For the visitor wishing to explore southern India extensively, Chennai, the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, is the most convenient point of entry. Chennai has an international airport, a sea port and a rail and road network that links it to all major towns and cities of the region. It also has several deluxe hotels and others to suit modest budgets. Tamil Nadu is a bastion of Hinduism, whose past endures into the present. Temples with towering spires called gopurams are a common feature of this state, seldom seen anywhere else in the country. Temples in Tamil Nadu were the fulcrum of society and even today art forms that have their origin in religious worship continue to colour daily life. Notable among these are splendid bronzes of deities, painting on glass and Bharatnatyam, an evocative dance form. Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram and Thanjavur are good examples of temple towns where within the temple fortifications grew a multi layered society that preached faith and grew from social harmony. Kanchipuram, also called Kanjeevaram, is famous throughout the country as the center where lustrous silk sarees are woven. Likewise Thanjavur is an important center for bronze figure casting. Mahabalipuram, with its wealth of sculptures, is located by the seaside and has excellent resorts

The towns of Tiruchirapalli and Madurai also contain famous temples.

Quite a contrast to the temple heritage is provided at Pondicherry, for long a French colony. French is still widely spoken, and seaside villas and cobbled streets are more reminiscent of the south of France than the south of India! Yet another facet of this surprisingly diverse state is two hillstations Ootacamund and Kodaikanal. Both are little patches of England, being much loved by the expatriate population of the Raj. Both places provide delightful relaxation during an extended tour of the south, having a wide range of hotel accommodation. The cuisine of Tamil Nadu, more or less totally vegetarian, has become enormously popular all over the country, and few towns do not have at least one eatery serving popular snacks from the state’s extensive repertoire.

CHENNAI

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu is also its principal harbour and has one of the finest beaches in Asia. It was founded at Fort St. George in 1640 A.D. by Francis Day of the East India Company.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Fort St. George & St. Mary's Church, Gandhi Mandapam, High Court, Anna Square, Kapaleeswara Temple, Light House, Marina Beach & Aquarium, Parthasarathy Temple, San Thom Cathedral, Snake Park, Theosophical Society, Valluvar Kottam, Ripon Buildings and War Memorial Fort Museum (0900-1700 hrs. Closed on fridays).and Govt. Museum & Art Gallery (0800-1700 hrs. Closed on fridays).

EXCURSIONS
Covelong 38 kms, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary 85 kms, Pulicat 61 kms, Kanchipuram 71 kms, Ennore Beach 18 kms, Muttukudu 30 kms, Red Hills 14 kms, Mahabalipuram 61 kms, Cholamandal Artists Village 20 kms, Elliots Beach 11 kms, Crocodile Bank 42 kms, Pundi Reservoir 60 kms, Thirukkalikundram 80 kms, Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur) kms.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Climate (deg C) : Summer- Max. 37, Min. 22.1; Winter- Max. 32, Min. 19.8
Best Season : October to March.

MAMALLAPURAM (MAHABALIPURAM)

KANCHIPURAM

Kanchipuram, the capital of the Pallava and dynasty is one of the serene sacred cities of India. It is situated 76 kms from Chennai, 35 kms from Chingleput & 64 kms from Mahabalipuram via Chingleput.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Kailashnath Temple, Shri Vaikuntaperumal Temple, Shri Varadaraja Temple, Ekambareshwara Temple and Shri Kamakashi Temple.

VEDANTHANGAL BIRD SANTUARY

80 kms away from Chennai, the santuary is famous for migratory birds (November to February) viewing from (1500 to 1800 hours) an observation tower. It is 30 km away from its nearest railway station Chingleput.

PONDICHERRY

A french colony upto 1954, Pondicherry is a living monument of French Culture in India. The Aurobindo Ashram and 'Auroville' the international township are famous all over the world.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Botanical Gardens- 2 kms, Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus- 1.5 kms, The Promenade, Govt. Park, Manakula Vinayagar Temple- 2 kms, Romain Rolland Library-1 km, Sri Aurobindo Ashram- 2 kms, French Institute 2 kms, Museums & Art Galleries- .5 km (1000-1700 hrs. Mon. closed)

EXCURSIONS
Auroville- 10 kms, Arikamedu- 10 kms, Chunnambar Boat House- 8 kms, Mailam- 45 kms, Mandagapattu- 50 kms, Ousteri Lake- 15 kms.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Climate (deg C) : Summer- Max 36, Min 32; Winter- Max 23, Min 18.
Best Season : October to March.

THANJAVUR (TANJORE)

The world famous Brihadeeswara temple is situated here. It is built by Raja Chola The empire builder in the early Dravidian style.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Brihadeeswara Temple, The Palace, Sangeetha Mahal, Saraswati Mahal, Library, Raja Museum, Temple Museum, Schwarz Church.

EXCURSIONS
Velankani-95 kms, Point Calimere/Kodikarai-30 kms, Poompuhar-100 kms

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temparature : Summer- Max 36, Min 32; Winter- Max 23, Min 18.
Season : October to March

TIRUCHIRAPALLI (TRICHY)

Tiruchirappalli or Trichy, situated on the banks of river Cauvery, is famous for the ranganatha temple at srirangam.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Rock Fort, Sri Jambukeshwara Temple, Tiruvannaikaval, Srirangam, Museums & Art Galleries (0900-1230 & 1400-1700 hrs. Friday closed).

