ARCHITECTURE

The temples and monuments are an architectural marvel. Several temples, palaces and other structures demonstrate the Dravidian style of architecture as it evolved over a period of time, during the reigns of Cheras and Cholas, followed by Pandyas and Nayaks, Pallavas, Chalukyas and the Vijayanagar empires. The temples and forts boast of exquisite rock sculptures on their walls, pillars and gopurams (towers). The bronze figures and idols stand proof to the advancements in metallurgy in the state, while the frescoes and murals on the walls show the skills of the painters and artisans of the land. Every sculpture has a story . All these features have left travellers  and photographers dumbfounded all these years. 

If you want to explore, learn and click pictures of these marvels, we recommend the following places:

• The Jain caves at Thiruparankundram near Madurai

• Rock-cut caves and temples at Vettuvan Koil near Tuticorin

• Cave paintings at Armamalai and Sittanavasal

• The Maratha and Nayak palace of Tanjore and the remarkable Saraswathi Mahal manuscript library

• Kailasanatha Swamy temple, Kanchipuram

• Ranganathaswamy temple, Srirangam

• Rockfort hill temple, Trichy

• Auroville, Pondicherry

• Tranquebar Governor’s bungalow near Nagapattinam

• Chettinadu Mansion, Karaikudi

• Thiruvellarai Temple, Trichy

• Thirumalai Naicker Palace, Madurai

• Padmanabhapuram Palace, Thukaley

• Gingee Fort

• Arittapatti near Madurai