International Journal of World Research, Vol: I Issue XXXVI, December 2016, Print ISSN: 2347-937X www.apjor.com Page 107 PERFORMANCE AND STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN TAMILNADU 1 Dr. M. RAJARAJAN 1 Assistant Professor, Commerce Wing, DDE, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608 002 2 Dr. T. MALATHI 2 Assistant Professor, PG and Research Department of Commerce, Poompuhar College (Autonomous), Melaiyur-Post, Sirkali- Taluk, Nagapattinam- Dist, Pin -609 107 3 Dr. V. PALANISAMY 3 Assistant Professor, PG Department of Commerce, Government Thirumagal Mills College, Gudiyatham, Vellore dist. ABSTRACT India is fast emerging as an important tourism destination in the World. International arrivals touched 5 million per year. The campaign “Incredible India” which showcases the best that India has to offer to the tourists has now attracted worl dwide attention. The proactive policies of the Government of India are encouraging tourism in India. Andhra Pradesh is the leading State in the country in attracting maximum number of domestic tourists. In 2012, 157 million domestic tourists visited Andhra Pradesh. This marks an increase of 14% over 2011. The next four states after Andhra Pradesh along with 2012 domestic visitors ‟ figures are Uttar Pradesh (134 million), Tamil Nadu (115 million), Karnataka (32.8 million) and Rajasthan (25.9 million). These five states accounted for about 72% of the total domestic tourist visits in 2012. The top five states for international visitors are New Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Andhra Pradesh for the first time in 2012 figures in the top 10 states at number 7 in terms of international arrivals.
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International Journal of World Research, Vol: I Issue XXXVI, December 2016, Print ISSN: 2347-937X
www.apjor.com Page 107
PERFORMANCE AND STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM
IN TAMILNADU
1Dr. M. RAJARAJAN
1Assistant Professor, Commerce Wing, DDE,
Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608 002
2Dr. T. MALATHI
2Assistant Professor, PG and Research Department of Commerce,
Poompuhar College (Autonomous), Melaiyur-Post,
Sirkali- Taluk, Nagapattinam- Dist, Pin -609 107
3Dr. V. PALANISAMY
3Assistant Professor, PG Department of Commerce,
Government Thirumagal Mills College, Gudiyatham, Vellore dist.
ABSTRACT
India is fast emerging as an important tourism destination in the World. International arrivals touched 5 million per year.
The campaign “Incredible India” which showcases the best that India has to offer to the tourists has now attracted worldwide
attention. The proactive policies of the Government of India are encouraging tourism in India. Andhra Pradesh is the leading
State in the country in attracting maximum number of domestic tourists. In 2012, 157 million domestic tourists visited Andhra
Pradesh. This marks an increase of 14% over 2011. The next four states after Andhra Pradesh along with 2012 domestic visitors‟
figures are Uttar Pradesh (134 million), Tamil Nadu (115 million), Karnataka (32.8 million) and Rajasthan (25.9 million). These
five states accounted for about 72% of the total domestic tourist visits in 2012. The top five states for international visitors are
New Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Andhra Pradesh for the first time in 2012 figures in the top
10 states at number 7 in terms of international arrivals.
International Journal of World Research, Vol: I Issue XXXVI, December 2016, Print ISSN: 2347-937X
www.apjor.com Page 108
INTRODUCTION
Human civilization has been associated with a number of activities, invention and innovation results in the changes of the
man life, such aspects of life got strengthened and sophisticated over the decades. The inventions like money and printing press
come up, through men worked hard to ensure and excel in a good number of awareness; he had a wonder last too. After hard
work, man felt the necessity for some relaxation, leisure times have been spent in a variety of ways, modes and musings.
Logically the development of the several types of transport and system, schemes and attractions influenced travel and tours, in due
course, the tourism industry was born.
