Most beautiful temple in India

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On Chennai-Mahabalipuram route

Cholamandal Artist's village : It is a place for artists and sculptors to live, work and exhibit (18 km from Chennai at Injambalkkam). Dakshinachitra (Rs 25, Tuesday closed) is another 12 km from Cholamandal on the Mahabalipuram road. The art complex displays traditional arts and crafts from South Indian states.

Crocodile bank : It is a breeding farm (Rs 20, camera Rs 10, Monday closed) for crocodile, alligator (Indian mugger, gharial crocodiles and the saltwater crocodiles of the Andaman islands) and turtle located on the Mahabalipuram road. Late afternoon is the feeding time (Rs 20). The anti venom producing snake farm (Rs 5) is nearby. 14 km from Mahabalipuram.

Tirukallaikundram temple : Vedgirishvara temple is dedicated to Shiva is on a hill. The temple has two beautiful shrines and good views of the large Bhakatvatsaleshwara temple (14 km from Mahabalipuram).

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Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) : It is a tourist hotspot near Chennai due to the World heritage centre having rock carvings. The 8th century rock carving were made by around 200 sculptors from dawn to dusk during the reign of Narasimha Varman I & II. Town's craftsmen still create sculptures and are in demand from all over the world.

Beach, Shore temple, Five Rathas, Arjuna's penance, Ganesh Ratha, Krishna's butter ball, Mandapams and the sculpture museum are the main attractions. Dolphin city with Sea Lion, MGM Dissiworld at Tambaram and amusement parks - VGP and Little folks.

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Kanchipuram : City of 1000 temples (76 km from Chennai) is famous throughout India for it's silk sarees. An expensive bridal sari with gold and silver weighing 1.5 kg can cost Rs 30,000 !. Sriperumbudur - Rajiv Gandhi memorial (30 km).

Vaikunta Perumal temple : The temple is dedicated to Vishnu with lion pillars at the outside wall.

Kamakshi Amman temple : The temple's marriage hall has wonderful ornate pillars. The annual colourful procession is in Feb/Mar.

Sri Ekambaranathar temple : The largest temple in Kanchipuram in 12 hectares with a 59 m high gopuram and a 540 pillared hall.

Kailashanatha temple : The temple dedicated to Shiva and has a huge Shivlingam (2 km).

Devarajaswami temple : The most impressive temple in the town with a 1000 pillared hall (96 pillars remain) and huge rock carved chain in the mandapam (2 km).

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Vellore : The Vijayanagar fort is the main attraction with it's government museum (Friday closed) and Jalakanteshwara temple. The famed Chrisitian Medical College hospital is nearby. Tiruvannamalai (85 km, Rs 23, 2 hour) bus stand is near the fort.

Tiruvannamalai : The 11th century Arunachaleswar temple has four unpainted gopurams of which the eastern one rising to 66 m with 13 storeys. The temple has 1000 pillared mandapam, Shivganga tank and a Shivlingam at the main shrine. Daily puja are at 8 am, 10 am, 6 pm, 8 pm and 9.30 pm.

The festival of lights is celebrated here in Nov/Dec (full moon day) with earthern lamps and firecrackers. A huge fire is set on the Arunachala hill with 2000 litre of ghee for days. Mt. Arunachaleswar (800 m, 4 hour return) near the temple has good views of the temple. The Virupaksha and Skandasramam caves are on the way to top.

The Gingee is 37 km from Tiruvannamalai has twin forts of Rajagiri and Krishnagiri to visit.

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Chidambaram : Nataraja temple is famed for the dancing Shiva. The high walled 22 hectare complex has four finely sculptured 49 m high towering gopurams. The temple has large statues of Ganesh and Nandi. The 5 pm puja is worth seeing. Ten day chariot festivals are held in Apr/May and Dec/Jan. Natyanjali dance festival is celebrated in Feb/Mar. Thillai Kali Amman temple. It is 69 km from Kumbakonam (2 hour, Rs 22).

