Tamil Nadu
This grand building with a golden roof houses an illustrated exhibit on the Ramayana, a room dedicated to Bharat Mata (India itself as the Mother Goddess)…
Must-see attractions in Tamil Nadu
Thanjavur (Tanjore)
At the northern end of the Brihadishwara Temple compound, within the outer ramparts, stands 18th-century neoclassical Schwartz's Church.
Tamil Nadu
Dating back to 1620, this temple at the southernmost end of Kumbakonam's main bazaar street has beautiful Nayak horse and yali carvings and fine frescoes.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
You can't miss this enormous boulder (and favourite photo spot), balancing precariously on Mamallapuram Hill, right opposite the compound's northernmost…
Coonoor
About 10km west of town, this popular viewpoint exposes vast panoramas encompassing Catherine Falls across the valley.
Tamil Nadu
Before visiting the Kumari Amman Temple, some worshippers immerse themselves in the bathing ghats that surround it.
Tamil Nadu
The shoreline around Kumari Amman Temple has a couple of bathing ghats where some worshippers immerse themselves.
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Landscaped and stocked by the British officer after whom it’s named, pretty Bryant Park is usually full of tourists and canoodling couples.
Kodaikanal International School
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Set up in 1901, the renowned Kodaikanal International School lends Kodai a bit of a cosmopolitan air, with students from around the globe.
The Western Ghats
Catherine Falls is 8km south of Kotagiri off the Mettupalayam road; the last 2km or so are on foot, and the falls only flow after rain.
Thanjavur (Tanjore)
The park at the northern end of the Brihadishwara Temple compound contains the Sivaganga Tank.
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Inaugurated in 1907, the Sacred Heart Basilica is a soaring brown-and-white neo-Gothic structure beautified by restored stained glass.
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Once home to Governor Dupleix, the neoclassical governor's residence looks out over Bharathi Park from the north. You can't go inside.
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
A shady green haven that's always busy, Bharathi Park faces the neoclassical governor's residence, Raj Nivas, on its north side.
Trichy (Tiruchirappalli)
Adorned with original-period shuttered doors, elegant – and very white – St John's Church dates from the early 19th century.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
A beautifully carved throne or seat in the shape of a lion, a little west (uphill) from the Raya Gopura on Mamallapuram Hill.
Chennai (Madras)
Chennai's main Shia mosque, built in 1810. Mostly useful as a landmark, as non-Muslims aren't allowed inside the buildings.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
Similarly sized to Mamallapuram's famous Arjuna's Penance, this unfinished relief carving is just south along West Raja St.
The Western Ghats
About 19km north of Kotagiri, Kodanad Viewpoint boasts vistas across both the Coimbatore Plains and the Mysore Plateau.
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Less visited than other nearby viewpoints, Moir's Point is 13km west of town and has lovely views across the plains.
Chennai (Madras)
Built entirely of granite in 1795 by the Nawab of the Carnatic, and generally known simply as the Big Mosque.
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Green Valley View, 6km southwest of Kodai centre, has spectacular views to the plains far below.
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
Set between trees at the eastern end of Ooty Lake, simple St Thomas' dates back to 1870.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
Accessed via steep, narrow steps, Mamallapuram's lighthouse offers wonderful panoramas.
Tamil Nadu
Tranquebar's post office has occupied the same dishevelled little building since 1884.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
South of the Raya Gopura the main Mamallapuram Hill path passes the Ramanuja Mandapa.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
Generally thought to be an unfinished gopuram dating from the 16th century.
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
The main sight along seafront Goubert Ave is this bronze striding statue of Gandhi.
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Compact Bear Shola Falls are in a pocket of forest on the northwest edge of town.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
This empty cave temple sits south along the road from Arjuna's Penance.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
This unfinished cave temple has just five completed lion columns.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
A 16th- to 17th-century Vishnu temple, behind the bus stand.
Tamil Nadu
Vellore's fort, with nearly 2km of moat-surrounded ramparts, was built in the 16th century and passed through Maratha and Mughal hands before the British…
Tamil Nadu
This memorial near the shoreline commemorates K Kamaraj, the 'Gandhi of the South’. One of the most powerful and respected politicians of post…
Tamil Nadu
Poignantly placed at the end of the nation that Gandhi fathered, this cream-coloured memorial takes the form of an Orissan (Odishan) temple. The central…
Archaeological Survey of India Museum
Tamil Nadu
Inside the fort, this museum houses a small collection of very worn Pallava, Chola and Nayak stone sculptures, plus British-era cannons and displays on…
Madurai
Attached to the very interesting Gandhi Memorial Museum, this is a sadly neglected collection of archaeological finds, sculpture, bronzes, costumes and…
Tamil Nadu
At this teensy ramshackle museum, you'll be enthusiastically shown a mishmash of old boats, fishing memorabilia and a hard-hitting photo-video of the…
