Tamil Nadu is the 11th largest of the 29 states of India. But what Tamil Nadu lacks in terms of area is the abundance of natural resources. The western, northwestern and southern parts are rich in vegetation as they are the meeting point of the Western and East Ghats with the hills of the Nilgiris.
This makes the state an ecological niche that gives the state of Tamil Nadu a rich flora and fauna.
Tamil Nadu is also home to the oldest civilization and witnessed the rule of various ancient dynasties like Chera, Chola and Pandya who ruled the area from 300 BC to AD. 300 AD. The state of Tamil Nadu is therefore very rich in both culture and nature, making it a tourist paradise.
Contents
In this article, we will discuss the 10 most famous places that you must visit in Tamil Nadu.
- Chennai
- Mahabalipuram
- Kanyakumari
- Madurai
- Kodaikanal
- Vellore
- Ooty
- Kanchipuram
- Coimbatore
- Tirunelveli
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Chennai : Most famous places that you must visit in Tamil Nadu.
Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and was previously known as Madras. The city has been surrounded by South Indian kingdoms for centuries, so it is at the forefront of any cultural, economic, social, commercial and industrial development in South India.
Chennai is an abbreviated form of the real name Chennapatnam. It is often referred to as the Strait of India, as Chennai is home to the majority of India’s automotive industry.
More than just industries, the city is famous for its distinctive culture and heritage and you may need around 2-3 days to explore the city on your own.
The city is home to more than 20 heritage structures including train stations, museums, bookstores, cinemas and more. Chennai is also famous for its clean sandy beaches, parks, temples and cultural centers.
There are plenty of commercial attractions here and most modern activities that one could name. With a large list of tourist attractions,
Chennai deserves to be the 3rd most visited city by tourists after Delhi and Mumbai.
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Mahabalipuram : Most famous places that you must visit in Tamil Nadu.
Also known as Mamallapuram, the city of Mahabalipuram is famous for its ancient and cultural heritage. The city of Mahabalipuram was an important seaport dating back to the 7th century AD and was ruled by the Pallava dynasty.
This place is famous for its monuments and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Almost all of the monuments are carved from granite and showcase the brilliance of Dravidian-style architecture.
On the other hand, the town is small and the best way to visit is on foot or by renting a bicycle. Attractions across the city can be covered in a day or two.
The city is bustling with tourists most of the year, except during monsoons. The special location of this place further enhances the charm of the monuments and elaborate carvings.
The temples here are a wonder to behold and with the help of an experienced guide you can completely lose yourself in the ancient stories behind each monument.
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Kanyakumari : Most famous places that you must visit in Tamil Nadu.
The southernmost tip of mainland India, Kanyakumari was once known as Cape Comorin. The ancient city of Kanyakumari was an important site during the Chola, Chera and Pandya dynasties.
This city is famous for its beautiful beaches, temples, monuments and cultural centers. The city is also famous for its distinctive culture and hospitable people.
This place, due to its unique location, is testament to a wonder that only a few places in the world have ever seen, that of being able to see sunrise and sunset on the same beach.
The city is located at the confluence of three waters namely the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal and is therefore considered an important pilgrimage site in southern India. The temples here are built in the Dravidian architectural style.
The various South Indian delicacies served here are excellent and light on the stomach and include some South Indian classics like Sambhar, Idli and Dosa, and more. A trip to this city is sure to refresh your senses.
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Madurai : Most famous places that you must visit in Tamil Nadu.
The 3rd largest city in Tamil Nadu, Madurai is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. This place has been called by many people Kautilya and Megatheres.
The city was ruled by the Pandya and Chola dynasties. The city is where a number of important and magnificent temples were built around it.
Geographically, the city of Madurai is located on a fertile plain near the Vaigai River that divides the city into two parts.
Therefore, the land is mainly used for agriculture and is the main source of crops such as rice in India.
Most tourists to Madurai visit the various temples that house this ancient city.
Meenakshi Ammam Temple is of prime importance here as it has been mentioned in most ancient texts and is considered the main pilgrimage site for Tamils.
The temple complex consists of 27 different temples and the tallest tower with a height of 51.9 meters reigns here. Various monuments and temples are also worth visiting as well as various festivals held here. Madurai City is a spiritual experience in itself.
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Kodaikanal : Most famous places that you must visit in Tamil Nadu.
The city is also known as the ‘Princess of Hill Stations’ with the name meaning ‘Gift of the Forest’. It is a small hill station with an average altitude of 2,331 meters above sea level, surrounded by dense forests and located on top of Palani hill.
The hill station dates back to 1845, established as a refuge from the heat and disease of the tropical plains. The city is a major tourist attraction and the tourism industry is the source of much of the city’s economy.
Kodaikanal is famous for its scenic beauty and has a number of natural attractions that attract high numbers of tourists. The various lakes, parks and waterfalls as well as the abundance of flora and fauna, the city, are truly the gift of the forests.
