Tamil Nadu is a southern state of India that is steeped in tradition and culture. Its capital, the city of Chennai, is one that has successfully updated itself through the different eras and now stands as one of the best cities in India and yet keeps relics from its past and proudly displays them to the world. However, while Chennai itself carries immense cultural and historical significance, for a vacation, there are perfect spots often hidden away from the tourist’s gaze just a few miles here and there. So, grab a flight to Chennai Airport and let us take you to these getaways:
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Mahabalipuram:
When kings still ruled in India, this town was the seat of the Pallava Dynasty and the main source of their political power. Other than this, it is also the place where the famous Shore temple was created. It is believed to be the sole survivor of out of seven similar stone-cut temples built during the 7th century Pallava rule. Other than this there is also the “Pancha Rath” a set of five monolithic temples dedicated to each of the five Pandava Brothers. All of these temples are embellished with rock-cut figurines of Hindu Gods and Goddesses and other mythological creatures. If you’re a fan of history, we would ask you to take a detour from your vacation and go visit Mahabalipuram.
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Pulicat:
A pretty little seaside idyll built on the island of Sriharikota, it is one of the most picturesque tourist spots in Tamil Nadu. Pulicat Lake is the second largest salt-water Lagoon in India. Beautiful scenery, plentiful greenery and a general serenity in the atmosphere make this an ideal spot for introspection if you are in dire need of some. There is also an annual Flamingo Festival that is held between mid-December and beginning of January when Flamingos from all over the world gather to nest on Pulicat.
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Kanchipuram:
It has the moniker of “the City of a thousand temples” and certainly lives up to that name. It houses hundreds of exquisite rock-cut and step pyramid style temples built between the 7th and the 9th centuries. The temples are beautifully preserved and are yet to be matched in grandeur by any other temple. Needless to say, that people flock in huge numbers to this place that remains so steeped in history to this day. Not only temples; Kanchipuram is also home to the oldest bird sanctuary in the country “Vednathangal Bird Sanctuary” that is every bird-lover and ornithologist’s paradise.
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Yercaud:
Located 370 km away from Chennai, on top of Sheravoy Hills, it is a quaint town surrounding a lake that lends it a certain picturesque charm of its own. Yercaud is famous for its coffee and tea and other plantation crops the majority of which lie along the famous “Loop Road”. A walk along this road alone can be very therapeutic for the soul as you walk by trees laden with all kinds of fruit, breathing in a slightly scented air of coffee and tea. Yercaud is also the primary centre for Tamil Nadu’s silk industry where silk worms are bred even today. IF you’re a lover of Nature’s Artwork or enjoy trekking, this would be worth it.
Chennai Airport is one of the best-connected airports in India, and so it is very easy getting to Chennai. Nowadays, even the websites of travel agencies have started putting Chennai on their list as the best. So next time you plan a vacation to the south make sure you plan it right and take Chennai and all of these places into consideration.