Tourism industry is one of the growth engines for economic development in terms of providing employment opportunity
and eradication of poverty. The economic importance of tourism in terms of income, foreign exchange earnings, employment and
regional development is the important driving force to place tourism approximately in development. The liberlisation, luxury
cruisers, open-sky activation policy, improved surface transport, tourist trains, increased business travel and internet facilities have
shaped a standard change in the tourism sector. From a mere service industry, tourism has transformed into a major revenue
generating industry.
Tourism refreshes the mind, brings happiness, relaxation, employment and gives new experience to the tourists. Tourism
ensures an all round growth through economic multiplier effect which percolates to various stake-holding sectors like the airlines,
railways, surface transport, hotels, telecommunication. From a service sector, tourism has emerged as leading export industry like
Gems and Jewellery Industry, Information Technology and Engineering Products.
DEFINITION OF TOURISM
According to Macintosh and Goeldner (1986) tourism is “the sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from the
interaction of tourists, business suppliers, host governments and host communities in the process of attracting and hosting these
tourists and other visitors”
Matheson and Wall (1982) created a good working definition of tourism as “the temporary movement of people to
destinations outside their normal places of work and residence, the activities undertaken during their stay in those destinations,
and the facilities created to cater to their needs.”
IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM
Tourism is a highly labour intensive industry offering employment to both the semi-skilled and unskilled human beings. It is a
source of income and employment for individuals. This aspect of provision of employment becomes more important in a
developing country where the level of unemployment and under-employment tends to be high. In addition to providing
employment to a large number of people, tourism can be the instrument of regional development aimed at achieving an equitable
balance between major industrial areas and the rest of the country. Tourism enables the earned in one part of the country to be
transferred to another part of the country.
Today tourism is a major item for international trade perhaps the biggest international business activity. International tourism is
the largest single item in the world foreign trade and for some countries; it is already the most important export industry and
earner of foreign exchange.
FEATURES OF TOURISM
It is important to understand the features of tourism. Tourism can be an engine of growth capable of dynamizing and
rejuvenating other sectors of the economy for a number of reasons:
Tourism Industry provide Employment Opportunity
This industry properly organised and focused, the tourism sector can create many jobs within a short period.
Tourism Sector is a Labour-Intensive
The tourism industry has the lowest ratio of investment to job creation. This sector creates more jobs with less capital
invested and many tourism activities are within the reach of the small operator.
Tourism Employs a Multiplicity of Skills
Tourism industry employs many skills like accountants, hairdressers to tour guides, trackers etc. industry draws upon a
multiplicity of skills. Moreover, the potential for on-the job training is enormous.
The Tourism Industry builds Entrepreneurial Opportunities
The tourism industry accommodates a thriving and dynamic informal sector - from craft and fruit vendors to beach
vendors, chair rentals, and others. This sector also provided opportunities to many businesses such as: entertainment, laundry and
transportation services, craft rental; craft and curios tour guides and walking tours of places of interest; teaching of languages and
customs to interested visitors; restaurants; guest houses; beach manicures and pedicures; and much more.
Tourism Industry Brings the Development of Rural Areas
Many of the important tourism attractions are not located in the city centres but in the rural areas. Tourism industry
allows rural peoples to share in the benefits of tourism development, promoting more balanced and sustainable forms of
development. Tourism provides an alternative to urbanisation, permitting people to continue a rural family existence,
enfranchising both women and the youth.
Well-Managed Tourism is kind to the Environment
The well-managed tourism industry is to help to save the environment unlike the mining and other smoke stack industry.
Many forms of tourism development rely on maintaining and even repairing the landscape and its natural features such as lakes,
rivers, and wildlife areas. Many state and private sector projects have spent large amounts on rehabilitating land damaged by
commercial farming and other forms of land-use. Tourism industry is responsibility for the protection of biodiversity on land used
for its purpose.
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Tourism builds Cross-Cultural Relations and is a Valid Force for Peace Through its inherent message of goodwill, hospitality, trust, service without servility, tolerance, interaction and
communication, tourism is a most effective mechanism for fostering national and international cultural exchange and
understanding among people. It is therefore an effective nation-builder and a strong incentive and reason for peace.
