Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
It is located at an elevation of 1140 mts at the tri point junction of the States of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu . First of its kind to be set up in India and forms a part of Jawaharlal Nehru National Park. It’s area is around 321 Sq.Kms. Tropical Evergreen Forest, moist Deciduous Forest, moist Teak Forest, dry Teak Forest and secondary Grassland Swamps are found here.

It is an exciting place to see animals like Tiger, Panther, Elephant, Gaur, Mouse deer, Sloth bear , Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Blackbuck, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Four-horned Antelope (Chowsingha), Wild Dog, Striped Hyena, Small Indian Civet , Wild Boar, Porcupine, Slender Lories and so on. Tigers are largely elusive but leopards on the move are frequently seen. Ombetta vayal, a swampy area is mid way between upper Kargudi and Mudumalai Game Hut is a place to lookout for Elephant and Bison.

Vallanadu Deer Sanctuary
This is 35 kms from Thoothukudi on the Tirunelveli Thoothukudi highway in the Srivaikundam Tauk and located on an isolated Hilly area measuring 64 acres. This Sanctuary has been specially created for the protection of Blackbucks. Vallanadu is the southern most place in India where a natural population of Blackbuck exists. The Blackbuck population grazing in the hilly area is a common sight to watch. Apart from Black Bucks; Spotted Deer, Macaques, Jungle cat, Mongoose and wild hares are some members of the Fauna population found in this Sanctuary. The Forest Department has fenced the entire area for the protection of these blackbucks. Because of the rapid expansion activities, Poaching in sanctuaries and dwindling agriculture resources; Black Buck population is confined only to four National Parks: Guindy in Chennai, Mudumalai, Point Calimere in Napapattinam and Vallanadu in Tuticorin .

Mannar Marine National Park
This Marine park of Mannar spreads along 560 Km stretch between Rameswaram and Tuticorin. It is lying within the Bio Sphere of Mannar. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 10,500 Sq.KM. on the south-east coast of India. T his biosphere covers the coasts of Rameswaram, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. It is one of the world’s richest regions from marine bio diversity perspective and it is also the first marine Biosphere Reserve in Southeast Asia. The Biosphere Reserve comprises of 21 islands with estuaries, Mudflats, Beaches, Forests of the on- shore environment, including marine components like Algae communities, Sea grasses, coral reefs, Salt marshes and Mangroves. Among the Gulf’s 3600 plant and animal species, there are globally endangered species of Sea Cow (Dugong) and six mangrove species endemic to peninsular India.

Marakairs, a local community is engaged in fishing. The Coastal Biosphere comprises of more than 125 villages and about 1,00,000 human population. The Biosphere conservation is becoming increasingly difficult because of the Dynamite fishing, Mechanised fishing boats, danger of fishing nets hauling un-targeted marine population and Coral Population, and excessive harvesting of fish.

Viralimalai Sanctuary
It is 30 kms from Tiruchirpalli and 40 kms from Pudukottai. The Viralimalai is a Bird Sanctuary, particularly a natural sanctuary of peacocks. Large number of those birds are found in this Hill zone. The Viralimalai town, Temple and Peacock Sanctuary have been declared and funded as a Heritage zone by the order of the Governor. The town is bestowed with a large number of wild peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple. The sanctuary is one of the best places to watch peacocks. There are at least six species of peacock pheasants distributed throughout South East Asia, though the Palawan Peacock Pheasant or “Tandikan” (Polyplectron Emphanum) is by far the most spectacularly coloured of these beautiful birds.

Calimere Wild Life Sanctuary
It is around 70 kms from Nagapattinam and 11Kms from Vedaranyam. Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary was created in 1967 for conservation of Blackbuck, an endangered and endemic species of India. Point Calimere encompasses 17.26 sq KM of sandy coast fringed by saline swamps and thorny scrub around the backwaters. Migratory curlews, Terns, Plovers, Sandpipers and Shanks nest in the tidal mud flats from October to March. Black bucks, Spotted Deers, Jackal, Ponies and Wild hare are sighted very often.

