Tamil Nadu, formerly known as Madras State, is located in the south eastern side of Indian peninsula with Kanyakumari as the southernmost tip of the land.  This tip is the meeting point of Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian sea.  Tamil Nadu has a long eastern coastline dotted with enchanting beaches with Bay of Bengal in the east. Arabian sea and the states of Kerala and Karnataka form the boundary in the west. The state is bounded in the north by the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It spans an area of about 130,058 km² and the population of the state is over 62,110,839 . The state is watered by several perennial rain fed rivers and the 760 kilometre long Cauvery travels the entire breadth of the state. The state language is Tamil and the main religions in the state are Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
and Jainism. With forested slopes of the majestic hills of the Western Ghats, profuse incense of the towering temples and gopurams, vibrant festivals of music and dance,
shimmering silk fabrics of brilliant colours, and an endless array of silver lined beaches, Tamil Nadu also boasts of being the land of Dravidian culture and tradition.

Chennai : There are several tourist attractions worth visiting in and around Chennai. Stretched over an area of 13 km, Marina Beach is the second longest beach in the world. The St. George Fort, built in 1653, is currently used as the state government's secretariat. Santhome Cathedral was built around 14th/15th century and is another colonial structure worth visiting. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kapaleeshwar Temple is the oldest temple in Chennai. Another important temple in the city dedicated to Lord Krishna is Parthsarthy Temple. The National Art Gallery, initially known as Victoria Memorial Hall, houses a good collection of old paintings and sculptures. The Snake Park has a large collection of snakes and many other reptiles. The Theosophical Society is located in large and tranquil gardens with several shrines of different faiths and a Serene Garden of Remembrance. Nearby is the Kalakshetra, which was founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale for the revival of Indian classical arts and crafts traditions.

Kanyakumari : is located in the state of Tamil Nadu and it is the southernmost point of the Indian peninsula. The enchanting natural beauty of this place attracts hordes of tourists from far corners of India and the world at large. The place is blessed with a pleasant climate and you will come across several places of tourist interest that are located here. The tourist attractions in Kanyakumari are chiefly of religious and historic importance. The sea shore of Kanyakumari is well-known for exquisite sunset and sunrise. Kanyakumari Temple also known as Kumari Amman is located on the shore and is devoted to a manifestation of Parvati. The temple is located picturesquely and commands breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty. You will be amazed to find that the diamond nose ring of the deity can even be witnessed from the sea. The Kanyakumari tourist attractions are must watch for the tourists since they are instances of the age-old culture, heritage and civilization of this place.

Kodaikanal : is a hill resort in Tamil Nadu, which mesmerizes you with its beauty and tranquility. A honeymooners' haven, Kodaikanal nestles beautifully amidst the folds of the Pali hills. The pride of Kodaikanal is the 'Kurinji-flower', which blossoms once in 12 years, imparting an ethereal beauty to the hills. Kodaikanal seems to be bestowed with all forms of beauty by Nature-majestic hills, mighty rocks, beautiful waterfalls, a serene lake, fruit orchards, lush flora -which makes it one of the most popular hill stations in South India. The tourist attractions in Kodaikanal are Berijam Lake, one of the beautiful picnic spots in Kodai in the heart of Kodai town, about 21-km away from the bus stand. Bryant Park situated on the eastern side of the lake, is noted for flowers, hybrids and rafts.

Madurai : is an exquisite city which is most popular for its marvelous temples that are magnificent examples of rich architecture and breathtaking sculptural works. Madurai is located in Tamil Nadu and attracts numerous tourists all the year round by its inescapable charm. There are many tourist attractions in Madurai that are reminiscent of the rich culture and heritage of this town during the ancient and medieval ages.

Trichy : Giant rock-hewn temples that dot over the townscape are the main tourist attractions in Trichy. During the rule of the Cholas, the Pallavas and the Pandyas, the art of hewing the rocks attained an enviable glory. The testimony of amazing perfection lies in the elaborate carvings in the tourist attractions in Trichy. The way they have had chiseled out myths and legends on the lifeless rocks would enthrall you thoroughly as you visit the tourist attractions in Trichy.

Mahabalipuram : is renowned for its sculpted reliefs, rathas and the magnificent Shore Temple. Among the reliefs, Arjuna's Penance is fascinating. It is a colossal art form, 27 meters long and 9 meters high and is perhaps the world's largest sculpted base -relief. It depicts the descent of the Ganga and scenes form the Panchatantra. Varaha Cave is a small rock cut mandapam (hall) with two incarnations of Vishnu-Varaha (boar) and Vamana (dwarf). It also has four brilliant panels of the famous Pallava doorkeepers. Amidst casuarinas trees are the famous rathas (chariots). The Pancha Pandava Rathas, as they are called, are five in number. Among the rock-cut temples, the Krishna Temple is one of the oldest. The walls of the temples depict scenes of pastoral life, one with the image of Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill in his fingertips to protect his people from Indra.The most spectacular sight at Mahabalipuram is the Shore Temple a sentinel of history standing up against the lashing waves. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is a visual delight with a plethora of architectural display like the compound wall lined with charming sculptures of Nandi, the bull and the figure of Vishnu in the sanctum sanctorum.

Rameshwaram : There is a plethora of tourist attractions in Rameswaram which beautify the city. Renowned as the Varanasi of the South, Rameswaram is one of the foremost religious cities in Tamil Nadu. An important pilgrimage center for both Shaivites and Vaishnavaites, it was at Rameswaram where Lord Rama (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the Indian epic - The Ramayana) performed thanksgiving rituals to Lord Shiva after his triumph over the demon king Ravana in the                                                         battle at Sri Lanka. Rameswaram is located on eastern side of the island in the Gulf of Mannar.

Thanjavur : Once the stronghold of the Cholas , the city of Tanjore has a host of tourist attractions in Tanjore. Magnificent temples, historical palaces, museums make for the main tourist attractions in Tanjore. During the rule of ancient dynasties, architectural skill rose to a splendid height in south India. No wonder that as many as 74 temples lie in and around the city to speak for the Dravidian temple                                                            architecture. Ruins of many other historic monuments bear testimony to the same.

Ooty : If you are on a sightseeing tour to Ooty, you might want to visit the Government Botanical gardens, which were laid out in 1847.The picturesque gardens that are maintained by the Horticulture department of the state, cover an area of about 22 hectares. The Gardens have well over 650 species of plants and trees, including a fossil of a tree, which is believed to be more than 20 million years old. The garden is very popular with nature lovers and those who long to walk among greenery and see rare ferns and shrubs up close. If you are in Ooty in the month of May, then you can also be a part of the summer festival, which is held here annually. The festival holds flower shows and various cultural programs showcasing the talent of the locals and the renowned artists.

Coimbatore : Besides being an industrial hub, Coimbatore is also important for tourism in Tamilnadu and South India as it provides access to many important tourist spots of the region. The city itself has many interesting places to visit.