ENCHANTING TAMIL NADU TOUR

Attractions and Sightseeing

Mamallapuram - Tanjore - Madurai - Kanyakumari

Mamallapuram

Shore Temple ca. 700 AD - the most famous icon associated with Mamallapuram along with Arjuna's Penance. Unlike most of the local monuments carved from rock, this temple was constructed. It's not particularly large, and the carvings have been badly eroded by the wind and the sea, but this adds to the sense of antiquity.

Five Rathas - carvings of chariots and various animals including a very large elephant, dating from the 7th century and built by Pallava King in order to safeguard the sculptures from the ocean.

Sculpture Museum - houses hundreds of sculptures in stone and wood. Well worth the visit.

Arjuna's Penance, also known as the Descent of the Ganges, is a giant bas-relief marked by intricate and detailed carvings including a family of elephants and monkeys. Archaeologists have never come to agree on it's depiction.

Krishna's Butterball is a giant round rock perched on a hillside, seemingly in defiance of all laws of physics.

Tanjore

Brihadishwara Temple (Rajarajeswaram or Big Temple) - behind old bus stand - the most important place to see in Thanjavur due to it's marvelous architecture and gardens.

Palace & Saraswathi Mahal Library - houses ancient Tamil and Sanskrit manuscripts. Situated inside the Saraboji Palace which contains many rare paintings depicting various Indian cities during the reign of King Saraboji.

Siva Ganga Garden - A wonderful little park for family outings - train rides and boat rides are available

Art Gallery - East Main Road (inside the palace) - expositions of bronzes and statues of the Chola period.

Madurai

Meenakshi Temple - by far the most common reason for visiting the city. Many pilgrims - particularly men in black or orange sarongs who are devotees of Ayyappan - circumambulate the main temple in the prakara (space between outer wall and main temple). Additionally, snake shrines are to be found here and the steps of the Golden Lotus Pond is a common meeting place for everyone.

Koodal Alagar Temple - located in the heart of the city - has three steps of the lord posture: Sitting, Standing, Reposed The temple is a spectacular one.

Thiruparankundram - 8 km from the city - considered one of the most important of temples dedicated to Lord Muruga. References to this ancient temple are available in scriptures from 6th century AD. The temple interior is a huge rectangular chamber carved out of the hill, with side chambers accessed via narrow passages which house various deities of Hindu religion.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace - 2 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple - remains of the palace of the 17th century ruler Thirumalai Nayak who contributed extensively to the Meenakshi Temple. Only a small portion of the original structure which was four times as large remains. There is a sound and light show in the evening (Both English & Tamil Version of the show). There is also a museum, which houses not only the original portraits of Thirumalai naicker, but also unearthed stone carvings of the 17th century, along with many sculptures of Hindu Gods.

Gandhi Museum - houses Gandhi's bloodstained dhoti and little else by way of artifacts. Those interested in the freedom struggle, though, will be interested in the extensive text housed here.

Kazimar Big Mosque and Maqbara - located near the heart of the city

Kanyakumari

Vivekananda Rock is about a 100 meters from the shore and has a regular ferry running back and forth all day. One of its main points of interest is the simultaneous sunset and moonrise on the horizon.

Thiruvalluvar Statue, measuring 133 feet long, is dedicated to the great Tamil poet, philosopher, and saint, Thiruvalluvar. Tourists can climb up to the feet of the statue from which the view is absolutely breathtaking! Mahatma Gandhi could not resist the charms of this place and after he died his ashes were brought here before being cast into the sea.

Our Lady of Ransom Church - a century old structure built on the shores of the Bay of Bengal and considered one of the most beautiful churchs in India. The Church was built in the Gothic style of architecture with a strong Portuguese influence and includes a 153 foot hight central tower crowned with a cross of pure gold.

Padmanabhapuram Palace - the palatial residence of the rulers of Travancore. Made entirely of wood, it straddles the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala and is maintained by the Kerala government.

Tsunami Monument - recognizing the tragic events of the 2004 tsunami that claimed the lives of many Kanyakumari denizens.