This state is known for its great temples with their towering gateways or gopurams, overwhelming in their grandeur of architecture. They are all easily visited from Chennai, the state capital. A good place to begin a tour of the temples of Tamil Nadu is Mamallapuram.

Mamallapuram

This ancient seat of the Pallavas has temples grouped thus: cave temples, monolithic temples shaped into chariots, bas relief sculptures on rocks, and structural temples. Also at Mamallapuram is what is perhaps the earliest structural temple known, the Shore temple.

How to get there: Chennai, the nearest airport, is 58 kms away.

Kanchipuram

It is known as The "Golden City". The earliest Pallava temple here is the Kailasanatha temple, dedicated to Shiva. The distinctive skyline of Kanchipuram, however, belongs to later temples with their tall gopurams.

How to get there: Kanchipuram is 76 kms from Chennai, the nearest airport. It is also well connected by road to all cities, and by rail, to Chennai.

Chidambaram

The temple here, built by the Cholas, is a thousand years old and stands within a complex that covers five hectares. It is one of the outstanding temples of Tamil Nadu.

How to get there: Chidambaram is 245 kms away from Madras. The nearest airport is at Thanjavur.

Thanjavur

This was the capital of the great Chola dynasty which ruled from 850 - 1250 AD. The Cholas are considered to be the inheritors of the Pallava tradition in temple construction. The great temple of Thanjavur, the Brihadeeswara temple, was built by the Cholas in granite, a stone not found in the neighbourhood. Do not miss to visit the temple at Gangaikondacholapuram.

How to get there: Thanjavur is well connected by rail and road to several cities.

Tiruchi

The Rock Fort temple situated at a height of 84 m above the city, is an impressive sight for miles around. There are cave temples dating back to the Pallavas. Nearby is Srirangam, also a temple town, dating back to the 13th century.

How to get there: Tiruchi has air connections to Madras, Bangalore, Trivandrum and Colombo. It is also a major rail junction.

Madurai

It has one of the most famous temples in the state. The temple was first built by the Pandyas who ruled the city until the 14th century, and then it was subsequently enlarged by the Nayaks. The temple is also famous for its thousand pillared hall which was built in 1560 AD. Tirupurakundram and Alagarkoil are other temples nearby.

How to get there: Madurai has an airport, and is also well connected by rail and road.

Rameswaram

Architecturally, the Ramanathaswamy temple here is considered the most beautiful Dravidian style temple. The vast complex covers 6 hectares and the temple itself is built on a vast rectangular platform. Rameswaram has two other temples that are worth seeing    one at the end of the island and the other at the island's highest point.

How to get there: The nearest railhead is Mandapam, on the mainland, 2 kms away and connected to the island by rail.

Kanyakumari

Situated at the confluence of Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, there is scenic temple dedicated to this "Virgin Goddess".

How to get there: The best way to get to Kanyakumrai is from Trivandrum in Kerala, which has an airport and is well connected by rail and road.

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