The Temple State of India

Tamil Nadu Temples

Madurai · Rameswaram · Kanchipuram · Thanjavur

October – March

5–8 days

Tamil Nadu is the heartland of Dravidian civilisation — a state where temple culture is not a relic of the past but a living, breathing reality. The Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai is one of the largest temple complexes in the world, with 14 gopurams (gateway towers) covered in thousands of painted sculptures. The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, built by the Chola king Raja Raja I in 1010 CE, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest architectural achievements in Indian history. Rameswaram, on an island in the Palk Strait, is one of the four sacred dhams of Hinduism. Kanchipuram, the City of a Thousand Temples, has been a centre of Hindu learning and silk weaving for 2,000 years.

Highlights

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai — 14 towering gopurams

Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur (UNESCO)

Rameswaram — one of the four sacred dhams

Kanchipuram silk sarees & ancient temples

Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram (UNESCO)

Chola bronze sculptures at Thanjavur museum

Things to Do

Meenakshi Amman Temple

One of the largest temple complexes in the world — 14 gopurams, a golden lotus tank, and thousands of sculptures covering every surface. The evening ceremony is extraordinary.

Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Built in 1010 CE by the Chola king Raja Raja I — the vimana (tower) rises 66 metres and casts no shadow at noon. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture.

Rameswaram Pilgrimage

One of the four sacred dhams of Hinduism — pilgrims bathe in 22 sacred wells inside the Ramanathaswamy Temple before crossing the Pamban Bridge to the island.

Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram

A UNESCO World Heritage Site — a 7th-century Pallava temple complex on the Bay of Bengal, with rock-cut rathas and the famous Arjuna's Penance bas-relief.