Mukurthi Peak and Mukurthi National Park
Short 45 Kms drive from Udhagamandalam, martenspread over an area 79 km on the south eastern corner of the Nilgiris Plateau. The Silent valley is located on the western side of this range of mountain. This park is approachable through four different routes:
1] Via Avalanchi , upper Bhavani and sanctuary begins from the dam,
2] Via Anumapuram 24 kms from Ooty near Pykara and then via Porthimund Dam to the park
3] Via T.R.Bazar and through the Terrace Estate Road, and reach Mudimund to proceed to the National park and
4] Via Parsons Valley road that leads to Western Catchment II and III. Nilgiri Tahr [earlier called as ibex or Nilgiri ibex] is found in reasonably large numbers here. This peak is compared to the peaks of Himalayan ranges in terms of the presence of Flora and Fauna unique to a geographical location of Himalayas .

INDIRA GANDHI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY and NATIONAL PARK
There is a 30 Km wide gap [big break in the Western Ghat mountain range] between the Nilgiri Hills to the north and the Anamalai Hills to the South that straddles the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border and serves as a major communication route between them. Highways and Rail Transport connect Palghat with Coimbatore and Pollachi. This huge gap is called as Palghat Gap.

This was originally called as Anamalai Wild Life Sanctuary notified in the year 1974 and established in the year 1976. Later on renamed in honour of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s visit during 1961 . It is located at an altitude of 1400 meters at the Top Slip. The National Park is 108 sq.kms core area of the total 958 Sq. Kms sanctuary zone. Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Project Tiger Zone in the year 2008. Elephants, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Pangolin, Black Headed Oriole, Green Pigeon and Civet cat can be seen in this Sanctuary. Karian and Anaikunthi Sholas, Grass Hills, Waterfalls, Groves, Teak forests, Estates, Dams and Reservoirs add beauty to Anamalai Hills and attracts visitors in large numbers. Elephant Safari and Van services are available at the Top Slip to take the tourists around the Sanctuary.

Mundanthurai Sanctuaries
There is nothing to differentiate this sanctuary from the Kalakkadu Sanctuary, except for the absence of the Elephant and the Gaur. Situated in the Thirunelveli district, this sanctuary has dry decidious to tropical wet evergreen forests and patches of reeds in an area of 567 sq. kms.

The animal wealth in this sanctuary includes the Tiger, Bonnet Macaque, Langurs, Slenders Loris, Sloth Bear, Sambhar, Chital and the Wild Dog. This sanctuary is excellent also for the various species of avifauna and varieties of reptiles and insects. Trekking trips along trekking trails can be undertaken with prior permission from the Forest (Wildlife) Department.

Mayura Thottam
It is 22 kms from Ottapidaram of Tuticorin District. Mayurm means peacock in local language and Thottam means Garden. Large Peacock farm is located here in an area of 55 acres, hence this place is named as Mayura Thottam. The Peacocks have made this farm their home and even breed here. The entire farm is full of Coconut Groves and Guava Trees. Tourism Department has accommodation with Bed and Breakfast plan for the benefit of the tourists. October and November is the best period, when tourists can visit and enjoy the grand sight of Peacock Dance throughout the farm.

Kalakadu Wild Life Sanctuary
It is the 17th Tiger Reserve in India and the only one in Tamil Nadu, was declared as a Tiger Reserve in 1988, located in an area of 900km². This includes two contiguous Sanctuaries namely Kalakad Sanctuary and Mundanthurai Sanctuary and a part of Kanyakumari Sanctuary. This sanctuary is very popular with a great variety of Flora and Fauna. Short list includes Tiger, Panther, Jackal and Wild dogs among the carnivores; King-cobra, Python and several other snakes among the reptiles population. The Kalakad Sanctuary was declared a forest preserve for the rare lion-tailed macaque, which is easily spotted here. The best season to visit this sanctuary is between March and September. Trekking is allowed here with the prior permission from the officials of Forest (Wildlife) Department. Other attraction in the vicinity is Kudirai Mozhitheri, a natural spring 12 kms from Tiruchendur.

Squirrel wild Life Sanctuary
Located at Srivilliputtur at an altitude that varies from 100 m to 200m, Spreads over a 480 km² of area. This was declared as a sanctuary in December 1989 as the Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary shares a common border: on the South western side with Periyar Tiger Reserve, On the North Western side with the Megamalai Reserve Forest, Its southern border limit with the Sivagiri Reserved Forest of Tirunelveli Forest Division. Large part of the Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary lies mostly in Virdhunagar District and partly in the Western Ghats ranges lining Madurai district. It receives both southwest and northeast monsoons.

