City: Tamil Nadu
Top Things to do in Tamil Nadu
10 Monuments & Statues in Tamil Nadu That You Shouldn't Miss
^# Jana Gana Mana is the national anthem, while "Invocation to Tamil Mother" is the state song/anthem.
^† Established in 1773; Madras State was formed in 1950 and renamed as Tamil Nadu on 14 January 1969
^^ Tamil is the official language of the state. English is declared as an additional official language for communication purposes.
Restaurants in Tamil Nadu
1. Nataraja of Konerirajapuram
2. Thenkudi Thittai Sree Vashisteswarar Temple- Guru Stalam
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By TravelExplorer_2005 - Bengaluru, India
Thitai is aboout 35 kms from Kumbakonam and 9 kms from Thanjavur. The temple is a very huge beautiful complex with a huge kalyani in front of the temple. The main deity is Lord Shiva while Lord Guru is located at the entrance to Shiva's Temple in the complex. You also have Goddess Parvati Temple here. There is navagraha carved on the ceiling just outside the Parvati Temple. You need to stand beneath it and pray to Nandi, Lord Shiva and Lord Parvati for your well being and see Lord Guru immediately. They say by doing so your prayers would be answered. Please don't miss this temple as you can visit Thanjavur after visiting this temple.
3. Kripapureeswarar Temple
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Kembhootha
The temple is associated with Sundarar, the saivite saint. Sundarar is accosted by an old man (Lord Shiva) during Sundarar's wedding and he is told that he is a slave of the old man. A documental evidence is produced that binds Sundarar into traveling with the stranger to his place and serving him. Sundarar is livid the at the turn of the events only to realize at the end that it is Lord Shiva. Sundarar sings "Pitha Piraisudi" in this temple when he realizes that he has had the great fortune of serving the God. The temple is located in Villupuram district, about 3 kms interiror on the Thirukkoilur - Panruti highway. The temple is open until noon in the morning. And then, from 4 pm to 8 pm. The temple is from the 7th century ( listed as a paadal petra sthalam ) and the current structure is thought to be of the Chola age ( 10th-11th century ). A must visit temple if you are visiting Panruti or Thirukkoilur or Villupuram. Please take along some oil for the temple lamps if you are visiting/hand it to the priest. At the main shrine/garbagriham, you will find the pair of shoes that Sundarar wore when he accompanied the Old Man to Thiruvennainallur. You should also visit the mandapam just outside the temple where the Old Man and Sundarar decided to sort the problem out by picking a divine chit to decide the outcome/solution to the problem.
4. Draupadi Ratha
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Donna_in_India - New York City, United States
Draupadi Ratha is the smallest of the Panch Rathas. This ratha is a replica of a thatched tribal shrine. It is dedicated to the Goddess Durga (Mother of the Universe). The highlight of the Draupadi Ratha is the Durga panel on the rear wall of the sanctum. It depicts devotees kneeling in front of a four-arm Durga. In a supreme act of self-sacrifice one of the devotees is shown in the process of cut his own head off.
5. Bhima Ratha
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Donna_in_India - New York City, United States
Bhima Ratha is the largest of the five rathas. This rectangular ratha has a barrel-vaulted roof, long columned porch, and an unfinished lower level. It's named after the Pandava bother who was known for his strength.
6. Dharmaraja Ratha
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Donna_in_India - New York City, United States
The Dharmaraja Ratha is a larger version of the Arjuna Ratha. It has three storeys and an octagonal dome roof, the shikhara. Similar to most temple roofs in India the roof covered with repeating elements. Sculpted panels are carved in the upper storeys of this ratha. On the lower level there are beautiful sculptures of Harihara, a composite form of Shiva and Vishnu. The left side of the body is Vushni, with a tapering crown. On the right is Shiva with matted locks of hair. Along with Harihara, another highlight of this ratha is a sculpture of King Narasimha, a Pallava king shown wearing a crown, a silk garment, and jewelry.
7. Nakula Sahadeva Ratha
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By ajapetrus - Mahe, India
Resembling a chariot, this incomplete structure that has been carved out of a single, long stone of pink granite, is dedicated to the supreme god, Indran. This rock-cut architectural marvel is empirically named after the last two brothers of the Mahabharata-epic-fame Pancha Pandavas. These twins, Nakula and Sahadeva were born to Madri, the second wife of Pandu, a king of the Kuru dynasty. Unlike the other four rathas in the Panch-ratha enclosure that are aligned side by side in a row, this one stands aside with its back, facing the entry gate at the North eastern end. The Gajaprishthakara (Sanskrit, meaning back-facing view of an elephant) of the Nakula & Sahadeva Ratha is more meaningfully illustrated with the marvellous sculpture of the life-size elephant, carved next to the ratha. Architecturally, the monolithic Dharmaraja, Arjuna and Draupadi rathas are square while the Bhima ratha is rectangular on plan, whereas Nakula Sahadeva ratha is apsidal (horseshoe-shaped), with dvi-tala (two-tiered) free standing structure. Like the others, the walls of Nakula Sahadeva ratha also have carved features arranged in a sequence to delineate the projections and recesses, created by pairs of shallow pilasters. The roof terminates almost in the form of a pyramid or shikara, which is also carved with motifs.
8. Arjuna Ratha
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Donna_in_India - New York City, United States
Next to the Draupadi Ratha is the Arjuna Ratha. The Arjuna Ratha is an elegantly carved two-storeyed temple. A highlight of this ratha is a carving of Shiva (Hindu deity - "the Destroyer" or "the Transformer") leaning on his mount, the bull Nandi. Royal couples and other carved figures adorn the outer walls.
9. Descent Of The Ganges
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 239 reviews
Reviewed By Tanumita - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
A beautiful piece of art carved on a monolithic rock. It is built on the same rock as Arjuna's penance and has a mythological and historical significance to it. The descent of the Ganges is depicted in the form of Cobras and it is an exceptional sculpture built during the Pallava rule.
10. Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 345 reviews
Reviewed By JPHStVincent - Singapore, Singapore
Gangaikondacholampuram is out in the countryside; there is just a small village. I arranged an AC car and driver in Kumbakonam. The drive took about 45 minutes one way (a little longer on the way back as we stopped for tea) and the charge was 1,250 rupees. And was that time and money well spent! The temple is magnificent, covered in fantastic statues and carvings both inside and out, with smaller shrines and a remarkable statue in the well maintained gardens. A true testament to the glory of the Chola dynasty. No entrance charge, but a small donation for taking care of shoes is expected.
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