Situated on the banks of the River Vaigai, Madurai is the third-largest city in Tamilnadu and one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in India. The city is situated about 209 km from Coimbatore and 464 km from Chennai.

Also referred to as Athens of the East, Madhurai is the oldest continually inhabited city in the Indian peninsula, with a history dating back to the Sangam period of the pre-Christian era. Madurai was the seat of power of the Pandyan Empire. Often considered the cultural capital of Tamilnadu, Madurai is one of the top places to visit in tamilnadu. The city is very well known for Madurai Meenakshi Temple, among the most visited temple in South India tour packages.

Meenakshi Temple, also known as Madurai Meenakshi, is the biggest landmark of Madurai and is one of the largest temples in India. The temple has stunning architecture and a significant testimony for Vishwakarma Brahmins for their master architecture in sculpting this temple. Along with Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal & Koodal Alagar Temple are other important places to visit as part of Madurai tour packages.

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Srirangam, the beautiful river island, is one of the prominent places of pilgrimage in South India, and among the must include places in Tamil Nadu tour packages. About 13 km from Trichy, and 136 km from Madurai, it holds great cultural and religious significance in South India.

Nestled between the Kaveri River and Kollidam River, Srirangam is home to Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, the world's grandest operational Hindu shrine. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is the foremost among the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu, and among the must-include places in Srirangam tour. Jambukeswarar temple, Uthamar Kovil, Uraiyur Vekkali Amman Temple, Samayapuram Mariamman Temple, Kumara Vayalur Temple, Gunaseelam Temple, Sri Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal Temple, and the Kaattu Azhagiya Singar Temple, etc. are some other tourist places in Srirangam.

The Chithirai car festival, Vasantotsavam, Jyeshtaabhishekam, Pavitrotsavam, Vaikunta Ekadashi, and Teppostavam are the popular festivals celebrated in Srirangam, Srirangam can be visited as part of Trichy packages as well.

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Chidambaram is a pilgrimage town in Tamil Nadu. Well known for Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram temple is one of the most celebrated shrines in South India and also one of the famous Tamilnadu places to visit. It is about 66 km from Pondicherry, and 217 km from Chennai.

Also known as Thillai, the town is known for the Thillai Nataraja Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built during the 11th century, Chidambaram Nataraja Temple has a great religious as well as historic and cultural significance. This is one of the Panchabhoota Stalas signifying the five elements of wind (Kalahasti), water (Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai), earth (Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram). Thillai Kaali Amman Temple, Pichavaram, Sattanathar Temple, Bhuvanagiri, Parangipettai, Annamalai University, Kollidam (river) and Poompuhar are the other prominent places to visit as part of Chidambaram tour packages.

Brahmotsavam, Ani Thirumanjanam, Thai Poosam and Arudra Dharshan are some of the Nataraja Temple festivals that attract large crowds from far and nearby places. Natyanjali Dance Festival is a major festival held in February. Many eminent dancers give their performances during this festival.

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Kanchipuram or Kanchi is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in Tamilnadu. It is situated at a distance of 75 km from Chennai. Located on the bank of the Palar River, Kanchipuram is one of the oldest cities in India and was served as the capital of the Pallava Dynasty.

Kanchipuram is one of the most popular places to visit near Chennai. Kanchi is known for its temples and silk sarees which are woven manually. Kamakshi Amman Temple is the landmark of Kanchipuram, and among the most popular places to visit in Kanchipuram. Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Karchapeshwarar Temple, Sri Ekambarnathar Temple are the other prominent temples to visit as part of Kanchipuram tour packages. The temples of Kanchipuram are known for their grandeur and great architecture.

Kanchipuram is a traditional center of silk weaving and handloom industries for producing Kanchipuram Sarees. In 2005, 'Kanchipuram Silk Sarees' received the Geographical Indication tag, the first product in India to carry this label.