It is the only Shiv temple in India where instead of lingam, the dancing statue of Lord Shiva in a ring of fire is revered.

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Kumbakonam : The colourfully painted gopurams of the 18 temples of the town are worth visiting. The Nageshwara temple is dedicated to Shiva in the guise of Nagaraja, the serpent king. The 12th century Sarangapani temple is the largest temple with a 50 m high gate. Kumbeshwara temple with a 9 storey gopuram is dedicated to Shiva (2 km).

Dharasuram Airatesvara temple with miniature sculptures and large statues are 4 km from the town.

Gangakondacholapuram : Brihadishwara temple has a 55 m high ornate gopuram with a 80 tonnes stone on top. Within the temple there are beautiful statues of Ganesh, Nataraja and Harihara. A small museum is nearby (Friday closed). It is 35 km north of Kumbakonam (Rs 11, 1.5 hour).

Velankanni : The neo-Gothic Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health is a major Christian pilgrim centre. The 9 day festival culminates on 8 Sep.

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Tanjavur : The superb World Heritage listed Brihadiswara temple and the Maratha palace complex are the main attractions. Tanjavur is 40 km from Trichy. Tiruvarur is the birth place of saint and composer Thyagaraja. The Thyagarajaswami temple has Tamil Nadu's largest chariot. Car festival is in Apr/May. Tiruvarur is 55 km from Trichy on the Nagapattinam road.

Brihadiswara temple : The temple built in 1010 has several pillared halls and 250 lingas are enshrined along the outer walls. A huge Nandi carved out of a single rock weighing 25 tonnes - 6 m long by 3 m high - faces the inner sanctum. The sanctum contains 4 m high lingam with a circumference of 7 m. The 66 m high, 13 storey, vimanam (tower) over the sanctum has a 80 tonne dome in single piece of granite. The dome has an impressive gilded top.

The Royal palace & museums : The palace has huge corridors, spacious halls, observation and arsenal towers and shady courtyards. The Durbar hall has mural paintings. Raja Serfoji memorial hall has a small collection of thrones, weapons and photographs. There is a 6 km secret passage from the palace. The Royal museum (camera Rs 20) has exhibits from the raj era. The Art gallery (Admission Rs 15, camera Rs 30) has superb collection of Chola bronze statues. The narrow spiral staircase of the Bell tower takes one to the top for good views of the town. The Saraswati Mahal Library has a small museum displaying palm leaf and paper manuscripts.

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Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) : The town's most famous landmark is the Rock fort temple (2.5 km). The 1812 St. John's church is near the Railway station.

Rock fort temple (1660): Thayumanaswamy temple dedicated to Shiva is on halfway. The 437 rock cut steps takes to the 83 m high Vinayaka temple on top via rock cut tunnel (Rs 1, camera Rs 10). The top has wonderful view of the city.

Lourde's church : Located opposite to the Teppakulam tank, this 1896 church has a soaring spire. Feast is on 11 Feb with a procession.

Natharvala Darga : The tomb of Muslim saint Nath-her is an important pilgrimage site. It is an impressive building with a 20 m high dome with pinnacles.

Sri Ranganathaswamy temple : The superb 60 hectare temple complex (camera Rs 50) at Srirangam has 73 m high gopuram completed in 1987. The temple has 7 concentric walls, 904 pillared hall and 21 gopurams. Inside the fourth wall, a Rs 10 ticket allows you to climb the wall for a panoramic view of the complex.

Temple chariot festival is in Jan, Vaikunta Ekadasi 21 day festival is in mid Dec. Bus No 1 from Trichy junction take you to the temple via Rock fort temple.

Sri Jambukeshwara temple : This temple has a partly immersed Shivlingam. By Bus No 1, you can get down at Tiruvanakoil just before the Srirangam temple.