The varied climate and topographic conditions prevailing in the sanctuary present remarkable diversity both in Flora and Fauna. It is the eastern watershed boundary for the river Periyar and one of the best preserved forests south of the Palghat Gap . The tributaries of the river Vaipaar originates from the hill tracts of the Sanctuary and the average rainfall is between 200 to 2000mm. Hot tropical climate prevails in the upper elevations. The sanctuary has a wide range of habitats – Upper Montane forests and grasslands at higher elevation; Wet Evergreen at mid elevation and Semi Evergreen, Moist Deciduous, Open Deciduous, Closed Deciduous forests and scrub jungles at the foot hills. The sanctuary has one Medicinal Plant Conservation Area (MPCA) located at Thaniparai.

CHETTINAD CUISINE
Chettinad is the region popularly called as land of the Nagaraththar or the successful Tradi ng Community of Chettiars. CHETTINAD cuisine is very aromatic, Spicy and Rich in strength. Non-Vegetarian food tops their Menu that includes Chicken, Fish, Prawn, Lobster, Crab and Lamb, but they are cautious enough to avoid Beef and Pork. Varieties of naturally dried Meat and Salted Vegetables that suits their dry climate largely finds its place in their daily Menu. Their food will find variety of Spices in the form of fresh ground Masalas necessarily wth a boiled egg. They have many Vegetarian Delicacies too in their cuisine. Chettinad Chicken and Lamb is the most favoured dishes from the Chettinad Kitchen. All spicy accompaniment dishes are taken almost taken along with rice based dishes.

Idiyappam, Paniyaram, Vellai Paniyaram, Karupatti Paniyaram, Paal Paniyaram, Kuzhi Paniyaram and Masala Paniyaram, Kozhukattai, Khandarappam, Sweet and Masala Seeyam [sooyan], Kavuni Arisi and Athirasam are some of the long list of Vegetarian delicacies of the Chettinad Region.

TAMILNADU CUISINE
Tamil Nadu Cusine comprises of pre-dominantly Rice Oriented Dishes. Locally available Grains, Lentils, Vegetables and variety of aromatic Spices add Flavor, Taste and Aroma to the recipes of the land . The food pattern of the Tamil Nadu is segmented as Tiffin/Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The Break Fast includes Steamed Idlies, Rice Pan Cakes, Vada [lintel batter dough], Pongal, Semolina Upma with Sambar, varieties of Chutneys and Chilli Powder as popular side dishes.

The lunch preferably spread on Long Banana Leaf with Steamed Rice, additives such as Sambar [with Vegetables], Rasam [Soup like] along with different vegetable dishes. The Non Vegetarian delicacies include Gravy or Dry dishes of either or all of Chicken, Mutton and Fish to choose from. The Meal is not complete without crispy Papad and varieties of Pickles.

Madurai, Tirunelveli, and other Southern Districts are popular destinations for Tasty and mouth watering non-vegetarian food varities of Mutton, Chicken and Fist with Parota [bread like item made out of maida]. Madurai is famous for its Jigirthanda, Muttai parotta, Paruthipal [cotton seeds Milk], Kari Dosai [Dosa with mutton stuffing]. Appam served with Coconut Milk / mutton Paya and Veg/Non-Veg Kothu Parotta. This combination is available in many parts of Tamil Nadu. Kanniyakumari District [ called as Nanjil Nadu] and similar Seashore Districts are famous for its varieties of Fish Recipes from Deep Fry to Gravy Dishes, since the region is surrounded by water bodies. All preparations in Kanniyakumari district, due to its proximity to Kerala does not miss Coconut Oil. Sandhakai/Sandhavai, commonly called as Nool Puttu, Sevai or Idiappam are the specialty of the Kongu Nadu. Kongu Nadu List also includes Ulundu Kali [ Black Gram – Jaggery Sweet], Kachayam [type of sweet], Vazhaipoo Poriyal, Kambu Paniyaram, Kadalai Urundai, Ellu Urundai, Pori Urundai made out of ingredients of this land itself.

Exploring different culinary taste and use of food or items from other states or countries has crept into the State’s food culture. Eating out and Dining in Specialty Restaurant has become the fashion of the Day.