REVIEW OF PREVIOUS LITERATURE
Satya Suresh (2011), in his study on “Promoting Health Tourism in India an exploratory Study on the Role of Special
and corporate hospitals in Bangalore” concluded that the role of hospital management in promoting medical Tourism is vital.
Their interface with the various stakeholders can create synergy and common platform for promoting medical tourism to India.
Doctor‟s expertise and their networking can enhance the scope of this field.
Manish Srivastava (2009), in his study found there is tremendous hike in tourism in all over the world. Even tourism
has got the status of largest export industry of the world. The estimates about tourism says that the number of tourists leaving their
home is 898 million in 2007 and this number is likely to swell to 1600 million by 2020 and the receipts from it are estimated to
cross $ 2000 billion. Although the benefits of tourism are not to be judged in terms of economic benefits alone, tourism has wider
implications encompassing not only economic benefits but also social and cultural benefits as Well.
Vikas Sharma and Sunil Giri (2009), in their study stated that the pilgrims of all castes and classes of different states
and countries have devotion and faith in the matter of religious worship. It is believed that there is a sacred aim being this and that
aim is to fulfill the desire of obtaining “Punya” (merit) and to get rid of „Paap” (sin) apart from their personal motives. They
concluded from the analysis that the pilgrim tourists to Shiv Kkhori and Jwalaji have been facing many problems regarding
transport infrastructure facilities during their pilgrimage to these Holy shrines.
Sheaba Rani, (2007), opines that marketing is a critical aspect of tourism development plans as it links the supply of
tourism product to demand for the same and thus facilitates the capturing value. Marketing includes identification of the target
market, creating awareness of the destination and specific sites, dissemination information to the target customers to facilities
itinerary planning and promoting tourism demand through various mean. So the author suggests that in-order to attract the target
segment, an aggressive marketing and promotional plan should be implemented using a media.
PROBLEMS OF THE STUDY
This as a fact growing sector and has been endowed with vast and inexhaustible potentials to enhance national income,
foreign exchange and employment opportunities. The system and style of travel and tour have duly attracted the attention of both
developed and developing economies of the world.
The main reason for such an emphasis has been the vast benefits made available by this sector. There is a strong
complementary inter-linking between the endowments. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) - (1998) has recognized the
potentials of the tourism sector for the purpose of poverty alleviation, and employment generation. The almost all the countries in
the world moped up the resources to give a big push to tourism industry.
Tourism has emerged as a major socio-economic factor in the world and is the1 second largest industry in the world next
only to oil. Tourism has been identified as one of the world‟s largest industries having an annual growth of 5 per cent and more
during the past two decades.
Tamil Nadu is the southern state of India is described as a microcosm of the Nation. The Tami Nadu has diverse
geographical and physical features such as lofty mountains and low plains, rivers and cascades, seacoast and inland forests, sandy,
soils and fertile lands, a variety of flora and fauna and protected wild life. The glory of Tamil Nadu is the pride of the Tamils. The
crawling clouds on the Western Ghats, Picturesque Pothigai hills, Hogenakkal Waterfalls and the Courtallam Waterfalls are the
special features which make Tamil Nadu unique. The Western Ghats are the origin of a number of rivers having their course in
Tamil Nadu and they are Kaveri, Thenpennai, Palar, Thamirabarani, Kundaru, Pachaiaru, and Manimuthar. As a result of these
rivers, the Tamil Nadu is fertile and prosperous. Across these rivers several dams have been constructed for irrigation purpose.
Many factors hamper the development of tourism in Tamil Nadu. Tourism in Tamil Nadu has not much more attention
by the government. The avenues for the various kinds of tourism in this Tamil Nadu are not fully explored and deficiencies and
problems are not much assessed. An in depth study on the demographic profile of tourists, various tourism avenues, tourism
amenities and facilities and tourism related issues and problems in this Tamil Nadu will help promote tourism. This study makes
an attempt to analyse the pace and pattern of inflow of tourist into Tamil Nadu and to estimate the growth and development of
tourism industry in the study area during the study period.