It is home to many natural wonders and phenomena such as the blooming of the rare Kurinji flower that blooms only once every 12 years and is said tcover the entire valley in blue. With diverse flora and natural and man-made attractions to enjoy, Kodaikanal will make you want to stay.
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Vellore : Most famous places that you must visit in Tamil Nadu.
Also known as the walled city, Vellore is located on the banks of the Palar River in the northeast of Tamil Nadu. The city was ruled by various kingdoms and monarchies such as Pallava, Chola, Carnatic kingdom and the British.
The name of the place comes from the monolithic fortress Vellore built in the 16th century by the Vijaynagar kings and built from granite. The fort complex houses a polite British Catholic church, a mosque and an ancient Hindu temple that has some of the most splendid carvings.
This place also has a lot to do with history, as Vellore Fort is said to have been the residence of the Sultan Tipu family during British rule. Besides the fort, several other attractions have made it an important tourist destination.
Various temples with carved displays and brilliant Dravidian architecture, picturesque Yelagiri hill station, churches and mosques and various shopping spots make it a place to be. A must visit place in Tamil Nadu.
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Ooty : Most famous places that you must visit in Tamil Nadu.
The capital of Nilgiris district, Ooty or Ootacamund is one of the most visited hill stations in India. This place is located in the heart of the Nilgiris Mountains with an average altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level.
It is characterized by the blue, smoky color of thick eucalyptus forests and is also known as the home of the rare kurunji flower. The main economic source of the city, like most mountain resorts, is tourism. Many British government officials have described the place as more likely to resemble Switzerland.
Despite being located in the tropics of India, Ooty enjoys a pleasant mild climate year-round with cool nights. The best time to visit is between December and February and very crowded with tourists around.
The various lakes, mountains, gardens and valleys are great places to visit.
The various peaks are great spots for hiking, and the lakes are great camping and picnic spots. One visit to Ooty and you’ll discover an environment unique to almost anywhere in India.
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Kanchipuram : Most famous places that you must visit in Tamil Nadu.
The city of Kanchipuram is located on the banks of the Vegavathy River. The city has seen several dynasties and monarchies rule such as the Pandyas, the Cholas, the Vijaynagar Empire, the Carnatic Kingdom and the British Monarchy.
Kanchipuram since the Middle Ages has become important as a center of education and is known as a place of learning. The city is also famous for its various temples built in the Dravidian architectural style and for its amazing rock carvings.
Kanchipuram was already an important city and has been mentioned in texts dating back to the Maurya period (325-185 BC) and has always been mentioned as a city like no other in the Dravidian kingdom.
Kanchipuram in addition to various temples is known for medicinal herbs, this is also attested by ancient texts. One of Kanchipuram’s main products is its specialized silk and the more than 5000 families residing here are all silk weavers and are famous for their “Kanchipuram silk sarees”.
It is full of natural and man-made attractions and has a distinct culture for you to experience. With various temples, bird grounds, beaches, standing waters, and more, the city is a definite must.
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Coimbatore : Most famous places that you must visit in Tamil Nadu.
The highly industrialized city of Coimbatore is often referred to as the “Manchester of India”. It is the second largest city by area in the state of Tamil Nadu.
This place is famous for many temples, shopping malls and typical Tamil food. Coimbatore is also surrounded by various picnic spots such as waterfalls and rivers that are sure to refresh your senses and are a great place to visit with family or friends. The city lies on the banks of the Noyyal River and is surrounded by the Western Ghats.
The best thing about this city is its pleasant climate all year round. The mountains covered with jungle and the cool breeze from the opening of Palghat make the weather pleasantly warm.
The city also boasts the Siruvani River, a tributary of the Kaveri River. The special feature of this river is the taste of the water thanks to its perfect blend of minerals, making it the second-best tasting water in the world after the Nile (don’t buy packaged water when you visit the place. this). There are many parks and zoos that only add to the large number of tourist attractions present in this city.
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Tirunelveli : Most famous places that you must visit in Tamil Nadu.
City lies at the southern end of the Deccan Plateau with the Tamirabarani River flowing through the city. The city is a religious and agricultural center and thrives on tourism. It is home to rich natural resources and diverse in natural features such as mountains, rivers, coastlines and forests.
The temples here are of special significance as they were created in the Middle Ages by the ruling dynasties of the time and feature brilliant architecture and stone carvings.
Apart from being a monumental center of Tamil Nadu, the city has many unexplored sites that make it a tourist paradise.
The forests are home to a variety of natural flora and fauna as well as many rare and endangered species. The best time to visit this place is between October and February when the weather is pleasant and the vegetation is at its peak.
The magical state of Tamil Nadu is India’s second busiest tourist destination. With an abundance of natural and man-made wonders, the city has more than 4000 years of cultural history.
In addition to the places mentioned above, Coonoor and Yelagiri hill stations are also very popular with tourists. Besides, Rameswaram and Tiruchirappalli are also popular tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu.
Most of the sites and monuments from ancient times have been well preserved along with the natural resources that make it a definite tourist attraction.
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