ABOUT TAMIL NADU
Tamil Nadu, the heart of the Dravidian culture and tradition, has for time immemorial, been a pioneer of peace and knowledge, and the visual legacy of the culture of the state, is among the most satisfying spectacles in India. Sharing boundaries with the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala, Tamil Nadu has an unbroken coast line, edging the Bay of Bengal. Densely forested uplands which abound in wildlife, intensively cultivated farmlands interspersed with rocky wastes, mountain chains of the Western Ghats, which give way to fertile coastal plains and plateaus form the geographical features of Tamil Nadu.
Tamilians learn to appreciate culture, from a very young age, and have a deep interest in music, dance and literature. Classical dancing in the form of Bharatnatyam, has its origin in the temples of the South East, and continues to be followed with a lot of fervour and dedication in Tamil Nadu. Carnatic music is another art form, that has flourished over the ages, producing artists of great repute. Festivals are a daily feature in this region. Navaratri or Dussehra (September/October), Diwali (October/ November), Karthika (November/December) and Pongal (January) are the major occasions, celebrated with great enthusiasm. A unique festival of Carnatic music, the Thyagaraja festival, is held annually in January at Thiruvariyar, the birth place of famous singer poet Thyagaraja, where one can witness the amazing spectacle of mass performance, in total harmony and rhythm.
The places of tourist interest in the state are Chennai, the beautiful capital city; Mamallapuram, the beach resort; Kanchipuram, the land of 1000 temples; Madurai, famous for the Meenakshi temple; Rameswaram, Tiruchirapalli and Thanjavur, the temple trio; the charming hill resorts of Yercaud, Ootacamund and Kodaikanal and Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India, renowned for its sunrise and sunset.
TEMPLES AND GODS
There are more than 30,000 temples in Tamil Nadu, which has given the state the distinctive title of 'A Land of Temples'. Built by various dynasties these temples bear a superficial resemblance to each other in that they share the same physical features - the gopuram or the imposing tower over the entrance, from all four directions the vimanam which is the tower over the sanctum and the spacious halls and corridors. The temple was also much more than a place of worship. It was a place for social gathering, for education, for celebration - not just of the king's victories in battles but also of local functions and ceremonies such as marriages. The temple was also used as a store house of sorts for emergencies and, many a temple also maintained hospitals. The temple was a place where art, in all its forms i.e. music, dance, drama and handicrafts received encouragement and flourished.
But, above all, the temple was a place of worship. And what was of utmost importance is the beautiful sculptures that adorned them. Every temple has architectural beauty of its own, peculiar to the presiding deity. You will not miss the Universal.
The Tamils have always been a God-fearing people and are ardent worshippers of Siva, Vishnu, their consorts Parvati and Lakshmi, Vinayaka, Subramanya (also known as Muruga). And each of these gods take on different names at different temples depending on the legend of the temple. For example, at Rameswaram, Ramanathaswamy, which means 'He who was worshipped by Rama' and at Chidambaram He is called Nataraja or the 'Cosmic Dancer'. In simple terms, for the sake of identification it is enough to know that whenever 'Eswaran' is the suffix in the name of the presiding deity, the temple is dedicated to Lord Siva. The South has very few temples where Siva is depicted as anything other than a lingam. A few notable exceptions are the temple of the Cosmic Dancer at Chidambaram and the Ardhanareeswarar temple at Tiruchengodu. Siva is also worshipped as the five elements i.e. as Sky or Space in Chidambaram, Water in Tiruvanaikkaval, Fire in Tiruvannamalai, Earth in Kanchipuram and Air in Sri Kalahasti (Andhra Pradesh). In Tamil Nadu, Vishnu is worshipped as Vishnu himself rather than as one of his incarnations, though there are some temples dedicated to Rama and Krishna both of whom are incarnations of the Lord. He is known by various names such as Varadaraja Perumal in Kanchi, Kallalagar in Madurai and Ranganathaswamy at Srirangam.
Of the consorts, there are several temples dedicated to Parvati where there are also shrines to Lord Siva. The most prominent of these of course is the twin temple dedicated to Meenakshi and Sundareswarar at Madurai, and the Kamakshi temple at Kanchi. Apart from this, the goddess is also worshipped as Kali Amman or Durga.
Vinayaka or Pillayar is perhaps the most worshipped of the gods and is also called Vigneswara or Ganapati or Ganesa. He is the elephant-headed elder son of Siva and Parvati and is extremely benign in appearance. During any festival or celebration, worship of this God is given precedence over others. The largest Pillayar temple is at Pillayarpatti near Karaikkudi. Vinayaka's younger brother Subramanya is the Lord of the mountains and his six abodes of Aarupadaiveedu - Tiruttani, Swamimalai, Palani, Thiruparankunram, Pazhamudircholai and Tiruchchendur.
