Tamil Nadu Tourism - Poompuhar

Poompuhar is situated at the estuary of River Kaveri, this was an ancient port of the Cholas. Poompuhar in Sirkali Taluk of Nagai district is also known as Kaveripoompattinam. Tourists have to alight at Mayiladuthurai railway junction, to proceed to Poompuhar by road, Visitors from Chennai by train have to get down at Sirkali. Poompuhar is connected to Mayiladuthurai as well as Sirkali. by road. The distance from Poompuhar to Mayiladuthurai is 24 Kms. and to Sirkali, 21 Kms.

¤ Tourist Attraction of Poompuhar

* Silappathikara Art Gallery
A beautiful seven tired building of great sculptural value has been built as Sillappathikara Art Gallery. The first storey is 12" high, and each storey above it has a height of 5' . The topmost part which has 'Kalasams with a height of 8'. The total height of Art gallery is 50'. The 'Magara Thoranavayil' at the entrance of the Art Gallery imparts an imposing and beautiful look to the whole structure. Its height is 22½'. It has been designed on the pattern of Magara Thorana Vayil, found in Suruli Malai Mangala Devi Koil. There is also an anklet shaped tank in the Art-Gallery. On this side of this tank are installed the statues of Kannagi (9½') and Mathavi (8½') Scenes from Sillappathikaram, the Epic of the land have been given lively shapes in stones on the walls of the Gallery. These sculptures carved by the sculptors of Mamallapuram Art College remain the treasure house of Tamil Culture.

* Zion Church
It was built in 1701. It was renovated in 1782-84 and again in 1839. It is still in good condition and you can appreciate the Dutch architectural design of the renaissance era that is very evident in its construction.

* Nagapattinam
Nagapattinam is now the Head-Quarters of the District bearing the same. With all its historical and cultural significanse, Nagappattinam is one of the constituennts of Chola mandalam, acclaimed as the most prominent among the ancient Tamil Kingdoms.

* Town Gateway
It was built in 1792 on Danish Architectural style. The design is typical of the gateways that were built in Europe during the renaissance period. The British built this gateway but it bore a Danish architectural style probably because of some Danish architect employed by them.

* Danish Fort
Even now the Danish Fort built in 1620 exists to exhibit Danish architecture. The Fort is now under the control of Tamilnadu Archaeological Department and houses an archaeological Museum. This museum is open to public on all days except Friday.

* Masilamani Nathar Koil
This temple built in 1305 by Maravarma Kulasekara Pandiyan exhibits outstanding architectural skills. The front portion of the temple has been partly damaged due to Sea-erosion but is still worth watching. The religious activities in this ancient temple have been discontinued long ago.

* Danish Governor Bungalow
This building gets its name as it was used as the residence of the Danish Governor in 1784. It is the biggest building in Tranquebar. Now it is under the control of Tamilnadu Tourism Department.

* Thiruppallavaneeswaram Temple
This is an ancient and very beautiful temple. Iyarppakai Nayanar and Pattinatthar were born here. The hero and heroine of Sillappathikaram Kovalan and Kannagi were also born here.

* Melapperumpallam and Keezhapperumpallam Temple
These two Thalams are situated very near Poompuhar and Thiruvengadu. The Valampuranathar temple at Melapperumpallam has Chola inscriptions. It is noted for the famous Nayanmar's hymns. Keezhapperunpallam is at distance of 2 Kms form Poompuhar. It is the temple where the famous "Kethu" has a separate thalam.

* Thiruvengadu Temple
Thiruvengadu is situated at a distance of 10 Kms from Sirkali. The place is near Poompuhar. Hymns on it have been sung by four great Saivaite Saints. This is the place where Meykandar was born. "Pudhan" (Mercury) has a separate Thalam in Thiruvengadu temple. The presiding deity is Sri Swetharanyeswarar.

* Thirukkadaiyur (Thirukkadayur) Temple
Thirukkadaiyur is on the bus route between Mayiladuthurai and Tranquebar. It is one of the eight temples (Atta Veerathanam) glorifying the heroic deeds of lord Shiva. Thalapuranam says that lord Shiva exterminated Yama at this place to save the life of Markkandeya. It is one of the famous Sakthi Thalams. The holy hymns of Abirami Andhathi, have been sung by the great poet and devotee Abirami Pattar in this place. People prefer this place to celebrate their Shastiyaptha poorthi (completion of sixty years)

* Anantha Mangalam Temple
It is a small village near Thirukkadaiyur. The temple here is noted for the presiding deity of "'Dasapuja Veera Anjaneyar" .

* Vaitheeswaran Koil Temple
This place lying between Mayiladuthurai and Sirkali on the bus route is called Pullirukkuvelur in Thevarams. This age-old temple has the deities of Vaithyanathan(Shiva) Thaiyal Nayaki (Sakthi) and Muthukkumarasamy (Murugan). This temple is famous for its sculptural wonders. It is a special Thalam for one of the Navagraghas Angrahan sevvai (Mars).

* Sirkazhi Temple
It is the birth place of great Saiva Saint Thirugnana Sambandar. The Famous Thoniyaper Shivalayam is situated here.

* Thirunallaru Temple
The famous Shiva temple lies at a distance of 5 Kms for Karaikkal. The Shiva temple here is glorified in Thevarams. It is one of the 'Sapthvidanga' Thalams. The temple for Saneeshwara (Saturn) one of the Navagrahas, is famous.

* Thirusaikkadu (Sayavanam) Temple
It is situated 2 Kms away form Poompuhar estuary. The Temple is for Thirusayavaneswarar and Iraivi Kuyilinam Nanmozhi Ammai. This temple has been praised by Nayanmars in their hymns. Chola inscriptions are found in the temple.

