Sacred Heart Natural Science Museum
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
In the grounds of a former Jesuit seminary 4km downhill east of town, this museum has a ghoulishly intriguing miscellany of flora and fauna put together…
Must-see attractions in Tamil Nadu
Madurai
This vast tank, 3km east of the old city, covers an area as big as the Meenakshi Amman Temple and is the site of the incredible annual Teppam (Float)…
Swami Vivekananda Wandering Monk Exhibition
Tamil Nadu
In lovely leafy grounds, this excellent exhibition details Swami Vivekananda's wisdom, sayings, and encounters with the mighty and the lowly during his…
Chennai (Madras)
Completed in 1680, yellow-washed St Mary's Church was the first English church in Madras and is India's oldest surviving British-built church. Both Robert…
Chennai (Madras)
The Fort Museum has exhibitions on Chennai's origins and the fort itself, and displays interesting military memorabilia and artwork from colonial times…
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
About 7km east of Ooty, Doddabetta is the highest point (2633m) in the Nilgiris. On clear days, it's one of the best viewpoints around; go early for a…
Coonoor
Over 50 years old, this estate (2km northeast of upper Coonoor) is one of the few working Nilgiri tea factories open to visitors. Guides jump in quickly,…
Tamil Nadu
The Jalakantesvara Temple, a gem of late Vijayanagar architecture, dates from around 1566, and was once occupied as a garrison. Check out the small,…
Tamil Nadu
The peach-hued seafront Dansborg fort dates from 1624 and was occupied by the British in 1801. In its prime, it was the world's second-largest Danish…
Chennai (Madras)
Completed in 1892, this imposing red Indo-Saracenic structure is said to be the world's largest judicial building after the Courts of London. The central…
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
About 15km west of Mamallapuram is this hilltop temple dedicated to Shiva, reached via approximately 500 steps. According to legend, two vultures (easily…
Tamil Nadu
Built in 1718, this notable church displays an interesting mix of Indian and European styles. In front of the altar is the tomb of German-born…
Tamil Nadu
Lusting after those exquisite handmade Chettinadu-mansion tiles? Then swing by this long-standing Athangudi workshop, where you can watch expert tile…
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Pondy may have more churches than most Indian towns, but the Hindu faith still reigns supreme. Pilgrims, tourists and the curious get a head pat from the…
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Looking out to sea, past a statue of Joan of Arc (opposite), Notre Dame des Anges was completed in 1855, and is arguably Pondy's most attractive church…
Coonoor
Upper Coonoor's 12-hectare Sim’s Park, established in 1874, is a peaceful oasis of sloping manicured lawns with more than 1000 plant species from several…
Tamil Nadu
In calming ashram grounds 1km north of town, this illustrated display takes you through major events in Vivekanada's life. It's included on your ticket to…
Tamil Nadu
Just across the road on the north side of Kumbakonam's sacred Mahamaham Tank, this little temple contains a fascinating trio of river goddesses. The…
Madurai
This 20th-century neo-Gothic construction's simple stained-glass windows and bold-orange vaulting are offset by a magnificent blue-and-white exterior with…
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
A narrow rock lookout overhanging a precipitous drop, with views of the valley below. Follow the trail to it for 15 minutes from Vattakanal, or walk all…
Sri Mahalakshmi Handloom Weaving Centre
Tamil Nadu
Chettinadu is known for its handwoven, contrasting-colour silk-and-cotton Kandaangi saris (now increasingly hard to find). At this small weaving complex,…
Coonoor
A favourite picnic spot in a patch of monkey-patrolled forest, Lamb's Rock has incredible views past glimmering tea and coffee plantations to the hazy…
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
With terraced lawns and over 20,000 rose bushes of more than 2000 varieties – best between May and July – the Rose Garden is a sweet place for a stroll,…
École Française d'Extrême-Orient
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
This handsome heritage building and library is home to over 11,000 Indology books and a series of Sanskrit, Tamil and Manipravalam palm-leaf manuscripts…
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Begun in 1779 but not completed until 1791, this splendid Jesuit church (in whites, blues and yellows) is reminiscent of Goa's Portuguese-style churches,…
Chennai (Madras)
At the southern end of Marina Beach, the fourth-incarnation Madras Lighthouse is India's only one with a lift; it's ridiculously popular, but the…
Tamil Nadu
This grand building with a golden roof houses an illustrated exhibit on the Ramayana, a room dedicated to Bharat Mata (India itself as the Mother Goddess)…
Thanjavur (Tanjore)
At the northern end of the Brihadishwara Temple compound, within the outer ramparts, stands 18th-century neoclassical Schwartz's Church.
Tamil Nadu
Dating back to 1620, this temple at the southernmost end of Kumbakonam's main bazaar street has beautiful Nayak horse and yali carvings and fine frescoes.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
You can't miss this enormous boulder (and favourite photo spot), balancing precariously on Mamallapuram Hill, right opposite the compound's northernmost…
Coonoor
About 10km west of town, this popular viewpoint exposes vast panoramas encompassing Catherine Falls across the valley.
Tamil Nadu
Before visiting the Kumari Amman Temple, some worshippers immerse themselves in the bathing ghats that surround it.
Tamil Nadu
The shoreline around Kumari Amman Temple has a couple of bathing ghats where some worshippers immerse themselves.
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Landscaped and stocked by the British officer after whom it’s named, pretty Bryant Park is usually full of tourists and canoodling couples.
Kodaikanal International School
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Set up in 1901, the renowned Kodaikanal International School lends Kodai a bit of a cosmopolitan air, with students from around the globe.
The Western Ghats
Catherine Falls is 8km south of Kotagiri off the Mettupalayam road; the last 2km or so are on foot, and the falls only flow after rain.
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Inaugurated in 1907, the Sacred Heart Basilica is a soaring brown-and-white neo-Gothic structure beautified by restored stained glass.
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Once home to Governor Dupleix, the neoclassical governor's residence looks out over Bharathi Park from the north. You can't go inside.
Thanjavur (Tanjore)
The park at the northern end of the Brihadishwara Temple compound contains the Sivaganga Tank.
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
A shady green haven that's always busy, Bharathi Park faces the neoclassical governor's residence, Raj Nivas, on its north side.
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