The night life at Tamil Nadu’s temple complexes is as exciting as it is at its urban night spots. Besides the markets and food stalls that light up the evenings, the night-time ceremonies at the temple complexes, especially on full moon nights, are simply enthralling.

As with all places in Tamil Nadu, myth and legend abound. It is believed that the seven foot tall Mukuruny Vinayakar idol of the Meenakshi Amman temple was found during the excavation of its huge pond, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam. The Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram is one of the fifty-one Shakti peethas located across the country, each of which are known for their significance as pilgrimage destinations. Some of the tourist attractions around Kanyakumari beach have a notable history as well. Udayagiri Fort was rebuilt in the reign of Marthandathe Varma and served as a foundry for the manufacture of guns, mortar and cannonballs for East India Company troops. Swami Vivekananda famously spent several days in meditation on a rock off the beach, where a memorial is built in his honour. You can also visit the Kanyakumari Temple, which finds mention in several mythologies and religious scriptures, including the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.