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Situated on the banks of the Cauvery River, Tiruchirappalli or Trichy is the 4th largest city in Tamilnadu and among the must include places in Tamilnadu tour packages. It is located about 133 km from Madurai and 334 km from Chennai.

Tiruchirappalli is home to numerous historical monuments and temples that attract tourists and pilgrims from all parts of the country throughout the year. The city played a critical role in the Carnatic Wars (1746-1763) between the British and the French East India companies. Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, one of the most famous pilgrimage centers in South India is situated near Trichy. Rockfort Temple, Jambukeshwar Temple, Uraiyur, Mariamman Temple, Government Museum and the St John's Church are some of the top places to visit as part of Trichy tour packages.

Tiruchirappalli is internationally known for a brand of cheroot known as the Trichinopoly cigar. The city is very popular for its cigars, handloom saris and stone-studded jewelry, Pith models, and cheroots. According to the National Urban Sanitation Policy (2010), Tiruchirappalli was one of the ten cleanest cities in India.

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Mahabalipuram, also called Mamallapuram is one of the must-visit weekend getaways from Chennai for one day trip. About 57 km from Chennai, it is one of the UNESCO heritage site in Tamil Nadu and one of the best places to experience Tamilnadu Tourism.

Famous for its Shore Temple built in 7th century, Mahabalipuram was the second capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. It is known for its historical monuments, sculptures, scenic beauty, culture and tradition. The famous Arjuna's Penance, the Krishna Mandapa, Thirukadalmallai temple, Cholamadal Artist's Village, Mahabalipuram Beach, Tiger Cave and Crocodile Bank are the must include places in Mahabalipuram tour packages.

One of the prominent festivals celebrated here is the Mamallapuram Dance Festival, which is organized by the Department of Tourism every year from December - January. Mahabalipuram is one of the best places to include in your Pondicherry tour packages.

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Thanjavur, also known as Tanjore, is one of the popular places of href='/tamilnadu/heritage' target='_blank'>heritage in Tamilnadu as it has a rich historical heritage and is a prism of ancient as well as the modern south Indian civilizations. It is situated about 170 km from Madurai, and 326 km from Chennai. Situated on the banks of River Cauvery, it is one of the top places to visit as part of Madurai tour packages.

The city was once the stronghold of the historic Cholas. Since then, Thanjavur has been one of the chief political, cultural and religious centers of South India. Thanjavur is famous for the Brihadeeswarar Temple built by Rajaraja Chola in the year 1010 AD. Also known as the Big Temple, Brihadeeswarar Temple is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and among the most important heritage sites in India. The temple is considered to be one of the best specimens of South Indian temple architecture and among the must-visit places as part of Thanjavur tour packages.

Apart from Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur and the surrounding areas have several important tourist attractions like Thanjavur Palace, Kumbakonam, Darasuram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Thiruvaiyaru, Thirubuvanam, etc.

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Situated on the banks of the Palar River, Vellore is one of the oldest cities of South India, and among the popular places of heritage in Tamilnadu. It is located at a distance of 142 km from Chennai, and 214 km from Bangalore.

Vellore is popularly known as the Fort City of Tamil Nadu. Now a very calm and understated place, it was once a battleground and has seen many wars. The name Vellore also means a City of Spears. Vellore is one of the popular places to visit near Bangalore, and among the top attractions, you must include in Tamilnadu tour packages.

Vellore has many historic and religious attractions that one must visit as part of Vellore packages. Vellore Fort, Jalakandeswarar Temple, Clock Tower, the State Government Museum, the French Bungalow, Science Park, Vainu Bappu Observatory, Amirthi Zoological Park, Big Mosque, St. Johns Church, and Sripuram are the prominent places to visit in Vellore.

