Tamil Nadu

Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)

64 kms from Madras, connected by regular bus-services. A major beach resort also famous for its magnificent monuments hewn out of rock.

Places to see
Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, Krishna Mandapa, Shore Temple, Mahishasurmardini Cave, Varaha Mandapa and Mandapams.

Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, the capital of the Pallava and dynasty is one of the serene sacred cities of India. It is situated 76 kms from Madras, 35 kms from Chingleput & 64 kms from Mahabalipuram via Chingleput.

WHAT TO SEE 
Kailashnath Temple, Shri Vaikuntaperumal Temple, Shri Varadaraja Temple, Ekambareshwara Temple and Shri Kamakashi Temple.

Vedanthangal Bird Santuary
80 kms away from Madras, the santuary is famous for migratory birds (November to February) viewing from (1500 to 1800 hours) an observation tower. It is 30 km away from its nearest railway station Chingleput.

Informations
1) Government of India Tourist Office, 154 Anna Salai, Madras- 600 002, Tel: 869695, 869685.
2) Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) 143 Anna Salai, Madras- 600 002, Tel: 830498, 830390.
3) Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation, G-26 C.I.T. Shoping Complex, Dakhinapan, Calcutta-31, Tel: 472-0432.

Pondicherry

Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 40.8, Min 31.2; Winter- Max 31.1, Min 25.
Best season : Throughout the year, but preferably October to March.
STD Code : 0413.

A french colony upto 1954, Pondicherry is a living monument of French Culture in India. The Aurobindo Ashram and 'Auroville' the international township are famous all over the world.

Getting there
Air : The nearest airport is Madras (160 kms) connected by Indian Airlines.
Fare: Calcutta-Madras Rs.5458 (J), Rs.3917 (Y). 
Rail: Villupuram (32 kms) is the nearest railhead connected directly to Madras which in turn is connected to major cities in India.
Fare (approx): Calcutta-Villupuram (via Madras) Rs.1300 (AC-2A), Rs.990 (I), Rs.350 (II). 
Road: Pondicherry is connected by good motorable roads to places in in South India. Bangalore (503 kms), Chidambaram (68 kms), Kanchipuram (113 kms), Madras (162 kms), Mamallapuram (134 kms), Thanjavur (170 kms), Thiruvannamalai (103 kms), Trichy (198 kms) etc. 
Bus Service: It is very well connected by bus service to Madras, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Tanjore, Chidambaram etc. 
Conducted Tours: Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation Conducts local sight seeing tours from 0900 hrs till 1300 hrs from Tourist Information Bureaue, 19 Goubert Avenue. Fare: Rs.30 per head. 

Places to see
Botanical Gardens- 2 kms, Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus- 1.5 kms, The Promenade, Govt. Park, Manakula Vinayagar Temple- 2 kms, Romain Rolland Library-1 km, Sri Aurobindo Ashram- 2 kms, French Institute 2 kms, Museums & Art Galleries- .5 km (1000-1700 hrs. Mon. closed)

Auroville- 10 kms, Arikamedu- 10 kms, Chunnambar Boat House- 8 kms, Mailam- 45 kms, Mandagapattu- 50 kms, Ousteri Lake- 15 kms.

Informations
Tourist Information Bureau, 19 Goubert Avenue, Pondicherry- 1, Tel: 34575.

Thanjavur (Tanjore)

Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 36, Min 32; Winter- Max 23, Min 18.
Best Season : October to March.
STD Code : 04362.

The world famous Brihadeeswara temple is situated here. It is built by Raja Chola The empire builder in the early Dravidian style. 

Infrastructure
Air : Nearest airport Tiruchirapalli (54 kms) is connected with Cochin & Madras.
Fare: Calcutta-Tiruchirapalli via Madras (Mon,Thu,Fri) Rs.5114 (Y). 
Rail: Thanjavur is directly connected by rail to Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Madras and Chidambaram.
Fare (approx): Calcutta-Thanjavu (via Madras) Rs.2850 (AC-2A), Rs.1450 (I), Rs.350 (II). 
Road: Thanjavur is connected by regular bus services with Chidambaram (113 kms), Kanyakumari (394 kms), Kumbakonam (38 kms), Madras (310 kms), Madurai (159 kms), Pudukkotai (58 kms), Rameshwaram (222 kms), Tiruchirapalli (54 kms). 

Places to see
Brihadeeswara Temple, The Palace, Sangeetha Mahal, Saraswati Mahal, Library, Raja Museum, Temple Museum, Schwarz Church.

Velankani-95 kms, Point Calimere/Kodikarai-30 kms, Poompuhar-100 kms

Tiruchirapalli (Trichy)

Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max. 37, Min. 26; Winter- Max. 29, Min. 20.
Best Season : October to March.
STD Code : 0431.

Tiruchirappalli or Trichy, situated on the banks of river Cauvery, is famous for the ranganatha temple at srirangam.

Getting there
Air : Trichy is directly connected by Indian Airlines flights to Cochin & Madras
Fare: Calcutta-Trichy via Madras (Mon,Thu,Fri) Rs.5114 (Y). 
Rail: Trichy is an important rail junction connected to Bangalore, Coimbatore, Cochin, Madras, Madurai, Quilon, Rameshwaram, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli.
Fare (approx): Calcutta-Trichy via Madras Rs.1950 (AC-2A), Rs.1600 (I), Rs.500 (II). 
Road: Trichy is connected by regular buses with Bangalore (345 kms), Coimbatore (203 kms), Tanjore (56 kms), Kumbakonma (95 kms), Madurai (142 kms), Ooty (302 kms), Madras (320 kms), Kanyakumari (384 kms), Chidambaram (162 kms) Rameshwaram (228 kms), Palani (135 kms) etc. 

Places to see
Rock Fort, Sri Jambukeshwara Temple, Tiruvannaikaval, Srirangam, Museums & Art Galleries (0900-1230 & 1400-1700 hrs. Friday closed).

Viralimalai (30 kms), Kodumbalur (36 kms), Sittannavasal (13 kms), Thanjavur (59 kms).

Informations
1) Govt.of Tamilnadu Tourist Office, Williams Road, Cantonment, Tel: 40136.
2) Tourist Information Counter, Govt of Tamilnadu, Trichy Railway Junction.
3) Tourist Information Counter, Trichy Airport.