Tamilnadu is a one of the larger states in India, with a diversity of landscapes and tourist attractions. Tamil, its major language, is among the oldest in the world, with a literature dating back over 2000 years.

The best time to travel to Tamilnadu is between October and March, when it’s neither too hot nor too rainy.

This season also witnesses the chief festivals, Pongal, Varsha Purappu, Id-ul-Fitr, Deepavali and Christmas.

Chennai, the capital, has fine examples of British colonial architecture, most notably the Central railway station. It is also the place where St Thomas, the Apostle of Christ, is said to have been martyred. The San Thome Cathedral that commemorates him is a major pilgrimage center.

Two hours from Chennai is the town of Mamallapuram with its fine sculptures and architectural remains. Tamilnadu also has a large number of towering granite temples showcasing awe-inspiring architecture and sculpture, which have survived over a millennium.

The Kapaleeswara Swamy temple, dedicated to the Hindu God Siva in his role as the guardian of crematoria, is located in the heart of Chennai. It has been mentioned in Greek travelers’ accounts dating back over 2000 years.

The Meenakshi temple at Madurai is another of similar vintage. It witnesses a lot of interesting cultural events including the wedding celebrations of Siva and his divine consort Parvati.