Two terms that one often comes across in reference to the temples in Tamil Nadu are Saivism and Vaishnavism. As the words imply, Saivites are followers of Lord Siva while Vaishnavites are followers of Lord Vishnu. Not all that long ago, the men of the two sects could be identified by the distinct religious marks on their forehead. The Saivites wore three horizontal strokes of the vibhoothi or sacred ash while their Vaishnavite counterparts wore a long 'U' shaped decoration in white with a vertical stroke of vermillion stretching between the eye brows. These marks are no longer in use as catholicity, now marks the Hindu faith.
TAMILNADU WILDLIFE TOURS
Tamil Nadu, the cultural hot seat of South India has added another feather in its cap owing to its diverse natural heritage. Tamil Nadu Wildlife Tours are thus quite naturally a rage among the tourists.
Tamil Nadu is marked by a varied topography. The state encompasses an area of 1,30,058 sq km land area, out of which 17.6% is covered with forests. The lush terrains comprise of fertile low-lying plains, lofty mountains and the Western Ghats. A delightful blend of dry and wet deciduous forests, wet evergreen forests, sholas, grasslands and thorny scrubs and mangroves make up the state’s natural vegetation.
One of Tamil Nadu’s prized possessions is its assorted flora and varieties of wildlife. Elephants, tigers, bisons, monkeys and deer inhabit the lofty jungle-clad hills. As a natural corollary to this, some of the state’s leading wildlife sanctuaries like the Madumalai and Annamalai (Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary) are situated on the hilly terrains.
Tamil Nadu is also spectacular breeding ground for variegated species of resident as well as migratory birds. The state houses cormorants, herons, storks, pelicans, grebes, darters and several other varieties of birds that are a real treat to behold. The Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary and the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary are two such eminent bird reserves of the state.
Tamil Nadu also houses crocodile and fish farms, a sanctuary that is solely dedicated to squirrels as well as several arboreal species.
A glimpse of Tamil Nadu’s diverse heritage can be obtained by a mere stopover at one or all of the following sanctuaries:
» Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary And National Park
» Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary And National Park
» Mukkurthi National Park
» Kalakkudu Wildlife Sanctuary
» Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary
» Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary
» Guindy National Park
» Vallanadu Black Buck Sanctuary
» Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
» Viralimalai Wildlife Sanctuary
» Anna Zoological Park, Chennai
TAMILNADU HILL STATIONS
Tamil Nadu is situated on the south eastern side of the Indian peninsula. It is bounded on the east by Bay of Bengal, in the south by the Indian ocean, in the west by the states of Kerala and Karnataka and in the North by the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The land mass of the state can be divided into two natural divisions,
(1) The Eastern coastal plain
(2) The hilly region along the North and the West
A stroll through the clouds afloat, collect a handful of natural pleasure as a memoir, open the hands and they dissolve into oblivion. This pleasurable dream is not impossible on a hill station with the pleasant climate. With their dreamy and rejuvenating atmospheres, Ooty on the Nilgiri's and Kodaikanal on the Palani Hills in Tamil Nadu are two favorite tourist spots.
Nilgiri (meaning 'blue mountain') hills at the concurrence of the Eastern and Western Ghats are enveloped by the blue haze of the clouds, making the name worthwhile. Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Coonoor and Kotagiri hill stations are on the Nilgiri's. Amongst these, Ooty is known as the 'Queen of hill stations'.
Elevating activities !
Trekking, Hang-Gliding, fishing and Golf are some of the recreation facilities that can be availed at these hill stations. 2100m above sea level on the enchanting Palani hills, 120 km form Madurai is Kodaikanal, an splendid hill station. The place is blessed with the hues of Kurinji plant, which gives purple flowers once in twelve years. The man- made Kodai Lake awakens the fascinating slumber of the hill station with paddle-boating facilities. A short walking distance from the lake is Briyant's park. Behold the celestial family from the solar observatory and the two telescope houses of Kodaikanal.
Hence, the spectacular abode of mountain magic beckons you to explore this beautiful zone!
The major hill stations are :
Ooty :
Ootacamund, the queen of the hill stations of South India, is situated in the Nilgiri's at an altitude of 2240 metres. Ooty is known for its extraordinary scenic beauty and salubrious climate amidst the "Nilgiri's" or "Blue Mountains".green Udhagamandalam better known as Ooty is the most popular hill station in the South.
