The Top 48 Tourist Places In Tamilnadu
1.Brihadeeswarar Temple:
One of the largest temples in India, built during the Chola reign and completed in 1010 AD is located in Thanjavur,Tamilnadu and worships Lord Shiva. A perfect example of the Dravidian style architecture, Brihadeeswarar temple also known as Periya kovil is a UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site known as “Great Living Chola Temple” basking in the glory of its 1000 year old heritage. The temple tower stands 216ft high, one of the tallest in the world and most of the epic and exclusive features of the temple are carved out of one single rock, for e.g: Nandi the sacred bull which is 16 feet long and 13 feet high. The temple in its entirety is made of granite with huge sculptures beautifying it. Thousands from all over the world visit the temple to view its beauty and majesty. Brihadeeswarar temple timings is from 6 am-12:30 pm and 4 pm-8:30 pm on all days.
2. Kapaleeshwarar Temple:
A fine example of Dravidian style architecture, the Kapaleeshwar temple was believed to be built during the 7th century dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvathi. The temple is a marvel in itself adorned with beautiful carvings, pillars and sculptures and a popular pilgrim centre. The shrines are seated on a chariot and many worshipers consider it auspicious to pull the vehicle. The temple observes huge crowd during religious festivals and ceremonie.There are many daily Pooja Services.The morning pooja will be from 5 am to 8 am and the midday pooja will be on 12 pm and the late night pooja will be at 9 pm.
3.Vivekananda Rock Memorial:
It is a popular tourist monument in Vavathurai,Kanyakumari. The memorial stands on one of the the two rocks located 500 meters east off mainland of vavathurai,India’s southernmost tip.It was built in 1970 in honour of swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock. According to the local legends,it was on the rock that Goddess Kumari performed austerity. A meditation hall (Dhyana mandapam) is also attached to the memorial for the visitors to meditate. The design of mandapam incorporates different styles of temple sculptures from all over India.It houses a statue of Vivekananda.The rocks are surrounded by the Laccadive sea.Vivekananda rock memorial entry timings will be from 8:00 am to 4: 00 pm on all days.
4.Ramanathaswamy Temple:
It is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva located on Rameshwaram island in Tamilnadu.It is one of the twelve jyotirlinga temples.The temple was expanded during the 12th century by pandya dynasty and its principle shrine sanctum was renovated by the jayaveera cinkaiariyan and his successor Gunaveera cinkaiariyan of the jaffna kingdom.The temple has the longest corridors among all Hindu temples all over india. Ramanathaswamy temple timings is from 4:30 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 8:30pm.
5.Madras Crocodile Bank Trust:
It is one of the largest reptile zoos in the world. The Crocodile bank has different varieties of reptiles with the main aim to conserve and save them from extinction. The snake park also features lots of poisonous snakes. They also show how the venom is extracted for making medicines. All the animals are well preserved in their natural habitat.
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Closed on Mondays
Entry tickets : Adult: Rs.40/-, Children below 10 years : Rs.20/-
Night Safari : Tuesday – Saturday 07:00 pm to 08:30 pm (By Advance Booking Only)
Tickets : Adults: Rs.200/-, Child below 15 years : Rs.100/-
6.Pancha Rathas:
A great example of the monolithic indian rock-cut architecture the Pancha rathas is a monument complex at Mahabalipuram in the Kancheepuram district of Tamilnadu.The complex is attributed to the reign of the king mahendravarman and his son Narasimhavarman. The complex is under the auspices of the Archaeological survey of India.Each of the five monuments in the Pancha rathas complex resembles a chariot (ratha) and each is carved over a single,long stone or monolith of granites which slopes in north-south direction with a slight incline.Sometimes it is mistakenly referred to as temple,but actualy it is never consecrated because they were never completed after the death of Narasimhavarman.It is opened from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm on all days of the week.
7.Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam:
It is a Hindu temple constructed in the Tamil style of architecture and it is one of the illustrious temples of Vishnu in south India rich in legend and history,located in srirangam, Tiruchirapalli,Tamilnadu.
8.Vadapalani Andavar Temple:
It is a Hindu temple built about 125 years back which is dedicated to Lord Muruga. It is located in Vadapalani,chennai. It was renovated in the 1920s and a Rajagopuram was built during that time. The temple has grown in popularity, which is believed to be in part due to the patronage of cinema stars.