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About Darasuram Airavatheswar Temple


At a distance of 8 Km from Kumbakonam, and 34 Km from Thanjavur, Airavatheswar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located at Darasuram town near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the popular heritage sites in Tamil Nadu, and among the best places to visit as part of Kumbakonam tour. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur and the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, collectively known as the Great Living Chola Temples. It is part of a group of 18 significant medieval Hindu temples in the Kumbakonam region. The temple also honors the traditions of Vaishnavism and Shaktism within Hinduism, along with the narratives associated with the Nayanmars of Shaivism.

History of Darasuram Airavatheswar Temple


Popularly called as Darasuram Temple, the Airavatesvara Temple was constructed in the 12th century CE by Chola King Rajaraja Chola II and is a part of Ayirattali, the secondary capital of the Chola dynasty. Renowned for its stunning stone carvings and elaborate architecture, the Airavatesvara Temple exemplifies the engineering excellence of the Chola dynasty. Approximately 20 inscriptions from later Chola rulers, the Pandyas, and the Vijayanagara Empire document various donations and endowments made to this temple.

Historically, ...

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About Gangai Konda Cholapuram Temple


At a distance of 42 km Chidambaram, 76 km from Thanjavur, and 110 km from Trichy, Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a historical town situated near Chidambaram in the Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu. It is home to the magnificent Brihadeeshwara Temple, one of the three living Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu that were designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site, the other two being Brihadeeshwara Temple in Thanjavur, and Darasuram Temple. It is one of the popular heritage sites in Tamil Nadu. , and among the must visit places as part of Chidambaram tour packages.

History of Gangai Konda Cholapuram Temple


Gangaikonda Cholapuram was established as the capital of the Chola dynasty during the rule of Rajendra Chola I in 1025 CE, remaining the Chola capital for approximately 250 years. This site, of significant historical importance, marked the beginning of one of the greatest reign in Southern Indian history. The town is notable for housing the esteemed Brihadeeswarar Temple, constructed by Rajendra Chola I, who was the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola. This temple was erected following Rajendra Chola I's remarkable victories in Northern India. Gangaikonda Cholapuram is often viewed as a replica of the Brihadeeshwara Temple located in Thanjavur. Rajendra I developed the entire capital, which included several temples dedicated ...

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At a distance of 35 Kms from Kanyakumari, 53 Kms from Trivandrum & 700 Kms from Chennai (situated on Trivandrum - Kanyakumari road), Padmanabhapuram is an ancient historical town surrounded by a fort with an area of 187 acres. The ancient capital of Travancore might be constructed before AD 1601. The palace with an area of seven acres, is situated in the very centre on the Padmanabhapuram Fort, amidst hills, dales and rivers.

The fort which was built with mud originally was dismantled and reconstructed with granite by Maharaja Marthanda Varma. The height of the walls varies from 15 ft to 24 ft according to the inclination of the ground.

Entry Fee Rs 25 for Adult & Rs 10 for Children. Closed on Mondays.
Fees for Foreigners : Adult Rs 200 & Children Rs 50
Video and Camera Fee are Rs 1500 & Rs 25 Respectively
Separate fee for Car parking

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About Gingee Fort


At a distance of 2 Km from Gingee Bus Stand, 71 Km from Pondicherry, 85 Km from Kanchipuram, and 93 Km from Vellore, Gingee Fort or Senji Fort is an ancient hill fort situated at the Gingee village in the Villupuram district of Tamilnadu. It is one of the largest surviving forts in Tamilnadu, and among the popular heritage sites near Chennai. The fort complex is characterized by its imposing walls and meticulously crafted defenses. Its fortifications were so formidable that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha king, deemed it the 'most impregnable fortress in India,' while the British referred to it as the 'Troy of the East.' A visit to the fort provides an exceptional opportunity to appreciate the architectural excellence and cultural heritage of South India.

History of Gingee Fort


The origins of Gingee Fort are shrouded in some mystery, but most historians believe it became a full-fledged fort in the 13th century. Initially constructed by Ananta Kon around 1190 AD, the Gingee Fort was subsequently reinforced by Krishna Kon. In the 13th century, it underwent modifications to transform it into an impregnable citadel, aimed at safeguarding the town of Gingee, under the direction of Kottailinga Kurumbar King. According to one narrative, the fort was also developed during the 15th and 16th centuries by the Gingee Nayaks, who were vassals of the Vijayanagara ...

