Visit these Top Pilgrimage Sites in Tamil Nadu for Spiritual Rejuvenation!

Tamil Nadu is a culturally rich state. It has some of the best tourist attractions that the country offers. Known for its festivals, temples, gigantic art celebrations, attractive culinary options, dances, natural beauty, and industries, Tamil Nadu has something in-store for everyone. If you want to go on a pilgrimage of sorts, Tamil Nadu is the place for you. It houses an entire pilgrimage town, including various temples. Are you planning a religious trip to Tamil Nadu? Looking for top pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu, ways to reach, hotel recommendations, or travel essentials? We have got you all covered through this comprehensive article. Continue reading to get all the essential details.

Fascinating pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu for the spiritual retreat of your dreams

1. Madurai

Madurai is the epicentre of all religious activities in Tamil Nadu. It has some of the world’s most popular temples. Did you know that according to popular folklore, Madurai was created out of the nectar that dropped from Lord Shiva’s hair? It is a must-visit for everyone that seeks to attain some spiritual rejuvenation. Not just temples, Madurai is also famous for its textiles, architecture, and more. Here is a list of the best temples in Madurai:

1. Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple: The chances are that you have already heard of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. Possessing 1,000 pillars and 10 gates, it boasts architectural magnificence. If you are into art and architecture, this temple is bound to stun you. Its corridor pillars produce different musical notes. The temple’s well-maintained gardens, pools, and fountains only add to the temple’s magnificence. Therefore, Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple is not just a place to offer prayers but also a great tourist spot.
2. Koodal Azhagar Temple: Another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the Koodal Azhagar temple. Beautifully sculpted and multi-colored, Koodal Azhagar is unique in its way. Visit this temple to satiate the traveller and worshipper in you.
3. Sri Mavoothu Velappar Temple: Many religious places in India are known to cure people of their diseases. Sri Mavoothu Velappar temple is one such place. Hailed as one of the most popular religious places in Madurai, this temple is situated amid mountains. If you are a nature lover, Sri Mavoothu Velappar Temple is sure to wow you.

Best time to visit Madurai: Since Madurai witnesses extreme heat in the summers, the best time to visit it is during the winters. December to February is the most favourable time to witness the magnificence of Madurai temples.

2. Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari is situated at the southernmost point of India. It is the only place from where you can view the sunset and sunrise over the ocean. It also has some of the most magnificent waterfalls. Among the magical places in India, Kanyakumari is a popular pilgrimage site. It is the abode of quite a few popular temples listed below.

1. Kanyakumari Temple: The town of Kanyakumari gets its name from this temple. The Kanyakumari temple is an ancient temple that was built 3000 years ago. It is dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanya Kumari. According to Hindu mythology, Kanya Kumari was a reincarnation of the goddess Parvati. When Lord Shiva failed to marry her on the promised day, she got so angry that she swore to stay a virgin and avenge her misery by destroying all the evil forces. Female devotees flock to the Kanyakumari temple every year to ask for a good groom and a happy married life.
2. Nagaraja Temple: As the name suggests, the Nagaraja temple is dedicated to the God of snakes. It is believed that the Nagaraja temple is surrounded and protected by snakes. Among the best tourist places in India, the Nagaraja temple is surrounded by luscious greenery and gigantic coconut trees.
3. Thirunanthikarai Cave Temple: If you are someone who is almost always on the hunt for picturesque spots, your trip to South India is incomplete without a visit to the Thirunanthikarai Cave Temple. Colourful murals depicting scenes from the epics feature on its interiors.

Best time to visit Kanyakumari: October to March is the most suitable time to visit Kanyakumari.

3. Rameshwaram Temple

Any list of pilgrimage sites in India is incomplete without a visit to the ‘Char Dham’ (translating to four abodes in English). Devotees visit the Char Dham to gain ‘moksha’ or salvation. Rameshwaram Temple enjoys great popularity because it features the Ramayana. It was the same temple where Lord Rama went to seek forgiveness for his sins after his battle with Ravana. Since this temple is surrounded by many other tourist locations, it qualifies as one of the topmost family tourist places in South India. Aryaman beach, Hanuman temple, Adam’s bridge, and a bird sanctuary are some of the nearby tourist places that you can visit on your trip to the Rameshwaram Temple.

Best time to visit Rameshwaram Temple: Rameshwaram is the best place to vacation in October.

Ways to reach Tamil Nadu via Air

Chennai is righteously the capital of Tamil Nadu. The Chennai International Airport is among the largest and busiest airports in India. It is fairly well connected with the other parts of Tamil Nadu. Since transportation is readily available, you can choose the means as per your budget. If you are on a tight budget, you can opt for public buses. However, cabs are the most convenient option. Once you reach the city centre, inter-city travel becomes supremely simple.

Top 10 Tips for a hassle-free and inexpensive travel, stay and visit pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu

1. The best time to visit pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu is during the winter season, November to March being the most favourable.
2. Tamil Nadu is home to some of the best tourist places in India. Therefore, booking the tickets well in advance will help you save money.
3. Another great way of saving money on air tickets is to get them booked through Cleartrip. Cleartrip has the lowest-priced domestic flight tickets. Moreover, they keep introducing offers and discounts.
4. Mass bookings cost much less than individual flight tickets. Thus, when travelling with your family, ensure to get all the bookings done at once instead of in bits and pieces.
5. Instead of eating the regular pizza and pasta, try the South Indian cuisine like rice, sambar, rasam, etc. South Indian meals are more pocket-friendly and will add to your experience of visiting a new place.
6. Travelling via public transportation will help you gain cultural exposure and save money.
7. Booking hotels at the last moment can cause a hole in your pocket. Hence, it is advisable to book hotels much before your trip. You get approximately 15% off on hotel bookings at Cleartrip. Resorting to sites like Cleartrip can greatly cut down your expenses.
8. Fully explore the pilgrimage site you are visiting instead of running from pillar to post. Pilgrimage locations in Tamil Nadu are surrounded by a natural habitat that is worth exploring.
9. Passengers will have to undergo mandatory thermal screening in Tamil Nadu. Therefore, do not travel if sick.
10. Various pilgrimage sites have their specific time of visit, rules, regulations, and dress codes. It is advisable to go through them before visiting the concerned religious place.

Conclusion

Tamil Nadu has some of the best temples in India. Temples in the state are famous for their magnanimous architecture and natural beauty. Even though devotees visit Tamil Nadu throughout the year, the best time to go to the state is during the winter season. It is advisable to make the flight and hotel bookings well in advance to avoid extra expenditure. Making bookings through Cleartrip will help you get great discounts and deals.

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