9.Meenakshi Amman Temple:
It is a historic temple located in the temple city,madurai Tamilnadu.This temple is dedicated to goddess parvati and lord Shiva.The Meenakshi Amman temple forms the heart and lifeline of 2,500 year old city of madurai and it is a significant symbol of the Tamil people. The temple houses 14 gopurams and each one is of 45-50m in height. The tallest is the southern temple,51.9 meters and two golden sculptured vimanas, the shrines over the sanctums of the main deities. The temple attracts about 15000 visitors everyday and of about 25000 on Fridays. Meenakshi temple is now on the list of 30 nominees for the “New Seven Wonders of the World”.
10.Airavatesvara Temple:
It is a temple recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Site known as “Great Living Chola Temple” and is a perfect example of Dravidian architecture.It is located in the town of Darasuram near kumbakonam in Tamilnadu.This temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and shiva here is known as Airavatesvara because he was worshipped at this temple by Airavata,the white elephant of the king of the gods,Indra.This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture and has some exquisite stone carvings.
11.Marina Beach:
Marina beach referred to as the “Pride of Chennai” is the second longest natural beach in the world.It extends 13 kilometers in length from St. George Fort to Mahabalipuram. Enjoy a stroll through the sandy beach by experiencing the twilight and the daybreak. Feel the cool breeze and spot a rare species of olive ridley sea turtles making your mind more relaxed and calm. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the picturesque, endless beach and Chennai from the Madras Lighthouse, the only lighthouse in India with a lift.
12.Edward Elliot’s Beach:
Edward Elliot’s Beach popularly known as Besant Nagar Beach or Bessie is located in Besant Nagar,chennai,Tamilnadu. This beach form the end point of Marina beach and it has the Velankanni church and Ashtalakshmi Temple nearby. This beach is the prominent hangout destination for the teenagers and its also important for families also..A prominent landmark on this beach is the Karl Schmidt Memorial. The memorial is named after the Dutch sailor who lost his life in the process of saving a drowning swimmer. Alongside are many restaurants, cafes, shops and boutiques.
13.Berijam Lake:
Berijam Lake is a reservoir near Kodaikanal town in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, South India. It is at the old site of “Fort Hamilton”, in the upper Palani hills. A calm serene lake surrounded by mesmerizing nature at a distance of around 21 kms from Kodaikanal. Fire tower, Silent Valley, Medicine Forest, and Lake View are other attractions around the lake.
14.Nilgiri Mountain Railway:
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was built by the British in 1908 and it was initially operated by the Madras Railway. UNESCO added the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway,the site then become known as”Mountain Railways of India”.The Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train is the highlight to the visit to the Popular Hill Settlement of Ooty in Tamilnadu.
15.Nilgiri mountains:
The Nilagiri (Blue Mountains)form part of the Western Ghats of Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka in the Southern India.
16.Ooty Lake:
Ooty lake is located in Ooty in the Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu,India. It covers an area of 65 acres. The Boat house situated by the lake, which offers boating facilities to tourists, is a major tourist attraction in Ooty.Ooty lake is an artificial lake constructed by John Sullivan, in 1824. The water flowing down mountain streams in the Ooty valley was dammed to form the lake.The boat house, which adjoins the lake was opened by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). Boating is the prime attraction at the lake. The boat house offers boating facilities with Paddle boats, Row boats, and Motor boats.
17.Padmanabhapuram Palace:
It is located in Padmanabhapuram Fort, in Padmanabhapuram, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu,India.It is owned and maintained by Govt Of Kerala. Padmanabhapuram is the former capital city of the erstwhile Hindu kingdom of Travancore. It is about 20km from Nagercoil, and about 50km from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
18.Arignar Anna Zoological Park:
Arignar Anna Zoological Park (abbreviated AAZP), also known as the Vandalur Zoo, is a zoological garden located in Vandalur, a suburb in the southwestern part of Chennai,Tamil Nadu,about 31 kilometres (19 mi) from the city centre and 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Chennai Airport.The park, with an objective to be a repository of the state’s fauna, is credited with being the second wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu after Mudumalai National Park.
19.Guindy National Park:
Guindy National Park is located in the protected area of Chennai,Tamil Nadu.It is the 8th smallest National Park of India and one of the very few national parks situated inside a city. The park is an extension of the grounds surrounding Raj Bhavan, formerly known as the ‘Guindy Lodge’, the official residence of the Governor of Tamil Nadu, India. It extends deep inside the governor’s estate, enclosing beautiful forests, scrub lands, lakes and streams.The park attracts more than 700,000 visitors every year.
