Tamil Nadu & Kerala offer a variety of experiences and explorations: Nature, Culture and Art, Spirituality, Beaches: all in one state.
Here follows just a few suggestions, that do not represent all travel possibilities but a simple start!
Culture, Art and Spirituality
Mahabalipuram and its Shore Temples by the beach.
Mamallapuram, or Mahabalipuram, is a town on a strip of land between the Bay of Bengal and the Great Salt Lake, about 50 km south Chennai. It’s known for its temples and monuments built by the Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries. The seafront Shore Temple comprises 3 ornate granite shrines. Krishna’s Butter Ball is a massive boulder balanced, on a small hill near the Ganesha Ratha stone temple
Kumbakonam area offers a magnificent experience, both of art and spirituality with the Navagraha Temples: nine Hindu temples, each dedicated to one of the nine planetary deities. Among these nine temples we mention the Vaitheeswaran Koil Temple, dedicated to Shiva.
Brihadishvara Temple, locally known as Thanjai Periya Kovil, and also called as, Rajarajeswaram, is a Hindu temple also dedicated to Shiva located in South bank of Cauvery river in Thanjavur.
It is one of the largest South Indian temples and an exemplary example of a fully realized Tamil architecture. It is called as Dakshina Meru (Meru of south). Built by Tamil king Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 AD, the temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Great Living Chola Temples”, along with the Chola dynasty era Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple and Airavatesvara temple that are about 70 kilometres (43 mi) and 40 kilometres (25 mi) to its northeast respectively.
Tiruvannamalai is an amazing place, in terms of spiritually and historical heritage. The city is home to the renowned Annamalaiyar temple, Annamalai hill, Girivalam and the Karthigai deepam festival.
Being a prominent tourist destination which attracts considerable foreign visitors,the city has a thriving service sector industry including retail, resorts and recreation activities.
Tiruchirappalli: temples of Srirangam and Jambukeswarar; the Rock Fort Temple complex, perched on a rock from where you can enjoy splendid views of the city and the Kaveri river.
Madurai is famous for its Dravidian-style temples, most notably the famous Meenakshi Temple. You’ll also visit the Subramanya Swamy and Pazhamudhir Solai temples.
Don’t miss the grand Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, renowned for its imposing pillars, is a fusion of Dravidian and Indo-Saracenic architectural styles.
Nature
OOTY & KODAIKANAL
A fun-filled and memorable experience awaits you in the peaceful and scenic hills stations of Tamil Nadu. Get the chance to get to know the Western Ghats that have Ooty, Coonoor and Kodaikanal.
Amazing in every sense, these two hill stations can render you with an unforgettable vacation amidst the pristine nature and the richness of culture. Enjoy sighting the popular Rose Garden and the Ooty Lake and let the clean air rejuvenate you fully. With us at Tour My India, you can expect a comfortable journey with best transport arrangement, accommodation and itinerary. For those also interested in a more “spiritual” journey a few temples are open to visitors.
MUNNAR
Breathtakingly beautiful – a haven of peace and tranquility – the idyllic tourist destination in God’s own country.
Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations – pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests – aroma of spice scented cool airs! Munnar has all these and more.
COCHIN and KUMARAKOM: THE DREAM OF THE BACKWATERS
Starting from Cochin you can proceed towards the bird sanctuary for an amazing visit and bird-watching experience. Then you can head to Alleppey and experience an enchanting overnight backwater cruise in traditionally decorated houseboats. Normally the cruise on the houseboats starts at lunch time. While cruising in these floating luxury-villas, let your eyes settle for the rare and the unusual – skim past Chinese fishing nets, bowed-down paddy fields, and local inhabitants engaged in making coir products, rustic homes, and ancient temples and swaying coconut groves. Dinner and breakfast are generally included in the houseboat rate. Let yourself be lulled by the water during the night.
PERIYAR LAKE
Discover the beauty of the Periyar Lake environs. We suggest to start early in the morning so that and spend the day exploring the area at your own pace, resting during the hottest hours. You will find walking trails, bamboo rafting, hiking, and sightseeing across the Periyar Tiger Reserve; no wonder if this is going to be an eventful moment of your trip!
Beaches
Covelong (Kovalam)
It is located around 40 km south of Chennai. Brimming in culture and soaked in serenity, Covelong beach is the dream destination for all those who wander in the search of a tranquil vacation. Established by the Nawab of Carnatic as a port town, the bewitching Covelong Beach is one of the most revered tourist attractions on Coromandel Coast and is located on the route to Mahabalipuram. Separated from the mainland of India, this enchanting beach is amongst those places in Tamil Nadu where you have the chance to encounter the thrill of windsurfing in the state. The sublime beauty of the white sand of this beautiful beach gives a great compliment to crystal clear water and the calm ambiance of this place. Moreover, such is the charm of this enticing tourist spot in Chennai that even in the scorching sun tourists never misses a chance to visit this place. The beach also has several historical monuments, forts, mosques and churches in its nearby where also you can savour some serene time while vacationing at Covelong. And if you love crocodile or you’re a wildlife fan, there is a Crocodile Farm.
Mahabalipuram
About 58 km south of the Chennai lies Mahabalipuram or locally referred as Mamallapuram. From the 8th century Shore Temple on the seashore to rock-cut sculptures and monuments like Monolithic Rathas and Caves, this bewitching tourist attraction in Tamilnadu is a perfect blend of historical significance and nature resplendence. This charming beach is one of the perfect places in India for sunbath (which is the must-do activity here), and thus, lures larger chunk tourists both domestic as well as overseas. Moreover, If you’re into windsurfing and swimming, don’t hesitate to hit the shores of the beach while playing with the moving tides. The charm of this beautiful place doesn’t end here, it also has wildlife experience to proffer to nature lovers or history buffs as there is crocodile bank and snake venom extracting center situated just a few km away from the beach. Furthermore, what catches the tourists’ eyes more in Mahabalipuram is the special event of Dance Festival which held every year in December or January.
Kanyakumari
The southernmost coast of the Indian peninsula, Kanyakumari beach is one of the pristine tourist attractions in South India. Moreover, located at the confluence of Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal, this beautiful beach is India’s land end, and thus, gives a resplendent feeling while visiting this place. The golden sand, azure water and serene ambiance altogether filled this alluring tourist attraction in Tamilnadu with the opulent exquisiteness. There is a prescription for visitors to enter the sea because of turbulent tides which obviously not hamper the wanderers to visit this place. Despite the prohibition, tourists visit this place to savour the surreal views sunset and sunrise for which the beach is famous for. However, one can also come at any time of the day for relishing the prodigiously tempting sights of the fierce tides hitting the sturdy rocks at the shoreline. Along with that, what makes this place a must-visit tourist destination in Tamil Nadu are Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock constructed in the sea at the shoreline. Not just for nature lovers, this place is also sought-after destination for all the shutterbugs to unveil their photography skills.
Kovalam
Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches in Kerala. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.
The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are some of them. The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes. Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres.