Tamil Nadu
Introduction
Tamil Nadu is now being positioned as a not-to-be missed tourist destination. It is a land where traditions and culture blend and continue to live in harmony. The state abounds in monuments and temples that are ancient and each has its own story of religious, artistic and cultural accomplishment and specialty waiting to be heard.
Tamil Nadu has a long coastline that stretches nearly a 1000 kms. The Coromandel Coast, along the Bay of Bengal, boasts of many ideal locations for sun and surf. Golden sands of the beach are dotted with coconut palm and casuarina groves. The sea washes ashore pebbles and shells and the gentle breeze sways the yachts and catamarans into the deeper waters of the sea and the waters form small dunes on the shore. Crabs play hide-and-seek by coming out of one burrow, and taking refuge in another. Sea gulls hover in the sky and then rest on the sails of the fishing boats. There are many more breathtaking sights that will please you and hold you spell bound in Tamil Nadu.
Tourist Attraction
- Kanniyakumari (External website that opens in a new window)
- Rameshwaram (External website that opens in a new window)
- Meenakshi Temple (External website that opens in a new window)
- Wildlife (External website that opens in a new window)
- Trekking (External website that opens in a new window)
- Ooty (External website that opens in a new window)
- Kodaikanal (External website that opens in a new window)
- Beaches (External website that opens in a new window)
Beaches
Covelong Beach
Covelong Beach Beach is one of the most popular beaches marked for its serene beauty and various other beach activities. Adventure lovers can involve themselves in a number of water sports in the beach. They can enjoy water sports like wind surfing and swimming which are the popular activities of the tourists here. Other attractions of the breathtakingly beautiful Covelong beach are Old Dutch fort, church and a mosque.
Dakhinachitra Beach
Dakhinachitra beach is an ideal place to spend holidays with your family and friends. It offers an excellent opportunity for sun bath which is very common among the foreigners. The crystal clear blue backwater of Bay of Bengal gives a serene look to the entire region. One can experience the sun rise and sun set from the beach of Dakhinachitra that fills the visitors with a wonderful sense of pleasure and excitement.
Elliots Beach
Elliots beach is one of the cleanest beaches in Tamil Nadu. Backpackers who want a clean beach that is far from the madding crowd are most welcome at this beach. The beach is actually an extension of the famous Marina Beach in Chennai. One can take a walk down south from the Anna memorial and will reach Elliots beach in five odd minutes. The beach is great for spending quality time with your loved ones.
Kurusadai Islands
Kurusadai Island in this region is commonly known as the paradise of zoologists. It is notable for coral reefs and rare species of marine lives such as Dolphins. The biologists and the researchers throng the island. You may contact the Fisheries Department and plan your visit to the Kurusadai Island.
Kodikkarai Beach
Kodikkarai beach is situated in South of Velankanni bounded by Bay of Bengal on the East and Palk Straits on the South. The Wild Life Sanctuary here spreads in about 333 sq. kms with 25 km of tropical dry evergreen forests. One can see mammals like bluebuck, spotted deer, wild boar, semi wild ponies, bonnet macaque: water birds like flamingoes, ibises, herons, spoonbills, olive ediely. Sea turtle, starred tortoise, vipers, marsh crocodiles, etc. are some of the endangered reptiles.
Kanyakumari Beach
Kanyakumari beach is known for its multi coloured sand and lies at the southern most tip of India. Kanyakumari is famous for its breath-taking view of the Sun Shine and Sun Set at their best especially on full moon days. The beach itself is a beautiful sight with multi-coloured sand. There is a lighthouse from where one can get a panoramic view.
Marina Beach
Marina beach is counted among one of the longest beaches in Asia. Its 12 km-long stretch is the second longest in the world. It is located on the eastern side of Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal. Watching the sun set and rise from the beach is an enthralling experience. Bathing and swimming can be dangerous as the undercurrent is very strong.
Mahabalipuram Beach
Mahabalipuram beach is identified as the most pristine beaches of Tamil Nadu. The beach attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year. The beach is an idle place for sunbathing and lazing around. The sea is rough and swimming is not recommended. Golden sand, good surfing opportunities and shimmering clear blue sea water is enough to lure beach lovers to this place.
