Tamil Nadu is considered to be the cradle of Dravidian civilization and is thought to be one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world. The Mughal Empire did not extend this far south and consequently the state has hardly been influenced by Islam. Three powerful dynasties (the Cholas, the Pallavas and the Pandyans) dominated the area for over 1,000 years.

Tamil Nadu has a lot to offer the visitor. If you like beaches then there is a long eastern coast (and a short western one) but there are only small pockets of development. Beach hotels can be found from the south of Chennai to Pondicherry but there are few elsewhere. There are wildlife sanctuaries and hill stations in the Western Ghat mountains.

The main attraction of Tamil Nadu for most people is the cultural heritage. There are plenty of historical sites (some with World Heritage status) and many temples to be visited. A number of the temple towns are major pilgrimage sites for Hindus which adds atmosphere for the visitor. Non Hindus are allowed inside most temples in Tamil Nadu but they cannot enter the inner sanctum.

Chennai (which used to be called Madras) is the capital of Tamil Nadu and has a major hub airport. There are also airports with international connections at Trichy and Coimbatore. Madurai has an airport but currently all flights connect with Chennai. There are a number of train options that can be taken across Tamil Nadu if required. However, most people enjoy travelling by road through the small villages and dramatic scenery. The roads are often quite poor (the east coast road is better than most) so travel can be slow.
 

WEATHER CHART : CHENNAI
MAX °C	29	31	33	35	38	37	35	35	34	32	29	28
MIN °C	20	21	23	26	28	28	26	26	25	24	23	21
RAIN mm	24	7	15	25	52	53	83	124	118	267	309	139
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