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About Margabandeswarar Temple


At a distance of 13 Km from Vellore, Sri Margabandeswarar Temple is a 13th century Hindu temple situated at Virinjipuram in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. Situated on the southern bank of the Palar River, it one of the must visit places as part of the Vellore family packages. Commonly referred to as the Virinjipuram Temple, this sacred temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and features exquisite stone carvings and grand Dravidian architecture, a testament to the artistry of the Chola Dynasty rulers. The temple is also called the 'Baskara Kshetram', where the Sun God is said to worship the shiva lingam when its rays fall on it in the month of Panguni. This site is recognized as a monument of national importance and is preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History of Margabandeswarar Temple


The Sri Margabandeeswarar Temple was constructed many years ago during the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The primary shrine of this temple was established by Raja Raja Chola, Sambara Rayan, and the Viceroy of Kulothunga Chola. In subsequent years, the architectural design was further enhanced by the Pallavas, Hoysalas, and the Vijayanagara Kings. The Nayaka kings of the Vijayanagara Empire were responsible for the construction of the Rajagopuram, Artha Mandapam, and Maha Mandapam. Notably, Sri Appayya Dikshitar, a prominent figure in the Advaita School of Hindu ...

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At a distance of 48 km from Kanyakumari, Chitharal Jain Monuments, also known as Chitharal Malai Kovil, are a group of ancient rock-cut Jain temples located in the Chitharal village of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the most prominent places to visit as part of the Kanyakumari Heritage Packages.

Situated atop Thiruchanattu Malai, the Chitharal Jain Monuments, which date back to the 9th century, serve as a remarkable testament to the region's rich Jain heritage, making them an essential destination for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts. The site features stone beds adorned with inscriptions, alongside two significant structures: a rock-cut Jain temple embellished with reliefs on its outer walls and a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Bhagavathi located adjacent to it. These monuments are now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The rock-cut Jain temple showcases intricate sculptures of Tirthankaras and attendant deities, both inside and outside. Notable figures include the standing representations of Parshawanath, Padmavathi, the 24 Tirthankaras, goddess Ambika, and a prominent seated figure of Mahavira. The temple's interior features a pillared Mandapa and three sanctums. It is believed that Jain saints once frequented this region to meditate in the caves. The influence of Jainism in this area can be traced to King Mahendra Varman I.

In 1258 ...

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At a distance of 36 km from Trichy, 39 km from Thanjavur & 42 km from Pudukkottai, the Malayadipatti Rock-Cut temples are situated on granite hillocks, south of the Malayadipatti village, also known as Thiru Valattur Malai. It is one of the famous places of heritage in Tamilnadu, and among the best places to visit as part of Trichy tour.

There are two temples in Malayadipatti, one for Lord Shiva and the other for Lord Vishnu. Both temples are situated on the same hillock. Built in the 8th century by Pallavas, the Shiva temple is older than the Vishnu temple. Constructed by Kuvavan Sathan, the Shiva temple is named Vakeeswarar, according to epigraphic notes. This temple, popularly known as Alathurthali is situated towards the eastern side of the granite hill.

Among the most prominent Trichy tourist places, this temple consists of a rock-cut mandapa. The sanctum is built on the eastern end in a cubical form cut inside the mandapa. In the later period, a compound wall enclosing the cave and the front mandapa were built. The pillared mandapa has statues of Ganesha and Muruganalong with Nandi. The entrance gateway is guarded by figures of dwarapalakas. There is also a Shiva Lingam that is cut from the main rock face. There is a Saptamatrika panel placed between sculptures of ...