RICE VARIETIES
Steamed rice is the base of all varieties of food in Tamil Nadu. Different spices, vegetables and other ingredients mixed with variation brings out different dishes. Cooked rice is the main ingredient of any variety of rice dishes to be made. Tamarind juice well boiled, by adding spice with required salt and topped with oil simmered well, mixed with cooked rice, gives the popular Tamarind Rice. Like wise Tomato, Coconut and Curd are used as different ingredients with required spices to get the desired dishes to be called by their ingredients. Variety rice dishes does not stop with this. People find innovations in culinary tastes from time to time and new dishes appear in different names on the Menu Card very often.

SNACKS /PAYASAM / KHEER
Generally a Full Course of meal is not complete without a desert. Desert comprises of Payasam, Kheers [called in North India] Juices and extremely delicious Sweets ice creams and PAYASAM is a popular and most liked Sweet Beverage preparation, of the South India usually made with Sugar or Jaggery as sweetening ingredient is served HOT during family functions or festivals. Rice Flakes, Semolina, Sagoo, Semia, Dhal[s] are used as variations to prepare Payasam to suit the occasion and people. Festival occasions or social gathering will find a spread of varieties of Ice reams and Fruit Salads with seasonally available fruits. KHEERS are generally a North Indian desert prepared from Badam, Cashew or Mixed Dry Fruits and served CHILL.

SWEETS are the sweetness of Festive occasion. Generally sweets are made from Gram flour, adding Sugar , Ghee and dry fruits gives the swadh. Laddu, Mysorepak, Badhushah, Jangiri / Jilebi, Halwa, Jamun are some regular sweets made for the occasion. These days, variety of sweets spread on Festive Dining table ranges from the Bengali Rasgullas, Rajasthani Sohan Halway, Gujiya from Uttar Pradesh, Puran Poli from Maharashtra, Mohandal from Gujarath along with other sweets on the platter. From the Juices Counter: Creamy Lassi, Kheers, Juices of Fresh Fruits with exotic cocktails of mixed fruits and Payasams are some items commonly liked by all. These beverages are consumed even on normal days. SNACKS like Mixture, Murukku, Pakodas, Salty and Spicy Chips / wafers and a Coffee / Tea makes evening snack time favourites.

Kuchipudi – The Divine Dance Drama
Kuchelepuri or Kuchelapuram was the earlier name of the village in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. This village is 35 km. from Vijayawada. This form of Generic Dance drama was known as Yakshagana. It was Sihdhendra Yogi, a vaishnavite poet who gave shape to his visions in the 17th century, to establish this Kuchipudi style of Yakshagaana. He took the lead from the creation of Yaksha Gana from his guru Theerthanarayana, who had created the Sanskrit Kavyam , Krishna Leela Tarangini. Kuchipudi is a perfect balance between the three aspects of the art – Nritta , Nritya and Natya. Sidhendra Yogi Created Bhama- kalaapam, still considered as the irresistible Kavya of the Kuchipudi repertoire. Attracted by the aesthetic appeal of Kuchipudi, the then Nawab of Golconda, Abdul Hasan Tanishah issued a copper plate in 1675 A.D. granting the village Kuchipudi as an Agrahaarama to the families of Brahmins who pursued this art. These families were popularly called as the Bagavathalu of Kuchipudi. Earlier the female portions of the dances were impersonated by the males themselves as there were no female artiste.

Vedaantam Satyanarayana Sharma, a great Kuchipudi dancer, who performs the role of SatyaBhama even today, has set an excellent standard in that role. Lakshmi Narayan Sasthri (1886-1956) introduced new elements and dimensions to this art including solo dancing and training of female dancers in this dance format. Some famous exponents in modern Kuchipudi are Vempati Chinna Satyam, C.R. Acharyalu, and Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna.

Bharatanatyam
This is one of the oldest form of dance in India performed in the Temples and in the Courts of Kings. Relating to its religious origin, it is almost similar to the dance format compiled by Sage Bharatha Muni in his famous Natya Sasthra. Bharatha Natyam was handed down as a living tradition from one generation to another as Devadasi System. Later, the Four brothers from Thanjavur of the early 19th century Chinnaiah, Ponniah, Sivanandam and Vadivel popularly called as the Thanjavur Quartet or Nattuvanars of Pandanallur, composed numerous varnams and kritis and contributed to the Development of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic Music. Highly talented artistes and the Male Gurus [Nattuvanars] were the sole repository of the art till 20th Century. By this time, due to lack of patronage and changed society modes, the Devadasi system started falling apart. Even though many contributed to the development of this art, it was the sincere and concentrated efforts of E.Krishnasamy Iyer and Rukmini Devi Arundale brought this Bharathanatyam Dance out of the boundaries of the Temples to the Public Stages, retaining the devotional charecterstics or features of the art. The school established for creating artistes to learn all types of classical dances was the brain child of Rukmini Devi Arundale. It was named KALAKSHETRA and it is located in Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai.

