City: Tamil Nadu
Top Things to do in Tamil Nadu
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What to do and see in Tamil Nadu, India: The Best Free Things to do
^# Jana Gana Mana is the national anthem, while "Invocation to Tamil Mother" is the state song/anthem.
^† Established in 1773; Madras State was formed in 1950 and renamed as Tamil Nadu on 14 January 1969
^^ Tamil is the official language of the state. English is declared as an additional official language for communication purposes.
Restaurants in Tamil Nadu
1. Brihadeeswara Temple
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,497 reviews
Brihadishvara Temple, also called Rajarajesvaram or Peruvudaiyar Kovil, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.
Reviewed By aravink2017
Brihadishvara Temple, also called Rajarajesvaram or Peruvudaiyar Koyil, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the largest South Indian temples. Built by Raja Raja Chola I between 1003 and 1010 AD, the temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Living Chola Temples, Really Amazing Built Temple like in Angkot Wat Combodia Temple!????????
2. Airavatesvara Temple
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 438 reviews
This 12th-century Chola temple is a compact gem.
Reviewed By Shivani_Attanayake - Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
magnificent temple with intricate carvings and architecture. advisable to visit in the morning since afternoon can be very hot
3. Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,093 reviews
Experience the culture of Madurai with this private tour of its ancient temples. Spend approximately 45 minutes visiting each of the Dravidian temples built by the Pandyan and Madurai Nayak kings, earning the city its nickname Koil Maanagar, which means Temple City. Discover why Madurai, also called the City of Junctions or Koodal Nagaram, is one of India's most outstanding Hindu pilgrimage centers.
Reviewed By 291genej - Silver Spring, United States
We took an auto taxi($1) 1 km east from our Hotel Royal Court. Arriving at the quiet shaded West Tower just after 9 AM, we had little competition in storing our mobile phone, day bag with camera, and finally our shoes, receiving a receipt for each item. Next we proceeded through entry security, by gender, and then freely entered the West Tower tunnel into the 14 acre complex. Deciding to circumambulate clockwise, our first stop was the museum. After paying the foreigner fee, we entered the forest of carved pillars, viewing the many ancient preserved sculptures. Then we came to the wide center hall, focused on its lighted shrine with 2 long rows of huge sculpted pillars and brightly painted ceiling, a magnificent visual display, unmarred by the many butter lamps and confusion of the numerous pilgrims at similar sights inside the inner temple. Strolling that inner temple/shrine complex was enlightening, being blessed by the resident elephant,Parvati, and seeing her and a white bull, Nandi, march in procession accompanied by a band and large palanquin bearing a statue and carried by 20 strong men. After passing the tank with its golden lotus, and the super long queue for the free Darshan, we exited over hot stones to recollect our possessions at the still cool West Gate. Walking toward our next sight, we passed a growing line of pilgrims crowding the hot sunny South Gate.
4. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,072 reviews
Dedicated to Vishnu, the temple of Srirangam's vast complex has seven enclosures formed by huge rampart walls and 21 elaborate towers.
Reviewed By Selvakummar
Always crowded, next to Tirupathi, again because of better crowd management, Dharshan is peaceful..Better avoid holiday and Sabarimala season to have more time to see the god.. Don't missing ramanujam 1000 pillar hall, beauty of main gopuram and coffee just outside of the main gopuram
5. Chidambaram Nataraja Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 248 reviews
This is one of the most significant temples in the region.
Reviewed By manojp389 - Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), India
very vast temple complex with great Dravidian architecture. Not that crowded. May not be easy for aged people to negotiate all the walk inside the complex. Definitely a must visit like many other temples in the state...
6. Kailasanatha Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 279 reviews
This 8th-century sandstone temple has a sanctuary that only one worshipper can enter at a time, through a tight tunnel.
Reviewed By Trail226390 - New Delhi, India
This temple is an ancient one with the most stunning sculptures that I have ever seen. Definitely worth a visit!
