top 10 tourist places to visit in tamilnadu

1.NATARAJA TEMPLE

(tamil nadu)

At a distance of 2 Kms from Chidambaram Bus Station and significantly less than 1 Km from Chidambaram Railway Station, Nataraja Temple situated in the centre of the town covers an region of 40 acres. It is one particular of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu.

The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with gold plates. The presiding deity of the temple is represented by air, one of the five aspects of the universe and is acknowledged as Akasa Lingam. Committed to Lord Nataraja, this ancient temple of the Cholas is distinctive as it one of Panchabootha sthala in India - and it is 1 of the rare temples the place Shiva is represented by an idol rather than the customary lingam.

The Eastern tower rises to a height of 40.8 metres. 108 Bharathanatyam dance gestures can be seen on the eastern tower as effectively as on the western tower. The northern tower rises to a height of 42.4 meters.

2.GANGAI KONDA CHOLAPURAM

(Tamil Nadu)

At a distance of 42 km Chidambaram, 76 km from Thanjavur, 110 km from Trichy & 268 km from Chennai, Sri Brihadeeswara Temple is situated at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Gangaikonda Cholapuram was the capital of Cholas. It was constructed by Rajendra Chola I, the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola, who conquered a big region in South India at the beginning of the 11th century. It occupies an essential place in the history of India as the capital of the Cholas from about 1025 CE for about 250 years. This temple is portion of the UNESCO Globe Heritage Website 'Great Living Chola Temples'.

Rajendra Chola I has established this temple right after his fantastic victories in Northern India. He was originally called Madurantakan and assumed the title of Rajendra in the course of his coronation and continued to rule along with his father Rajaraja-I for an even though. Gangai Konda Cholapuram is regarded as the reproduction of Brihadisvara Temple that was constructed by Rajaraja Chola, father of Rajendra Chola. The temple is renowned for having the greatest Shivalingam in the Southern component of India.

The temple was located at the center of the Gangai Konda Cholapuram and occupies about 6 acres of land. The temple has 2 enclosures surrounding the vimana, most of the wall was destructed and the granite rocks were employed to construct a dam throughout the British rule. Archeological Survey of India has renovated and restored the vimana. The 182 feet tall tower above the sanctum is the second greatest after Thanjavur temple.

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva. To give a personal worship area for the royal family, the sanctum is encircled with two walls. The stately entrance of the sanctum is adorned by the lovely image of Goddess Saraswati. Also the presence of the Suryapita icon, signifying sun worship and the presence of the Navagrahas said to be influenced by the Chalukyas.

The Linga in Gangai Konda Cholapuram temple is 13.5 feet tall. The Nandi, automobile of Lord Shiva is also bigger than of Thanjavur. The Nandi in this temple is manufactured of lime stone and positioned on the ground, 200 meters away from the sanctum in this temple. Sun light falls on Nandi every single day and displays on the Lord in the sanctum.

A unusual stone known as Chandrakanta stone is installed beneath the Linga which has a strange characteristic of making the sanctum sanctorum awesome in summertime and warm in winter. Mom Periya Nayaki, is 9.5 feet tall standing majestically. Mom Durga in the temple graces the devotees as a 9 year old pretty smiling tiny lady with 20 hands killing demon Mahishasura. She is the loved ones deity of King Rajendra Chola.

3.KAMAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE

(Tamil Nadu)

At a distance of one km from Kanchipuram Bus Station and 2 kms from Railway Station, Kamakshi Amman Temple is the landmark of Kanchipuram. It is believed that the Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram was present even prior to Aadi Sankaracharya's period (788-820 AD). It has been told that there are 3 main Shakti's (Amman) in India. They are 'Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi and Kaasi Visalakshi'.

Even most of the locals are unaware of the reality that there are no shrines for Shakti in any of the Shiva temples in Kanchipuram. The Kamakshi temple is the only classic temple committed to Shakti in Kanchipuram.

The sannathi (sanctum) is covered with a gold plated roof. The temple has a golden charriot of which the procession takes place throughout festive seasons.

4.KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE

(Tamil Nadu)

At a distance of 3 kms from Kanchipuram Bus Station and 4 kms from Railway Station, the Kailasanathar temple (Shiva Temple) was built during the period from 685 A.D. to 705 A.D. by the Pallava king Rajasimha Pallava, and his son, Mahendra Varma Pallava.

Kailasanathar temple was constructed employing sandstones for most of the sculptures. All the walls all around and inside the temple are filled with excellent sculptures.

The architecture and sculpture of this temple resembles the temples found in Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) which have been also constructed by Pallavas.

This may possibly be the only temple in Kanchipuram which has not been modified after its unique creation.

5.PANCHA RATHAS

(Tamil Nadu)

At a distance of 1.five Kms from Mahabalipuram Bus Station, Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) - 5 monolithic pyramidal structures named right after the Pandavas (Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishtra, Nakula and Sahadeva) and Draupadi. It has been classified as an UNESCO Globe Heritage Site.as element of 'Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram'.

