Tourist Destinations in South India
Tamilnadu - The Temple Land Tour |
  
Tamil Nadu is the land of the Tamils and it has a history that dates back
to a several thousand years. 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.
Are there answers to be found on
her beaches and hill stations as they welcome the traveler? We are sure you will
form your own opinions and have your own perceptions as we welcome you to this
enchanting and ancient Dravidian land, in the extreme south of peninsular India.
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.
TEMPLES
IN TAMILNADU
Tirunageshwaram
This vast temple known
is for its shrine to Rahu, one of the nine celestial bodies in the Navagraha.
A legend has it that the mythological serpents Adiseshan, Dakshan and Kaarkotakan
worshipped Shiva here. Legend also has it that King Nala worshipped Shiva here
as in Thirunallar.
Vaitheswaran Koil
With the Vaitheswaran
Koil, there is a special shrine dedicated to Ankarakan or Sevvai or Mars. The
belief is that if prayers are offered to Ankarakan, he will bestow valour, victory
and strength to the person. Upon entering the temple, devotees first go the Siddhamrita
tank. The water is said to have curative properties for various skin ailments.
There is also a widespread belief that a visit here would remove obstacles that
delay marriage.
Thingaloor
Though there is a question about
when this temple was built, historians agree that it must have been in existence
since before the beginning of the Bhakti period, which was well before the seventh
century A.D. Dedicated to the Moon or Chandran in Sanskrit and Thingal in Tamil,
a visit to this temple is said to grant a comfortable and long life. In astrology,
Chandran is the planet that removes stress and sorrow.
Thirunallar
This is the only temple that is dedicated to Lord Sani or Saturn. When the
planet Saturn transits between zodiac signs, literally millions throng this shrine.
The legendary King Nala is said to have been relieved of his afflictions, which
were due to the malefic influence of Saturn, after worship in this temple. Of
the numerous tanks theertams, the Nala theertam is the most important one. By
bathing here, it is believed that one is washed off all kinds of misfortune and
afflictions.
Suryanar Koil
Situated 21 kms from Swamimalai
is the Suryanar Koil built by King Kulothunga Chola I in the year 1100 AD. This
temple is dedicated to Sun God Surya who is known as the giver of health, success
and prosperity. Every year in mid January, the harvest festival is celebrated
in thanksgiving and to honour Surya.
In Dharmapuri district, one
of the Major river Cauvery flows. Hogenakkal is the place for water falls, Boating,
Bathing and it is also famous for popular pilgrim centre namely Theerthamalai.
PLACES OF INTERESTS
Hogenakkal
is situated on the border of Karnataka, 46kms from Dharmapuri. One of the major
rivers of India and a perennial river of south India the Cauveri flows through
and make the soil fertile. The river plays major role in making the states of
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu prosper as it passes through. Kudagu in Karnataka is
where the Cauveri originates as a small stream and gathers momentum and gets bigger
on her way down. It is in Hogenakkal that the Cauveri enters Tamil Nadu as a big
river with gushing waters presents a waterfall.
The setting of the descent
of the Cauveri at Hogenakkal is panoramic. The name Hogenakkal is derived from
Kannada. It means smoky rocks. The gushing force of the water when it falls on
the rocks below looks like smoke emanating from the rocks. hoge in kannada means
smoke and of kal means rock , the falls and the place were called Hogenakkal.
At many places the falls descends as far as 20 mtrs. The water
also makes a continuous thundering sound. This gives the area a different atmosphere.
At Hogenakkal the water spreads for miles around. The locally made boats are called
Parisal . A parisal ride will give you a rare experience.
Surrounded
by hills at various heights, Hogenakkal offers the visitors a different ambience
and is a refreshing place to relax. Fresh fish caught in the river is cooked and
served. One can also take bath in the falls. Local people give oil massages. As
the river flows through out the year, Hogenakkal can be visited through the year.
To add attraction the forest department maintains a mini zoo and a crocodile park
here. The New Moon days in the months in January or Thai and in July or Adi are
special for the pilgrims who arrive to take a dip in the river. However on Adi
18th, which is in August, a festival to the river goddess is celebrated.
Theerthamalai: Theerthamalai is a popular pigrim centre and it is 16 k.m.
from Harur in Dharmapuri district. This pilgrim and picnic centre becoming very
popular with the public. The temple situated about one k.m up the steep slope
of a hillock derives that its name from the five springs in the temple. Lord Theerthagireeswar
(Lord Shiva) is the worshipping deity. According to the legend it was here that
Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of having killed
several demons in the war against Ravana. Hence there is belief that a holy dip
in the waters of this spring will wipe out the sins committed by the people.
WILDLIFE IN TAMILNADU
Mudumalai
Sanctuaries
The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Nilgiri
Hills, at a point where the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats. This sanctuary
has a mix of flat land, undulating parkland, open grassland, swamp, valleys and
nullahs. The Mayyar River forms a series of spectacular cascades on its 65 kms
route on the Udhagamandalam-Mysore highway. This sanctuary can be reached from
Mysore too.
The 321 sq kms area of the sanctuary encompasses a National
Park measuring 103 sq kms. The vegetation here is varied. The hilly terrain of
the Western Ghats, clothed in dense mixed and moist deciduous forests, make Mudumalai
a most attractive wildlife reserve. The Mysore-Ooty highway runs through the Park,
following the course of the Mayyar River, which separates Mudumalai from the Bandipur
sanctuary.
The fauna includes Elephant, Gaur, Bonnet, Macaque, Common
langur, Tigers and Leopards, Chital, Panther, Sloth Bear, Python, Barking deer,
Four-Horned Antelope, Otter, Crocodile, Giant flying squirrel, Sambhar, Hyena,
Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Jackal, Hare, Porcupine and Mongoose.
The birds listed in this sanctuary are the peacock, India’s national
bird, grey jungle fowl, Malabar whistling thrush, large racquet-tailed dronge,
magpie-robin, spotted babbler, small green barbet, green pigeons, little brown
dove, Malabar grey hornbill, bulbuls and mynahs. Among the birds of prey, eagles,
hawks, buzzards, harriers, falcons and king vulture are predominant. there are
some migratory water birds too.
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