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At a distance of 46 km from Thiruvannamalai, Tirumalai is a small village located near Polur in Tamilnadu. It is one of the places of heritage in Tamilnadu, and among the must-include places in Tiruvannamalai tour.

Tirumalai, also known as Arhasugiri, is renowned for its exquisite temple complex featuring 2 Jain temples, 3 Jain caves, and a 16-foot-high sculpture of Tirthankara Neminatha from the 12th century CE, which stands as the tallest Jain image in Tamil Nadu. This site has been a significant Jain center since ancient times, with a belief that 8,000 Jain monks who accompanied Bhadrabahu performed penance and attained nirvana here. Additionally, the footprints of four revered saints - Vrishabhsenacharya, Samanatabhadracharya, Varadattachrya munivar, and Sri Vadeepa Simhasuri, can be found here.

Perched on the hill is a 16-foot-high idol of Tirthankar Neminath in the Kayotsarga posture, also known as ‘Shikhamani Nadar’. Historical inscriptions reveal that this statue was sponsored by Kundavai. Nearby, there is a small temple housing an ancient idol of Tirthankar Parshwanath in the Kayotsarga posture as the primary deity. Visitors can also witness the footprints of Digambar Jain Acharya 108 Sri Shanthisagar Muni Maharaj on the hill.

At the foot of the hill, there are a few Jain caves dating back to the 10th century. As per the inscription dating back to 1024 CE present here, they are loosely known ...

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At a distance of 83 km from Srirangam, 85 km from Trichy, and 151 km from Coimbatore, Namakkal is a historic city and the headquarters of Namakkal district. It is one of the places of heritage in Tamilnadu, and among the must visit tourist places near Trichy.

Namakkal is the first ISO certified municipality in Asia for environmental management, specifically the provision and maintenance of water supply, solid waste and sewage management, town planning, lighting and other social services. The town derives its name, Namakkal, from the term 'Namagiri', which refers to the colossal 65-meter-high rock situated at the center of the town. Namakkal is renowned as the Egg City due to its significant contribution to egg production and is also recognized as a prominent transport hub.

The town of Namakkal has a rich history that can be traced back to the 7th century. It is a significant part of Kongu Nadu, which encompasses the western regions of Tamil Nadu. Initially ruled by the Atiakula King Gunasila, who had ties with the Pallava King through marriage, Namakkal later fell under the control of the Cholas. Following conflicts between the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandiyan, the Hoysalas took over the region until the 14th century, succeeded by the Vijayanagara Kings until 1565 AD. Subsequently, the Telugu Madurai Nayaks assumed power in 1623 AD. From around 1625 AD, the region was successively ruled by the Muslim Sultans ...

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At a distance of 1 km from Thirumalapuram Bus Stop, 24 km Tenkasi, and 62 km from Tirunelveli, the Thirumalapuram Rock-Cut Cave Temples are situated on Varanasimalai hill in Sankarankovil Taluk of the Thirunelveli district. Maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, it is one of the important heritage in Tamilnadu, and among the major places to visit as part of Tenkasi trip.

There are two rock-cut cave temples which are excavated by Pandyan Kings in 750 AD. Among the two caves, one is finished and the other is unfinished. The finished one is more significant with rectangular Ardha-mandapa with a flight of steps and cells on the western wall. It contains bas-relief sculptures and two inscriptions from the Pandyan period.

This temple has 3 sections with 3 bas-relief structures. The first one is a beautiful dancing Siva with a bhootha gana and bull on both sides. Lord Shiva is seen in the dancing posture of Chatura. A dwarf near his foot plays the musical instrument. The second carving is a standing Lord Vishnu with 4 hands and 2 seated bhootha ganas on either. Seated Ganesha is seen next to him. On one side is the sanctum sanctorum with a Siva Lingam. On either side of the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum are dwarapalakas. There is another relief sculpture of Brahma with 4 hands and 3 visible heads. On the center of the hall, facing the Siva Linga is a monolith ...

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