* Thiruvakkur Temple
It comes under Tranquebar Taluk. The Shiva temple is based on Madakkoil pattern. Sirappuli Nayanar one of the 63 Nayanmars was born at this place. Hymns have been sung on this temple by the Nayanmars.

* Sempanarkoil Temple
The antique temple referred to as Thirusumponpalli in Devaram hymns is situated in this place. It is on the bus route between Tranquebar and Mayiladuthurai. It is a temple of historical significance.

* Punjai Temple
The place lies near Sevpondarkoil. This Shiva temple here has received tributes from Devaram. It is a beautiful temple of architectural wonders of Cholas.

* Nangoor Temple
Nangoor is in Sirkali Taluk. Eleven of the 108 Thivya Desams' are found in and around Nangoor. The Vaishnava temples in Nangoor were sanctified by Thirumangai Alvar.

* Thiruvarur Temple
Thiruvarur is at a distance of 65 Kms from Poompuhar and 20Kms from Nagappattinam. This place is noted for Thyagaraja temple and the chariot (temple car). It is the most prominent among the " Atta Veerattanam ". The art gallery depicting the myths of Manuneethi Chola, the grand Kamalambal temple is one of the famous 'Sakthi Peedams'. The unique feature of the town is that it has three Shiva temples at one place. The well known Panchamuga Vathyam and Paru Nagaswaram are still played during regular Poojas. The Musical Trinity of Thiyagaiyyar, Muthuswamy Deekshither and Shiyama Sastri were born here.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Courtallam

Courtallam (Kutrallam), the "Spa of the south", is situated at an elevation of about 167 mts. on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District. It is an excellent health resort. The waters of Courtallam is believed to have medicinal and therapeautical qualities as it flows through forests of herbs. Courtallam is 160 Kms from Madurai, 137Kms from Kanniyakumari and 112 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The nearest railway station is Tenkasi which is just 6 Kms ffrom here.

Many seasonal and a few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region. The numerous waterfalls and cascades along with the ubiquitous health resorts in the area have earnt it the title the Spa of South India.

¤ Tourist Attraction of Courtallam

* Courtallam Falls
Courtallam Falls is a beautiful waterscape that is found in the city of Kanyakumari or the Cape Comorin; which is a city that is in the southern most part of India. Courtallam Falls is one of the beautiful areas there for which many people come to visit in great numbers every year. Contrary to popular belief Courtallam Falls consists of not just one but many different falls that are together in one place. Soaking your head under these falls is an experience that no one forgets. In addition, it is thought that these falls have curing powers especially to those who have mental ailments.

* Courtallam Temple
It is dedicated to Lord Thirukutralanathar (Siva). This temple contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya Kings. Less than a furlong from here is a small temple called Chitra Sabha ( Hall of Pictures) dedicated to Lord Nataraja and decorated with paintings of rural deities and devotees, puranic stories and religious events. The sabha is one of the five sabhas where Lord Nataraja is said to have performed the cosmic dance.

Tamil Nadu Tourism - Mudumalai

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is an extension of Bandipur National Park. The river Moyar flows and the park is ideal for bird watching, the national park falls on the boarder of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The extremely diverse terrain of the park consisting mainly of small hillocks, gorges, water bodies and swamps with sparse vegetation of tropical deciduous and scrub forests provide ideal habitat for the wild denizens. The place is the nest of colorful razz and in the winters the whole atmosphere fills with the vibrancy and life.

¤ Tourist Attractions of Mudumalai

* Jungle Safari
The Jungle Safari is a place that allows people to come and experience exotic animals living in their natural habitat. Both vehicle safaris and elephant safaris are available through the Forest Department. One Jeep is used and is operated on a first come first served basis. The jeep can only accommodate six people at a time. Van safaris are available as well. The van holds 25 people at one time. The elephant safaris allow you to travel into areas that regular vehicles are not capable of. Four people ride on an elephant at one time. There are safari trips available both in the morning and in the evening.

* Mudumalai National Park
The Mudumalai National Park was established on 60 square kilometers back in 1940. At that time it was the first wildlife sanctuary established in southern India. Today, the park has expanded to include 321 square kilometers. Primates such as the gray langur and the bonnet macaque are both living in the park. You can also expect to see such animals as tigers, leopards, striped hyenas, dholes, sloth bears, Asian elephants, and Golden Jackals. Many birds can also been seen in the park. The crested hawk-eagle, the crested serpent eagle, the Malabar Trojan, and the Malabar grey hornbill all call this area home. You may also see a striped tit-babbler.

The vegetation at Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary consists mainly of moist deciduous forests with trees like bamboo, terminalia, grewia, aredesia, abumusum and solanancea, found in abundance. The tropical climate and varied terrain has resulted in the increase in population of animals such as gaur, langur, leopards, chital, sloth bear, barking deer, wild dog and other numerous species of rare and endangered animals. The park can be visited any time of the year, the best time to visit are the months from February to June when the water dries up and the animals come out in search of food and water near whatever water bodies remain in the area. This is probably the best time when you have a chance of spotting some rare animals.

* Theppakadu Elephant Camp
The Theppakadu Elephant Camp was officially established in 1972 although a similar predecessor existed nearby since 1910. This camp allows people to interact with elephants in a controlled environment. The camp is used to train as well as house elephants. Today there are 23 elephants that reside in the camp. Every day two of the elephants perform pooja to Lord Vinayaka inside the camp. The elephants are used to provide joy rides for a fee early in the morning and then again in the evening. Tourists are also welcome to come and see the elephants fed during their evening feeding time.