Tamil Nadu is bounded by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the north and Kerala in the west. The eastern and western tips of the state are defined by the Point Calimere and Mudumalai wildlife sanctuaries while the northern extreme is Pulicat lake and the southernmost tip is Kanyakumari, the land's end. Tamil Nadu is principally washed by the Cauvery, originating in Coorg in neighbouring Karnataka. Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu.
In Chennai, stop by the Art Gallery, Marina beach. Near Chennai is the Vedathangal water birds sanctuary. The Ranganathitoo bird Sanctuary on the Bangalore/Mysore highway is another tourist haunt. Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram and Chidamabaram are temple towns. The famous Meenakshi temple of Madurai is a must-see. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple nearby. Kodaikanal, the charming hill station also neighbours Madurai.
Capital
Chennai (formerly, Madras), the largest city in South India and the fourth largest city in the country, is located on the Coromandel Coast. The city's British lineage is evident in the various cathedrals, buildings in Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, wide tree lined avenues but there is no denying its traditional Tamil Hindu culture either. This is not surprising because this region had remained a centre of Pallavan culture long before the British came here.
The varied aspects of traditional South Indian culture existing alongside the lifestyle of a modern city complete with its plush hotels, restaurants offering a range of continental to typical South Indian cuisine, long and uncrowded stretches of beaches, modern shopping malls, cinema halls, et al.
The People
Tamil, the official state language, is spoken by most of the people. The main religions in the state are Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Jainism. Hindu families owe allegiance to a number of sectarian monastic institutions, or maths, of which the most important is the Shankara Math at Kumbakonam. Although Tamil Nadu is one of the most urbanized states of India, it is still a rural land; agriculture is the mainstay of life for about three-quarters of the rural population. Tamil Nadu is rich in handicrafts; notable among them are handloomed silk, metal icons, leather work, kalamkari (hand-painted fabric, using natural dyes), brass, bronze, and copper wares, and carved wood, palm leaf, and cane articles.
Culture
Bharata-natya, one of India's major classical dance forms, and Karnatic music are both widely practiced. Painting and sculpture, however, are less developed, although there are schools that teach the art of sculpture in stone and bronze. Tamil literature rapidly adapted to the Western literary forms of the novel and the short story. Since the 1940s, cinema, has become the most popular form of mass entertainment.
There are both touring and permanent cinema theatres; and sentimental and spectacular films, often featuring light music and dancing, are produced by the film studios situated largely around Chennai. The karakam dance of Tamil Nadu state, mainly performed on the annual festival in front of the image of Mariyammai (goddess of pestilence), is to deter her from unleashing an epidemic.
Festivals
Pongal festival, Jallikattu-Bull fight in January; Chitthiraj festival, Mamallapuram dance festival, Chidambaram dance festival, Mahamagam festival in Kumbakonam, Arubathimoovar festival at Chennai, Summer festival in Ooty; Courtallm ritualbathing festival, Kanthuri festival, Kavaddi festival on Palani Hills, Velankanni festival, Navarathri, Karthigai Deepam or Tamil Nadu's Festival of Lights, Music festival in Chennai during December.
CLIMATE
The climate is essentially tropical. The temperature in summer seldom 43: C and in winter seldom falls below 18: C. The lowest temperatures are recorded during December and January, and the highest in April to June. The average annual rainfall, falling mainly between October and December, ranges between 25 and 75 inches. The most precipitation falls in the Nilgiris and other hill areas.
Tourism Offices
TN Development Corporation Ltd., 25, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai - 4. Ph: 8546825, 8547 335, 344, 346 Fax: 00-91-44-8546620
Foreigners Registration Office, Shastri Bhawan Annexe. No 26, Haddows Rd, Nungabakkam Chennai - 6. Ph/Fax: 8277036.