Excursion Heritage

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is located alongside the coastline of Bay of Bengal with breathtaking sights of the Western Ghats. Tamil Nadu's vivid history spans more than 2000 years into ancient times and there goes a saying the older it gets the finer it becomes. The legacy left behind in the form of sculptures, monuments, and art takes tourists into the virtual past that continues to shape a dynamic present.

This state is also a home to the rare confluence of three oceans, namely Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. A memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda here. Witness the beauty of sunrise and sunset from this point on full moon days and search your vocabulary to explain the joy.

The Cheras, Cholas and Pandyan dynasties have left indelible marks in culture and tradition with the grandeur of their marvellous creations. The Pandyan legend king Kulasekhara founded the city of Madurai in 6th century BC in a place believed to be the spot where a few drops of nectar fell from Lord Siva’s locks. Pandyas are also associated with Madurai's older and perhaps more absorbing and enthralling legend of the mother goddess Meenakshi.

Tamil Nadu is renowned worldwide for its excellent temple architecture by the Chola dynasty that was the greatest builders of temples. This can be discerned by the architectural style adopted by them, especially at the Brihadeeswara temple in Tanjore. They also introduced Bharat Natyam, the traditional temple dance of Tamil Nadu praising the mythological gods and goddess.

The Pallavas gained a stronghold in the northern part of Tamil Nadu around 600 AD with Kancheepuram as their capital. They went on to create world-renowned monuments in that region, including 7th century AD Mahabalipuram with unique sculptural panels, monolithic panels, and structural architecture and cave temples. The beauty of this place is that all the monuments were created out of rocks. The most famous and elegant of them are the five chariots, the shore temple and Arjuna’s penance. Kancheepuram is called the ‘Golden City of Temples’ with most of the heritage sites well preserved. The Chinese traveller Huan Tsu Ang has described Kanchi extensively.

The Chola dynasty was equally versatile in temple architecture and Tanjore is the best example. Cholas were great administrators and builders. They had the expertise in various fields like paintings, musical instruments, handicrafts and castings in brass and bronze.

Tamil Nadu is also famous for its saint poets including Thiruvalluvar’s 1330 couplets about morality in private and public life combined with some of life's greatest truths. It has been translated into many foreign languages and appreciated the world over. Tamil Nadu represents the quintessence of Dravidian culture, temple music and art at places like Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli and Madurai. The Vira Chola Raja of Chidambaram (940 AD) conceived Nataraja, the famous Dancing Shiva. Thyagaraja, who lived in the 17th century, initiated a new genre in music – Carnatic Music. Later years saw other great poets like the Nayanmars, the Alwars and the poet Kamban who composed the Tamil version of great Indian epic of Ramayana.

Tamil Nadu is home to a great variety of flora and fauna at many of its protected Sanctuaries and National Parks. The cool confines of the state are at Ooty and Kodaikkanal. Today Tamil Nadu state is highly industrialised and the metropolitan state capital, Chennai is now the best-sought destination in India for its state-of-the-art health care units, IT, and biotechnology.

City List
- Chennai
- Trichy
- Mahabalipuram
- Kanchipuram
- Thanjavur
- Madurai
- Rameshwaram
- Kanyakumari
- Ooty
- Coimbatore
- Kodaikanal
- Chidambaram
- Mamallapuram
- Coonoor
- Pondicherry

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