TOURIST PLACES IN KANCHIPURAM

Kanchipuram is situated on the north-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu and it’s about 70 kms from Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The nearest Airport is Chennai International Airport, 2 hrs drive away. Kanchipuram is well connected by a network of roads to Chennai, Bangalore and other places. Kanchipuram is connected by train from Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tirupati, and Bangalore.
Kanchipuram is also known as the religious capital of south India. Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of India. Kanchipuram is most famous for a large number of temples, exquisitely hand-woven silk fabrics and silk sarees. Kanchipuram silk sarees are exotic pieces of art, woven from pure mulberry silk. Available in a variety of designs, these sarees have vibrant colors and are decorated with fine gold thread.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park

This zoological park is located in Vandalore which is 35 km away from Chennai. The Natural environment in this zoological park helps the animals to move around freely without any disturbance. There are moat type enclosures in this park. Nocturnal Animals, pre-historical Animal sectors, Aviary and reptiles are found here. The Lion Safari park is very beautiful and adds special credit to the zoo. Vehicles operated through batteries are run to go around the park. Tuesdays are holidays. The entrance ticket for adults is Rs.15 and Rs.10 for children.

Arignar Anna Illam

The former and Late Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, Arignar Annadurai, dwelled in this house which covers a land area of 273.78 sq.km. The house of Arignar Anna was converted into a memorial place on 16.09.1980. Things displayed in this memorial place are his statue, the life history and photos. This house is located at 54, C.N.A. Street, Chinna Kanchipuram.

Chennai Trade Centre

In order to develop and facilitate the tourism and tourists, Tamilnadu Trade promotion organization has made Chennai a trade centre which is convenient for tourists and to meet the Trade and Business Conventions and Exhibitions and fairs too. Chennai Trade Centre is located in Mount Poonamallee High Road, Nandambakkam, and Chennai-89. The entry fare depends accordingly to the days as well as to people. Sundays are holidays. The visiting hours are from 10 am to 6 pm.

Dash ‘N’ Splash

This spot is located 30 km away from Chennai. This artificial children park has wave, free-fall, spiral children slides and artificial rainfall. There is no vacation or leave for this park. The timings to visit this spot is from 10 am till 6 pm. There are free bus services. This is located on the Chennai-Bangalore highway. The entry fee is Rs.150.

Jeevanandam Statue

Jeevanandam, a literature and oratar was one of the fore runners of Marxist movement in Tamilnadu. He won the M.L.A. election in 1957 contesting the washermenpet region in Chennai. He was a great parliamentarian. He was born on 21.08.1907 and died on 18.01.1963. His statue is put up in Tambaram

Silk Industries

The people of Kanchipuram are greatly dependent on the silk saree industries. They work directly or indirectly. But Kanchipuram does not produce silk or any raw materials. Here the industries are fully hand-woven and produced.

Thiruparuthikundram

This village lies on the banks of the palar River, a suburb of the Pillaiyaar palayam of Kanchipuram. There are 2 great monuments of Jainism that flourished in Kanchipuram’s ancient times. Now Siva kanchi and Vishnu Kanchi exists. This area can be termed Jina Kanchi. This goes to the 9th century AD and Lord Mahveer is the main idol of the temple.

Queens Land

In Queens Land one can enjoy the thrill of going on a longest sky Journey for 30 minutes by cable cars. It is the longest in India. Apart from this free fall tower, centrox, Himalayan water Ride, Alphen Blitz, and Water slides are also found here. This is located on the Bangalore Trunk Road in Palanijar, Chennai-107. The ticket charge is Rs.350 for adults and Rs.250 for children.

TOURIST PLACES IN MAHABALIPURAM

The total land area is an 8 square kilometers, situated exactly to the mean sea level. The population of this place is 12,000. The climate is moderate and breezy due to the location of the sea close to the land. Tamil and English are the two languages spoken here. There is no specific season for the tourists to visit mahabalipuram as it can be visited in, at any past of the year. The nearest Airport is in Chennai. The nearest railway is in Chengalpattu and it is well connected by road ways. The (ECR) East coastal road which connects chennai and Pondicherry passes through this place.

Shore Temple

This charming temple located on the shore is the most famous among the tourist attractions in Mahabalipuram. It is located between two Shiva temples and is a visual delight recognized for its architectural masterpieces. You will find the attractive sculptures of Nandi the bull while the figure of Vishnu is present in the sanctum.

Pancha Pandava Rathas

These splendid structures dating back to the 7th century are located in the southern end of Mahabalipuram. These Rathas (chariots) are five in number and carved out of a single rock. Out of these rocks, gigantic stone animals have been carved out including an elephant.

Arjuna’s Penance

It is a massive bas-relief replete with meticulous carvings that include a family of elephants and monkeys. The carvings on the bas-relief are the stories from the legends of India and the Panchatantra . You will also encounter the Krishna Mandapa nearby, which is a bas-relief of enthralling architectural brilliance.