TYPES OF TOURISM
The tourism based on the purpose and areas of visit can be classified into several types. The process of evolution has kept
a fast pace with tourism. Consequently, a number of types of tourism came into vogue over the years. The major types of tourism
are the following:
Cultural Tourism
Its aim is to experience new cultural activities and aspects namely, folklore, art, music. It is undertaken to gain more
knowledge about people around and their respective culture. India is known for its rich cultural heritage that is foreign tourists
also come to India to experience it for them. The various fairs and festivals that tourists can visit in India are the pusher fair, Taj
Mahotsav, and Suraj Kund mela. This type of tourism in India has boosted the Indian economy.
International Tourism
This involves visiting the place in foreign countries. People involved in this tourism manly seek a change and rest. It
earns foreign exchange for a country.
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Historical Tourism/Heritage Tourism
This involves visit to heritage locations, museums, monuments etc. Visiting of Agra Fort, Mysore Palace, Thanjavur Art
Gallery etc. are the example of this kind of tourisms.
Inter- Regional Tourism
This involves visiting the places within a country by its own people.
Environmental Tourism
The higher income groups in particular are interested in visiting remote environments with scenic beauty, serenity and
calmness. In this type of tourism, the tourists mainly seek relaxation and rest.
Adventure Tourism
As a kind of tourism, adventure tourism has recently grown in India. This involves exploration of remote areas and exotic
locales and engaging in various activities. It is a tourism involving travel to rugged regions, or adventurous sports such as
mountaineering and hiking (tramping). The lush greenery of the valleys, splendid sites, the hill tops, blue water, sunny days and
starry nights, boating, canoeing, trekking, rock climbing and parasailing are the different branches of adventure.
Medical Tourism/ Health Care tourism
Medical tourism is a concept that is attractive to visitors who love combining well being and life style, health care service
with the strong desire to travel overseas. With the cost of medical care being about 10 times cheaper in India, health tourism is
also emerging as an important segment. Tourists from all over the world have been thronging India to avail themselves of cost-
effective but superior quality healthcare in terms of surgical procedures and general medical attention. There are several medical
institutes in the country that cater to foreign patients and impart top-quality healthcare at a fraction of what it would have cost in
developed nations such as USA and UK. It is expected that medical tourism India will hold a value around US$ 2billion by
2012.The city of Chennai attracts around 45 per cent of medical tourists from foreign countries. The advanced care that is not
available in one‟s own country, long waiting lists in one‟s own country and use of free or cheap health care organizations are the
grounds in which medical tourism gets its attraction.
Eco Tourism
Eco tourism is a purposeful travel to nature‟s lap within a country to understand its nature and nature and natural history.
It is management of ecology in such a way as to obtain maximum pleasure with an eye on conservation need. Countries like
Kenya, Costa Rice Canada and the United states have made concerted effort to promote eco tourism. Eco tourism also involves
participation of the local community in nature tourism project. Eco systems have to become major eco tourism centres. These
include biosphere, reserves, mangroves, coral reefs, deserts, mountains and forests, flora and fauna lakes and caves, sustainable
tourism which has minimal impact on the environment, such as safaris in Kenya Rainforests
Rural Tourism
In a country like India, rural tourism deserves special attention. It signifies the tourist‟s interest in the customs of the
indigenous and exotic people. Foreign tourists are deeply interested in local customs, festival, dances, and rituals and in fact the
very life style of the indigenous people intrigues them. Rural tourism development is community-based.it benefits the local
community in more than one way, but cross commercialization. It should help revive local people‟s interest and pride in their
culture traditions and to sustain the environment.
Pilgrimage Tourism /Spiritual Tourism
Pilgrimages have created a variety of tourist opportunities in medieval period and even in today‟s modern tourism, they
stand as an important stream of tourism. From time immemorial man has been an eye witness to all kinds of religious activities
and expeditions to holy shrines and sacred places.
