Chennai, (formerly known as Madras) is the state's capital. Chennai is the largest city in South India and the fourth largest city in the country. It is located on the Coromandel Coast. Fort St. George & St. Mary's Church, Gandhi Mandapam, Anna Square, Kapaleeswara Temple, Light House, Marina Beach & Aquarium, Parthasarathy Temple, San Thom Cathedral, Snake Park, Theosophical Society, Valluvar Kottam, Ripon Buildings and War Memorial Fort Museum and Govt. Museum & Art Gallery are the prime Tourist attractions.
Day 02
Rameswaram
Rameshwaram is a temple town and a sacred place for Hindus. According to the Ramayana, this is the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, to absolve himself of the sin of killing Ravana. Every nook and corner of Rameswaram, is steeped in episodes from the Ramayana. Rameswaram is the Varanasi of the south, and is a major pilgrimage centre for Vaishnavites and Shaivites. The important place to visit are Ramanathaswamy Temple, Agnitheertham and Gandamadana Parvatham .
Day 03
Kodaikanal
Located atop the Pali Hills, Kodaikanal is an idyllic retreat. Apart from being a much sought after tourist resort, it is also famous for its well known educational institutions. Other natural attractions are a star-shaped lake, Bryant Park -- famous for its rare collection of flowers, graftings and hybrids -- the venue of great horticultural shows, held every year in Mayand, Kurinji Andavar temple -- dedicated to Lord Murugan - provides view of the lofty hills. Some of the popular picnic spots in the resort are the Green Valley View, Pillar Rocks, and Bear Shola Falls. It is also famous for its amazing orchid collection at the Shenbaganur Museum, the rare bloom of the highly elusive Kurinji flower, which blossoms only once in 12 years and a Soalar Physical Laboratory, which is the only one in the country of its category.
Day 04
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, the Golden City of a thousand temples, and one of the seven sacred cities of India, is 71 km from Madras. It was the capital of the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Rayas of Vijayanagar. Handwoven silk fabrics of the city, especially Kanjeevaram Sarees are famous. The main attractions of the city are Sakkiswarar Temple and Vaikuntha Perumal Temple.
Day 05
Kanyakumari
At the southernmost tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, lies Kanyakumari, an important pilgrimage destination. The Kumari Amman temple, here, is dedicated to Parvati as Devi - Kanya - the virgin goddess who did penance to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva. Two rocks reach out of the ocean, south-east of the Kumari Amman temple. One of these is Sri Padaparai, where the footprints of the virgin goddess are to be seen. On this rock, Swami Vivekananda is said to have sat in deep meditation; and here stands the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, built in 1970. Vattakottai (Circular Fort), Suchindram (13km), Udayagiri Fort (34 km) are the other tourist sites near Kanyakumari.
Day 06
Mahabalipuram
World famous for its shore temples, Mahabalipuram was the second capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. 58 kilometers from Madras on the Bay of Bengal, this tiny sea side village of Mahabalipuram, is set in a boulder strewn landscape. Tourists are drawn to this place by its miles of unspoiled beach and rock-cut art. Mahabalipuram art is divided into four categories: open air bas relief, structured temples, man-made caves and rathas. The famous Arjuna's Penance and the Krishna Mandapa, adorn massive rocks near the centre of the village.
Day 07
Tanjavur or Tanjore
The rice bowl of Tamil Nadu, Tanjavur, is a bustling country town, 55 km east of Trichy. Thanjavur rose to glory, during the later Chola reign, between the 10th and 14th centuries, and became a centre of learning and culture. It is well known for its traditional handicrafts - art plates, bell metal castings, silk carpets, pith work, bronze icons, and classical Indian musical instruments and most of all for the gold plated Tanjore paintings of gods and goddesses. Sri Brihadisvara Temple and Tanjavur Palace are the two important must to visit places.
Day 08
Dhanushkodi
Dhanushkodi, at the eastern end of the island, is located 8 km away from Rameswaram. It was completely washed away by the sea, in the 1964 cyclone. The only surviving relic of the past is the Kothandaramaswamy temple.
Day 09
Trichy
Tiruchirapalli, more commonly referred to as Trichy, lies 320 km to the south of Chennai, on the banks of the Cauvery. The Rock Fort Temple, Srirangam (Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple), Jambukeshwara temple and St. John's Church are the main site worth for visiting.
Day 10
Madurai
Madurai is one of the oldest cities of south India. It has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage. Madurai's history dates back to over 2000 years ago, when it was the capital of the Pandyan kings. The main attraction of the city is the Meenakshi Amman Temple. About a kilometer away from the temple is the Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Gandhi Museum [provides some of the little - known facts about Mahatma Gandhi]. It has the blood-stained dhoti worn by Mahatma Gandhi, at the time of his assassination and Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank. Madurai also became the cultural centre of the Tamil people.
Day 11
Ooty
Ooty, the queen of hill stations, is at the junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. It was founded by the British, in the early part of the 19th century, to serve as the summer headquarters for the government of Madras. Before that the area was inhabited by some tribal people namely Todas. It spreads over 36 square miles, and the temperature ranges from 25 degree Celsius in summers, to near freezing temperatures in winters, stands 7,349 feet above sea level in the Nilgiris. The most popular attractions of Ooty are the Ooty lake, the Botanical Gardens, Charing Cross, Ootacmund Club and Ooty races.
