Destinations in Tamil Nadu to Experience History Coming Alive
From the mighty kingdoms such as Chera, Chola and Pandya to the rise of the Madras Presidency ruled by the British Raj directly, the region of Tamil Nadu has undergone many changes. Just reading about the story of the rise and fall of these empires in not doing justice to these glorious days gone by. To live and immerse in the history and see the historical places that have not only witnessed but also have been a part of this era as it was being made, a trip to these historical places to visit in Tamil Nadu is a must:
11 Historical Places to Visit in Tamil Nadu
- Chennai
- Mahabalipuram
- Madurai
- Thanjavur
- Kanchipuram
- Chidambaram
- Thiruvannamalai
- Chettinad
- Tranquebar
- Nagapattinam
- Kumbakonam
1. Chennai
The capital city of Tamil Nadu and one of the metropolitan cities in the country, Chennai is one city where you can still find a lot of reminiscence of the ancient period. In the metropolitan area of Chennai, you will be able to see around 2467 heritage buildings. To see the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, you can visit the Ripon Building, Madras University, and Queen Mary’s College. You will find here some of the best heritages in Tamil Nadu.
Best time to visit: October to March
2. Mahabalipuram
You can see several rock-cut caves and intricately carved temples in Mahabalipuram. The Shore Temple and the Five Rathas here are UNESCO world heritage sites. You will be able to find architecture in the town that date back to the 7th and 8th centuries.
Best time to visit: November to February
3. Madurai
If you are looking for Madurai historical places, you must visit Meenakshi Amman Temple here. This is one of the oldest temples not only in the state but also in the country. The architecture of the temple speaks a lot about the era when it was built.
Best time to visit: October to March
4. Thanjavur
Thanjavur has some of the major tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu. Some of the places with historical significance that you can visit in Thanjavur include Saraswathi Mahal Library, Maratha Palace, Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur Palace, etc. Thanjavur is also known for religious importance and you can take tour of several temples here.
Best time to visit: October to March
5. Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram is popularly known for its fine Kanchipuram sarees. However, that is not all that makes the city famous. Kanchipuram is also known for its beautiful ancient buildings with marvelous South Indian architecture. To see the one of a kind architecture, you can visit Kanchi Kamakshi Temple here.
Best time to visit: October to May
6. Chidambaram
Chidambaram is one of the cities in Tamil Nadu where you can see the actual Dravidian style architecture. Some of the popular attractions that you can visit in this city include Thillai Nataraja Temple, Thillai Kali Amman Temple, North Gopuram, Sri Pasupatheswarar Temple, etc.
Best time to visit: October to January
7. Thiruvannamalai
Located in Malai Hill, Thiruvannamalai is one of the holy towns in Tamil Nadu, which is famous for Arunachala Temple. To see the historical attractions in the town, you have to visit Annamalaiyar Temple, Gingee Fort, Virupaksha Cave, to name a few.
Best time to visit: October to March
8. Chettinad
Chettinad today is a famous destination for the foodies, especially for its Chettinad chicken. However, it is also a much sought after place for the history buffs. The grand architecture, rich heritage, and outstanding art of the city will make you fall for it. Some of the historical attractions that you must visit here include Chettinad Museum, Chettinad Palace, Chettinad Mansion, etc.
Best time to visit: November to March
9. Tranquebar
Tranquebar, also called as Tharagambadi, is one of the places in Tamil Nadu that is famous for its historical importance. You will be able to see a blend of Danish, British, German and French colonies spread in the city. Some of the places that you must visit here are the Dansborg Fort that was constructed with an aim to start a bilateral trade, the Zion Church that dates back to 1701, the New Jerusalem Church that was built in 1718, to name a few.
Best time to visit: August to February
10. Nagapattinam
Nagapattinam is one of the places in Tamil Nadu where you can find ancient monuments and buildings in almost every nook of the city. Some of the places that you must visit here are Dutch Fort, Archaeological Museum, Sikkal Singaravelar Temple, Kayarohanaswamy Temple, Soundaryaraja Perumal Temple, Nellukadai Mariamman Koil, amongst others.
Best time to visit: October to March
11. Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam is one of the oldest towns in the history of India. You can see many monuments here that date back to the era of Cholas. Some of the attractions that you must not miss out visiting include Nageswaran Temple, Airavatesvara Temple, Adi Kumbeshwara Temple, Sarangapani Temple, etc.
Best time to visit: November to February
These beautiful places which are associated with the past of the land, are a must see for any history aficionado or someone who is interested to see the history of Tamil Nadu more closely. The travelers can get to see many famous places in Tamil Nadu and experience the warm and welcoming hospitality of this place. If you wish to travel around to these historical places, car rental service by Revv is a great option to stay within the budget and enjoy the benefits of a well serviced vehicle. Just remember that the best time to visit in Tamil Nadu is between October and March, so that you can visit all the interesting places in the state and enjoy the pleasant weather.