Muttukkadu Beach
Muttukkadu beach is located 36 kms away from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. It is an ideal place for rides on motor boats and wind surfing. It is ideal for angling and fishing too. Get set for a good catch. Golden sands, a good surf and a shimmering clean blue sea, this in a nutshell, is Muttukkadu beach.
Pulicat Beach
Pulicat beach is situated on the northern end of Tamil Nadu. It is formed by the merging of backwaters. This is the second largest lagoon in India and one of the best spots for eco-tourism. Hordes of Flamningoes migratory birds can be spotted here, with the most famous of them being the flamingo.
Rameshwaram Beach
Rameshwaram beach is a serene beach and shallow water here are ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Rameshwaram is a renowned pilgrim center. According to the epic Ramayana, Lord Sri Rama worshipped Lord Siva here before invading Lanka to redeem his wife Sita from the clutches of Ravana. It is believed that Lord Sri Rama constructed the mythological bridge to Sri Lanka.
Vattakotai Beach
Overlooking the sea, Vattakotai beach is a circular serene tourist spot located 6 kms from Kanyakumari. There is a granite fort located in this place. It is a beautiful picnic spot and an ideal spot for relaxing between abundant coconut trees. The sea near here is calm and it is an ideal spot for tourists across the country.
Hill Stations
Kodaikanal
In 1875, the Indian railways extended its line from Chennai to Tirunelveli and a station was created at Ammaianayakkanur and this was later renamed Kodai Road, to provide a gateway to Kodaikanal. The charm of Kodaikanal lies in its wooded slopes and gigantic trees. The mighty rocks, bowers, creeks and slopes captivate the visitors. The meadows, the long stretches of forests, beautiful spots and the flocks of sheep grazing on green pastures are a source of joy, delight and thrill to onlookers. The climb to the various jutting rocks at Kodai is rewarding. The arduous climb to the Pillar rocks, to a height of 400 ft, is a must for every visitor to this hill resort.
More on Kodaikanal (External website that opens in a new window)
Nilgiri Hills
The Nilgiris are a trekker's paradise. Landscaped by nature, the hills abound in trek for lovers of nature. There are treks and treks in whichever direction you turn and from whichever point you start. A trek can be full of thrill, excitement and adventure and a way of seeing and enjoying nature in all its beauty and splendour.
More on Nilgiri Hills (External website that opens in a new window)
Coonoor
In the lap of nature and the Niligiri Hills, Coonoor is a picturesque hill resort. Since long the hill resort of Coonoor has attracted the holiday makers , nature lovers, adventure seekers, film directors et al alike. The rich flora and fauna add to the beauty of the hill resort. Besides nature spots Coonoor offers opportunities for adventure sports like trekking and hiking too. In the summer months the hill resort is crowded with refugees from the hot and dusty plains.
Ooty
Called the Queen of Hill Stations picturesque, green Udhagamandalam better known, as Ooty is the most popular hill station in the South. Located in the Western ghats at a height of 2240m, Udhagamandalam is the headquarters of the Nilgiris district where the two Ghats ranges meet. Nature has been generous with this region, which is by far the most beautiful in the state. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees like conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle dot the hillside in Udhagamandalam and its environs. Summer temperature is rarely higher than 25°c with a minimum of 10°c and winter is distinctly cooler with a high of 21°c and a low 5°c. Curiously enough, this slice of paradise remained unknown to the great southern dynasties and it took the British to discover it in the early 1800s. But the credit for modernising Udhagamandalam and making it accessible goes to the British who constructed the first railway line in the area and made it the summer capital of the Madras Presidency.
More on Ooty (External website that opens in a new window)
Yercuad
Yercuad a less crowded hill station as compared to the other major hill stations in the state of Tamil Nadu is situated on the Shevaroy (Servarayan) hill ranges in Salem district at an altitude of 1,500 metres above sea level. Yercaud is also called Shevaroy Hills, as it is situated in the Shevaroy hill ranges on the Eastern Ghats. The place with an area of 383 sq. kms is popularly known as 'poor man's Ooty'- as it is comparatively less expensive yet as picturesque as the more popular hill station, Ooty. Literally the name Yercaud in Tamil means lake (Yeri) and forests (Kadu), and is said to be named after the lake amidst wooded trees in the centre of the town.
