12 Top Tourist Places in Tamilnadu

Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial:
An impressive memorial to Swami Vivekananda has been built on a rock situated some 400m offshore. In fact, there are two rocks side by side projecting out of the sea. The rock is approachable only by boat which provides a pleasure cruise into the sea.Swami Vivekananda came down to Kanyakumari on 24.12.1892 before his departure for Chicago to participate in the World Religious Conference in 1893. He sat on meditation on this rock for two days and became powerful spiritual leader and philosopher. The Memorial inaugurated in 1970 and is a blend of various architectural styles of India. It is an architectural masterpiece.

The Memorial was constructed in 2081 working days with an average of 650 men working. The Memorial consists of two main structures.The entire Memorial Mandapam is similar to that of Sri Ramakrishna Temple at Belur, and the entrance is designed on the Ajanta and Ellora cave temples’ style. Below the dome in the main hall there is a life-size bronze statue of Swamiji in his standing ‘Parivarjak’ posture. Adjoining the main hall is the Dhyana Mandapam, where devotees can sit and meditate in a serene atmosphere.
Location: Kanyakumari

Arunachaleswarar Temple:
Tiruvannamalai is a world renowned pilgrim centre located at the foot hills of Annamalai hills. It came to be built over a period of more than thousand years. Many kings particularly the Chola and Pandiya Kings. Apart from the King Krishnadevaraya in the 15th century.This temple city is about 80 kilometres away from Katpadi or otherwise known as Vellore. This temple can also reached from Chennai traveling to a distance of about 180 kilometres.

Shiva and Parvathi are the two deities that are worshipped here at Arunachaleeswar temple. Shiva is prayed here in the form of Agni. One of the panchaboothas that is used as an element to incarnate this earth or universe. Shiva is known by devotees as Annamalayar or Arunachaleswarar. And this is believed to be the largest temple in the world dedicated to Shiva. The history of this Annamalayar temple dates back to thousand years. Mention has been made in the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam, both great works in Tamil.
Location: Tiruvannamalai