Caves

The caves in Mahabalipuram are among some of the most sought-after Mahabalipuram tourist attractions. The Varaha cave is one such cave which is actually a rock-cut mandapam (hall) and features two incarnations of Vishnu which are Varaha (boar) and Vamana (dwarf). There is also a seventh century Dharmaraja Cave and consists of three empty shrines. The other caves located here are Mahisasurmardini Cave and Tiger cave.

Krishna’s Butterbal

This is a huge natural rock perched on a hillside and the precarious way in which it is balanced simply startles its onlookers.
Moreover, Mahabalipuram is also an ideal point for indulging in various adventure activities such as bike trips, boat rides, fishing trips, trekking and wind surfing.Touristplacesinindia.com offers online information on the Mahabalipuram Tourist Attractions and useful inputs on tour to Mahabalipuram.

TOURIST PLACES IN KUMBAKONAM

Kumbakonam is the temple city of South India situated in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. It is a fertile area on the banks of river Cauvery and one of its tributaries Arasalaru.
The city is famous for the MAHAMAHAM festival that is celebrated once in 12 years in the Mahamaham tank located in the heart of it. Kumbakonam is flooded with temples of large size. There are as many as sixty temples, in and around Kumbakonam within 40 Kms. of radius.

HISTORY

Brahma, the creator after the Prilaya Era, to continue with his work of creation wanted to have a Peetam. Lord Shiva asked him to make a pot made of “Amirhtam” and sand. The pot had a Peetam in it, with the vedas around it on four sides. A coconut was kept over the pot and garlands of Poonul ( Sacred Thread ) and Tharpai were decorated and Brahma worshipped it.
During a flood, the pot floated and moved towards south from Kailash. Lord Shiva in the disguise of a hunter, broke the pot with an arrow and the amirtham spilled as “AMIRTHA THEERTHAM”. Mixing the amirtham of the Kumbha with sand Lord Shiva emerged as LINGAM. The sacred place where he gave darshan as “KUMBESWARAN” is now called as KUMBAKONAM.
Though rituals and archanas are done daily for the god, some special festivals are celebrated annually, which make the people gathered in large numbers and make their minds purified. Among the various festivals MAHAMAHAM that is celebrated once in twelve years is of very great importance.
The modern Kumbakonam is the nerve – centre of all the commercial activities in Tanjore District. Plenty of diverse small scale industries thrive in this town, chief among them being Silk, Scented & Shredded Supari, Chewing Tobacco, Brass & Stainless Steel Wares, Icon & Pith ware, Cosmetics etc.

SWAMIMALAI

Swamimalai 6 Kms. In West of Kumbakonam, is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, standing on the banks of river Cauvery. The deity is called Swaminathan, as Lord Muruga preached the meaning of “pranava mantra” to his father Lord Shiva. The sixty steps to reach the shrine represent the sixty years of the Tamil Calender.

MAHAMAGAM TANK

0.4 Kms. It is believed that in Mahamagam tank, the holy stream of water from the rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathi, Sarayu, Godavari, Mahanadi, Narmatha, Payoshnl and Cauvery are mingle together and is also believed that taking bath would get rid of sins according to Hindu religion at the time of Mahamagam festival.

PATEESWARAM

6 kms.The temple is 3 km away from Darasuram.The Temple gopurams on all 4 sides and a beautiful tank adorn this vast temple with 3 prakarams. Gnanambikai and Durga are housed in separate temples.Durga’s shrine here is of great importance. Looks similar to Madurai Meenakshi Temple.

TIRUNAGESWARAM

7 Kms. Vishnu shrine & Ragu Shrine. All food offerings at the Vishnu temple are strictly and completely saltless. Salt or any food item containing salt is not allowed in the temple beyond Garuda’s Sannidhi. It is a sin to carry salt inside the temple.

GANGAI KONDA CHOLAPURAM

28 kms. One of the very ancient temples of Tamil Nadu.Shiva Shrine. This temple was built by Rajendra Chola. The City of the Chola who took the Ganges. Gangai Konda Cholapuram is UNESCO World Heritage monument.

TIRUBHUVANAM

8 Kms. Thirubuvanam Kambaharesvarar Temple was built by the King Kulothunga chola III (13th Century) dedicated to Lord Shiva.There are two Gopurams.One can see sculptures of the scenes of Puranas on the wall. Thirubuvanam is also very famous for Silk weaving (saris) for several centuries.

TOURIST PLACES IN TANJORE

Tanjore is the “Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu” and famous for the Brahadeeswarar Temple. The temple was constructed more than thousand years ago by the King Rajarajan, is an architect’s marvel. It is a flourishing centre for bronze sculpture and painting.
Thanjavur was the royal city of the Cholas, Nayaks and the Mahrattas. Thanjavur was at height of its glory during Rajaraja Cholan. The Big Temple and the other famous temples in the district are known all over the world. Thanjavur was the cultural capital of the country in 1790. Thanjavur gained prominence during the period of Chola Kings, who made it as their capital. It is known as the Granary of the South India lying in the deltaic region of the famous river Cauvery and criss-crossed by lengthy network of irrigation canals.
Thanjavur lies to the east of Trichy and has the reputation as the “Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu”. The Tamil University, set up recently is situated here and is devoted to the growth of Tamil literature and language. One of the best temples in South India, the Brihadeeswarar Temple or the Big Temple built by the greatest Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola, is that dynasty’s finest contribution to Dravidan temple architecture.

Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple

The temple is of the biggest tourist attractions in Tanjore, Built in 10th century AD by the Chola King Rajaraja I, the temple has a tall tower over the sanctum sanctorum and a bronze stupa on top.

The Palace

Built around 1550 AD by the Nayaks, the palace is an example of fine work of masonry. The complex has a number of rambling buildings, which include quadrangular courtyard, 190 feet high vimana like building etc. The Palace also has the acoustically perfect ancient music hall.

Royal Museum

The Royal Museum in the palace complex has a mixed collection like manuscripts, weapons, dresses, utensils, musical instruments used by the Royal Family of Thanjavur.

Papanasam

The historical site of Papanasham close to the city of Tanjore. is also one of the tourist attractions in Tanjore. Two temples and a granary built in 1600 – 1634 AD by the Nayaks feature among the tourist attractions in Tanjore.Other tourist attractions in Tanjore include: Schwartz Church, Saraswathi Mahal Library, Rajarajan Mani Mandapam, Tamil University

TOURIST PLACES IN TRICHY

Tiruchirappalli, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. Trichy is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Apart from the Fort, there are several Churches, Colleges and Missions dating back to the 1760s. The town and its fort, now in Trichy were built by the Nayaks of Madurai. This city has given great Tamil scholars whose contributions to the Tamil literature have been very significant.
The most famous land mark of this bustling town is the Rockfort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky out crop which rises abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city. It was one of the main centers around which the wars of the Carnatic were fought in the 18th century during the British-French struggle for supremacy in India.

Srirangam

The district’s most important pilgrim centre is located in an island just 7 km from Trichy. Srirangam, surrounded by the waters of river Kaveri on one side and its tributary kollidan on the other, is a 600 acre island-town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami Temple. There are 21 gopurams, among which the Rajagopuram is the largest in South India. The 72m high 13-tiered gopuram was built in 1987 and dominates the landscape for miles around, while the remaining 20 gopurams were built between the 14th and 17th centuries.

Sittannavasal

In this village are the remains of a 2nd century B.C. Jain cave temple. Fresco paintings reminiscent of Ajanta adorn the walls. Many of them are typical of the 9th century Pandyan period and include exquisitely detailed pictures of animals, fish, ducks, people gathering lotuses from a pond and two dancing figures. There are also inscriptions dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries. Fresco paintings from the 7th century can be seen on the ceiling of Ardhamandapam. There are many pre-historic burial sites around Sittannavasal and among the relics unearthed are burial urns, cists and Kungupatarai.

Kallanai – Grand Anaicut

It is situated 24 kms away from Trichy. The Kallanai, also known as the Grand Anaicut, is an ancient dam in Tamil Nadu. The Grand Anaicut built by Karikalan Chola in the 2nd century A.D. The Kallanai is a massive dam of unhewn stone, 329 meters long and 20 meters wide, across the main stream of the Cauvery. The purpose of the dam was to divert the waters of the Cauvery across the fertile Delta region for irrigation via canals. This is a beautiful picnic spot.

Vayaloor

Vayaloor is situated 8 kms away from Tiruchi and it is Famous for its Lord Murugan Temple. Lord Murugan (the son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati) is known as Lord Kartika in the rest of India. Situated amidst lush green vegetation, the place has a tranquil atmosphere giving you the much needed peace of mind.

Samayapuram

Samayapuram is Famous for its temple dedicated to the Goddess Mariamman. Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is situated 20 kms away from north of Tiruchi. Samayapuram was a local capital of the Vijayanagar rulers in the vicinity of Tiruchirappalli, and was known as Vikramapuram. Mariamman is a form of Shakti worshipped in Tamilnadu, and is associated with prosperity and health. Local beliefs associate this deity with cures for diseases such as small pox and chicken pox. Persons affected by Chickenpox and Smallpox come to this place, stay here and pray the Goddess for speedy recovery.

Pudukkottai

Pudukkottai town is the headquarters of the District of the same name.Once a Princely State, the area , which comprises the district, is of absorbing interest to historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and lovers of art. The numerous dolmens, stone circles and other forms of megalithic burials in the district indicate the antiquity of this region dating back to pre-historical times. This tract is mentioned in the Sangam classics. The rulers of Pudukkottai have built several beautiful palaces and also constructed tanks and canals. The Collectorate of the district is now functioning in one of the palaces.

Elakurichi

Elakurichi is 65-km from Trichy; a place is famous for the old church built by the renowned Catholic missionary, Constantine Joseph Beschi, popularly known as “Veeramamunivar”. Moreover, the famous temple of Vishnu located here and known as Prasanna Venkateswarar.