7. Dhyanalinga Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 907 reviews
The Dhyanalinga is set amidst the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains, the first of its kind to be completed in over 2000 years. This powerful meditative space does not ascribe to any particular faith or belief system nor does it require any ritual, prayer, or worship. In June 1999, Dhyanalinga was consecrated by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, a realized master, mystic and yogi, after three years of intense process of prana prathista (process of energizing an object using one's own life energies). Measuring 13' 9", Dhyanalinga is the largest mercury-based live linga in the world. All the aspects of life are enshrined in the form of seven chakras, energized to the very peak and locked to prevent dissipation over time. It is expected that the energies of the Dhyanalinga will not suffer dissipation for at least 5000 years. THEERTAKUNDS The Dhyanalinga features two Theerthakunds, which are subterranean tanks with solidified mercury lingas immersed in water, built as preparatory tools to enhance one's spiritual receptivity before entering the Dhyanalinga. The Theerthakunds, are very powerful by themselves. It straightens out the energy or the pranic imbalances in a person, which leads to physical and mental well-being. Above all, it creates a tremendous receptivity to imbibe the energies of Dhyanalinga. They are open for Gents and Ladies from 7:30AM to 8:00PM NADHA ARADHANA An offering of sound to the Dhyanalinga, Nadha Aradhana is an etheric blend of vocals, singing bowls, drums and various other instruments amplified within the reverberating Dome, transporting one into the timeless space of the Dhyanalinga. The offering takes place twice a day, from 11:50 am to 12:10 pm and from 5:50 pm to 6:10 pm. These times are recognized as special sandhya kalas for meditators. A sandhya kala is a phase when nature undergoes certain transitions and makes a person more receptive to inner possibilities. AUMKAR MEDITATION Visitors to the Dhyanalinga can further deepen their experience by attending this daily introduction to the timeless and powerful mantra "Aum." This meditation is known to have transcendental qualities. It can bring peace and balance to one's system, and is known to relieve people from numerous physical and mental ailments when practiced regularly. Aumkar meditation is offered daily from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.
Reviewed By manjunathvs - Bengaluru, India
It is a huge meditation hall constructed uniquely without pillars, round shape with a beautiful lingam at centre place. Silence can be enjoyable, good place for peaceful meditation. Staff guides the visitors
8. Arulmigu Ramanatha Swamy Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,695 reviews
Reviewed By KRAMA200 - Seattle, United States
Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of the revered and Holy Temple for Hindus in India,A perfect blend of mind-boggling architecture and spiritual significance, Rameshwaram Temple, also known as Ramanathaswamy Temple of Tamil Nadu is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It also boasts of being one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of India. Not just spiritually, Rameshwaram Temple is appealing architecturally also. With the longest corridor of the world and immaculate carvings on pillars, it is definitely a treat for your eyes. The lingam in the Rameshwaram Temple was installed by Lord Rama but, the construction was led by several rulers over the centuries. Inside the temple, there are two lingams- Ramalingam and Shivalingam. The latter is still worshipped first to preserve the words of Lord Rama. The twenty-two holy water bodies of the Ramanathaswamy Temple come to the rescue of people living a life full of regrets and those who want to absolve their sins. To attain salvation, devotees flock here to worship Lord Shiv and take dips in sacred water. The Rameshwaram Temple has a striking architecture which allures tourists from all over the world. Like all other temples in South India, it has a high wall or madil which guards the temple from all four sides. The wall measures about 865 feet from east to west and 675 feet from north to south. The long corridors running between huge colonnades on five feet high platforms forms part of the temple's interior. The second corridor is built with sandstone pillars, beams and ceiling. On the west lies the third corridor which paves the way to Setumadhava shrine. The total length of these corridors is around 3850 feet and are reputed to be the longest in the world. A Must Visit Attraction
9. Palani Murugan Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 473 reviews
Reviewed By MMAHARAJAN - Chennai (Madras), India
One of the six holy temples of Lord Muruga.Located at palani divine temple One of the important Hindu temples in Tamilnadu There are four ways to clim up the hill.Elephant path ( flat stairs to climp up easily), Normal path (800 steps approx), Winch & rope car service. The ticket for winch is minimum of Rs 10/- & rope car is minimum of Rs 15/-. Waiting time for both 40 mins to 1 hr during normal days. Buy panchamirtham @ sithanathan which is very near to stairs
10. Sri Ramana Ashram
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
Reviewed By 33Gaurav
You can live with the silence and feel the fragrance of Shri Raman ashram. The great saint and Spiritual Guru who is still alive and omnipresent will touch your heart and slowly you will start inspiring people around you , the Silence in the teaching of Bhagwan Sri Ramana Maharishi