Today, Bharatha Natyam is one of the very popular and widely performed art practiced by Male and Female dancers all over India. UG and PG courses are offered in some of the major universities to develop the art of Bharathanatyam. Alarmee Valli, Bala Saraswathi, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Rukmini Arundale, Kamala Laxman, Padma Subrahmaniam and Chithra Visweswaran are some of the famous exponents of this art and Panthanalloor Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai, Panthanalloor Chokkalingam Pillai, Padmasree Vazhoor Ramayya Pillai and Adayar Laxman fits into the list of notable NATTUVANARS.

Carnatic Music
Indian classical music is categorized under two genres. They are Hindustani and Carnatic. Broadly Hindustani developed in the northern regions of the country, while Carnatic music is indigenous to the south of India. It is considered one of the oldest systems of music in the world. It is imbued with emotion and gives scope for the spirit of improvisation However it also contains a scientific approach. This is mainly due to the contributions of inspired artists as Purandara Dasa, who is known as the Father of Carnatic Music, and other scholars who codified the system of music and gave it a clear format as a medium of teaching, performing, prayer and therapy. The basis of Carnatic music is the system of ragas, which are melodic scales and talas or rhythmic cycles. There are seven rhythmic cycles and 72 fundamental ragas. All other ragas are considered to have stemmed from these. An elaborate scheme exists for identifying these scales, and they are known as the 72 Melakarta Ragas.

Carnatic music abounds in structured compositions in the different ragas. These are songs composed by great artists and handed down through generations to disciples. While the improvised elaboration of a raga varies from musician to musician, the structured portion is set. These compositions are extremely popular, with a strong accent on rhythm and lively melodic patterns. The three saint composers of the nineteenth century, Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastri, have composed thousands of songs that remain favourites among musicians and audiences.

An important element of Carnatic music is its devotional content. The lyrics of the traditional compositions, whether mythological or social in nature, are set entirely against a devotional or philosophical background.

Folk Dance
Literature called as Iyal, Music called as Isai and Dance or Drama called as Nadagam are the three broad classifications of Art and Entertainment. The ancient Theru Koothu [Street Play] performed in almost all the villages, had all the three in its performance.

These dances are not choreographed but performed at social functions by people with or without training, generally vernacular, very often accompanied by traditional and locally or regionally practiced instrument[s] based music, with some distinguishing features. These dances were earlier meant for performance in its natural location or for regional festivals but not on stage. The performance of these dances are rather inherited by Tradition than Innovations. It must be accepted that these performances are arranged on stages these days with small modifications to suit that environment.

Dance Festivals
Natyanjali Dance Festival
The Natyanjali Dance Festival is held every year during the months of Feb-March and it is a five-day festival. This dance festival is one is a dedication to the universal dancer Lord Shiva who is known as Lord Nataraja. This festival is held in the city of Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. The festival begins on the Maha Shivaratri, a day that is dedicated to the Lord Shiva and is held in the prakara of the Chidambaram temple.

This magnificent temple built thousands of years ago as a dedication to the Lord Nataraja forms a beautiful backdrop. The setting is truly divine with the gold-roofed temple and pillars adding splendour. They depict Lord Shiva in the 108 poses or mudras of Bharatnatyam, the classical dance of Tamil Nadu.

The Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, The Ministry Of Tourism, Government of India and The Natyanjali Trust, Chidambaram jointly organize this festival or Utsav . This festival provides unique opportunities for dancers from around India to come and perform in front of an enormous crowd.

Mamallapuram Dance Festival
Mamallapuram Dance FestivalThe Mamallapuram Dance Festival is held every year during Dec-Jan in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. This dance festival is organised by Department of Tourism, Govt. of Tamilnadu. Mamallapuram was once the ancient port of the Pallavas. Mamallapuram is the renowned and ancient 7th century centre for Pallava culture and art. Exponents of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Odissi, Mohini Attam and Kathakali perform against this magnificent backdrop of the Pallava rock sculptures.

