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Tamil Nadu is land steeped in
tradition, where an ancient culture and heritage are still relevant in the modern
age. This is the temple land of India .Chennai, a modern metropolis capital of Tamil Nadu, retains an old world
charm. Colonial architecture, churches, temples and a splendid beach. A fine
centre for the arts and a richly inviting base for exploring the south.
In the temple towns of Thanjavur
once a capital of powerful Chola dynasty Thanjavur’s crowning glory is its
brihadeeshwara temple with its 66.5 m high ‘srivimana’ dominating the city.
The celebrated Meenakshi temple at
Madurai
has gigantic towers and a Hall of a Thousand Pillars, each pillar individually
carved. Tiruchirapalli , tall, cawed temple towers or gopurams pierce the
sky.
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Kanchipuram, the town of thousand
temples is one of the seven sacred cities in
India
, once had more than a hundred temples. Many still stand and are part of day
to day life as they were centuries ago.
While its magnificent landscapes
the beautiful hill resort of Ooty Coonoor provide ideal settings for the
trigger-happy photographer, its wooded slopes an winding paths are excellent for
leisurely strolls.
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The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary – a fascinating retreat for migratory and
resident birds. About 30,000 birds-storks, egrets, cormorants, darters, ibis,
spoon bills, pelicans and an array of other water birds, are found here during the
breeding season.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
offers a leisurely ride on elephant-back through its forest trails, with a view of
varied flora and fauna, as well as ever-changing symphonies of birdsong.
Other local attractions are the picturesque Dolphin's Nose and the
Pykara
Lake
The scenic beauty of Kodaikanal
and the exciting ambience
of Rameswaram, in the
Gulf of Mannar
, is connected to the mainland by road and rail bridge. The serene Beach is ideal
for swimming offers some of the
best sea bathing in the country leave you spellbound. Kodaikanal also has a fine
golf – course.
Mamallapuram, a historical
retreat set amidst natural beauty. At Mamallapuram stands the largest bas relief
structure in the world – ‘Arjuna’s Penance’. The fluidity of Pallava
sculpture enchants here in the cave, monolithic and structural temples. The
monuments at Mahabalipuram are among the World Heritage Properties in
India.
Kanya kumari, the southernmost
point of peninsular
India
, is where the waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea
meet, a place where “
Land’s End
’ On Chitra Pournami (full moon day in April), you can experience the sunset and
the moonrise over the ocean simultaneously.
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