KODAIKANAL - Princess of hill stations ( Palani, Hill range.) In a state where scenery and terrain is perhaps more varied than in any other part of the country, where the forested slopes of the majestic hills of the western ghats vie with the magnificent beaches of the Coromandel coast, it is indeed difficult to decide which is the best feature of multi-faceted Tamil Nadu.

Located 120 kms away from Madurai, Kodaikkanal is a beautiful hill station and is at an altitude of 2133m on the southern tip of the upper Palani hills in the Western ghats. Kodaikkanal has a bracing climate where temperature do not vary much from summer to winter. Fruits like plums and plantains grow abundantly on the wooded slopes apart from a wide variety of flowers, among which is the famous Kurinji flower which blooms once in twelve years.

	Kodai's most enchanting sights include the star shaped lake, spread over an area of 24 hectares where fishing allowed and boating facilities are available; one of the world's oldest Solar Observatories that was built in 1899; and the Orchidorium at the Sacred Heart College where about 300 species of orchids can be seen. There are also
a number of picturesque walks like Coaker's Walk and Priest's Walk. Kodai's best view points are Pillar Rocks,& Green Valley View. Bear Shola Falls, Silver Cascade, Fairy Falls and Glen Falls are popular with picnickers while the Perumal Peak is a favourite with trekkers. The Kurinji Andavar temple 3.2 kms away is dedicated to Lord Subramanya.

MADURAI - The Glory of the Pandyas (Alagarkoil , Pazhamudircholai, Thiruparankunram, Thiruvadavur, Tiruvedagam) Known as the Athens of the East, Madurai, the second largest city in Tamil Nadu is situated on the banks of the river Vaigai. An ancient city, more than 2,500 years old, Madurai is believed to have been built by the Pandyan King Kulasekara in the 6th century BC

The city is said to have got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva's locks when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. Originally named Madhurapuri or the 'land of nectar', the name later got modified as Madurai. From such legendary beginnings, the actual history of Madurai emerges sometime during the 3rd century BC when it was the prosperous Pandya's then capital which had trading contacts with Greece and Rome.

	Apart from a brief period when it fell to the Cholas, Madurai remained with the Pandyas until the decline of the empire. The next major rulers of Madurai were the Vijayanagara kings who won over the territory in 1371. They appointed the Nayaks as governors who, in time, became powerful in their own right. The 200 - year old reign of the Nayaks marks the golden period of Madurai when art, architecture and learning, scaled new heights. In fact, the most beautiful buildings in the city including its most famous landmark, the Meenakshi temple, are Nayak contributions. But unlike the other temple cities of Tamil Nadu whose fame relies heavily
on the fabulous contributions of great empires, Madurai, though undoubtedly known first and foremost for the Meenakshi temple, is very much modern and progressive city.
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OOTY - Queen of Hill Stations

(Hill station.Mudumalai, Coonoor.)

Called the 'Queen of Hill Stations' picturesque, green Udhagamandalam better known as Ooty is the most popular hill station in the South. Located in the Western ghats at a height of 2240m, Udhagamandalam is the headquarters of the Nilgiris district where the two ghats meet. Nature has been generous with this region which is by far the most beautiful in the state. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees like conifers, eucalyptus, pine and wattle dot the hillside in Udhagamandalam and its environs. Summer temperature is rarely higher than 25°c with a minimum of

10°c and winter is are distinctly cooler with a high of 21°c and a low 5°c. Curiously enough, this slice of paradise remained unknown to the great southern dynasties and it took the British to discover it in the early 1800s. They were, however, not the first inhabitants of this land as a tribe called Todas had been living there long before the British came, claiming that the Nilgiris had been their home since time immemorial. But the credit for modernising Udhagamandalam and making it accessible goes to the British who constructed the first railway line in the area and made it the summer capital of the Madras Presidency.

YEARCAUD - A Jewel of the South

( Boat house, Hill station)

This quiet little hill station on the Shevaroy hills of the Eastern ghats is the only one of its kind in northern Tamil Nadu. While the rest of this region is generally dry, including the predominantly short and rocky hills of the Eastern ghats, Yercaud presents a welcome contrast with its cool climate where temperature never rises above 30 º C and dip below 13 º C . It is also a less expensive place than either Udhagamandalam or Kodaikkanal

Coffee and citrus fruits, most notably oranges, are grown in abundance apart from bananas, pears and jack. Scenically, Yercaud is as enchanting and picturesque as the hill stations on the Western ghats and trekking here can be one of the most pleasurable ways to pass time.