Kotagiri
The hill resort of Kotagiri is located in the famous Nilgiri Hills. Kotagiri is just 16 km away from Ooty. Kotagiri literally means the lines of the house of the Kotas. Kotagiri is quietly tucked away in the Nilgiris and used to be the summer resort of the British. Till date the beauty of hill resort of Kotagiri attracts tourists and the sun scorched souls from far and wide. Unlike Ooty and Coonoor, Kotagiri is situated in an 'open-terrace' massif. At an elevation of 1985 m. the town has developed around numerous knolls and valleys. The Kotagiri weather is more bracing than that of Coonoor and balmier than that of Ooty.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Arignar Anna Zoological Park is situated at Vandalur which is 32 Km away from the metropolitan city of Chennai. The Zoo maintains a viable population of threatened and endangered species of the Western and the Eastern Ghats. It has many threatened exotic species also. The Zoo plays the role of Species Bank and Gene Bank for a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is an Educational Centre and offers tremendous scope for Eco-awareness and conservation education to the public. It serves as a site for basic and applied research on many aspects like animal behaviour, nutrition, ecology, biology, diseases and contributes significantly in conservation of Bio-diversity. The Zoo has the scientific and technical facilities for propagation and introduction of endangered species to its original habitat.
More on Arignar Anna Zoological Park (External website that opens in a new window)
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park formerly called Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area named after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who visited here on October 7, 1961. An Ecological Paradise, this sanctuary encompasses a National Park with an area of 108 sq.km.
About 800 species of South Indian flora are distributed here. This sanctuary nurtures arboreal animals like lion tailed macaque, bonnet macaque, common langur, nilgiris langur, malabar giant squirrel and grizzled giant squirrel. The ground animals listed are: Tiger, Panther, Elephant, Gaur, Pangolin, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Wild Boar, Dhole, Sloth Bear, Porcupine, Nilgiris Tahr, Civet Cat and Toddy Cat. The Avifauna includes Racket Tailed Drongo, Black Headed Oriole, Paradise Flycatcher, Whistling Thrust, Emerald Dove, Green Pigeon, Tickell's Flower Pecker, Rufus Wood Pecker, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Black Eagle, Great Indian Malabar pied Horn Bill, Fiary Blue Bird and green Billed Malkoha etc.
Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary
The Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary at Sirvilliputhur in southern Tamil nadu, was declared as a sanctuary in December 1989. It spreads over 480 sq. KM. This sanctuary is contiguous to Periyar Tiger Reserve on the South western side and the Megamalai Reserve Forest on the north western side and its southern limit is contiguous with the Sivagiri Reserved Forest of Tirunelveli Forest Division. The sanctuary has a wide range of habitats - from the higher elevation Upper Montane forests and grasslands, mid elevation Wet Evergreen, Semi Evergreen, Moist Deciduous, Open Deciduous, Closed Deciduous forests and grasslands with scrub jungles in the foot hills.
There is a wide range of herbivores, carnivores and omnivores in the Grizzled Squirrel Sanctuary. Resident and migrating elephants are common. The other important animals are Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Nilgiri tahr, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Sambar, Wild-boar, Porcupine, Nilgiri langur, Lion-tailed macaque, Common langur, Slender lorris, Bonnet macaque, Sloth bear, Indian Giant Squirrel and Flying Squirrel. The Sanctuary has 18 species of snakes, 15 species of lizards, over 10 species of amphibians and over 56 species of butterflies now.
Guindy National Park
Guindy National Park is situated in the Mambalam, Guindy taluk in Chennai. It is spread over an area of 270 hectares of dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests and is the smallest national park in the country. Guindy National Park is home to 400 black bucks, 2000 spotted deer, 24 jackals, a variety of snakes, geckos, a wide variety of snakes tortoises, geckos and over 100 species of birds, over 60 species of butterflies and spiders each, a wealth of different invertebrates-grasshoppers, ants, termites, crabs, snails, slugs, scorpions, mites, spiders, earthworms, millipedes, etc A snake park within this park supports a variety of snakes, crocodiles and turtles.
