India is known as a land of temples. And one state where you find stunning, historic temples in abundance is Tamil Nadu. Located in south India, the state of Tamil Nadu is slowly emerging as one of India’s finest tourism jewels. In fact, Tamil Nadu is India’s top state in domestic and foreign tourist arrivals. While Tamil Nadu is renowned for the brilliant architecture of its temples, it is also home to some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the country. From the diverse wildlife to the lip-smacking cuisine, from the breathtaking waterfalls to the vast shorelines, Tamil Nadu is a delight for all kinds of travelers. In a lot of ways, Tamil Nadu is the perfect gateway to Indian history and culture for foreign tourists. Its pleasant hill stations make great holiday spots for local travelers. No wonder Tamil Nadu featured on New York Times’ list of mus-visit places in 2016. The winter months, when the weather here is wonderful and extremely suitable for sight-seeing, attracts several tourists. However, if you look past the regular tourist attractions, Tamil Nadu can awe you even more. Here are 10 offbeat places to visit in Tamil Nadu for those who like to explore undiscovered places.
Theni
Photograph Courtesy: Prasanth Chandran/Creative Commons
Known for the Thousand Lingam temple, Theni is a lovely village in the Theni district. It is home to some of the most amazing hill stations like Meghamalai and Vellimalai. It also has some mesmerizing waterfalls like the Kumbakkarai Falls and the Suruli Aravu. There are a number of temples here that will take you back in time with their stunning Dravidian architecture. Theni, on account of its beautiful hills, is also a great trekking and camping spot. The monsoons are the best time to visit Theni for its green scenic splendor.
Pollachi
Photograph Courtesy: Valliravindran/Creative Commons
Located in Tamil Nadu’s famous Coimbatore district, Pollachi is a hidden delight for nature lovers. It is surrounded by scenic places to visit like the beautiful Azhiyar Dam and the famous Anamalai Wildlife sanctuary. Parambikulam Dam and National Park is also located nearby making this place a favorite of wildlife lovers. Pollachi is also a very popular marketplace with a large market for jaggery and South India’s largest cattle display too.
Tharangambadi
Photograph Courtesy: Esben Agersnap/Wikimedia Commons
Formerly known as Tranquebar, Tharangambadi is a beautiful destination located in the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. It is also called ‘The Town of Dancing waves’ as it is a surge inclined zone. Once, a huge wave killed around 800 fishermen here making the wave turbulence quite infamous. Tharangambadi serves as a quiet, rural, sluggish getaway for those who like offbeat vacations. Places like Fort Dansborg built in 1620, the Danish musuem and the Masilamaniswara Temple are not to be missed. There is also a 150-year old building here which has been converted into a heritage hotel.
Hogenakkal Falls
Photograph Courtesy: Mithun Kundu: Wikimedia Commons
Located in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, Hogenakkal Falls are just 180 km fro Bangalore and serve as a great getaway for nature lovers. These spectacular falls are often dubbed as the Niagara Falls of India. Their medicinal baths and boat rides are not to be missed. The Carbonatite rocks here are believed to be the oldest of their kind in south Asia. The best time to visit these falls are just after monsoon but in case you do not like the crowds, winter is your best bet to enjoy the beauty and magnificence of this place.
DO SEE Have you visited these 5 hill stations in Tamil Nadu?
Valparai
Photograph Courtesy: Thangaraj Kumaravel/Wikimedia Commons
Located at an altitude of 3500 ft above sea level, Valparai is one of the most picturesque and pleasant hill stations of Tamil Nadu. The road to Valparai is a thrilling one with several twists and turns but beautiful views at every nook and corner. The tea estates of Valparai are particularly famous and ideal for long, rejuvenating walks. Since Valparai falls in the Anamalai Hill range of the Western Ghats, it is surrounded by greenery and breathtaking landscapes.
Dhanushkodi
Photograph Courtesy: Armstrongvimal/Wikiemedia Commons
Another offbeat places in Tamil Nadu that has gained some recognition over the past few years is Dhanushkodi, the quaint “ghost town” on the south-eastern tip of Pamban island. (DO SEE The haunting real-life story of a ghost town called Dhanushkodi) The Dhanushkodi beach is the prime attraction here but the remains of old times and the sleepy ambiance here cannot be missed. The shoreline is vast and the water clear. It is a great place away from the rest of the world for an offbeat trip.
Palani Hills
The Palani or Palni hills are the eastern extension of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. They are known for their stunning panoramic views of the ranges as well as their pleasant weather. They make for a great trekking trail and are a delight for nature lovers. Covering a vast area of over 2,000 sq km, the Palani hills are one of the lesser explored places of Tamil Nadu. The Murugan shrine located here is of interest to several local pilgrims.
Kalrayan Hills
Photograph Courtesy: Manoj M Shenoy/Wikimedia Commons
Located in the Eastern ghats of Tamil Nadu, the Kalrayan Hills fall between the Kaveri river basin and the Palar river basin. The Pappanaikan Patti Dam at 55 ft is quite an attraction. Waterfalls like the Periyar and Megam falls are not to be missed when you are here. Surrounded by greenery and fresh air, the Kalrayan falls are perfect for a weekend getaway amidst nature. Best time to visit the Kalrayan hills is during the monsoon season when everything is lush green.
NOW SEE Top 5 temples of Tamil Nadu you simply cannot afford to miss
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