For centuries, Tamil Nadu has been the epicentre of fine culture, reflected in its cuisine, costumes, jewellery and handicrafts. Religion plays a prominent part, and the rich art, crafts and architecture established by rulers like the Pallava, Pandya, Vijayanagar and Chola dynasties have flourished and are seen in the exquisite palaces and temples that abound in this peninsular state.

Tamil Nadu is known to be one of the great cultural capitals of the country, supremely rich in history and heritage, which are expressed through its literature, art, architecture, music, dance, religion and philosophy. Every place you visit in Tamil Nadu will have amazing stories to tell. For instance, the Gandhi Mandapam is designed in such a way that each year, on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, the sun’s rays shine through an aperture in the memorial’s roofonto the exact spot that once held his ashes. Every temple has mythological tales that can hold you spellbound. Tamilians take pride in their cultural roots, and even the modern Tamilian is protective of his deep sense of identity, shaped by the ancient customs and traditions of 2,000 years. Modern industries like the prolific Tamil film industry have served to preserve this identity, and advances in technology and science have only added to this state’s cultural importance.