Tamil Nadu is a beautiful state nestled in the southern Indian peninsula, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal and the deep blue Indian Ocean . It is a heady combination of tropical climate, cooler hill resorts, ancient culture, and friendly people making it an ideal holiday destination. The pride of many Tamils is the language Tamil itself. Scholars recognize Tamil to be one of India 's two languages of antiquity. One of the distinguishing features of Tamil is that it has three different forms of the sound "l". In fact, the correct pronunciation of "Tamil" sounds like "Tamizh" for which there is no phonetic equivalent in most other languages. Today, there are sizable Tamil speaking populations in Sri Lanka , Malaysia , Singapore , Mauritius and other countries.

There are more than 30,000 temples in this sate; which has given Tamil Nadu the title, " Land of Temples ". The Tamils have always been a God fearing lot and are ardent worshippers of Shiva, Vishnu, Parvati and Lakshmi Subramanya. Vinayaka or Pillayar is perhaps the most worshipped of the gods and is also called Ganapati or Ganesh. He is the elephant headed elder son of Lord Shiva and Parvati and is extremely benign in appearance. During any festival or celebration, worship of this God is given precedence over the other.

Touristic places in Tamil Nadu
Madras , Kanchipuram, Pondicherry , Tarangambadi (Tranquebar), Swamimalai, Gangaikondacholapuram, Madurai , Kodaikanal, (Udhagamandalam), Coonoor, Mahabalipuram, Vedantangal, Chidambram, Tanjore, Trichy, Karakkudi, Alagarkoil, Kanniyakumari, Ooty, Mudumalai Sanctuary

Festivals of Tamil Nadu
Music and dance festival, Christmas festival, Jallikattu-bull fight, Pongal, Tourist fair (fairlands or island grounds - Chennai), Chithirai festival, Dance festivals – Mamallapuram, Natyanjali dance festivals, Mahamagam festival, Arubathimoovar festival, Saral vizha (kuttalm or courtallm), Kanthuri festival, Kavadi festival, Velankanni festival, Navarathri, Karthigai deepam, Music festival

India Travel Destination Guide

Indian embassies outside

Indian embassies Australia High Commission; 3-5 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600® 02/6273 3999, © 62731308,® hicanb@ozemail.com.au. Consulates; Level 27,25 Bligh St, Level 27, Sydney, NSW 2000® 02/9223 9500,® 9223 9246,® indianc@enternet.com.au; 15 Munro St, Coburg, Melbourne, Vic 3058® 03/9384 0141, ® 9384 1609. Honorary Consulates; Level 1, Terrace Hotel, 195

Contacts for disabled travelers in India

Contacts for disabled travelers Britain and Ireland Can Be Done 7-11 Kensington High St, London W8 5NP ® 020/8907 2400. Specialist tour operators for the disabled. Carefree Holidays 64 Florence Rd, Northampton NN1 4NA © 01604/634301. Specialist tour operators for the disabled. Holiday Care Service 2nd Floor, Imperial Buildings, Victoria

Bus Service for Getting Around Delhi

Private deluxe buses are faster and more comfortable than state buses, usually depart from near the Ramakrishna Mission at the end of Main Bazaar, Paharganj, but some pick up passengers at hotels. Delhi is at the centre of an extensive bus network covering much of north India's neighbouring states. The

Information for Women travellers

India is not a country that provides huge obstacles to women travellers petty Indian streets are almost without exception male-dominated - something that may take a bit of getting used to, particularly when you find yourself subjected to incessant staring, whistling and name calling. This can usually be stopped by ignoring

People & Religion of Rajasthan

The People Rajasthan according to the 2001 census has a population of 56.5 million. Rajasthan has a large indigenous populace Minas (Minawati) in Alwar, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Dholpur areas. The Meo and the Banjara are travelling tradesmen and artisans. The Gadia Lohar is the Lohar meaning ironsmith who travels on Gadia meaning

Electricity in India

Generally 220V 50Hz AC, though direct current supplies also exist, so check before plugging in. Most sockets are triple round-pin (accepting European-size double round-pin plugs). British, Irish and Australasian plugs will need an adaptor, preferably universal; American and Canadian appliances will need a transformer too, unless multi-voltage. Power cuts and

Hospitals in Delhi

Following is the list of major Hospitals in Delhi with their Phone Numbers AIIMS 91 - 11 - 2686 4851 Bansal Hospital & Res. Ctr. (P) Ltd. 91 - 11 - 2326 1072 Bara Hindu Rao Hospital 91 - 11 - 2291 9706 91 - 11 - 2291 9562 Batra Hospital & Medical Res.

Airline Services from Delhi

Airline Services Flights can be taken from Delhi Domestic Airport The various airlines that operate in India are: Indian Airlines (Govt. Operated) Jet Airways (Privately Runned) Air Sahara (Privately Runned) Air Deccan (Privately Runned) Spice Jet (Privately Runned) Kingfisher (Privately Runned) Delhi to: Agra (INDIAN AIRLINES 4 weekly; 35min); Ahmedabad (INDIAN AIRLINES, JET AIRWAYS 3-5 daily; 1 hr 25min);

International Airlines Offices in New Delhi

Internation Airlines with thier office addresses: Aeroflot, Tolstoy House, 15-17 Tolstoy Marg; Air Canada, 1st floor, ALPs Building, 56 Janpath 0014; Air France, 7 Atma Ram Mansion, Scindia House, Connaught Place; Air India, Jeevan Bharati Building, opposite Palika Bazaar, Connaught Place; Air Lanka, Room 1, Hotel Janpath, Janpath Air Ukraine, C-37,

Internet access in Delhi

Internet access is as easy as getting a telephone booth in delhi. You can find internet cafes is most of the parts of Delhi. Prices range from a mere Rs10 per hour to around Rs100 per hour but make sure you check your connection by surfing first. Paharganj teems with