An interesting element of the rathas is that, despite their sizes they are not assembled - each of these is carved from one particular single big piece of stone.

The Pancha Rathas shrines have been carved throughout the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I. Each temple is a monolith, carved total from a rock outcropping of pink granite

6.TIGER CAVES

(Tamil Nadu)

At a distance of 5 Kms from Mahabalipuram (on Chennai - Mahabalipuram Road), Tiger Caves are located in a coastal village on the Kovalam Street.

This is a magnificent mandapa which contains a shrine committed to goddess Durga which has large stunning figures in front. The deposition right here is on the battle of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura.

There are amount of costs in this Mandapam from that of the Mahishasura Mardini Mandapam. The figure of somaskanda is located in Athiranachanda Mandapa to the south of Tiger care.

7.GANDHI MUSEUM

(Tamil Nadu)

At a distance of four Kms from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Gandhi Museum is a fantastic master piece in Southern India and it has wonderful historical background and mythology in its background.

The museum is square in form and developed at the height of five metres from the ground level and it has a great dome in the centre which is about seven metres diagonally.

It was constructed by Nayak Queen Rani in the earlier 1700 AD. Wonderful price was incurred in establishing the museum and it was all invested by the government of India, in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.

8.VAIGAI DAM

(Tamil Nadu)

At a distance of 70 Kms from Madurai, Vaigai Dam is a giant dam constructed on the river Vaigai and is located near Andipatti.

The dam has been the existence line of the agricultural lands in the neighbourhood and due to the fact of it the locations have flourished in leaps and bounds. It provides clean and fresh drinking water to complete of the region of Madurai and Andipatti. Agricultural investigation institution too has been produced close to the dam so as to study on a wide range of crops like cereals and pulses.

9.VELLORE FORT

(Tamil Nadu)

At a distance of one.5 km from Vellore Town Railway Station, Vellore Fort is the 16th century granite fort surrounded by a deep moat set in the heart of the town. It was developed by Bommi and Thimma Reddy in the 16th century throughout the reign of the Vijayanagar king Krishnadeva Raya. The fort was captured in the 17th century by the Adil Shahis, the Muslim rulers from Bijapur. It was then taken by the Marathas, and later by Daud Khan of Delhi in the early 18th century. The British took manage of this fort in 1768 and managed it until finally Independence. During British rule, the Tipu Sultan's household and the final king of Sri Lanka, Vikrama Rajasinha were held in as prisoners in the fort. The fort is an exceptional instance of military architecture and has withstood several attacks.

The Vellore Fort was constructed with granite from the nearby quarries in Arcot and Chittor districts. It spreads over an location of 133 acres. It has massive double walls with big bastions projecting irregularly. There is a huge moat around the fort that is nonetheless filled with water. At one time it was total of crocodiles. The fort is known for its grand ramparts, broad moat and robust masonry.

The fort houses a Temple, a Mosque and a Church, the renowned Vellore Christian Hospital and a lot of other buildings that are now utilized as public offices. The Jalagandeeswarar Temple located inside the fort is mentioned for its sculptures. The Mosque within the fort was constructed during the last Arcot Nawab's period. The Church within the fort was constructed in the course of the early British period.

This fort also contains Muthu Mandapam, which is a memorial constructed around the tombstone of Vikrama Rajasinha, the last ruler of Sri Lanka. The Government Museum within this fort showcases objects of historic value, recovered from the region. This 13th century fort is open for tourists and is properly maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

10.AMIRTHI ZOOLOGICAL PARK

(Tamil Nadu)

At a distance of 27 km from Vellore Town Railway Station, Amirthi Zoological Park is situated beneath the Javadu hills of Tellai across Amirthi River. Established in 1967, the zoo park occupies an location of 25 hectares. It is named after the Amirthi River which flows subsequent to the park.

This park is well-liked for its waterfalls, swing and animal habitats. Half of this jungle is cleared to serve as a tourist spot although the other half is designed as a wildlife sanctuary. A single km trek in the park leads to a total view of Amirthi falls, a little cascading seasonal falls. Site visitors can perform and swim in the pool formed by the falls here in monsoons.

Animals in the park contain spotted deer, mongoose, hedgehog, foxes, cause monkeys, red headed parrots, adore birds, tortoises, peacock, crocodiles, wild cats, eagles, ducks, pigeons, wild parrots, rabbits and pythons. Numerous herbal and medicinal plants can be seen expanding in the Park. A meditation hall and rest houses for stay are available at the Park premises. The Park is specifically delightful for children with young children play location.

This zoological park has been acknowledged just lately and so the state Government has taken initiative to produce it. Amirthi Zoo can be reached from Vaniyambadi through Kanikkaniyan & Melmoil.