Udhagamandalam is the headquarters of the Nilgiri's district where the two ghats converge. Nature has been bounteous with this region which is indeed the most beautiful in the region. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees like conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle embrace the hillside in Udhagamandalam and its environs. Summer temperature is rarely higher than 25°c with a minimum of 10°c and winter is are distinctly cooler with a high of 21°c and a low 5°c.
Ooty, the Queen be seated in this heavenly abode remained undiscovered to the great southern dynasties and it took the British to explore it in the early 1800s. They were, however, not the first friends of this land as a tribe called Todas had been living there long before the British came, claiming that the Nilgiri's had been their home since time immemorial. The British constructed the first railway line in the area and made it the summer capital of the Chennai Presidency.
Kodaikanal :
The place is Kodaikanal, secludedly situated 2100 meters above sea level, in the beautiful Palani Hills. Kodaikanal is 120 Kms from the bustling city of Madurai and at least tens and thousands of Kilometers from the mundane. Perhaps why those who visited this hill station have come back enchanted and thrilled.
Coonoor :
The serene hill station of Coonoor lies in the arms of the Nilgiri Hills. In fact Coonoor is located at an altitude of 1800 m. Geographically speaking, Coonoor lies at the head of Hulikal ravine.This picturesque retreat is covered by grassy meadows, tea bushes, a profusion of sunflowers, marigolds and rhododendrons, all growing wild. Coonoor is essentially a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year.
Links with the world Coonoor does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is in Coimbatore. Coonoor is on the toy-train line between Mettupalayam (28 km) and Ooty. The toy train leaves Mettupalayam for Ooty at 7:45 am and arrives at Ooty at noon. The total time taken on the return trip back to Mettupalayam is about 3½ hours. However, this train service is often disrupted during the heavy monsoon season. Coonoor is well connected by bus with Ooty, Coimbatore, and Kotagiri.
Kotagiri :
In the serene setting of the Nilgiri Hills and just an hour's drive from Udhagamandalam, Kotagiri is a small resort set among the lush tea estates. Retaining the essence of hill magic and charm, the resort offers year round sylvan charm. Trips to Kodanad View Point, St. Catharine Falls and Rangaswamy Pillar and Peak are worthwhile.Kotagiri is a hiker's paradise, with endless trails and sufficient 'off beat ness'. It is the third largest and the oldest hill station in the Nilgiri's. Like all hill stations in India, this also has had strong presence of the British Raj. The town is fast becoming commercial, with many banks and shopping facilities coming up. It has a Kota temple in the middle of the town, even though the Kota tribes have long moved out, giving it an exotic tribal feel. Kotagiri has one of the best climates in the world. It is more temperate than Ooty, attributed to its altitude of 1984 metres above sea level.
Velliangiri Hills :
Of all the mountain shrines in Kongunadu, the Siva temple of Velliangiri in the western boundary is considered to be the most famous. Known as Rajathagiri, Velliangiri, Dakshin Kailash or Bhoolok Kailash, this sacred spot, according to legend, is where Siva performed his cosmic dance on the request of his consort Umadevi. The five faces of Lord Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Maheshwara and Sadasiva, are seen as Panchagiri and as Panchalingas pertaining to the panchabhutas, in Velliangiri. The hill ranges have abundant natural resources, which include rare herbs. Lord Panchalingesa and his Consort Manonmani Amman alias Parvathi, bestow their grace on the devotees who throng here annually between February and May.
BEACHES OF TAMIL NADU
Here, God himself created the horizons of nature.....
As the waves of the ocean sweep the shores of silver sands a magic pervades in the Southern peninsular zone of the Indian sub-continent. The charisma and magic of the nature's dreamy wand of passion imparts imaginative zeal to the creator once again. Tamil Nadu is that destination where God himself sat down and created the horizons of nature.
Wondrously blessed is the South with the captivating magic of nature. Enticed is the beholder with such overwhelming sites. There are certain beaches that are yet to be explored. These untouched horizons beckon passionate voyagers to join this caravan of exploration. Some bygone waves leave ephemeral impacts which drench the silver sands with a mystical charm.
Tamil Nadu is adorned with the finest beaches of the world;
» Marina Beach :
This is the second longest beach in the world and is a major tourist attraction. It stretches about 13 kms from the Harbour to the Santhome Cathedral. The Memorials such as Anna Samadhi, MG R Samadhi are located on the sea front. This section of the beach road is known as Anna Square. An aquarium, of tropical and marine fishes and a swimming pool are situated adjacent to each other.
