Tamil Nadu - The Land of Tamils or Tamil Country / land of varied beauty

Tamil Nadu, a South Indian state, is an important gateway to South India and is also the educational hub of the country. The antique temples of the state are renowned for their amazing arts and tombs. The state is every year visited by millions of tourists from all over the world. Tamil Nadu not only offers you a relaxed holiday but also it is a holy pilgrimage site. The fabulous state is known for its marvelous natural and architectural wonders. Tourists have a lot to see and experience in this superb region. The residents of the state are well versed with their culture and they follow all the traditions related with the soulful land.

How to Reach

• Air: Chennai�s Meenambakkam receives international flights and there are flights to Tiruchirapalli from Colombo, Sri Lanka. Madurai and Coimbatore also have airports.
• Rail:The state�s major railheads are Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Coimbatore.
• Road:Tamil Nadu has extensive rail network, connecting it to the neighboring states of Kerala, Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh.

Best Time to Visit

• Tamil Nadu witnesses around 40 degree C temperature in April and May which are the hottest months of summer in the state.
• Its winter temperature hovers around 20-22 degree C.
• The state receives most of the monsoon from the North East of the country.

The best time to visit Tamil Nadu is between October to February with pleasant climate conditions.

Major Attractions

• Chennai and Mammalapuram Beach : Chennai, the state capital, also known as the gateway to south India, is a sprawling, busy, conservative city with deeply-rooted traditions and culture.
• Madurai : Ancient Madurai houses the most impressive and important temple in south India �the Meenakshi Temple.
• Ooty : Ooty is a marvelous summer retreat, having the 22 hectare Government Botanical Gardens for flower show, Ooty Lake for boating and Dodabetta Peak for climbing and taking mesmerizing views of the Nilgiri hills.
• Pondicherry : Pondicherry, lying on the east cost of Tamil Nadu, provides you an exotic experience in India.
• Kanyakumari : Kanyakumari, lying on the farthermost tip of India, is a spiritual town providing amazing natural and architectural views.

Other important places in the state are lined up below:

• Kanchipuram
• Mahabalipuram
• Chidambaram
• Coimbatore
• Kodaikanal
• Rameshwaram
• Thanjavur (Tanjore)
• Trichy (Tiruchirapalli)

Fairs and Festivals

Tamil Nadu celebrates fairs and festivals with great pomp and show. As the culture remains in the core of this land, all the traditions are followed in celebrating these fairs and festivals. Major Tamil Nadu fairs and festivals are lined up below :

• The Harvest Festival 'Pongal'
• Chithirai Festival at Madurai
• Dance Festivals at Mamallapuram
• The Natyanjail Dance Festivals
• The Mahamagam Festival
• The Aurbathimoovar Festival
• The Saral Vizha (Kuttalm or Courtallm)
• The Kanthuri Festival

Flora and Fauna

Tamil Nadu has some of the popular flora and fauna and amazing wildlife sanctuaries including Mudumalai, Anaimalai (Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary), Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Guindy National Park, etc. Located in the hills of the Western Ghats, these spots are home to elephants, tigers, bisons and a varied species of monkeys and deer. The region possesses over 3,000 plant varieties, most of which residing in the mixed deciduous forests of Tamil Nadu.