Health Tourism
Health tourism aims usually to escape from cities or relieve stress, perhaps for some „fun in the sun‟. As number of
doctors have highlighted the benefits of bathing in sea water, even sea bathing has become a part of health tourism. Even though
health tourism existed long before, it gained importance during eighteenth century.
Winter Tourism
Winter sports and snows contribute to winter tourism. Many water sports holiday packages are available at places in
many countries apart from Ski and Snow festival tours organized annually.
Wildlife Tourism
India has a rich forest cover which has some beautiful and exotic species of wildlife- some of which that are even
endangered and very rare. This has boosted wildlife tourism in India.
STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM
To develop the Rural Tourism to generate rural employment and provide alternative tourist attractions.
To develop the major destinations to the level of international standards for attracting foreign tourists.
To develop less known tourism place, waterfalls and dam sites to attract both domestic and foreign tourists.
Developing pilgrim by providing infrastructure facilities.
Encouraging Medical Tourism by providing quality services at affordable cost in the super specialty Hospitals.
Developing Tamil Nadu as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) destination to attract group
tourists.
Publicizing the festivals Like Pongal, Indian Dance Festival, Chithirai festival, Heritage festival etc.
To promote Arts, Crafts, Folklore, Rural Cuisine through Tourism.
Conducting Publicity campaigns in all major cities in India and abroad and participating in the International Travel
Marts.
To encourage the participating of corporate sector, oil companies for increasing certain tourist infrastructure facilities like
adventure tourism, cruses, star hotels, resorts, air- charter tours, heli-taxi and wayside facilities close to petrol- pumps.
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Human Resource Development in Tourism and Hospitality sector by conducting management courses at various
educational institutions and training programmes for tourist for tourist guides.
TOURISM IN TAMIL NADU - SCENARIO Tamil Nadu has excellent hill stations like Ooty, kodaikanal, yercaud, yelagiri, Javvadhu Hills, Kovil Hills, Sirumalai
Hills, Vaparai, Topslip, Parvathamalai Hills and Pachamalai Hills. It has silvery cascades in Courtallam, Hogenakkal,
Thiruparappu, Money falls, Thirumurthi Malai, Akasa Gangai and papanasam. It has excellent National parks like Guindy
National park and Anamalai National park. It has wildlife sanctuaries in Mudumalai, Kodiakarai, Kalakkad, Mundanthurai and
Berijam. It has Botanic Gardens in Ooty, Kodaikanal and Coimbatore.
It has UNESCO declared monuments like living Chola temple at Thanjavur, Darasuram and Gangaikondacholapuram,
monuments at Mamallapuram and Nilgiris Heritage Train. The vast coastline of Tamil Nadu has many silvery beaches like the
Marina, Elliots, Thiruvanmiyua, Tiruchendur, Rameswaram and Kanniyakumari. The temple of Tamil Nadu reverberates with
spirituality and music. Madurai, Rameswaram, Kumbakonam, Chidambaram, Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli have innumerable
temple with different deities. The finely hewn grandeurs reflect artistic excellence and cultural splendor.
As Tamil Nadu has its unique culture and abundant tourism potential, domestic tourists and tourist from abroad throng
the tourist sports throughout the year. The spot get overcrowded during the seasons. To facilitate the tourists, Tamil Nadu Tourism
Development Corporation has been taking enduring efforts to promote tourist place by providing basic infrastructure like
publication convenience, rest shed, drinking water, road improvement, car parking and creation of parks, boat house development
and illumination for the benefit of tourists.
TAMIL NADU TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (TNTDC)
The Tamil Nadu Tourism comprises of organizational structure of the Department of Tourism and a Directorate of
Tourism. The Department formulates polices and implements programmes for the development of tourism sector in the State.
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation is a state owned public sector undertaking to initiate novel ventures and
innovative new schemes for providing demonstration effect to the private sector. In performing this role, Tamil Nadu Tourism
coordinates the activities of various Government Department and agencies and the private sector for the development of tourism.
