Tamilnadu – Place to See

Located in the temple city of Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati, who is known as Meenakshi in the temple, and her consort, Lord Shiva, named as Sundareswarar. The temple stands as a symbol of antiquity and holds immense importance in the hearts of all the natives.

Meenakshi Amman Temple has 14 gopurams (gateway towers) that range between 45–50m height. The tallest of all the Gopurams is the southern Gopuram which is 51.9 meters (170 ft) high. The Gopuram has two golden sculptured Vimanas. The Gopuram has the shrine of the main deities of the temple, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Shiva. The temple is known to have around 33.000 sculptures. It is believed that around 15,000 visitors visit the temple every day. The temple receives an annual revenue of around 60 million.

The star attraction of the temple is Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam, also known as the Hall of 1000 pillars. The hall has two rows of pillars that are carved with images of yali, the mythological beast with the body of a lion and head of an elephant. Yali is commonly used as the symbol of Nayak power. The hall was built back in the year 1569 by Ariyanatha Mudaliar.

The most important festival celebrated in the temple is “Meenakshi Thirukalyanam” which is celebrated every year in the month of April. The festival celebrates the marriage of Meenakshi and Lord Shiva.

Group of monuments at Mahabalipuram include a monument complex which is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. The group of monuments have 40 sanctuaries that were founded by the Pallava kings during the 7th and 8th centuries. The group also includes the largest open-air bas-relief in the world, which is why Mahabalipuram is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The sanctuaries are specially known for their mandapas, rathas (temples in the form of chariots), giant open-air reliefs and more that feature numerous sculptures of Lord Shiva.

The Group of monuments at Mahabalipuram can be divided into five categories:

Ratha temples are present in the form of processional chariots which are further cut into residual blocks. The second one is the mandapa, or rock sanctuaries which are designed in the form of rooms covered with bas-reliefs that display the acts of Lord Vishnu, Five Pandavas and Lord Krishna. The next are the rock reliefs in the open air that represent a popular episode in the iconography of Lord Shiva and the Descent of the Ganges to the earth. Then, there are temples that were built using cut stone, like the Temple of Rivage that was constructed under the rule of King Rajasimha Narasimavarmn II (695-722). The last category is that of monolithic rathas, that range from single to triple storey.

The Shore Temple is another major attraction included in the group of monuments. The temple is popular for featuring typical Pallava style of architecture.

Entry fee: no entry fee

Opening and closing timings: Open all days of the week except Monday from 5:30 AM – 12:00 PM

And 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

One of the most revered and oldest temples of Chennai, Kapaleeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to be built back in the 7th century CE by the Pallavas.

The temple is considered one of the finest examples of Dravidian style of architecture. The main attraction of the temple is the 120 feet Gopuram that stands high to leave you mesmerized. The inscriptions found inside the temple are believed to date back to the 12th century. As you enter the temple, you get to see a huge sculpture of a holy saint known as Gnanasambandar. Also, there are bronze carvings of the 63-Shaivate saints that are carried around the city during the Aruvathumoovar festival, held in the month of March-April.

Goddess Parvati is worshipped in the temple as Goddess Karpagambal or the Goddess of the Wish Yielding Tree. According to the tradition, Goddess Karpagambal is offered a garland which is made of gold coins on the ritual of Friday worship.

The temple houses a number of shrines. The most prominent among all are the shrines of Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal. Six rituals are performed daily in the temple. Also, a number of festivals are organized in the temple such as the Arubathimoovar festival, which is celebrated during Pankuni in the Tamil calendar.

Set on the beautiful island of Rameshwaram is Ramanathaswamy Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples, where Lord Shiva is worshiped in the form of a Jyotirlinga. Also, it is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams.

The temple is considered a holy pilgrimage site for Shaivites, Vaishnavites and Smarthas.

Lord Shiva, referred as Ramanathaswamy here is the main deity of the temple. The temple is notable for housing the world’s most sacred sand mound, a lingam that is believed to be created by Rama’s wife Sita when she wishes to worship Lord Shiva. Other than this lingam, there is one more lingam in the main sanctum that was brought by Lord Hanuman from Kailash and is known as Vishwalingam. The lingam brought by Lord Hanuman is worshipped before the other one as Lord Ram told to do so.

The temple dates back to the 16th to 18th centuries and is well-known for its 1000-pillar hall and 22 theerthams (temple tanks) where all the pilgrims take a dip before taking the blessings of the deity. Ramanathaswamy temple is believed to have the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India.

