Tamil Nadu
From the Bay of Bengal to the Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu resonates with the history and faith of the ancient Dravidians, India’s original Hindu inhabitants. With a language and poetic literature that is over 2000 years old, it boasts some of the most remarkable temple architecture in India and has a rich living tradition of music and dance. From the Coromandel Coast, with its beautiful green paddy fields, coconut groves and banana plantations, the land rises up through ancient temple towns to the tea, coffee and spice plantations in the Eastern Ghats. Tamil Nadu is a delight on its own, but also combines easily with Kerala and/or Karnataka. The contrast between these states is striking and the combination makes for a diverse mix of history, culture and scenery.
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Madras (Chennai), the state capital, is a sprawling coastal city and the gateway to this historic state. Established in 1640 as Fort St. George by the British trader Francis Day, this bustling city has a wealth of Imperial architecture and Indo-Saracenic buildings line its marina. Near Madras are the ancient temple towns of Mahabalipuram, with the legendary Shore Temple, and Kanchipuram, known for its exquisite silks. Further down the coast is the unique former French territory of Pondicherry and one of the country’s most famous ashrams, Auroville. Moving inland, the plains are dotted with temple towns such as Tanjore, famous for art and silk, and Madurai, home to the awe-inspiring, towering Meenakshi Temple, one of the biggest pilgrimage centres in the country.
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Tamil Nadu
Trichy, situated on the banks of the Cauvery River, is best known for the spectacular Rock Fort Temple, perched on a massive rocky outcrop which rises abruptly from the plains to tower over the old city. From here you get beautiful views over the town, including the Sri Ranganatha Swami temple in the north, one of the largest and most interesting temple complexes in India. It is built on an island in the middle of Cauvery river and covers a staggering 2.5 sq. kms with seven concentric walls, the outer three housing 20 thousand people and the inner walls protecting the temple itself.
Contact UsChennai (formerly known as Madras), the capital of Tamil Nadu and the fourth largest city in India, encapsulates the spirit and unique culture of India's southernmost state. A major centre of commerce - cars, buses, auto-rickshaws, mopeds, pedestrians, fish carts and cows all compete for space on the streets. Although seriously congested there is an almost complete lack of stress and tension which is greatly symbolic of the deep spirituality of this state. The first British settlement in India, Chennai still has a fine legacy of colonial architecture which display a wide range of influences from the elegant classical style of the 18th century to the much more eclectic Anglo-Indian school of the late 19th century. It is the latest of a line of Indian cities that is hurtling into the 21st century and now even has a small but impressive collection of trendy shops, coffee bars and nightclubs.
Contact UsMadurai, built on the banks of the Vaigai River, is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu and was once the capital of the Pandya dynasty (7th to 13th century AD). Known as the Temple City and one of India's most sacred pilgrimage centres, Madurai was laid out in accordance with an ancient temple custom whereby the Great Temple dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi was placed at its centre. Considered to be the finest of its kind in Tamil Nadu, this Great Temple's towering gopurams are covered in a riot of gaily painted, dancing and cavorting gods and goddesses. If you can, make both a morning and an evening visit to experience the pujas, processions, music and singing in its numerous pillared halls.
Situated a little lower than Ooty, Conoor is a peaceful, often overlooked hill station, which has avoided the ravages of tourism. Visit Sim’s Park, nearby waterfalls, tea gardens or enjoy a train ride on the miniature Blue Mountain Train. Similar to Ooty, it has a strong ‘British’ air, resulting from the abundance of old Victorian buildings scattered throughout the area. The altitude of Ooty is 1,800 metres.