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has been operating Hotels, Youth Hostels, Restaurants, Boat houses,
Telescope house houses as a forerunner for the private sector to emulate as ne areas of business proposition.
IMPORTANT PLACES IN TAMIL NADU AND FEATURES
Kanchipuram Kanchipuram city is located on the shores of the Vegavathy River. The city alsi ruled by various dynasties of the Pandya,
Cholas, the Vijaynagar Empire, the Carnatic kingdom and the British monarchy. The Kamatchi Ammam is one of the important
temples in this and also various famous temples that are built in the Dravidian style of architecture and display amazing stone
carvings. Kanchipuram has been an important city Apart from its various temples it is also for its medicinal herbs, specialized
silk known as “Kanchipuram silk Saris” and more than 5000 families residing here are involved in silk weaving.
Mahabalipuram
Also known as Mamallapuram, the city ofMahabalipuram is famous for its ancient and cultural heritage. The city of
Mahabalipuram was a prominent sea port dating back to 7th century AD and was ruled by the Pallava Dynasty. The place is
famous for its monuments and is classified among the UNESCO world heritage sites. Almost all of the monuments are carved out
of Granite and display the brilliance of Dravidian style architecture.
Courtallam
Nestled in the Western Ghats, Courtallam has exquisite surroundings. The charming hillocks which dominate the scenery
disappear into the blue mist of Agasthiarmalai, the mountain bearing the name of a sage who made immense contributions to
Tamil literature and is believed to have lived in the area. The closest towns to Courtallam are Shenkottai and Tenkasi at 5 km
respectively. The closest airport is Tuticorin Airport (TCR) 90km away and nearest railway station is Tenkasi 5 km away.
Courtallam has nine waterfalls, Peraruvi (main falls) the biggest falls courtallam is about 60 m high. The flow of water is
interrupted by the Ponmakadal, a 19 m deep crater and comes down with greatly reduced impact, making a bath safe. In Chitraruvi
(small falls), the flow is thin. Here naturally separate places for men and women are there to bathe. Chitraruvi leads to other
waterfalls such as Shenbagadevi and Thenaruvi and the herbal farm. At Shenbagadevi falls, the water flows through shenbaga
(Michaelia champak) trees. There is also a temple there, dedicated to Shenbagadevi Amman. About 3 km from this is Thenaruvi
(honey falls), 40 m high and cascading between two large stones. In places where there is no water, one see big honeycombs.
Aintharuvi (five falls) is one where one where one where one thoroughly enjoys being in a crowd of bathers. Five separate
cascades of water from this water from falls. From the orchard above flows pazhathotta Aruvi, the „VIP falls‟. The Pazhaya
Courtalla Aruvi (OId Courtallam falls) used to fall into a valley from between two rocks. The valley was closed and the rocks
were broken to change the course of water and make bathing easier. It was reopened later. The artificial puli Aruvi (Tiger falls)
has a moderate flow of water which collects in a lake and is diverted for irrigation; sometimes tigers visit this place for water.
There is another small falls inside the Government Horticulture Park above Five falls, but it is off limits to the public. The three
major waterfalls reachable by road are the Main falls, Five falls, and old Courtallam Falls. Other waterfalls like shenbaga Devi
falls and Honey falls are reachable only by trekking on the mountain.
Courtallam is not just waterfalls; its temples too attract visitors. The most important among these is the chitra sabha, one
of the five sabhas with nataraja, Shiva in the dancing posture as the main deity. The paintings at the chitra sabha were renovated
about 100 years ago. The other are the rathna sabha were at Madurai and the Thamira sabha at Tirunelveli. The temple at the foot
of hill is conch- shaped which has special significance in Hindu tradition.