About 22 acres of GNP has been carved out into a zoo for ex-situ conservation. This entails keeping different species in captivity on view to public. Children's park - the zoo was started with the idea of providing children a natural environment, to educate them about animals and create awareness on conservation.
More on Guindy National Park (External website that opens in a new window)
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park has the core area of about 560 sq KM from Rameswaram to Tutucorin lying within the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve covering an area of 10,500 Sq KM. on the south-east coast of India. It covers the coast of Rameswaram, Tutucorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. It is one of the world's richest regions from marine bio diversity perspective and the first marine Biosphere Reserve in Southeast Asia. The Biosphere Reserve comprises 21 islands with estuaries, mudflats, beaches, forests of the near shore environment, including marine components like algal communities, sea grasses, coral reefs, salt marshes and mangroves.
In each island, straight line-transect ranging from 500-1000 m depending upon the size and shape of the island and a plots of 15 m radius were laid at equal intervals and visual estimation of the vegetation types at species level and area covered were recorded in each transect. This was then extrapolated to find out the vegetation cover of each island. While introduced Prosopis was found to be dominant tree species in all islands, Pemphis acidula was the only endemic species in the island group of GOMMNP. A total of 10 true mangrove and 24 mangrove associated species were recorded from these islands. A total of 92 wild and 9 introduced species of vegetations were recorded in the islands. Peculiar animal like Balanoglosses living -fossil linking invertebrates and vertebrates is endemic here. Sandy shores of islands is feeding ground for five endangered marine turtles - Green turtle, Olive ridley turtle, Hawksbill turtle, Leatherback turtle and Loggerhead turtle and the first two breed here too.
More on Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (External website that opens in a new window)
Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary
It is situated in an area of 223 sq kms in the Thirunelveli District, at the foothills of Western Ghats and the adjoining areas. The flora ranges from forests of the tropical wet evergreen to the tropical dry deciduous and thorn forests in the lower hills. Kalakadu wildlife sanctuary is very popular with botanists and ornithologists as it has a great variety of fauna and bird lives.
The Lion tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Common Langur, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambhar, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Elephant, Tiger, Flying Squirrel, Panther, Wild Dog and Pangolin are some of the wild life seen in this sanctuary. There is also a wide range of birds and reptiles here. Trekking can be done with prior permission from the Forest Officer (Wildlife) Department.
Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary
Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary was created in 1967 for conservation of Blackbuck, an endangered and endemic species of India. The sanctuary is located in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. This vast swampy tract of Point Calimere is the scene of one of India's greatest avian spectacles. Point Calimere encompasses 17.26 sq KM of sandy coast fringed by saline swamps and thorny scrub around the backwaters. Point Calimere is associated with Hindu religion and mythology. The forests of Point Calimere, earlier known as Vedaranyam forests, mean forests (aranyam) of the Vedas (sacred text of the Hindus).
The climate of the area is monsoonal, but it is not typical of monsoonal climates due to its asymmetrical rainfall regimes. The main contribution to the rainfall is from the Northeast Monsoon, and to a lesser degree, the Southwest Monsoon. Blackbuck, locally called Velimann, is the key species of the sanctuary. They are mostly seen grazing in the open grassland area. Other important animals of the sanctuary include spotted deer, Jackal, Civet, Wild boar, Jungle Cat, Bonnet Macaque, Black-naped Hare and the Common Indian Mongoose. A notable feature of the sanctuary is the presence of feral horses.
More on Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary (External website that opens in a new window)
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park is situated at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka on the North Eastern Slopes of the Nilgiris part of Western Ghats descending to the Mysore Plateau. With Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) in the north and Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the west the region forms a single, continuous viable habitat for a varied range of wildlife and is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Dawn is the time of day when birds are most active and at their chirpiest best. River and stream margins are good places to listen to bird choruses. Reptiles are also well represented. There are several species of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, including python. Some pythons are so large that they do not hesitate to throw their coils round medium sized deer and bison calf. The Flying lizard is a rare and interesting reptile that is found in the sanctuary. Animals that are commonly seen by casual visitor are spotted deer, Elephants, Common langur, an occasional Sambhur and Gaur.