EXCURSIONS
Viralimalai (30 kms), Kodumbalur (36 kms), Sittannavasal (13 kms), Thanjavur (59 kms).

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C):Summer- Max. 37, Min. 26; Winter- Max. 29, Min. 20.
Season : October to March

MADURAI

Madurai, the most famous of the temple towns of the south is known for the Meenakshi Temple.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Meenakshi Temple- 1.6 kms, Tirumalai Nayak Palace- 2 kms, Mariamman Tank, Koodal Alagar Temple, Gandhi Museum and Government Museum (Timings: 1000-1300 hours & 1400-1800 hours. Closed on Wednesdays).

EXCURSIONS
Alagar Koil (21 kms), Tiruparan Kundram (8 kms), Pazhamudhirchglai (25 kms), Srivilliputhur (74 kms), Vaigai Dam (69 kms), Kodaikanal (120 kms), Trichy (142 kms).

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C):Summer- Max. 37, Min. 26; Winter- Max. 29, Min. 20.
Season : October to March

RAMESHWARAM

The sacred island town of Rameswaram at the extreme south-eastern limit of the Indian Peninsula, has one of India's most venerated temples. A fine example of South Indian architecture,the temple is renowed for its many pillared corridors, about 1220 metres in length.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Agnitheertham (2.5 kms), Shri Ramnathswamy Temple (2 kms), Gandhamadhana Parvadham (4 kms),

EXCURSIONS
Kurusadai Island (20 kms),Kothandaramaswamy Temple (60 kms)

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C):Summer- Max. 37, Min. 26; Winter- Max. 30, Min. 20.
Season : October to March

KANYAKUMARI (CAPE COMORIN)

Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of peninsular India. It is the meeting point of thre oceans - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Besides its importance as a pilgrim centre, it is famous for its bearutiful views of sunrise, sunsent and moonrise over the waters.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Kanyakumari Temple (0430-1130 & 1730-0830 hours. Only Hindus are allowed inside the inner sanctum), Gandhi Memorial, Vivekananda Memorial (Boat services are operated to this Memorial. 0600-1100 & 1400-1900 hours. Entry fee to Memorial Rs.15. Ferry fare Rs.35 per head), Sunrise-Sunset-Moonrise.

EXCURSIONS
Nagercoil 19 kms, Padmanabhapuram Palace 45 kms, Sunchindrum 13 kms, Tiruchendur 85 kms, Udyagiri 34 kms, Vattakottai 6 kms.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C):Summer- Max. 37, Min. 26; Winter- Max. 31, Min. 20.
Season : October to March

KODAIKANAL

Kodaikanal, a charming hill station, stands amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest of the upper Palani Hills near Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Kodaikanal Lake- 5 kms, Coaker's Walk- 1 km, Astrophysical Observatory- 3.2 kms, Fairy Falls- 4.8 kms, Kurinji Andavar Temple- 3.2 kms, Shenbaganur Museum- 5.6 kms, Pilar Rocks- 7.2 kms, Green Valley View- 6.4 kms.

EXCURSIONS
Silver Cascade- 8 kms, Dophin's Nose- 8 kms, Perumal Peak- 11 kms, Beryam Lake- 21 kms, Kukkal Caves- 40 kms

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 19.3, Min 11.3; Winter- Max 17.3, Min 8.3.
Season : April to June and September to October.

COIMBATORE

Coimbatore known as the "Manchester of South india" is a commercial city of Considerable importance, the chief commodity being textiles.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Perur Temple (7 kms), Marudhamalai Temple (12 kms), Agricultural University (5 kms), V.O.C.Park (10 kms), Forest College (3.5 kms), G.D.Naidu Industrial Exhibition, Glass Forest Museum.

EXCURSIONS
Anamalais Wildlife Sanctuary/Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary- 90 kms Top Slip- 37 kms, Bhavani 102 kms, Bhavani Sagar Dam- 80 kms, Chennimalai- 80 kms, Coonoor- 70 kms, Kodumudi- 105 kms, Kotagiri- 118 kms, Palani- 105 kms, Udhagamandalam/Ooty- 89 kms.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C):Summer- Max. 37, Min. 26; Winter- Max. 31, Min. 20.
Season : October to March

UDHAGAMANDALAM / OOTACAMUND (OOTY)

Ootacamund, the queen of the hill stations of South India, is situated in the Nilgiris at an altitude of 2240 metres. One can see many profiles of nature, each with a distinctive orandeur. Ooty is nited for its extraordinary scenic beauty and salubrious climate amidst the "Nilgiris" or "Blue Mountains".

PLACES OF INTEREST
Botanical Gardens (2 kms), Tiger Hill (16 kms), Dodabetta Peak (10 kms), Valley View Lake (1 km), Wilson Fish Farm, St. Stephen Church, Marlimund Lake (5 kms), Wenlock Downs (2 kms), Avalanche (15 kms), Elk Hill, Kalhatti Falls (14 kms), Snowdon, Glen Morgen (25 kms).

EXCURSIONS
Wellingtion (16 kms), Kotagiri (29 kms), Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (64 kms), Coonoor (19 kms), Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary (78 kms).

GENERAL INFORMATION
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 19.3, Min 11.3; Winter- Max 17.3, Min 8.3.
Season : April to June and September to October.