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Madurai : Sri Meenakshi temple (camera Rs 30) is the landmark of Madurai with gopurams (towers) covered with breathtaking profusion of colourful images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures (30 million sculptures). The 6 hectare temple has 12 highly decorated gopurams of which the 50 m high southern gopuram is the tallest. The Puthu Mandapam in the east forms a long and impressive entrance hall that leads to the eastern gopuram.

Long corridors leads to the gold topped Meenakshi shrine. Temple art museum is housed in the 1000 pillared hall. It contains friezes and stone and brass images, as well as one of the best exhibits of Hindu deities. Rooftop view from the nearby road (North Chitrai St.) is superb.

The nearby Madurai market and Flower market are worth a visit.

Tirumala Nayak palace : The Indo-Saracenic palace (1.5 km from temple, Admission Rs 5) has a 75 m * 52 m rectangular courtyard called Swargavilasa and a dance hall.

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Gandhi memorial museum : The museum is housed in the old palace of Rani Magammal (camera Rs 10). It gives detailed account of India's struggle for Independence and the exhibits include a blood stained cloth that Gandhi was supposedly wearing at the time he was assassinated.

Madurai government museum : Has a collection of archaeological finds, sculpture, bronze, costumes and paintings. These two museums are located 2 km from the temple in the same compound.

Church of the Holy Redeemer and Kudalgar temple are near the railway station. Mariamman Teppakulam tank is 5 km from the old city and is the popular Teppam (float) festival is celebrated here in Jan/Feb. Other temples are Kapiliswarar temple, Parthasarthy temple, Thirupparankundram temple (8 km). Srivilliputur - Highest temple tower, 74 km from Madurai. Madurai is a textile centre.

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Rameswaram is located in an island in the Gulf of Mannar, and is connected to the mainland at Mandapam by one of India's great engineering wonders, the 2.3 km long Indira Gandhi Setu, which was opened in 1987 by Rajiv Gandhi.

Ramanathaswamy temple : The temple is renowned for its four corridors (197 m long) lined with elaborately sculpted pillars. The 12 century temple has a 53 m high gopuram and 22 theerthams (tanks). Pilgrims are expected to bath in and have to walk around the temple wet. The sanctum has paintings depicting the origin of Rameswaram.

Gandamadana Parvatam : The two storey mandapam (3 km, hire a cycle) on a hill contains Lord Rama's footprints. This highest point on the island has good views of the town.

Dhanushkodi & Adam's bridge : Dhanushkodi is a long, windswept surf beach and sandpit with an end of the world feel. From the end of the peninsula there is a chain of reefs, sandbanks and islets that almost connect Sri Lanka with India named Adam's bridge.

Legend says that these are he stepping stones created and used by Rama to follw Ravana, ion his bid to rescue Sita in the epic Ramayana. From the East car street near the Ramanathaswamy temple, buses leave for Dhanushkodi (18 km, 45 minute). The 4 km walk leads to the beach.

Kothandaraswamy temple : It is 6 km before Dhanushkodi on the route.

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Kanyakumari is the 'Land's End' of the Indian subcontinent, where the Bay of Bengal meets Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.

Kumari Amman temple : The Devi temple celebrates a car festival in May/June. Men must remove their shirts while entering the temple (no photography).

Gandhi memorial : This striking memorial to Mahatma Gandhi was used to store some of the Gandhi's ashes until they were immersed in the sea.

Government museum : It is near the temple with display of temple artefacts (Rs 5, Friday closed).

Vivekananda memorial : Swami Vivekananda meditated here in 1892 before setting out to become one of India's most important religious crusaders. A memorial built in 1970 on a rocky island 400 m offshore (admission Rs 10). The 133 ft statue of the Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar is on a nearby small island. The ferry shuttles between these islands and port (Rs 20, last ferry at 4 pm).

Suchindram temple (13 km) : Musical pillar and 5.3 m Hanuman statue.

