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Destinations in South Tamil Nadu you must visit

Kanyakumari

At the Southern most tip of India , where the three oceans meet is Kanyakumari or Cape Comerin. You may have seen sunrises and sunsets in all over the world, but if you have not seen it here, then its time to change that. People travel all the way here just to get a glimpse of it. If you are lucky, you can catch the moon rising as the sun sets on a full moon night. But Kanyakumari tells her own story – legends about a virgin goddess who was stood up by her groom, Lord Shiva on her wedding night. The temple stands here, right in the heart of a kitschy bazaar.

Swami Vivekananda came here to soothe his restless mind by sitting on a rock amidst the sea. A meditation centre is built here as well. There is a memorial for Mahatma Gandhi here , built at the place where his ashes were kept in an urn before immersion. Spend a day here, collect shells and visit some of the quiet fishing hamlets in the region. And while you are here, do visit Nagercoil and Suseendran for the temples and Vattakottai for a fort.

Kanniyakumari is much more than its cartographic significance. Spiritual reflection, pilgrimage, history, architecture and natural beauty – all come together in this cape town. Kanniyakumari is a meeting point of three oceans and an amalgamation of different cultures, religions and ideas developed over centuries.

Two wave-washed rocky outcrops are the most recognised visuals of Kanniyakumari. At this spot of unparalleled beauty where three oceans – the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea – meet, Mahatma Gandhi wrote “I am writing this at the cape, in front of the sea, where three waters meet and furnish a sight unequalled in the world.”

Gandhiji’s ashes were strewn to the elements here. The spiritual history of these rocks go further back in time –Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment here and myths say that Goddess Kanniyakumari performed ‘tapasya’ for Lord Shiva here millennia ago.

All these threads are beautifully represented. The Gandhi Memorial and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial provide visitors places of reflection. The Thiruvalluvar Statue, a 133-feet-tall stone sculpture of Tamil poet and philosopher Valluvar, gazes out over this seascape. The 133 feet mark the 133 chapters of the ancient Tamil text, Tirukkural. The 38-feet pedestal represents the 38 chapters of Virtue, the first of the three books. The statue itself, at 95 feet, represents the second and third books – Wealth and Love. In its entirety, the statue signifies that wealth and love should be enjoyed on the foundation of virtue.

Madurai

Madurai is the seat of culture, literature, history, traditions and culture. The ancient city, apparently one of the oldest in the world. built on the banks of the River Vaigai is synonymous with the goddess Meenakshi or Parvati and her temple stands right in the heart of the city. The land of the Pandyas, the town resonates with literary works written in Tamil since the Sangam era. Many dynasties have ruled over Madurai as you can see from the Tirumalai Nayak Palace here. The old Jaina caves is one of the sites I want to visit here. There are several temples here dedicated to Muruga. But your Madurai experience is not complete if you have not sipped the famous Jigar thanda.

Temple testaments : The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is the first among equals. Dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, an avatar of Parvati, and her consort, Lord Sundareswarar or Shiva, the shrine marks where Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva got married. A shining example of the Dravidian style of architecture, it has about 33000 sculptures, four gopurams and the Ayiram Kaal Mandapam, the hall of 1000 pillars. The Mandapam was sculpted out of just one single rock.

The Koodal Azhagar (Lord Vishnu) temple in the heart of Madurai is another stunning example of Dravidian architecture.

Roughly 21 kilometres from Madurai is the Alagarkoil Temple. Atop the Alagarmalai hill, this is surrounded by the ruins of a fort. The impressive entrance tower was supposedly built by the Pandyas while the Kalyana Mandapam and its pillars are examples of Nayaka art.

Famous for its Murugan Temple, Tirupparankunram is a tourist attraction. The famous temple is an amalgamation of rock-cut and Dravidian architecture. The Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakkulam, one of the largest temple tanks in Tamil Nadu spans 16 acres and was constructed by King Thirumalai Nayak in 1646.

Culture capital : Madurai is known as the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu. One of the reasons talked about in literature is that is a remnant of the Meenakshi maternal community. The Madurai Chithirai Festival, the ‘Festival of Festivals’, sees more than 5 lakh people and is more than a Saiva-Vaishnava festival. This festival upholds the unique rights of women and a re-enacted coronation ceremony of goddess Meenakshi as well as the celebration of her marriage is held.