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Kanyakumari
The southernmost tip of mainland India, Kanyakumari was formerly known by the name Cape Comorin. The ancient
town of Kanyakumari was an important site during the Reign of the Chola, Chera and Pandya dynasty. The town is famous for its
beautiful beaches, temples, monuments and cultural centers. The town is also famous for its distinctive culture and hospitable
people. This place due to its unique location witnesses a wonderful place in the world and it has seen the sunrise and the sunset
can be viewed at the same beach. The palce lays at the confluence of three bodies of water namely the Indian Ocean, the Arabian
Sea and the Bay of Bengal and also it is a important pilgrimage place in India.
Madurai
Madurai is the one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. The place has been mentioned by many such as Kautilya
and Megasthenes. The city has been ruled by both the Pandya and the Chola dynasties. This city lies on the fertile plains near the
river Vaigai which divides the city in two parts. The majority of tourists come to Madurai to visit the various temples in this
ancient city. The Meenakshi Ammam is one of the important temples and it consists of temple complex of 27 different temples and
the highest tower with the height of 51.9 meters high crowns the place.
Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal attracts many tourists due to its scenic beauty lakes, parks and different waterfalls along with the rich
abundance of flora and fauna, and in it‟s indeed the gift of the forests. In this is a home of many natural marvels and phenomena
such as the blooming of the rare Kurinji (which only blooms once in 12 years) and is said to cover the entire valley in blue.
Ooty
Ooty or Ootacamund is one of the important top hill stations in India. The place lies in the heart of the Nilgiris Mountains
with an average elevation of 2,240 meters above sea level. In this place has blue smoky mist from the thick eucalyptus forests and
also the house of the kurunji flower. Ooty is located in the tropical region in Tamil Nadu and mild climate throughout the year,
with chilly nights. During the month of December to February is the best time to visit the place. In this place there are many lakes,
mountains, gardens and valleys are amazing places to visit.
Vellore
Vellore is also known as Fort city and it is located at the banks of Palar River at the North-eastern part of Tamil Nadu.
This city ruled by various kingdoms such as the Pallava, the Chola, the Carnatic Kingdom and the British. In this place a
Monolithic fort which was built in the 16th century by the Vijaynagar Kings and it is constructed out of granite. In this fort
complex has a Christian church, a Mosque and an old Hindu Temple which has some of the most magnificent carvings. This place
has so many historic relevance and also the fort used by Tipu sultan‟s family during the British Rule.
Vellankanni
Vellankanni is the one of the important tourist place situated in Nagapattinam district. It is the Christian Pilgrim
Center of the Tamil Nadu. There are many Pilgrims from all faiths and religion come to this church to get the blessings. The
Vellankanni festival is famous one it attracts millions of pilgrims in different part of the world during the month of August to
September in every year. In this place a Small Museum is attached to the church, which displays collection of the offerings made
by the faithful devotees.
Temples around Poompuhar
Thirusaikkadu (Sayavanam)
Thirusaikkadu is situated 2 kms away from Poompuhar estuary. The temple is dedicated to Thiru Sayavaneswarar and
Iraivi Kuyiliamman Nanmozhi Ammai. This is a Padal Petra Sthalam where the Nayanmars [saivaite Saints] had sung Hymns in
praise of Lord Siva. Chola inscriptions are found in the temple.
Keezhaperumpallam
Keezhaperumpallam is 3 kms from Poompuhar and this temple is dedicated to Lord Siva named Naganathar, enshrines
Lord KETHU, an incarnation of one of the Planetary God.
Thiruvengadu
Thiruvengadu is 7 Kms from Poompuhar. The Presiding deity here is Lord Siva named as Swetharanyeswarar. A separate
Shrine of Budhan also called as Saumyan is the planet Jupiter in English, located inside the Thiruvenkadu Temple. This temple
has reference in Valmiki Ramayanam too and believed to be over 3000 years old. Lord Budhan is said to bestow wisdom and
intellect.
Thirukkadaiyur
Thirukkadaiyur is 16 kms from Poompuhar on the Tharangambadi Mayiladuthurai road. This is exactly the place where
Lord Siva prevented Yama from extracting the life of 16 year old Markandeyan, hence Siva is also called as Kala Samhara