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Kodaikanal : Better known as Kodai at 2100 m is Tamil Nadu's cool hill station. Kodaikanal is 120 km from Madurai, surrounded by wooded slopes, waterfalls and precipitous rocky outcrops and the winding journey up and down is breathtaking. Kodai is the only hill station in India set up by the Americans. Shenbegannur museum of orchids is another attraction.

The Kurinji shrub found in Kodai has light, purple-blue coloured blossoms and flowers every 12 years. From Boat house follow the Anna Salai road to Kodaikanal International school (1840), country's most prestigious private school. The road then leads to Sacred Heart church and Kurinji Andavar temple. At Chettiar park (3 km from town), one may see some Kurinji flowers. April to June is the season, while Aug to Oct is also good. Rain is common during these season.

Byrant park and the nearby Coaker's walk (Admission Rs 2, camera Rs 5) are the main attractions of the town besides boating (Rs 40 for two seater pedal boat) in the Kodai lake. There are numerous waterfalls of which the Silver cascade on the way to Kodaikanal is the best. From Byrant park, a 7 km scenic route leads to 120 m high Pillar rocks. Astrophysical laboratory is 3 km from the lake. Cycle and motor bikes can be hired from shops near boat house. There is no Auto rickshaws, you have to depend on taxi cars for sightseeing. Kodai has less frequency of buses, so relax.



Palani is 65 km from Kodai. Palani Murugan temple is a pilgrim centre on top of a hill connected by ropeway. From Palani, one can head towards Ooty (200 km) via Coimbatore.

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Nilgiri hills : The hill stations on the hill are Coonoor(28 km from Mettupalayam), Ooty and Kotagiri.

Coonoor is on the way to Ooty at a height of 1850 m. Upper Coonoor is 2 km from town centre and has 12 hectare Sim's park (Admission Rs 5, camera Rs 25). Kotagiri bus can drop you here. The park has 1000 plant species mainly magnolia tree, tree ferns and Camellia. Dolphin's nose is a popular view point (10 km). On the way one can stop at Lamb's rock. Catherine falls is nearby. A taxi tour will cost Rs 200. Coonoor is 20 km from Ooty on the Mettupalayam road.

Kotagiri is 28 east of Ooty. The Catherine falls (8 km, including a 3 km final walk), Elk falls (6 km) and Kodanad viewpoint (22 km) can be visited from here. Kotagiri has buses to Ooty (Rs 15, 2 hour), Coonoor and Mettupalayam.

Udagamandalam (Ooty) : South India's most popular hill station at 2240 m connected by a miniature train (World Heritage by UNESCO) from Mettupalayam near Coimbatore. Ooty has an undeniable charm and the hills and evergreen forest around it are sensational for trekking. Ooty has points with superb views, tea plantations and a visit to tribal Toda settlement (Pykara, 21 km) will be an unforgetful experience. A left side seat in the toy train gives best views across the mountains.

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Ooty is 95 km from Coimbatore. The toy train is the most romantic way to reach Ooty (2193 m) from Mettuplayam (326 m, 4.5 hour). The 46 km narrow gauge route has 16 tunnels, 31 bridges built in 1899. The train leaves Mettupalayam for Ooty at 7.20 am (Rs 12 II class). One day advance reservation is also available at Rs 15 extra fee. The train leaves Ooty at 3 pm and takes 3.5 hour to Mettupalayam.

During winter, you need warm clothing and are very cheap here (Commercial road near the bus stand or Tibettan market near the Botanical gardens). Night temperature occasionally falls to zero.

Thread garden : Over 150 species of flowers and plants are formed with coloured threads. These are hand embroidered without a needle by a Keralan artist Anthony Joseph. Admission Rs 10, camera Rs 15. The garden is around 1 km from railway station via Jolly grant amusement park (Admission Rs 5). Boathouse is near the Thread garden.

A 10 minute walk from railway station to the bazaar area and 20 minutes to Ooty's real centre, Charing Cross (Rs 25 by auto).

Centenary Rose park : Has terraced lawns and colourful flower beds. Admission Rs 10, camera Rs 30. 1 km from railway station.