Tamil Nadu is referred as the Cradle of Dravidian culture. It lies adjacent to the Coromandal coast on the shores of Bay of Bengal. Ancient verses testify to the legend of the land along the ebb and flow of time. Mighty empires and dynasties twisted the destiny of the region from time to time.
Apart from its natural beauty Tamil Nadu also houses innumerable magnificent and majestic temples. They are spread out all around Tamil Nadu. Faith was just one of the many roles played by the temples in the bygone era. They served as cultural and social nerve centers.
Besides their position as centers of learning, they were symbols of power and aristocracy of dynasties like Chola, Pandya, Pallava, Vijayanagar and Nayaks. Most of these temples are maintained and supervised by UNESCO, Archeological Survey of India and Archeological Survey of Tamil Nadu.
Some of the temples to be visited in Tamil Nadu, possess historical / cultural aura are listed below:
- Shore Temples and Rock-cut Caves at Mahabalipuram
- Rock-cut masterpiece called Arjuna's Penance at Mahabalipuram
- Five Rathas (5 Chariots) at Mahabalipuram
- Varadaraja Perumal Temple and similar ones at the temple city, Kanchipuram
- Ekambara Natha Temple and Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram
- Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram
- Brihadiswara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram
- Airawatheswara Temple at Darasuram
- Brihadiswara Temple at Tanjore
- Srirangam Temple complex at Trichi
- Meenakshi Temple at Madurai