CHIDAMBARAM

Chidambaram is one of the most ancient and most celebrated of shrines in India. It is of great religious as well as historic and cultural significance.Chidambaram is associated with Nataraja, or Shiva in his Ananda Tandava pose (the Cosmic Dance of bliss) in the cosmic golden hall and the hall of consciousness (Chit Sabha). Shiva is also worshipped in the “formless form” of the Chidambara Rahasyam, while the temple is known for its Akasa Lingam, an embodiment of Shiva as the formless Space. The word “Koyil” or temple in the Tamil Saivite tradition refers to none other than the Chidambaram Nataraja temple.

POOMBUHAR

Poombuhar is in Sirkali Taluk of Nagapattinam District. It is known as Kaveripoompattinam. Tourists have to alight at Mayiladuthurai junction to proceed Poombuhar by road, visitors from Chennai by train have to get down at Sirkali. Poombuhar is connected to Mayiladuthurai as well as Sirkali by road. The distance from Poombuhar to Mayiladuthurai is 24 kms and to Sirkali 21kms.

Those who come from Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Tirunelvelli may proceed via Mellur, Tiruppathur, Karaikudi, Pattukkotai, Thiruthuraipoondi, Nagapattinam, Karaikkal, Tharangambadi and Akkur. They can also come via pudukottai, Thanjavoor, and Mayiladuthurai..

VELANKANNI

Velankanni is one of the most visited pilgrims in india.velankanni is situated alon the shore of bay of Bengal.the famous shrine BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF HEALTH draws all kinds of religious Pilgrims from all parts of the world.

Festivals are celebrated here with all pomp and gaiety every year on august 29 th flag of Our lady commences with the hoisting of the flag.The pilgrims wh comes here follows hindu culture of tonsuring head and ear piercing.

NAGOOR

A very famous muslim pilgrim centre southindia,nagapattinam district called dargha of hazrat SYED SHAHUL HAMEED QADIRI QADIR WALI. Nagoor Darga is famous for its KANDHURI FESTIVAL.

People visit the place from all parts irrespective of caste creed and religion.the dharga is almost 500 hundred years old preaching Fatherhood of god and brotherhood of man.

There is also a pristine beach at nagore where the tourist can enjoy playing beach volleyball, joyful Cuttumaran ride and childrens amusement park.

POINT CALIMERE / KODIAKKARAI

Point calimere is located in nagapattinam district 100kms from kumbakonam known as kodiakkarai in tamil is situated on the coramadel coast where the bay of bengal meets the palk straight. Point Calimere is widlife and bird sanctuary popular for the extinct variety of blackbuck and birds from all over the world visit point calimere.The best season to visit is during oct-feburary.Apart from wildlife there are many historic places like ramarpatham,light house,mangroove forests of muthupet etc .

TRANQUABAR

Tharangambadi was a former Danish colony that was known as “Tranquebar”. This tiny village lies on the Coromandel (east) coast of India. Tarangambadi is located 35-km north of Nagapattinam and 50-kmfrom hidambaram.Ore Gedde, the commander of the RoyalDutch Navy built Tarangambadi Fort, in the year 1620.The fort has two storeys and is a stunning piece of Viking architecture, with enclosing stonewalls and cannons facing the sea.

The fort was the most important building, which housed the top echelons of the Danish officials. Apart from the ramparts, the rest of the buildings are in good condition. The fort is now converted into an archaeological museum, with many weapons and artefacts from the Danish past. The museum also showcases marine life and a row of Danish ships, which sailed into Tranquebar..

UNESCO

The Brihadisvara Temple or the Great Temple, Thanjavur, built by Raja Raja Chola-I around 1010 A.D. is a masterpiece of South Indian art and architecture. It has attracted the attention of several distinguished historians and art critics and volumes have been written on different aspect of its many splendoured greatness. The author of this book does not claim to present any new discoveries but recounts in simple language all the outstanding features for which the temple has become renowned.

UNESCO

The majestic Vimana about 200 feet high, the tallest of its kind, justly called the Dakshina-meru, the exquisite sculptures in the niches of the sanctum walls, the delicate Chola and the Nayaka paintings in the inner corridor around the sanctum, the series of dance sculptures (Karanas) on the walls of the first floor, the modest yet stately gopuras in the outer enclosures, the beautiful bronzes and above all the highly informative and valuable historical inscriptions that give meticulous details of the donations and land-grants mode to the temple by the king and his kin form the themes of the chapters in the book.

MAHAMAHAM TANK ADHI KUMBESWARAR

Adi Kumbeswarar temple is the major one among the Saivite temples and located in the centre of Kumbakonam at Big Bazaar Street . This temple covers an area of 30181 sq.ft. with a length and breadth of 750 feet, and 252 feet respectively. This temple comprises of three Praharas and three Gopurams in the eastern, northern and western directions. It is believed that Govinda Theeksithan, the Chieftain of Achutha Nayakar of Thanjavur, renovated this oldest temple during 16 th century. The East Gopuram consists of 9 stories with a height of 128-ft. Mangala Theertham, Marriage hall and small temples for Muruga.

KASI VISWANATHAR

This temple has been praised by sambandhar in his “Devaram”. It is situated in the north eastern Side of M’ tank. God : Kaayarohanar. Goddess : Vishalakshi. The nine rivers called as Navakannigas are here in the form of statues. The Corridors have very attractive sculptures.Festivals: Aadipuram ( Aashada ) and Maasimaham.