Tamil Nadu

From the hustle of Madras to the tranquillity of KodaiKanal, the southern-most state of this sub-continent evokes the true spirit of India. Although there are pockets of foreign influence, the continuity of the Tamil culture can be traced through the ages. Where many states chart their history by the invasions of other cultures, Tamil Nadu proudly celebrates its Dravidian art and heritage.

The flat plains and paddy fields are fed by the wide flowing rivers of this green and fertile state which is bordered by the dramatic Coromandel Coast and the blue mountain wall of the Western Ghats. The population is largely Hindu and the temples are awe-inspiring, with their soaring gopurams, colourfully painted and laden with mythology.

Arjuna’s Penance in Mahabalipuram, the earliest of the Pallava sculptures, started a tradition that has produced increasingly ornate works of art. Of the seven original shore temples of Mahabalipuram, all save one has crumbled into the sea but the lessons of sculpture have survived and the sound of hammer and chisel still echo from dawn to dusk.

Kanchipuram is one of the Seven Sacred Cities and is famed for its multitude of temples and its hand-woven silk. In its prime, the city was a cultural centre attracting artists, intellectuals, teachers and musicians. Today, many of its temples are well preserved and the silk industry continues to thrive.

The working Bridhashshwara Temples in Tanjore lives and breathes the culture of this magnificent state. In the fiery evening sky, swallows swirl and dive as worshippers pay homage to Shiva and families mingle in the twilight.

From the Rock Fort Temple in Trichy, you can see the foothills of the Western Ghats rising above the shimmering heat as the city sprawls beneath. The Cauvery River meanders past the massive Sri Rangathaswarmy Temple. Not only a temple, but a living city, the area within the four inner walls is dedicated to worship, whilst thousands live within the confines of its outer fortification.

Further south, an explosion of colour, sights and sounds greet you as you enter Madurai. Like the magnificent Sri Meenakshi Temple, the town is vibrant, energetic and bursting at its seams. The streets are thronged with bullock carts, rickshaw-wallahs and itinerant street tailors, all competing for space – a hive of activity from sunrise to well after dark.