Chennai - Chennai , formerly known as Madras is a 369-year-old city and the capital of the Southern State of Tamilnadu. It serves as one of the main gateways to South India and has a thriving local culture and art scene and is one of the major destinations for medical tourism. It is considered as one of the world's fastest growing cities.
Tirupati - Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam, or the abode of the Lord Tirupati, is probably Hindu India's most visited holy place. Situated amidst lush greenery atop a hill surrounded by outcroppings of red rock, the Tirupati temple which attracts the devout in thousands everyday, is dedicated to Sri Venkateswara. It is also known for being one of the richest shrines in the world.
Vellore - Vellore has the blend of rich heritage and culture representing the ancient Dravidan civilisation. Vellore Fort is the most prominent landmark in the city. The fort houses a church, a mosque and a Hindu temple, the latter known for its carvings.
Shopping in Tamil Nadu can be quite fruitful with so much to shop in almost every big town and city. The important shopping hubs in Tamil Nadu are as follows:** **
Chennai - The capital city of Chennai, which lies in the coastal region, has stalls lined on the footpaths around Parry's Corner. The market is also known to people as the Burma Bazaar; it is filled with items such as inexpensive electronic devices, watches and clothing. There are several hyper markets and malls as well. Visitors who wish to buy souvenirs can do so in the popular emporiums. Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan, Purbashree Emporium, Poompuhar Tamil Nadu Government Emporium and Central Cottage Industries Emporium are some of the popular emporiums. Nalli, one of the renowned sari brand stores with floors of ethnic and traditional garments has different branches spread across the city.
Madurai - When in Madurai, visitors can buy cotton fabrics with Batik work and Sungundi Saris, which are available in stores near the Meenakshi Temple. In Chidambaram, around the temple area there is the Khadi Craft Store that has a lot of curios for you to take home!
Mahabalipuram - Mahabalipuram is shopper's paradise for buying wonderful images of Hindu deities carved on soft stone or wood and decorative shells items. A few Kashmiri shops sell Hammocks and other handicraft items.
Kanchipuram - In Kanchipuram you can shop for some of the finest silk in the country. Weaving in Kanchipuram goes back almost 400 years. The silk in Kanchipuram is woven from silk worms bred purely on mulberry. Gandhi Road is a good place to pick up silk sarees. Nadu Street and TN Nambi Street also have some good shops that sell silk sarees. Other things of interest to shop in Kanchipuram include idols of gods and goddesses, jewellery boxes and other artifacts.
**Kanyakumari ** - Shopping in Kanyakumari can be a great experience, as there are handicraft products, sea-shell items, decorative pieces and dress materials that make for some great souvenirs to take back home. You may also like to buy beautiful palm leaf paintings or you may buy dress materials and traditional saris from the local shops. Visit the emporiums such as, The Tamil Nadu Co-optex Sales Emporium, Tamil Nadu Crafts and Poompuhar where you can buy various handicraft items and other materials.
Ooty - Shopping in Ooty can be fun and exciting. The hill station is well-known for its aromatic tea leaves, honey, natural oil and fruits. Some of the interesting items that you may buy from Ooty includes embroidered Toda shawls, Toda silver jewellery and other locally made handicraft items that make for some great souvenirs to take back home. The main shopping areas of Ooty include The Municipal Market, Co-operative Super Market, Upper and Lower Bazaar Roads. Main bazaar is the primary shopping location from where you may buy different varieties of tea.
Pondicherry - Shopping in Pondichery can be an experience in itself. You can buy the most exquisite gift items ranging from Southern silks and fabrics to hand-made clay and metal pendants to leather key rings and a whole range of incense sticks and aroma candles. While the gift shops and the ashram stores feature great home decor items and junk jewellery, the Auroville shops and boutiques are complete with artistic and intricate work handicrafts made by the people who live and work in the Aurobindo Ashram. The main Puducherry beach is a host to big and small stores for buying curios and other gift items.
Money- The currency of India is Indian Rupees (INR). The currency exchange departments are present in almost every Indian city. You can also exchange your currency in 5 star and 4 star hotels, no other currency is valid except for Indian currency (INR).** **
Best time to Visit- The weather in Tamil Nadu is pleasant between the months July-September and January-March.
Travel Kit- Comfortable loose clothing and light cotton clothes are ideal for the climate of Tamil Nadu
Language- Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu state. Tamil is spoken by most of the people while around ten percent of the people residing in Tamil Nadu speak Telugu. Other languages popular in the state are Kannada, Urdu and Malayalam (though they are spoken by much smaller percentage).
Drugs- Heavy penalties including imprisonment for possession of narcotic drugs.
Temple Codes- It is advisable to dress conservatively in temples.
Smoking- Smoking is banned in public places.
Festivals and Fairs- January and February are packed with cultural festivals in Tamil Nadu. Some of the popular festivals are as follows:
• The temple town of Chidambaram hosts the annual Natyanjali Dance Festival in February.
• The Mammalapuram Dance festival extends over a month from mid-January to mid-February. Besides these, both Trichy and Kanchipuram come alive with enthusiasm during their Car processions. Bedecked chariots carrying revered idols tour the city to the accompaniment of much fanfare.
• Madurai hosts the annual Float Festival in January. The Shiva Meenakshi idols are taken out of the temples and float in the Mariamman Teppakulum tank on decorated rafts for several days.
• Mid January is also the time of harvest and its celebration with the festival of Pongal.