Visit the Official Website Of Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation - TNTDC

                              TAMIL NADU

Capital: Chennai
Large Cities: Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, Salem
Language: Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, English

Location:   Deep south is the fascinating State of Tamil Nadu, the home of the Tamils. Founded by the Dravidians over 5, 000 years ago, the State is also the home of some of the most ancient architectural beauties and sculptures in the world. its capital Chennai (Madras) is the most ‘Indian’ of the Indian cities where you can still see glimpses of the traditional way of life that has all but disappeared in northern cities. Although the pace of life is not hectic anywhere in the Indian subcontinent, it is certainly leisurely in Tamil Nadu – all the way from Chennai to Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin). The climate of the State is varied. When it is hot in Chennai, there are opportunities to relax in the cooler climes of Tamil Nadu’s great hill resorts of Ooty and Kodaikanal.

History:   Tamil Nadu had its own early Dravidian kingdoms which patronized and encouraged fine arts. First, there were the Pallavas with their capital at Kanchipuram, followed by the Cholas who ruled from Tanjore (Thanjavur). Further south, the Pandyas ruled from Madurai. The neighbouring Karnataka, with some parts of present Tamil Nadu, was ruled by the Chalukyas who brought the temple art of South to the pinnacle of its glory. Raja Raja Chola, Mahendra Varman I, Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Cheran Senguttuvan are the famous and dominant rulers of ancient Tamil Nadu.

Attractions:   Tamil Nadu’s special attractions are its many temple towns, amazing and ornate with their soaring towers called Gopurams. A trip through the State take you through several interesting places like Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram and Vailankanni. The State is blessed with one of the finest beach resorts and wildlife sanctuaries. Tamil Nadu is a perfect place to have a relaxing holiday.

Travel & Food:   An advantage of Tamil Nadu holiday is the modest tariff of hotels and food services compared to hotels in the north. If you are tired of the usual inexpensive vegetarian thali, you have a vast choice of Western and Indian food in better hotels and restaurants.

Language:   The people of Tamil Nadu speak Tamil, one of the oldest and most developed languages of India. Tamil has greatly influenced the other three major South Indian languages – Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

Economy:   The economy of Tamil Nadu is predominantly agrarian though the State is one of the most industrialized in India. thanks to its rich mineral resources,it is a leading producer of cement, fertilizers and other chemicals in the country. Textile and leather industries provide employment to thousands of people. Tamil Nadu is reputed for its fine handicrafts and silk saris. Kanchipuram silks are known all over India and world class silk producer in India. Among other shopping ideas are temple lamps in brass and copper, metal bells, idol carvings in wood, stone, metal and leather products.

Honour:   Tamil Nadu is having the honour of giving the great scientist and physicist Sir C.V. Raman, who was awarded Nobel Prize for Physics for his world famous ‘Raman Effect’, who belongs Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) one of the large cities in Tamil Nadu. The great Tamil poet and freedom fighter Bharathiar and Bharathidsan, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai are one of the greatest personalities who lead the State by his incomparable works. Thiruvalluvar is the great tamil poet of the 2nd Century, who wrote 'Thirukkural', the uncomparable work in literature and is known as 'World's Common Religious Book'.

Tourist Places in Tamil Nadu

Chennai

Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)

Chidambaram

Courtallam

Kanchipuram

Kanniyakumari

Coimbatore

Madhurai

Ooty (The Nilgiris)

Rameswaram

Palani

Salem

Tanjore (Thanjavur)

Tiruvannamalai

Trichy (Tiruchirapalli)

Vellore

Tamilnadu Wildlife Sanctuaries

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

Events: The Nilgiris Summer Festival 2008