The Jallikattu festival is an ancient sport played as part of the Tamil harvest festival, Pongal. This bull-taming sport is a traditional display of masculinity and strength. This is one of the oldest living sports in India.

Madurai is also known because of its commitment to preserving Tamil culture through Sangams. The World Tamil Sangam building is a resource centre that acts as a convention hub, archive, knowledge centre for Tamil language and culture. Madurai is also known for Madurai sungudi sarees and brasswork.

Architecture and Art : The Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, a palace constructed in the mid-17th century by Thirumalai Nayak is another tourist attraction. Designed by an Italian architect, it is an exquisite amalgamation of Dravidian and European architecture with subtle influences of the Indo-Saracenic style.

St. Mary's Cathedral Church is famed for its architecture. Built in the Roman style, the church is unique with European architecture on the outside façade and classically Indian interiors with bright-coloured walls.

The Gandhi Museum in the famous 17th century Tamukkam Palace is one of the most dedicated Gandhi Sangrahalayas in India. The exhibits include several personal belongings of the Mahatma, including a letter written by him to Adolf Hitler addressing him as “Dear Friend”.

Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi

Madurai is the hub to visit Rameshwaram where you can follow in the footsteps of Rama and go on a Ramayana trail. Rameshwaram is many things to many people. A mythical and a mystical destination, it is the setting of the grand epic, Ramayana which pervades the entire landscape. And I am not just referring to the temple, but to the many tanks or wells here, referred to as Theerthams that surround the town. . It is like following in the footsteps of Rama’s journey as every drop of water here has a story to narrate.

Dhanushkodi, located just 15 kms from Rameshwaram tells the tragic tale of a ghost town. Five decades ago, a natural calamity had wiped Dhanushkodi into oblivion, but the ruins still remain, narrating a story of this erstwhile flourishing town, that has the only land border between India and Srilanka. . Life came to a standstill here in December 1964 , when a cyclone robbed the town of all its inhabitants. In the heydays, Dhanushkodi connected the two countries – India and Srilanka with a railway and ferry service. It was called the Boat Mail . A train used to leave Madras (now Chennai) and reach a pier near Dhanushkodi town from where passengers boarded a ferry to Srilanka. The railway line also connected Dhanushkodi to the main Pamban railway station. The last train was seen on the night when the storm surge stuck the town, swallowing it and all the 150 passengers on board. All of Dhanushkodi lies submerged under the waters. How to reach – Trains connect to Rameshwaram or you can drive from Madurai. Dhanushkodi is accessed from Rameshwaram and you will have to go on the vehicles organised by the tour operators, as private vehicles are not allowed.

A matter of faith : A matter of faith With strong links to legends from the Ramayana, Ramanathapuram has several pilgrimage spots. According to legend, Shri Ram was helped back into India through Rameswaram island after defeating Ravana. It is believed that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here – thus marking the confluence of Shaivism and Vaishnavism here. Bathing in the 22 ‘Theerthams’ (natural springs) is thought of as a step forward in enlightenment. Adam’s (Rama’s) Bridge, the floating stones near Hanuman Temple – all add to the atmosphere. A nearby temple is dedicated to the Devi said to have killed Mahishasura here. The Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram is another pilgrimage spot. This is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples. Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram has been declared a National Pilgrim Centre. Also, Pamban Bridge that connects the island to the mainland, is famous for its engineering excellence.

The past in the present : The past in the present The majesty that strikes the visitor is a legacy of the region’s glorious past. The 17th century Ramalinga Vilasam is open for public viewing though the royal family still lives in one part. Famed for its architecture, it houses a museum of antique artefacts, weapons, religious sculptures, murals and beautiful battlefield paintings. The Ramanathaswamy Temple is an architectural wonder with its imposing structure, long corridors, carved pillars, and towering 38-metre ‘Gopuram’.

Beach vibes : Beach vibes Ramanathapuram is known for its beautiful beaches. Uchipuli, Puduvalasai, Panaikulma and Lagankulam all offer typical beach experiences, with exquisite sunrises and sunset views. Water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving are popular and certified operators are available. Resting on the southern tip, an utterly beautiful beach about 25 kilometres from Rameswaram, is Dhanushkodi, the “lost land” of Tamil Nadu. Known as a ghost town as all its inhabitants were killed in a 1964 cyclone, Dhanushkodi Beach remains a popular tourist place because of its pristine shoreline and sheer azure beauty.