20.Thiruvalluvar Statue:
It is a tall stone sculpture of the Tamil poet and philosopher Tiruvalluvar, author of the Thirukkural. It is located atop a small island near the town of Kanyakumari,Tamilnadu on the southernmost Coromandel Coast, where two seas and an ocean meet; the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.TThe combined height of the statue and pedestal is 133 feet (40.5 m), denoting the 133 chapters in the Thirukkural. It has a total weight of 7000 tons.he statue standing on the pedestal represents “wealth” and “pleasures”, signifying that wealth and love be earned and enjoyed on the foundation of solid virtue.
21.Doddabetta: 
It is the highest mountain in the Nilgiri Hills at 2,637 metres.There is a reserved forest area around the peak. It is 9 km from Ooty, on the Ooty-Kotagiri Road in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, South India. It is a popular tourist attraction with road access to the summit. It is the fourth highest peak in South India.There is an observatory at the top of Doddabetta with two telescopes available for the public. It was opened on June 18, 1983 and is run by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC).
22.Vattakottai Fort:
It is a seaside fort near Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu the southern tip of India. It was built in the 18th century as a coastal defence-fortification and barracks in the erstwhile Travancore kingdom.The fort is made of granite blocks and, today, a part of the fort extends into the sea. It is a protected site under the Indian archaeological department. A major renovation of the fort was undertaken recently by the department, and the site is now a popular tourist spot.
23.Thanumalayan Temple:
The Thanumalayan Temple, also called Sthanumalayan Temple is an important Hindu temple located in Suchindram in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu,India.The temple is an architectural achievement, known for its quality of workmanship in stone. There are four musical pillars carved out of a single stone,and which stand at 18 feet (5.5 m) in height; these are an architectural and design highlight of the temple grounds.They are in the Alankara Mandapam area, and they emit the sounds of various musical notes when struck. There are an additional 1035 pillars with carvings in the area known as the dancing hall.
24.Avalanche Lake, Ooty:
Avalanche Lake (Avalanchi lake) is located 28 kilometers from Ooty in the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu.Avalanche Lake is an important tourism destination in the Nilgiris district.The lake is surrounded by a rolling landscape with blooming flowers like magnolias, orchids and rhododendrons. Tourists can traverse beside the lake through winding paths around the lake.Tourists visiting the lake can also engage themselves in Trout fishing.A trout hatchery is established near the lake, from where visitor’s can get fishing rods and other fishing accessories required for trout fishing.The lake is also used by tourists as a camp site where they pitch tents near the lake. Other tourist activities in the area include rafting across the lake and trekking the nearby hilly regions.
25.Government Rose Garden, Ooty:
It is situated on the slopes of the Elk Hill in Vijayanagaram of Ooty town in Tamil Nadu, India at an altitude of 2200 meters.Ooty has a unique tropical mountain climate, hence the garden has the ideal climatic conditions for growing of roses. Temperature variation is less and the rainfall distribution is uniform in the locale, which results in a long flowering season.The rose garden has also received the Garden of Excellence Award for being the best rose garden in south Asia, from The World Federation of Rose Societies and it is one of the 35 gardens world wide to have won this award.Entry time is from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on all days of a week.
26.Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal:
Thirumalai Nayak Palace is a 17th-century palace in the city of Madurai, Tamilnadu,India. This Palace is a classic fusion of Dravidian and Rajput styles. The building, which can be seen today, was the main Palace, in which the king lived. The original Palace Complex was four times bigger than the present structure and it is considered to be one of the wonders of the South. This palace is situated 2 km south east of the Meenakshi Amman Temple.The palace is well equipped to perform Light & Sound shows depicting the story of Silappathikaram both in Tamil and English languages.
General visit: 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM
Lunch Break: 01.00 PM to 01.30 PM
Sound & Light Show Time:6.45 PM to 7.35 PM in English & Tamil : 8.00 PM to 8.50PM
27.Government Botanical Gardens,Ooty:
The Government Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in Udhagamandalam, near Coimbatore(Ooty), Tamil Nadu state, India laid out in 1848. The Gardens, divided into several sections, cover an area of around 22 hectares, and lie on the lower slopes of Doddabetta peak.The garden has a terraced layout. It is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department.
