India’s southernmost state of Tamil Nadu has long drawn in travelers and religious pilgrims who come to are drawn in by its elaborate Dravidian-style temples, some more than 1,000 years old. Other major attractions and things to do include Pondicherry, a former French colony that retains much of its colonial architecture to this day, and Auroville, a UNESCO-recognized global township first conceived in the 1960s. The cultural and political backbone of the state is Chennai, where you’ll find colorful temples, whitewashed old churches, and towering high rises competing for space in the skyline.
The ideal time to visit Tamil Nadu is in winter or early spring. The annual Pongal festival, the most important celebration of the year, takes place in the middle of January, during one of the coolest, driest times of the year. Things stay cool through February, and while March is a bit warmer, April and May can be uncomfortably hot. The rainy monsoon season starts in June and continues as late as December.
Tamil Nadu is well connected by train and bus, and you'll have no problem relying on public transportation to get you from point A to point B. However, not all options have air-conditioning, and buses, in particular, can take a really long time to travel between destinations. Hiring a car with a driver is an excellent alternative, particularly if you want to cover a lot of ground quickly.
In the mood for a flakey, buttery croissant or an airy macaron? No need to fly to Paris—just head to Pondicherry, a former French colony about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Chennai. Situated on La Bourdonnais Street, amongst the gallic structures of the city’s colonial “White Town,” Petit Four is the place to go for authentic French pastries and confections. While the baked goods are the big draw, they also serve European main dishes for lunch and dinner.
Local Currency Indian Rupee (₹) | Time Zone IST (UTC +5) | Country Code +91 | Language(s) Gujarati | Attractions 34 | Tours 391 | Reviews 1,945 |
Tamil Nadu is best known for its numerous temples and has long been a popular state among Hindu religious pilgrims. Some of the most famous include the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Chennai, and the Kanyakumari Bhagavathy Temple at the country's southernmost tip.
...MoreYes, Tamil Nadu is worth visiting. There’s a lot to see in the capital city of Chennai alone, especially if you’re interested in history and architecture. Tamil Nadu is also home to five national parks, miles of scenic coastline, and a handful of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
...MoreMany of the top attractions in Tamil Nadu are right in Chennai, including colonial Fort St. George and the Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Other top attractions include the historic temples of Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) and Kanchipuram, the global intentional township of Auroville, and the coastal city of Pondicherry officially Puducherry)—a former French colony.
...MoreIf you plan to use Chennai as your base and not do anything longer than day trips, three or four days will suffice. This is long enough to see the top attractions in the state capital and take day tours to nearby must-sees such as Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry.
...MoreTamil Nadu is known for South Indian mainstays such as idlis (steamed rice-and-lentil cakes), dosas (eggless crepes made from a similar batter as idlis, and sambar, a lentil-based liquid soup prepared with vegetables and served as an accompaniment to idlis and dosas. Coffee prepared with lots of milk and sugar is also popular.
...MoreYes, Tamil Nadu is a safe state. Reported violent crime is below the national average. Like anywhere, it’s good to be mindful of your belongings while traveling to avoid petty theft and be careful when crossing the road, as traffic can be harrowing in spots.
...More
