extreme is Pulicat lake and
the southernmost tip is Kanyakumari, the land's
end. Tamil Nadu is principally washed by the
Cauvery, originating in Coorg in neighbouring
Karnataka. Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu is
known for its beautiful beach resorts.
|
Guide |
Hotels |
Attractions |
|
|
| |
TAMIL NADU INFORMATION |
|
| Tamil Nadu, the heart of the Dravidian
culture and tradition, is one of the four states of
Southern India. Bounded by the states of Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh and Kerala on the north and west, Tamil
Nadu is washed by the waves of the Indian Ocean to the
south. Its eastern shores are kissed by the waters of
the Bay of Bengal. The state has an unbroken coastline
of 992 km, which includes several scenic beaches. If you
want to tour the land of temples, Tamil Nadu is the
right place for you. The places of tourist interest in
Tamil Nadu are Chennai, the beautiful capital city,
Madurai, the temple town, and Rameshwaram, one of the
holiest cities in India. |
| |
| |
|
TAMIL NADU FACTS AND FIGURES |
|
Tamil Nadu at a Glance ...
|
| |
Area:
|
103.058 sq km |
| |
Capital: |
Chennai |
| |
Languages:
|
Tamil, Telegu, Kannada |
| |
No. of Districts: |
20 |
| |
Religion: |
Hindu, Muslim, Christian |
| |
Location: |
South West India |
| |
Urban: |
24% |
| |
Main Income: |
Agriculture, Industries |
| |
Best
Time to visit: |
December to February |
|
| |
| |
|
TAMIL NADU HISTORY |
|
The history of Tamil
Nadu is very old and it is believed that human endeavour
s to inhabit this area began as early as 300, 000 years
ago. It is also suggested that the first Dravidians of
Tamil country were part of the early Indus Valley
settlers and moved south during the advent of Aryans
around 1500 BC. However, the recorded history goes back
only to the 4th century BC. There are references in the
early Sangham literature to the social, economic and
cultural life of people. The proximity to the sea
established the Tamil Country on the maritime map of the
world even before the dawn of Christian era. The Tamils
were bonded through trade links with ancient Egypt,
Greece and Rome.
History rewinds
Prior to the Christian era, the Cheras, Cholas and
Pandias ruled Tamil Country. This was the golden period
of Tamil literature, the Sangham Age that shadowed three
centuries after Christ. The domains of these three
dynasties changed many times over the centuries. At
times other dynasties like Pallavas and Chalukyas came
into power. All these dynasties engaged in continual
skirmishes; but their steady patronage of arts served
the expansion of Dravidian culture.
It is speculated that the early Dravidians were part of
the Indus Valley Civilisation. However, with the coming
of the Aryans, the Dravidians were pushed back into the
deep south where they ultimately settled around 1500 BC.
Excavations have revealed that the features of the
people of the Indus Valley Civilisation bore a marked
resemblance to that of this region.
Bastion of legacy
Tamil Nadu is famed for its rich tradition of literature
, music and dance which are continuing to flourish
today. It is one of the most industrialized states in
India. Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu (as
well as one of the official languages of India).
Tamil Nadu was carved from the old Madras State in the
1950s, when India re-drew some state lines according to
language. State politics continue to have a lot to do
with protecting and celebrating the Tamil (and Dravidian
in general) language and culture. |
| |
| |
|
TAMIL NADU TOURIST ATTRACTIONS |
|
| Kapalleswarar (Chennai) » San Thome Cathedral (Chennai) » Thomas Mount (Chennai) » Sim's Park (Coonoor) » Little Mount Shrine (Chennai) » Fort St.
Shrine (Chennai) » Tamukkam Palace (Madurai) » Lomd's Nose (Coonoor) » Kodaikanal (Madurai) » Rameshwaram (Madurai) » Meenakshi Temple (Madurai) |
| |
| |
|
TAMIL NADU FAIRS AND FESTIVALS |
|
| Pongal is the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu. People
extend their tribute to the Sun, Nature and the Cattle
wealth for helping them with a rich harvest and
Prosperity. The traditional preparation of 'Pongal' i.e.
boiling rice with jaggery and milk, takes place at every
home. At dawn on this day families everywhere gather
around a new earthen pot. As the pot of milk boils over,
signifying prosperity, a shout of "Pongalo Pongal" rents
the air. This thanks- giving festival is celebrated on
the first day of the Tamil Month Thai (Middle Of
January). and Dussehra,Yugadi,Karaga,Makara Samkramana,
Sri Ramanavami, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh
Chaturthi and Deepavali.Fairs:Sri Vithappa,The Godachi
Fair, Shri Yellamma Devi Fair, Banashankari Devi Fair. |
| |
| |
|
HOW TO REACH |
|
By Air : Directly linked to the major cities.