28.Gandhi Memorial Museum, Madurai:
Gandhi Memorial Museum, also known as Gandhi Museum established in 1959, is a memorial museum for Gandhi located in the city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India.It is now one of the five Gandhi Sanghralayas (Gandhi Museums) in the country. It includes a part of the blood-stained garment worn by Gandhi when he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse.Besides the major renovation to the original building a complete new wing on the northern side was constructed for the Library, Open Air Theatre and also several other buildings.
29.Kodaikanal Lake:
Kodaikanal Lake, also known as Kodai Lake is a star shaped manmade lake located in the Kodaikanal city in Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu, India.The lake is said to be Kodaikanal’s most popular geographic landmark and tourist attraction.Over the years a boat club, boathouse and boat service (with rowing boats and pedalling boats and a public ferry) for the public and tourists has become fully functional and is of aesthetic significance for tourism. Boat Pageant and Flower Shows are a regular feature in the summer season which attracts tourists.
30.Kiliyur Falls:
Kiliyur Falls is a waterfall in the Shervaroyan hill range in the Eastern Ghats, Tamil nadu, India. The waters overflowing the Yercaud Lake fall 300 ft (91 m) into the Kiliyur Valley.It is a breathtaking sight in the monsoon time when the water levels are at the maximum.The best time to visit this place is immediately after the monsoons.
31.St. Thomas Mount:
St. Thomas MounThe 142-year-old building of the railway station, one of the most prominent landmarks of Chennai,t (known in Tamil as Parangimalai) is a small hillock located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, near the neighbourhood of Guindy and very close to Chennai International Airport is a holy place of International prominence,historical eminence, religious glory and tourist attraction. The ancient Church on the top of St. Thomas Mount has served as the light house for the Portuguese and Armenian ships and vessels in the Bay of Bengal in the 16th and 17th centuries.The Mount of Saint Thomas is easily accessed by the devotees who make the vowed climb through the 134 granite steps as an act of penance and sacrifice.
32.Siruvani Waterfalls:
Siruvani Waterfalls and the dam named after them are located 35 km (22 mi) west of Coimbatore in the Western Ghats.The gateways on either side of the road across the dam are typical of the Kerala and Tamil architectural styles. Water from Siruvani River is renowned for its taste and mineral properties, and the view from the falls and the dam is a tourist attraction.Sadivayal Check post, where an entry fee Rs. 50 is charged, is at the gateway to the waterfalls. Private vehicles are not allowed beyond this point; however vehicles arranged by the forest department can be used for the conveyance to the point where trek is to be started. No extra charges for this service. An almost 1 km trek-walk through forest is required to reach exact place for bathing.
33.Shore Temple:
The shore temple is so named because it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal.It was built on a promontory sticking out into the Bay of Bengal at Mahabalipuram, a village south of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu in India.It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. As one of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, it has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. It is one of the oldest structural (versus rock-cut) stone temples of South India.
34.Suruli Falls:
The Suruli Falls is located 56 km from Theni and 10 km from Cumbum in the Theni District in Tamil Nadu,India. It is a 2 stage Cascading water fall. The Suruli River supplying the falls originates from the Meghamalai mountain range. The falls drop from a height of 150 feet gathers into a pool, flows for a short distance and again plummets an additional 40 feet. It is one of the major tourist attractions in the Theni district and June – October is the best season due to monsoon activity, though there is some flow year round. This falls is tourist friendly with showers and changing area near the falls.
35.Koodal Azhagar Temple:
Koodal Azhagar Temple is one beautiful temple constructed in typical Dravidian style of Architecture located in Madurai,Tamilnadu. Main deity in this temple is Lord Vishnu. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu.A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram,the gatweay tower.
36.Black Thunder:
Black Thunder is a water theme park located in Tamilnadu,India. It is situated at the foot of Nilgiris near Mettupalayam, in Coimbatore 40 km north of the city and occupies an area of about 75 acres.The park offers about 49 rides, Surf Hill and the Wild River Ride notable among them. The park has a hotel situated within its premises.
37.Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam:
Vandiyur Mariyamman Teppakulamis the pond located near to Vandiyur Mariamman Temple and situated at a distance of about 2 km from the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Tamilnadu.Literally,Teppakulam means temple pond mainly used for devotional festivals.The tank is connected to Vaigai River through an ingenious system of underground Channels. It has total of 12 long stairs (steps) made of granite on all four sides. In the centre of the tank there is a Madapam called Maiya Mandapam (Central Mandapam) with Vinayakar temple and garden.Mariamman Teppakulam is famous for the celebrations of the Float festival, which is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai (January 14th to February 15th).
