Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu was originally known as 'Madras'. Boasting about its history which is around 367 years old, the city is the fourth largest city of India. The 16th century saw the arrival of the Portuguese in Chennai. Later Dutch established their supremacy and finally the British East India Company gained control over the city. The British founded the city in the 17th century when they felt a need for an naval base. It is located on the Coromandal Coast of the Bay of Bengal.
Known for its ancient temples built in rock-cut and Dravadian style of architecture, Mahabalipuram is a town located in the Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu. It is also known as the 'City of Bali'. Originally it was called as Mamallapuram. Once the capital of the Pallavas who made praiseworthy contributions to its architectural beauty, Mahabalipuram is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It houses several monuments soaked in historic importance dating back to the 7th and the 9th centuries.
Kumbakonam town is dotted with numerous temples and hence known as the 'temple town' of Tamil Nadu. It is located in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Not only the town but also its surrounding areas have several temples. The Mahamaham festival is celebrated with boundless joy in the city. It is celebrated once in twelve years at the Mahamaham tank. The city is surrounded by two rivers namely Kauvery and Arasalar. In the 7th century it was the capital of the Chola Kingdom.
Known for its beautiful and fine silk saris, Kanchipuram is also a land dotted with numerous temples. It is a holy city located on the Palar river in Tamil Nadu. Originally it was known as Kachi and Kachiampathi. Once it was the capital of the Cholas. Later Pallavas established their supremacy in Kanchipuram in the 6th century. They were followed by the Vijaynagar rulers. It is a pilgrim centre held in high esteem by the Hindus. The city flaunts around one hundred twenty six temples. The beauty and richness of the? Dravadian style of architecture can be best seen in the temples of the city.
Cholamandalam is a home to masterpieces of art and architecture of ancient India. It was once the abode of several talented artists who exhibited their talents in the form of temples. Even today the art is thriving well in this small village. Located only 9 km from the capital city of Tamil Nadu, Cholamandalam is doted with several institutes imparting knowledge of Indian art and architecture. Pay a visit to these institutes where you can even buy the artistic works of the students. There are many art galleries to satiate your creative side. The beauty and rich heritage of Cholomandalam attract many a film makers for shooting. Several international artists come here for exchanging their knowledge with each other.
Tanjavur is a city in the Tanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. It is also called Tanjavur, its anglicised name. It is located only 10 m from river Kaveri. It is a land of art, music and handicrafts. The city is also famous for its wonderful paintings.The name of the city is associated with a mythological story. According to the story when the wrath of a demon named Tanjan was reaching its peak, he was killed by Sri Anandavalli Amman and Sri Neelamegapperumal. His last wish was to name the city after him. It was granted. Thanjavur was the capital of the Chola Empire between the 10th and the 14th centuries. They left behind a rich heritage in the form of beautiful temples. There are around 74 temples in the city.
Trichy city is dotted with beautiful monuments, temples, churches and mosques.It is located on the banks of river Kaveri and is a famous tourist destination in Tamil Nadu. It was once the the capital of the Cholas. Later it also became the capital of Madurai Nayak. It is a known commercial centre of Tamil Nadu and famous for its artificial diamonds, cigars and cheroots. It is the fourth largest city of Tamil Nadu.
Madurai is a lotus-shaped city located on the banks of River Vaigai in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. It is surrounded by three hills called Yanaimalai, Nagamalai and Pasumalai. It is the oldest and second largest city of Tamil Nadu. Once it was the capital of The Pandyas. They were followed by the Muslim rulers and then came the Vijayanagar rulers. They were defeated by the Nayaks. Their finest contribution to Madurai was the Meenakashi temple. It is famous for its architectural beauty all over the world. Madurai is proud of its rich heritage ? dance, art, music, literature and temples. Originally the city was called 'Madhurapuri'. The legend goes that Lord Shiva showered blissful nectar or 'Madhu' on this land. This was his blessing for the city. This blessing coincided with the day when the city was to be named. Later, after the 14th century, the name was distorted to Madurai. Today it is one of the important pilgrimage of Hindus.
Being the confluence of the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, Kanyakumari is highly picturesque city of Tamil Nadu. It is the souther most tip of India and was once called 'The Granay of Travancore'. People from across the globe throng in here to see? Sunrise and Sunset which are awe-inspiring. It is a known pilgrimage of Hindus. It is surrounded by beautiful hills and serves peace in plenty. The most interesting thing about the city is its beautiful sunset and moonrise which can be seen simultaneously on a full moon day. It is the only place in India offering such a great opportunity. In the past, Kanyakumari was ruled by the rulers such as the Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas and Nayaks who played an important role in erecting architectural marvels in the city. The establishments in Kanyakumari exemplify great harmony between different styles of architecture.
Ooty is the celebrated hill station of South India. In fact, it is known as the 'Queen' of the Southern hill stations. Gifted with wonderful location in the picturesque and cool Nilgiri Hills, Ooty was founded by the British collector. The vegetation of the hill station is characterized by dense forest, tea gardens and eucalyptus trees. Previously it was called Udhagamadalam, but the Britishers renamed it as Ooty. It was once the dynasty of the Hoysalas rulers. Later it came under the rule of the British when a treaty was signed with Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatna in 1799.
Rameshwaram is a holy town in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. It is a highly revered pilgrimage centre of Hindus holding sheer nationwide significance. It is located on an island which is only 40 km from Srilanka. The pilgrimage to Kashi is not considered complete without a pilgrimage to Rameshawram. According to the legend Lord Rama worshipped lord Shiva in Rameshwaram. This is also the place where the lord built a bridge called Ram Setu to cross over to Sri Lanka. The town is known as the Varanasi of South India.