By Rail : Connected with Ahmedabad, Bangalore,
Bombay, Calcutta, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad,
Kodai Road, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Ooty,
Rameshwaram, Trichy, Tirupati Trivandrum and Varanasi.
By Road : 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. |
| |
| |
|
TAMIL NADU MAJOR CITIES |
|
| Chennai » Chidambaram » Coimbatore » Coonoor »Kanchipuram » Kotagini » Madurai » MamallaPuram » Rameswaram » Thanjavur » Tiruvannaamalai » Vellore |
| |
| |
|
TAMIL NADU WILDLIFE AND BIRDS |
|
|
The topography of Tamil Nadu is delightfully varied and
diverse. Of the 1,30,058 sq-kms land area, 17.6% is
covered with forest area. These spread over the plains
and on mountain slopes. Dry lands are bestowed with
dry-deciduous forests, thorn forests, scrubs and
mangroves. The Western Ghats and a few cooler regions
are endowed with moist deciduous, wet evergreen forests
and grasslands. There are 5 national parks and 17
wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu. The famous wildlife
sanctuaries are the Anamalai (Indira Gandhi) Wildlife
Sanctuary, Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalakadu
Wildlife Sanctuary, Mundanthurai Tiger Sanctuary,
Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
and National Park, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and The
Viralimalai Sanctuary. The Gulf of Mannar Marine
National Park and the Guindy National Park are the most
visited national parks in the state. Anna Zoological
Park in Chennai is one of the latest and modern zoos of
India. The Snake Park and the Crocodile Bank also
located in Chennai are known for their collection of
reptiles. |
| |
| |
|
TAMIL NADU ARTS AND CRAFTS |
|
The heart of Tamilaham, the home of the Tamils or Tamil
Nadu, lies around and south of the curve of the Eastern
Ghats as it goes to merge with the Western Ghats in the
Nilgiris. Some of the oldest prehistoric settlements of
India have been found in this area, which has also been
the cradle of ancient arts and crafts and industries, a
land of innumerable, incomparable temples.
The development of the region has been attested by
several writers of olden times. Pliny the Younger of
Rome and others have written of the Tamil country in the
1st and 2nd century AD as being a source of silk, fine
muslin, ivory work and diamonds, rubies, pearls and
tortoise shell. Even earlier, Kautilya (circa 300 BC)
referred to pearls of the Taamraparni River in Pandyan
country and cotton fabrics from Madurai and sandalwood
carvings. |
| |
| |
|
TAMIL NADU SHOPPING |
|
Tamil Nadu, popularly referred as the cradle of
Dravidian culture, offers exciting shopping experiences
to its visitors. The state is renowned for its rich
culture heritage including its exquisite arts and
crafts, which are world-famous for their uniqueness.
Traditional items like Kanchipuram silks, Pattamara mats
and the leaf and palmyra-fiber handicrafts from
Tirunellveli, bronze and brass castings and traditional
jewelry from Kumbakonam, metal works from Tanjore and
stone sculptures from Mahabalipuram are famous all over
the country.
Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is world-famous
for its fine South Indian silk, embroidered silk sarees,
hand-woven garments and handicrafts items. Poompuhar,
the Tamil Nadu Emporium, and Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan have
their shops in all major cities and tourist destinations
of Tamil Nadu. They sell exquisite handicrafts and other
exotic souvenirs, offering a rewarding shopping
experience to visitors.
Madurai, the textile hub of South India, is famous for
its readymade garments of fine silk and cotton.
Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore, is known for its
bronze items, especially the beautiful Chola Nataraja.
The beautiful replicas of the ancient paintings and
Thanjavur plates with their exquisite copper and silver
work are specialty of Tanjore. Coimbatore also offers
beautiful silk sarees and a range of handicraft items.
If you are fond of collecting fine pieces of sculptures,
then Mahabalipuram is the perfect shopping place in
Tamil Nadu. Mahabalipuram offers exquisite ancient art
and craft including granite carved sculptures of Hindu
Gods, exquisite woodcarvings and jewelry. |
| |
|
|
|