Mamallapuram was once the ancient port of the Pallavas. It now plays host to a vibrant festival of dance. Exponents of Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Kathakali perform against the magnificent backdrop of the Pallava rock sculptures.

Mamallapuram is a popular beach resort and a culture front, especially for the tourists, who come from the world over who love to imbibe and soak in the rich traditions. This town beach is full of ancient monuments, sculptures, caves, monolithic temples and beaches.

In Mamallapuram there is a Shore Temple that was built during the reign of Narsimha Varman of the Pallava dynasty in 8th century A.D. During the dance festival time the stones of temple begin to resonate with music and dance rhythms.

Thyagaraja Music Festival
Place: Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu
Time: January
Thiruvaiyaru is the pace where the great saint and musician Thyagaraja lived and attained samadhi. Here an eight-day music festival, the Thyagaraja Aradhana is held every year in January. This Carnatic Music festival attracts music lovers from all corners of the country. Thiruvaiyaru is situated 13kms from Thanjavur.

MADRAS MUSIC ACADEMY
The Music Academy is one of the earliest established organisations to promote serious study of classical music in South India. Established in 1928, it plays an important role in encouraging and promoting primarily Carnatic music It played a vital role in the revival of the Indian classical dance form Bharatnatyam in 1930s when the latter faced near extinction due to a negative connotation caused by conservative societal standards. In 1929, the Music Academy pioneered the concept of the December Music Festival, now a city-wide celebration of the classical arts, conducted by various organisations.

Murugan Temples
Lord Murugan is known and worshiped by several other names like Murugan, Skandan, Kartikeyan, Subramanyan, Sengalvarayan, Swaminathan and so on. Kaumaram is one of the divine religion identified by Adi Sankaa. He is also a Valiant Warrior incarnated to cleanse the world from the atrocities of the Demons. Apart from the Six Special Abodes of Lord Murugan Thirparankundram, Tiruchendur, Palani, Swamimalai, Thiruthani and Pazhamudhircholai called the Arupadai Veedu , the State has many important temples dedicated to Lord Murugan. They speak of the rich Religious, Cultural and Architectural heritage of the land. Over the years, the sculptural skills of the craftsmen have reflection in these temples.

Navagraha temples
Believers in astrology and the influence of planets over individual destiny will find Tamil Nadu as a Great Destination. Indian Astrology believes that the planetary positions of the nine planets in a geocentric orbit determine the strength and weaknesses of a life , and how it takes its course Nava means Nine and Graha means Planets. Navagraha temples devoted to the Nine Celestial bodies, with incarnation of God for each of those nine planets are found in and around Kumbakonam and Thanjavur District.

Velankanni
Velankanni is 12 kms from Nagapattinam. Most important and revered Christian Pilgrim Center of the State. It is dedicated to ‘Our Lady of Health’ and popularly known as ‘ Sacred Arogya Matha Church’. Devotees believe Virgin Mary has miraculous healing Powers. Pilgrims of all faiths and religion come to this church to get the blessings of Our Lady of Health. The Church has an imposing façade with Tall Spires and the wings present the shape of a cross. The Legend goes like this: It is believed that Virgin Mary appeared before a shepherd and asked Milk to feed Infant Jesus. Since then the milk pitcher of this sphepherd never dried and kept filling with fresh milk always. Later at the end of 16th Century Virgin Lady appeared and cured a Lame Boy. It is after this miracle the Church was constructed. Lighting a candle and offering the same to Virgin Lady is the simplest form of Prayer.

Velankanni is famous for its annual Feast of Our Lady celebrated as 10 days festival during August-September, starting on 29th August. This festival attracts millions of pilgrim from all parts of India and the world irrespective of faith and religion. Devotees offer metal replica of the parts of the body, cured by Lady of Health on answering their prayer. Imbibing the Local Culture , Tonsuring of heads and ear-boring ceremony too are performed in this Church by the pilgrims. A Small Museum is attached to the church, which displays the collection of the offerings made by the faithful devotees.

Madurai Temple
Shree Meenakshi Sundareswarar TempleThe Meenakshi Temple : It is the elegant twin temple of Sundareswarar and Meenakshi and the life of Madurai City revolves around this temple. The construction process of the temple began 2000 years ago.

