Tamil Nadu travel guide

You probably haven’t heard much about Tamil Nadu, a state that sweeps down the southeastern edge of India. Curiosity piqued? It should be – vacations to Tamil Nadu take you to a region lined with kingly port cities and Tamil temple complexes.

Kolam is the daily ritual of drawing a kaleidoscope of patterns with rice powder to welcome guests and gods into the home – and it sums up colourful, welcoming Tamil Nadu.

The interior climbs towards the Western Ghats in a series of plateaus, gorges and rainforests rich in mountain villages. This is where you’ll discover that food and religion are practically equals in Tamil Nadu – the pinstripe tea plantations and mountain village tea rooms are almost as vital as the temples. While you’re in South India, it’d be rude not to pay your respects to neighbouring Kerala. Lots of Tamil Nadu vacations team up the two states. Find out more about this little explored state in our Tamil Nadu travel guide.

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Tamil Nadu is...

the center of Tamil culture, showcasing elaborate Hindu temples and rainforest villages.

Tamil Nadu isn’t...

on the mainstream tourist trail... yet.

Things to do in Tamil Nadu...

Temples, temples, temples. Tamil architecture is one of the main reasons for visiting Tamil Nadu. With over 30,000 temples to choose from, you can follow the crowds to the vast Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai or duck into a rainbow village shrine piled high with carved figures telling tales from Indian mythology. Take the daily Nilgiri Mountain Railway train between Ooty and Coonoor. It’s the only cog railway in India, a type of train most commonly associated with the steep grades of the Swiss Alps. Over 48km, this bright blue train winds through tunnels, ravines, rainforest and tea plantations. Just keep an eye on the weather; strong rains sometimes put the service on hold. Learn a few words of Tamil. Tours often offer you the chance to sleep in homestays, where hello (vanakkam), thank you (nandri) and excuse me (mannikka vendum) will be met with a smile (or a laugh, depending on your pronunciation). Taking tea, trying Chettiar cuisine and watching the creation of a doorstep kolam are all invaluable for understanding the rituals of daily life. Try everything. From homemade ginger ale and masala chai to dosa pancakes and idli rice cakes – the food in Tamil Nadu is thoroughly South Indian. Vegetarians will be in their element, too. Almost 90 percent of the population are Hindus who follow largely plant-based diets. Driving in India is an adventure in itself, so pack travel sickness tablets if you get car sick. While you’ll be in the hands of experienced drivers, there’s no avoiding the bendy mountain roads and tumultuous city traffic.

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Things not to do in Tamil Nadu...

Visit any old tea plantation. There’s no getting away from their British colonial origins, but these days Indian-owned operations are the theme. Try to aim for estates like Chamraj that come with a Fairtrade stamp of approval. Leave the travel guide – and history books – at home. Tamil Nadu has a multifaceted history, from the ancient Tamil thinkers and merchant kings, to British and French colonialism. Read about the crumbling mansions and festival villages and ask your guide lots of questions. The people of Tamil Nadu are great storytellers, so you’re guaranteed a good tale. Buy ivory. South Indian market stalls often glitter with jewellery. It’s the inlay that can be the problem – it’s often ivory of an obscure origin. A good local tour guide can spot a bad market stall a mile off and will instead take you to the local craft collectives or silk tailors where the craftspeople use local materials and take home every rupee. Rush. Cycling is the best way to explore grid cities like Puducherry, while the Eastern Ghats lays out some spectacular hiking trails. Try to keep your driving times to a few hours at a time – the bumpy roads and wild traffic can wear down even the most well-travelled. It’s also a good idea to stretch out your vacation over a few weeks. Having an extra couple of days means that you can take that day hike slow or relax with tea at a family home stay.

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Written by Catherine Roberts

Tamil Nadu travel guide