38.Pamban Bridge:
Pamban Bridge is a railway bridge which connects the town of Rameswaram on Pamban Island to mainland India located at Rameswaram of Tamilnadu. It was India’s first sea bridge.The rail bridge is, for the most part, a conventional bridge resting on concrete piers, but has a double-leaf bascule section midway, which can be raised to let ships and barges pass through.
39.Government Museum, Chennai:
The Government Museum or Madras Museum is a museum of human history and culture located in the neighbourhood of Egmore in Chennai,India. Started in 1851, it is the second oldest museum in India after the Indian Museum in Kolkata. It is particularly rich in archaeological and numismatic collections. It has the largest collection of Roman antiquities outside Europe. It is built in an Indo-Saracenic style, it also houses the rare works of artists like Raja Ravi Varma.
40.Fort St. George, India:
Fort St George is the name of the first English fortress in India,located in Chennai, Tamilnadu. The fort currently houses the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly and other official buildings. The fort is one of the 163 notified areas (megalithic sites) in the state of Tamil Nadu.
41.StoneHouse,Ooty:
It is a must visit for the history buffs. It was the first bungalow constructed in Ooty(India). It was bulit by John Sullivan in 1822 and early it was known as kal Bangla by the tribals (Stone Bangla). Today it is the Government Arts College of Ooty that displays amazing architecture and some great relics.
42.Mathur Aqueduct:
Mathur Aqueduct or Mathur Hanging Trough, is an aqueduct in southern India, in Kanyakumari of Tamil Nadu. It is built over the Pahrali River (also called Parazhiyar), It is one of the longest and highest aqueducts in South Asia and in recent times it has become a popular tourist attractions in Kanyakumari District.The nearest railway station is Kullithurai Railway Station which is about 15 km away and the nearest airport is the Trivandrum International Airport which is about 70 km away.
43.Athisayam:
It is an amusement theme park located in Paravai on Madurai – Dindigul National Highway 7, 12 km from Madurai. The park is located on a 70 acres (280,000 m2) site and features about 40 games and 20 water rides. The park is popular for its water rides, recreating the experience of Courtalam waterfalls.
44.Mudumalai National Park:
Mudumalai National Park is a declared tiger reserve, lies on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills (Blue Mountains),in Nilgiri District, about 150 km north-west of Coimbatore city of Tamil Nadu. It shares its boundaries with the states of Karnataka and Kerala.The protected area is home to several endangered and vulnerable species. There are 48 tigers in the Nilgiri Reserve across which tigers are free to roam. It is one of the major touristy attarctions in Tamilnadu.
45.Chennai Central railway station:
The Chennai Central, erstwhile Madras Central, is the main railway terminus in the city of Chennai. It is one of the most important railway hubs in South India.The 142-year-old building of the railway station, one of the most prominent landmarks of Chennai.
46.Annamalaiyar Temple:
It is a Dravidian architectural style temple dedicated to lord shiva, located at the base of the Annamalai hills in the town of Thiruvannamalai in Tamilnadu.The temple complex covers 10 hectares, and is one of the largest in India. It houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the eastern tower, with 11 stories and a height of 66 metres (217 ft), making it one of the tallest temple towers in India.
47.Palani Murugan temple:
The palani temple is a well known temple located in the town of palani in Dindigul, Tamilnadu. It is one of the six abodes of lord Murugan and palani is also renowned for panchamritham(a sweet dish).The temple locates on a hill,where the devotees reach the temple by the steps or the sliding elephant way,also there is a winch and a rope car used for the transportation of the devotees.The Palani temple is merged by the calm,peaceful chants and prayers which release the stress.The view from the uphill during the evening is really a visual treat.The evening walk along with the street foods and shopping all makes the journey memorable.
48.Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram:
It is a well renowned temple dedicated to lord Shiva located in the town of chidambaram, cuddalore district in Tamilnadu.This temple is well known by worship,architecture,sculpture and performance art for over two millennium. Chindambaram is one of the five pancha bhootha sthalams. Its an ancient temple with excellent craftsmanship depicted on spire and on walls and doors.