Chennai
Chennai holds a large cultural event, the annual Madras Music Season, with performances by hundreds of artists. The city has a vibrant theatre scene and is an important centre for Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form. The Golden town of Temples’ has shrines dating back to 200 BC – Chola period.
Puducherry
Puducherry, former French colony, known as the French Riviera of the East has a rich French cultural heritage and the French legacy is visible in the well-planned town, neatly laid roads, wide and vibrant beaches. The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, noted for its Gothic architecture and stained glass panels, depicts the life of Jesus Christ and Puducherry’s landmark, Auroville located just 20 kms north of Puducherry was founded as a Universal Town, where people from different nationalities, faith and beliefs live in peace and harmony.
Thanjavur
Thanjavur or Tanjore was the royal city of the Chola Kings who made it their capital and Thanjavur continued to flourish during the rule of the Nayaks and the Mahrattas. The famous Brihadeeswara Temple constructed by Rajaraja Cholan, is an architect’s marvel, a finest contribution to Dravidan temple architecture.
Srisailam
Madurai is known as "The Temple City". It is the cultural capital of Tamilnadu. On the day the city was to be named as Lord Shiva blessed the land and its people, divine nectar (madhu) was showered on the city and the city was henceforth known as Madurapuri. Madurai is famous for jasmine flowers.
Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram, a town in Ramanathpuram, is a major pilgrim centre. A small island in the Gulf of Manner at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. Lord Ram built a bridge Ram Setu (also known as Adam’s Bridge) across the sea to Lanka to rescue Sita from her abductor Ravana. It is a holy place where Lord Rama on his return from Sri Lanka, offered prayers and performed a religious ceremony to Lord Shiva to absolve his sin in killing Ravana. Both the Shaivites and the Vaishnavites visit this pilgrimage centre which is known as “Varanasi’’ of the South”. The famous Ramanathaswamy Temple is renowned for its magnificent corridors and massive sculputed pillars. The 3rd corridor of the temple is the longest one in the world.
Udhagamandalam (ooty)
Ooty – 'The Queen of Hill Stations’ is the most popular hill station in South India. A visit to Ooty is a soul stirring experience. The major attractions - Botanical Garden which covers area over 22 hectare, The Doddabetta Peak (in Nilgiris) the highest at 2634 m., Coonoor – a small town with and equable climate that has scenic tea estates, Sim’s Partk Botanical Garden and Dophin’s Nose – a view point located about 12 kms from Coonoor near Tiger Hill.
Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is the most popular charming hill station which mesmerizes any visitor and is frequently visited all through the year. Kodai stands amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest of upper Palani hills near Madurai in Tamilnadu with its rocks, wooded slopes, bracing air, long stretches of lush green forests, gigantic trees. The Kodai Lake is a 24 hectare lake created in 1863 Bryant’s Park is noted for its flowers, both hybrids and grafts and the pillar rocks located 7.5 kms from the lake where three boulders stand shoulder to shoulder, vertically measuring 122 mtrs. About a kilometer from the lake.
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari also popularly known as Cape Comorin is located at a junction at the southernmost tip of India where the three water bodies, namely, Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean meet. Kannyakumari has been named after the Goddess Kannyakumari Amman, a deity. Legend has it that the Goddess Parvati in one of her incarnations as Devi Kanniya did penance on one of the rocks of this land’s end to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva. The Gandhi Smarak Mandir and Vivekananda Rock Memorial are additional tourist attractions. The Kanyakumari beach is a beautiful sight with multicoloured sand. Kanyakumari is popular for its spectacular and unique sunrise and sunset.
