tamil nadu tourist places

One of the unique features of the tourist centres in Tamil Nadu is that they are noted for their cultural and historic significance.' An attemptis made in this chapter to give a bird's eye view of some of the most importantamong them.

BEACHES AND BEACH RESORTS

Tamil Nadu is noted for its fabled beaches. Foreigners lovethem for their scenic beauty and bewitching natural environment. The following are some of the beaches about which we cherish green memories.

Ennore and Elliots Beaches

Ennore beach. 18 km North of Chennai, offers boating facility inthe backwaters. Elliots is a 11 km drive from the city, an ideal spot for swimming.

Marina Beach

 It is World's Second Longest Beach. It is located on theeastern side of Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal. Watching the sunrisefrom the beach is an enthralling experience. Though bathing and swimmingcan be dangerous, as undercurrents are strong here, some do go for a swim atthe Marina. In the evenings, the beach becomes very busy with various kinds of entertainments and food stalls The beach is a major attraction for touristsvisiting Chennai. It has acquired an exquisite South Indian flavour withvendors, hawkers and peddlers selling play things ranging from shells andglass babbles to kites, variety of food items and fruit juices. The Marinahowever is large enough to accommodate all visitors and often turns into avenue for important state functions.

Mahabalipuram Beach

MahabalipUram also known as 'Mamallapuram' is 58 km south of Chennai. Resting on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, this place was once aport of the Pallavas. The Pallavas created many marvellous monuments likefine rock-hewn sculptural panels, Mandapas Rathas and temples, mainlycarved or sculptured out of stone.The golden sands of Mamallapuram

attract fun seekers by thethousands but as the beach is large enough over-population has not yetbecomes any problem. Once a thriving port trading with many distant nations,Pallava chisels have breathed life into many a stone here. The Pallava art atthis place emphasizes robust earthly beauty, imbued with delight and thevitality of human life. These monumental splendours and the sunny beachresorts attract tourists from all over the world.

Mamallapuram

It is noted for its historical significance. During the period of the Pallavas, it was their capital: The history of Tamil Nadu is replete withaccount to show how Mamallapuram flourished during the 7th and 8centuries. The monuments of the Pallava sculpture, the prototype of theDravidian temple architecture, lure thousands of visitors to this town everyday of the year. The monuments, scooped out of natural rocks are ofmonolithic type. Mamallapuram has been declared by the United Nations asone of the world heritage centres.The dance festival held here from December to February ishighly acclaimed. One of the monuments popularly known as Arjuna'spenance, stands as a back drop for the stage. For over 1500 years this smalltown woke to the tune of hardened steel on stone as its craftsmen to begin anew day. The pristine glory of 8 century temple adds splendour to the beachhere. The beaches in Tamil Nadu have been a major lure for tourists.

Tharangambadi

It is another sea side village, where the Danish merchants settled for trade. What they have left behind are the proud legacy of the Danes. A beautiful governor's palace constructed right on the beach tells us of theglorious historic past. It is another ideal shore for sun bathing.

Poompuhar

It is yet another beach resort created in memory of the erstwhile"Kaveri Poompattinam", a legendary port city, washed away by the sea. Thepresent complex was designed on the basis of the information available in the

Tamil epic 'Silapathikaram'. The historical happenings depicted inSilapathikaram and the land marks mentioned there in are brought back to lifehere in stone. The department of tourism offers conch and shell type

accommodation here.

Muttukkadu

A backwater and estuary, Muttukkadu is ideal for rides on  motorized boats or for wind surfing. Visitors can hire a Pedal boat or a row-boat for cruising leisurely. Muttukkadu is ideally suited for angling and fishing Visitors can enjoy a good catch if they are lucky. TTDC runs boatservices and a cafeteria here. It is about 36 kms from Chennai.

Pichavaram

Pichavaram is 75 kms away from Pondicherry. Here, mangroveforests can be seen with backwaters criss crossing the entire forest

area. Anecological paradise, Pichavaram could be visited throughout the year. Boating operations on back waters
and simple accommodations on the bank are run by TTDC.

Chidambaram

Chidambaram lies sixteen kilometres west of Pichavaram. It is a town famous for the Lord Nataraja temple, which is celebrated for its art workand architectural beauty. The presiding deity Siva is worshipped as thecosmic dancer, with various "Mudras" or gestures of the south Indian classicaldance.

Mandapam

Mandapam is the mainland point linking the island ofRameswaram. It is the gateway to many small islands. It is bestowed with aquiet beach for sun and surf.

Rameswararn

An island off the mainland surrounded by the Palk Straits and the Gulf of Mannar connected by the longest-ever constructed bridge on sea inIndia. It is a pilgrim centre. According to the Hindu tradition Sri Rama, the hero

of the epic, Ramayanam, worshipped Lord Siva here before invading
Lanka to redeem his wife Sita from the clutches of Ravana. It is from herethat Sri Rama is said to have constructed the mythological bridge to Sri Lanka.The serene beach and shallow waters here are ideal for swimming andsunbathing. One can stay at the hotel Tamil Nadu.

Tuticorin

A port city and an industrial town, Tuticorin is one of the major ports of TamilNadu. Pearl harvesting is an important activity here. It has revived its pastglory with a modern temple constructed tastefully. Various postures calledout of the dance of Bharatanatyam, adorn the temple walls here. The temple isa stupendous repository of art. Every year, a dance festival called Natyanjali festival is celebrated during Mahasivarathri period.

Tiruchendur

One of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, a Saivite God,Tiruchendur is a very popular pilgrim centre. The temple is situated right onthe beach adding splendour and grace to the beach.

Kanyakumari Beach

At the southern most tip of India where the Arabian sea, the Indian  Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet lies Kanyakumari an important pilgrim centre vividly described in the other chapters of this

thesis.Kanyakurnari is also famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets,especially on full moon days.

Muttam Beach

It is noted for its scenic beauty The English Missionaries  treated it as a meeting place for world Church leaders. Further, the beach was noted for its strategic importance with a historic lighthouse.

Thengapattanam Beach

It is a fine beach resort with back waters. Most of the retting centres of the coir industry are located here. Researchers from places far andnear visit here because it is noted for certain special type of aquatic fauna.