Marina beach situated to the east of Chennai (Madras) at Kamarajar Road, 3 Km away from the city centre. The beach covered with the silver sands is said to be the longest beach in India and one of the longest in Asia, extends to a length of 13 Km, from Fort St. George all the way to Mahabalipuram. There is a drive along the beach circumscribed with palms and casuarinas running the whole length of Chennai.
Silver sands, an excellent surf and a shimmering clean blue sea, this in a nutshell, is Marina beach. This beach is acknowledged as one of the longest beaches in Asia. It's 12 km-long stretch is the second longest in the world. It is located on the eastern side of the city adjoining the Bay of Bengal. To behold the sun set and rise from the beach is an enthralling experience. Though bathing and swimming can be dangerous as the undercurrent is very turbulent, even then people dare to swim here.
» Mahabalipuran Beach :
Mahabalipuram, also known, as "Mamallapuram" is located 58-km, south of Chennai, nestling on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, offers many breath-taking monuments with Sculptural Panels, Caves, Monolithic Rathas (chariots) and Temples.
The spectacular beach of Mahabalipuram attracts thousands of tourists all through the year. While at the beach you may sun bathe, relax and unwind yourself. At the same time you may explore the magnificent monuments besides the beautiful beaches. The dreamy rock cut art is an amazingly extravaganza. For the more ecclesiastical tourists there are the temples besides the shores, rathas, Arjuna's penance that are exclusive to the region. A crocodile bank, snake venom extracting centre, schools of art and sculpture and a wide spectrum of resorts along the beach entice holiday-seekers all round the year.
Mahabalipuram may be easily reached. Mahabalipuram is well linked through air, rail and road networks. The nearest airport of Chennai connects Mahabalipuram with the other main cities of India and the world through frequent air flights and trains. In terms of the road transport buses knit the terrestrial network Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai et al ply to Mahabalipuram.
» Kanyakumari Beach :
Kanyakumari is often referred as the 'Land's End' of India. Here, the Bay of Bengal confluences with the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea and, at Chaitrapurnima (the Tamil name for all full moon day that generally falls in April), it is possible to enjoy the unique experience of seeing the sunset and the moon rise over the ocean simultaneously.
Kanyakumari (also spelt as Kanniyakumari) district is contoured by Tirunelveli district in the north and northeast, by Kerala state in the northwest and confluence of Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean in the west and south. The coastline is almost regular except for some points of land projects into the sea at Cape Comorin. Kanyakumari is the district headquarters of the district of the same name. At the southern most land tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, lies Kanyakumari, an important revered pilgrim centre.
» Rameshwaram Beach :
Rameshwaram is where Lord Rama rested and prayed after his victory over the demon king Ravana. A sacred site for both Vaishnavites and Shaivities. The island of Rameshwaram is one of the most revered temple towns of India without a visit to which, the pilgrimage of a devout Hindu is not considered accomplished.
Rameshwaram is a sacred island positioned off the mainland cicumscribed by Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar anchored with the longest ever constructed bridge on sea in India. It is a major Hindu pilgrimage site. The maximum temperature varies between 28-31 degree Celsius, while minimum temperature is around 25 degree. Between January and March is the best time to visit Rameshwaram. The population size of Rameshwaram is 32,700. The serene beach and shallow water here are ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
» Covelong Beach :
Covelong is a small fishing village located 40 kms from Chennai on the way to Mahabalipuram. This beach has a fort built by the Nawab of Carnatic, Saadat Ali.
Merely, 40 kms away from the hustle and bustle of Chennai, Covelong is a dreamy village. But it is brisk with fishing activities. The sea and the surf here are gentle. The charming spot of Covelong is at a distance of forty kilometers from the capital city of Tamil Nadu Chennai. The tourists and the travelers throng the quiet village. The vivacious village of Covelong is renowned for its fishing activities. In the fishing village the swaying palms and the beautiful beach entice people from across the globe. The environs, ambience, peace, tranquility and the infrastructure at the Covelong beach come together to make it one of the most popular beach resorts on the Coromandel Coast. In the yester years Covelong was the renowned port of the Nawabs of the Carnatic. On digging the past it is revealed that Saadat Ali, Nawab of Carnatic, built the ancient port of Covelong. In the year 1746 Covelong was taken over by the troops of the French General Laboudonnais and in 1752 destroyed by Clive.
» Elliot's Beach :
This beach is located in Besant Nagar. Formerly a popular bathing beach, today, it is the favourite rendezvous of the younger generation. Good roads, pavements, illuminated sands, makes a visit to this beach a real pleasure.