Contributions from different rulers and special contribution from Thirumalai Naicker, made this complex to extend by leaps and bounds over an area of 65000 sq.m and people rightly call this temple complex as a City of its own. Four Nine tier Gopurams, One Seven tier Chittirai gopuram, Five numbers of Five Tier Gopurams, Two Three Tier Gopurams and Two Golden Gopurams are the majestic towers of the temple. Because Golden Lotus for Indira’s Puja blossomed in the tank inside the temple, it is called as Golden Lotus Tank [Pon Thamarai Kulam]. The Hall of Thousand Pillar of the Thirumalai Naicker period is called as Ayiram kaal Mandapam in Tamil. The architectural excellence of this hall is that the pillars viewed from any angle will be on a straight line. The musical pillars carved out of stone decorate the corridors of the outer courts.

Thanjavur Temples
Historically speaking , The temples of Thanjavur are not as old or ancient as the temples of 108 Divya Desams or the 274 Saivaite Temples established and glorified by Alwars and Nayanmars respectively, between 7th and 9th Century. But they are majestic monuments of the past glory of the Chola Regime and famous for its excellent Architecture and Sculptural work. Thanjavur and the adjoining areas of Kumbakonam and Nagapattinam boasts of hundreds of important and ancient temples. Cholas, Pandiyas, Nayaks and the Marathas have contributed their might for making these areas to be called as Treasure House of Temples.

Nagore DargahNagore Dargah is dedicated to Meera Shahib Abdul Qadir Hajrath Shahul Hamid Badshah . He was a spiritual leader and lived between 1490–1579. He was fondly called as Mian SAHIB. The Dargah is 5 Kms from Nagapattinam. It is established in an area of 5 acres with four impressive entrances on all four directions. The 131 ft tall Minaret called ‘Periya Minara’ was built by the Thanjavur King Pratap Sing in the 18TH Century, about 200 years after Meeran Sahib passed away. It is believed that a carpenter who was cured of his disease by the miracle of Mian Sahib, presented him a pair of sandals made from finest wood. The same was used by Mian Sahib and it is said to be kept in a Golden Box next to the tomb. Kanduri festival is a 14-day event that is celebrated as the annual urs(anniversary). The festival is celebrated in commemoration of the saint’s death anniversary and pilgrims from various religions participate in the festival. The festival is also seen as a sacred solidarity of mixed faith of Hindus and Muslims.

Rameswaram Temples
Rameswaram is a small Island and Major Pilgrim Centre in the Gulf of Mannar. It is connected to the mainland by Pamban Bridge. On his return from Ceylon after Ravana Yudhdham ( war ) in Lanka , Sri Rama offered his repentance prayer to Lord Siva to absolve his sins that he had committed by Slaying Ravana. Every day, this island receives thousands of pilgrims for all parts of the Indian Sub Continent to get absolved of their sins and also perform rituals for their ancestors. This is at par with Varanasi or Benares in sanctity of the North India.

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple : This temple is located near the sea on the eastern side of the island. It is well known for its architectural beauty of magnificent Prakaras or corridors with massive sculptured pillars on either side. 197 mts corridor East to West believed to be the longest in the world and another corridor of 133mts wide from South to North. This temple has undergone sea of changes from 12th century under the reign of different rulers. Special Pooja is performed every day to the Spatikalingam [ crystal lingam] installed by Adi Sankara in this temple. There are two lingams in the Sanctum Sanctorum. One brought by Hanuman from Kailash called Vishwalingam and other one built by Sita called Ramalingam. As instructed by Rama it is Vishwalingam gets First Pooja attention even today.

Kumbakonam Temples
Kumbakonam is one of the ancient temple town picturesquely located amidst the two rivers Cauvery and Arasalar. In olden days it was called Thirukudamookku and it is also popularly called as Kudanthai now. It is popular for the Divine Tank in the heart of the city where Mahamagam Festival takes when lakhs of pilgrims from all over Tamil Nadu converge here to take dip in the tank at the auspicious hour. All the deities of the temples in and around turnout here to have dip at that time too. This festival falls in the month of Masi [Feb-Mar] on Magam Star Day. The town reached the peak of its property during the British Period and it was a prominent centre of European education and Hindu culture and it assumed the name as the ‘Cambridge of South India’.