Located in the second largest city of Tamil Nadu i.e Madurai.

The temple complex is within a high-walled enclosure, at the core of which are the two sanctums for Meenakshi and Sundareshwara, surrounded by a number of smaller shrines and grand pillared halls.

The original temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya, but the credit for making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the Nayaks.

The Nayaks ruled Madurai from the 16th to the 18th century and left a majestic imprint of their rule in the Meenakshi - Sundareswarar Temple.

The enormous temple complex is dedicated to Shiva, known as
Sundareshvara and his consort Parvatior Meenakshi.

According to legend Madurai is the actual site where the wedding between Shiva and Meenakshi took place.

Their soaring towers rise from solid granite bases, and are covered with stucco figures of deities, mythical animals and monsters painted in vivid colours.

Mahabalipuram is a temple town situated along the shores of the
Bay of Bengal about 60 kms from the south Indian city of Chennai.

Monolithic rock carved temples are refreshingly uncluttered, unlike later grandiose Dravidian architecture and tower over the waves behind a protective breakwater.

This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th centuries.

It dates back to the 7th century when it was a thriving port of the
Pallava Empire.

There are eight rathas at Mahabalipuram, out of which five are named after the `Pandavas` (five brothers)of Mahabharata and one after Draupadi.

This site is also called Mamallapuram, named after the great wrestler Mamalla, the title of Pallava king Narasimha Varman I.

Located in Tamil Nadu.

The Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur was built by the great
ruler Rajaraja Chola of the Chola dynasty.

The 10th century AD site is an example of Dravidian temple
architecture.

The central temple called the Periya Koyil, or big temple, stands inside a fort whose walls were built later on in the 16th
century.

The Great Living Chola Temples consist of the 11th century
Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur, the 11th century Brihadisvara temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram, and the 12th century Airavateswara temple at Darasuram.

Temple consists of the garbhagriha, ardhamandapa,
mahamandapa and mukhamandapa and aligned on the east- west axis.

This site is recognised by UNESCO.

Situated on an island off the Sethu coast of Rameswaram in Ramanathpuram district, Tamil Nadu.

Is an important pilgrimage site for the followers of Hinduism. It is believed that a visit to this temple washes away one`s sins and brings salvation (moksha).

Being situated in Rameshwaram, the Ramanathaswamy Mandir is popularly known as the Rameshwaram Temple.

The construction of this temple began in the 12th century; nonetheless it was completed much later, during the reign of various rulers.

Rameshwaram Temple is famous for embracing one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (lingam of light) of Lord Shiva. The temple is also accredited for being the southern most `jyotirlinga` of India.

The Lingam of Ramanathaswamy is the presiding deity of Rameswaram Temple. The religious significance of this shrine has made it, one of the most visited temples of India.

In the inner section of the Ramalingeshwara, Ramalingam and Vishvalingam are placed side by side. Preserving the words of Lord Rama, Vishvalingam is worshipped before Ramalingam. Maha Shivarathri, Thirukalyanam, Mahalaya Amavasai and Thai Amavasai are the major festivals that are celebrated with gusto and fervor.

Ramanathaswamy Temple is closely linked with the great epic Ramayana. Legend has it that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here, on his victorious return from Sri Lanka. As the legend goes, Sages (Rishis) counseled Lord Rama (along with Sita and Lakshmana) to install and worship the `Shivalingam` at this place, to compensate the sin of Brahmahatya (killing of a Brahmin). Lord Rama approved the idea and fixed a favorable time for the installation of Shivalingam. He sent Lord Hanuman (Anjaneya) to bring a `lingam` from Mount Kailash. Lord Hanuman could not return in time and it was getting late. Apprehending the situation, Sita herself made a `linga` of sand and Lord Rama installed the same. When Hanuman came back with the `linga`, the formal procedures of installation were over. Lord Rama consoled the disappointed Hanuman and installed his lingam (Visvalingam) next to Ramalinga. He enhanced the sanctity of lingam by ordaining that the rites would be made first to the Visvalingam.

It has twenty two wells in its complex, it being the main attraction of this temple.The wells have water of different taste, temperature, salinity and have curative properties as well. It is said that these wells were made by Lord Rama himself, when he fired arrows in the sand.

Stretched over a vast area of 15 acres, Rameswaram Temple is the typical specimen of Dravidian style of architecture with skyscraping gopurams (spires).

It is acknowledged for having the largest temple hallway in India. This pillared corridor extends to 4000 feet in length, embracing more than 4000 pillars. Erected on a raised plinth, granite pillars are intricately carved with beautiful images. A hard fact about this corridor reveals that the rock doesn`t belong to the island and it was imported from somewhere across the sea.

Encompassing nine levels, the eastern Rajgopuram (spire) soars to the height of 126 feet. However, the western `gopuram` is not as high as the eastern `gopuram`. The temple comprises numerous `mandaps` having small shrines, dedicated to other deities. The colossal image of Nandi (Lord Shiva`s Bull) captures the attention, due to its sheer size. It measures 12 feet in its length and 9 feet in its height. High fortifications encircle the temple, making a rectangle along with big pyramidal `gopura` doorways on every side.

Located 320 km from Chennai and 150 km from Madurai.

Trichy is also known for the famous and the fascinating Rock Fort, an architectural marvel that is built on a 83 m high rock, rising amidst the plains.

The rock is one of the oldest in the world-approximately 3.800
million years, which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland and older than the Himalayas.

344 steps hewn out of rock lead to the top where there are
inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century BC.

At the top of the rock is the Uchipillaiyar Koil, a temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Tiruchirappalli.

A flight of steps leads to the Mathrubutheswarar of
Thayumanaswami temple, dedicated to Lord Siva where the
lingam is a projection of the rock itself.

The Rock is said to be 3800 million years old.

The materials like Quartz used in glass making and felspar used
in ceramic are found in this Rock formation.

Located 10 km from Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu.

The Chettinad Palace was designed and constructed by Dr
Annamali Chettiyar, founder of the Indian Bank and the Annamalai University in Chidambaram.

Moat of the construction materials, decorative items and
furnishings used to construct Chettinad Palace were imported
from East Asian countries and Europe.

All the mansions have lovely teak, marble or granite pillars
supporting a spacious verandah.

The hall leads to the central courtyard, used for weddings and religious ceremonies erstwhile.

At the corner of the courtyard is a room for worship where Rani Seethai Achi, wife of Dr Annamalai Chettiyar, spent most
of her time.

Situated in the southern city of Chennai (formerly known as Madras).

It is one of the three oldest universities in India (along with the University of Calcutta and the University of Mumbai).

The University of Madras, organized on the model of the University of London, was incorporated on 5 September 1857 by an Act of the Legislative Council of India.

It has four campuses in the city - Chepauk, Marina, Guindy and Taramani. More than 50 Departments offer a range of specialisation subjects.

There are nearly 43 external research institutes in addition to centres of excellence within the University.

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council has conferred the "Five star Status" to the University of Madras. The University of Madras has been given the status of "University with Potential for Excellence" by the University Grants Commission.