Places for sight-seeing include the Lake, Lady's Seat, Killiyur Falls, Pagoda Point, Arthur's Seat, Kaveri Peak and the Shevaroyan temple.

HOGENAKKAL - Misty Enchantment

Situated on the Karnataka - Tamil Nadu border, Hogenakal is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the state. The broad stream of the River Cauvery gets forked at this point, forming an island from where one stream continues on while it plunges into a deep chasm to create one of the loveliest waterfall gives these rocks the name Hogenakal which means "smoking rock" in Kannada. Since the waters of the kauvery flow through a forest of herbs on their journey to Hogenakal, bathing in these falls is considered to be good for health.

The magnificent, rugged mountain scenery around the falls can be better enjoyed by long walks and treks

COIMBATORE - Manchester of the South

(Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Maruthamalai Temple)

The third largest city of the state, Coimbatore, the headquarters of a district of the same name, is one of the most industrialised cities in Tamil Nadu. Known as the textile capital of South India or the Manchester of the South, the city is situated on the banks of the river Noyyal. Coimbatore existed even prior to the 2nd century AD as a small tribal village capital called Kongunad until it was brought under Chola control in the 2nd or 3rd century AD by Karikalan, the first of the early Cholas. Among its other great rulers were the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Pandyas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara kings. When Kongunad fell to the British along with the rest of the state, its name was changed to Coimbatore and it is by this name that it is known today, except in Tamil, in which it is called Kovai.
	Located in the shadow of the Western ghats, Coimbatore enjoys a very pleasant climate the year round, aided by the fresh breeze that flows in through the 25 kms long Palakkad gap. The rich black soil of the region has contributed to Coimbatore's flourishing agriculture industry and, it is in fact that the successful growth of cotton that served as a foundation for the establishment of its famous textile industry. The first textile mills came up as far back as 1888 but there are now over a hundred mills. The result has been a strong economy and a reputation as one of the greatest industrial cities in South India. Coimbatore serves as an entry and exit point toneighbouring Kerala and the ever popular hill station ofUdagamandalam
It is the disembarking point for those who want to take the Mountain train that runs from Mettupalayam, just 35 kms from Coimbatore. There are also regular bus services from Coimbatore to Ooty.

THENI - Haven for Nature Lovers

(Mavoothu, Devadanapatti, Periyakulam, Sothupparai Dam, Kumbakkarai Falls, Kuchanur, Chinnamanur, Suruli Falls, Chinna Suruli, Tiger Falls) Resounding cascades, silver-lined clouds resting atop billiard green hill tops, sheer rock faces and temples of antiquity are the stuff that distinguish the tourism destinations of the Theni District.
	These unique places warm the soul and provide the much-needed balm to the mind. Rustic ambience, hospitality of the local populace and their pastoral way of life make the destinations in Theni district a tourists’ dream. Theni district in the Southern part of Tamil Nadu is one among the choicest tourist delights and destinations with a delightful mixture of tourist attractions such as captivating dams, waterfalls and countless pilgrim centres.
This district is surrounded by the Western ghats, with it ubiquitous green stretches of cultivated lands and tea gardens. Silk cotton, soft towels, coffee seeds, cardamom, mango, are the main produce of the district. Theni district is the main route for the tourist bound from Madurai to Kochi via Bodinayakanur and Munnar and Madurai to Thekkadi wildlife sanctuary.
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PUDUKOTTAI - Treasure Trove of Archaelogy

(Sittannavasal, kudimianmalai, Kodumbalur, Viralimalai, Kumaramalai)

Pudukkottai town is the headquarters of the district . Once a princely State, the area, which comprises the district, is of absorbing interest to historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and lovers of art. The numerous dolmens, stone circles and other forms of megalithic burials in the district indicate the antiquity of this region dating back to pre-historic and protohistorical times.This tract is mentioned in the Sangam classics.The archaeological and cultural remains at Kodumbalur, Narthamalai, Kudumianmalai, Kunnandarkoil, Sittannavasal,
	Thirumayam and Avudaiyarkoil are proof of its rich cultural heritage. The origin of Pudukkottai as a Princely state in the 17th Century A.D. is only one colourful aspect of the past of the region. Pudukkottai town lies on the Chennai - Rameswaram Railway line. It is 390 kms from Chennai. 53 kms from Tiruchirappalli and 57 kms. from Thanjavur. The rulers of Pudukkottai have built several beautiful places and also constructed tanks canals and palaces.