Tourist Destinations in South India
Tamilnadu - The Temple Land Tour
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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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