More on Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (External website that opens in a new window)
Mukurthi National Park
Mukurthi National Park is another major attraction of the Nilgiris. It is located on the south eastern corner of the Nilgiris Plateau. The area contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar (Hemitragus hylocrius). It is spread over an area of 78.46 km. A fascinating feature of the Mukurthi National Park is its endemism and relationship with the Himalayan flora and fauna.
The natural vegetation consists of vast stretches of grasslands interspersed with numerous isolated, compact sharply defined and small woodland "Shoals". Only two storeys of tree layers are seen. Lianas are quite common, Epiphytes are abundant and consists mostly of lichens, ferns, bryophytes and various orchids. Several plants native to Nilgiris plateau have their nearest relatives in the Himalayas. The Rhododendrons, Black berries, Raspberries etc. are not found anywhere in peninsular India, between the Nilgiris and the Himalayas.
Mukurthi's wild animals are a fascinating mixture of plain and mountain animals. The close encounters with wild animals, are rare in the open Mukurthi Country. The common mammalian species met with here include Nilgiri Tahr Sambar, Barking deer, Elephant, Blacknaped hare, Jungle cat, Wild dogs, Jackal, Stripe-necked mangoose, Nilgiri Martin, Otters, Giant squirrel etc., The Avifauna are mostly hill birds, such as Kestrel, Black Eagles, Grey jungle fowls, wood cock and Thrushes.
More on Mukurthi National Park (External website that opens in a new window)
Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary
The Mundanthurai-Kalakad wildlife sanctuary in Tirunelveli district is developed as a National Tiger Reserve from the year 1988 with a total area of 817 sq. km in the south most western ghat ranges. The nearest stations are Cheranmahadevi, and Ambasamudaram which are 20kms and 15 kms respectively from Tirunelveli. The mountainous undulating to topography is the characteristic feature leading to tropical dry deciduous forest on the lower slopes and tropical wet evergreen forests on the upper reaches.
The climate is dry, humid and hot at plains and pleasant cold in the higher elevations. The reserve is the southernmost habitat of the tiger. Other predators like panthers, jungle cats, civets, dholes, jackals, striped hyenas are also found here. We can also come across reptiles and amphibians like king cobra, common krait, russels, viper, darkpit viper, monitor lizard, garden lizard, tortoise, crocodiles and rare species of frogs. Regarding avifauna there are more than 80 species of birds found in this region. To mention a few spotted frequently here are egrets, herons, jungle fowl, spur fowl, partridge, quails, emerald dove, minivets, bee caters, sparrows, owls, night jars, kites, paradise flay catchers, and parakeets etc. There are 24 identified nature trails which are spread over the reserve. It gives a thrilling experience to trekkers.
Vedanthangal National Park
Vedanthangal bird sanctuary is one of the smallest and oldest in the country with a unique history. The local people have been protecting the sanctuary for centuries now because they have realized that the bird droppings falling into the tank increases nitrogen content of the water and when used to irrigate crop increases the yield greatly and saves the cost of fertilizers. As far back as 1798, the village folk convinced the authorities to give protection to the birds of the 30 ha area of the Vedanthangal tank. Around 30000 birds come every season even though the area is just 30 ha It then attracts multitudes of herons, egrets, storks, ibises and spoon bills. If the monsoon is heavy, these trees can be partially submerged. Despite its compact size, Vedanthangal is worth a visit, especially between October and January, for the experience of seeing nesting birds in the thousand within close range.
One of the first birds to arrive at Vedanthal are Open billed storks and breed twice during the same season before leaving the sanctuary. Egrets, Spot billed pelican, Painted stork, Great cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Darter, Eurasian spoonbill, Asian open bill, Black-headed Ibis, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Great Egret are seen in large numbers. Some of the other commonly seen waterfowl are the white ibis, night heron, darter, pond heron and ducks like Comb duck, pintails, common teals, dabchick, shoveller, and black-winged stilt.
More on Vedanthangal National Park (External website that opens in a new window)
Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Reviewed on: 20-02-2010 