Opening and closing timings

All days of the week from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Dhyanalinga Temple is well-known for its tranquil and spiritual ambiance. Dhyanalinga Temple is a popular meditation center located in Coimbatore. The shrine has a 13 ft high lingam of Lord Shiva right in the center that is entirely made of black granite.

Dhyanalinga Temple speaks much about the history and architecture of ancient times with its stories and paintings.

The temple is believed to feature powerful energy that has been created using the essence of yogic science. The temple is spread over a large area and it has a special where visitors can take part in yoga and meditation sessions. The temple features a unique rustic charm that adds to the serenity of the place.

Opening and closing time:

Every day from 9 am to 5:30 pm

Entrance Fee:

INR 20 per person

Located in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a popular tourist attraction. The memorial was built back in the year 1970 and is considered one of the finest examples of architecture in South India. Set on a rock island, the memorial houses a statue of the great preacher Swami Vivekananda. It is believed that Swami Vivekananda came to this rocky island and meditated at the island to attain enlightenment.

Vivekananda Mandapam honors Swami Vivekananda and it has a meditation hall (Dhyana Mandapam) where visitors can sit and meditate in tranquility. The mandapa features a blend of different architectural styles that come from all across India. Other than the meditation hall, it has Sabha Mandapam which is the Assembly Hall.

Shripada Mandapam is a square hall which consists of Garbha Graham, Inner Prakaram and Outer Prakaram. There is also a study hall where visitors can learn about the significance of the place.

Entrance Fee

(One-way fare)

First class: INR 142

Second class: INR 24

Opening and closing timings

From Mettupalayam at 7:10 am, From Ooty at 3 pm

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway was built back in the year 1908 by the British. This 46-kilometre beautiful toy train journey begins from Mettupalayam. The train goes through bridges, tunnels, and curves. The journey is further enhanced as it moves through the beautiful landscape of Ooty. The train travels through different elevations from 300 feet to 7200 feet. From the train, you can enjoy spectacular views of the hill station. The toy train gained much popularity after it got featured in Shahrukh Khan Starrer movie Dil Se.

Boating charges:

INR 40 for half an hour for 2 seater pedal boat

INR 70 for half an hour per person for 4 seater pedal boat

INR 110 for half an hour per person for row boat

Opening and closing timings:

All days of the week 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Also known as Kodai Lake, Kodaikanal Lake is a manmade lake that is shaped like a star. It was under the instructions of Sir Vere Henry Levinge, the then Collector of Madurai that the lake was created in the year 1863. Tourists from all across the world visit to enjoy a boat ride at the lake.

The lake has a functional boat club which makes it one of the most popular boating destinations. Boat ride at the lake is the prime attraction. You really can’t miss a boat ride when at this serene lake. A number of flower shows are organized on the banks of the lake.

The lake is all around surrounded by lush green meadows which add to its beautiful look. It is a great place to enjoy a picnic with your family.

Also known as Chidambaram Temple, Thillai Natarajah Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. The shrine holds immense importance among the Saivites as it was the first temple for this sect.

Lord Shiva presides in the temple as Thillai Koothan (Thillai Nataraja – Shiva, The Lord of Dance). It in this temple where Lord Shiva was born in the form of a sculpture and bronze image of a cosmic dancer. Soon, this image of Lord Shiva that is based on a Tamilian concept became an important symbol in Hinduism. Chidambaram Temple is the only shrine where Lord Shiva is present in an anthropomorphic form. The form says that Lord Shiva is a supreme being who performs different cosmic activities. Other than this form, Lord Shiva is also present in two other forms – crystallized lingam and aether-space classical element. Sivakami Amman, goddess of female energy is the consort deity in the temple.

The structure of the shrine dates back to the 12th and 13th century. A number of additions have been made in the structure through the years. In the temple, you can find bronze statues and stone sculptures that showcase images of different deities and the famous Thillai trees (Excoecaria agallocha) that are present in the surrounding forest. This kind of architecture in the temple speaks of the Chola and Pallava art that was very popular during those times.

The temple is one of the five Pancha Bootha Sthalams that are considered the holiest Lord Shiva temples where each temple represents one of the five classical elements. Chidambaram Temple represents akasha (aether). Also, the Chidambaram temple is one of the three foremost Shiva abodes in the world. The other two places are Koneswaram temple located in Trincomalee and Mount Kailash.