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Condé Nast TravelerJul 5, 2026
Tamil Nadu’s Ancient Temples Are the Soul of South India
Immersion in the artistry, beauty and spiritual depth of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu reveals that the past is radiantly alive.
22 things in this story
- MahabalipuramNeighborhoodsite of 43-foot-tall open-air frieze made around AD 600
- NandiPublic artworksacred bull of the god Siva, sculpted 1,300 years ago
- Meenakshi TemplePlace of worshiptemple complex dedicated to the fish-eyed goddess
- MaduraiNeighborhoodIt is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Madurai district, which is governed by…
- Brihadeeswara TemplePlace of worshiptemple with 80-ton cupola atop 11th-century monarch’s structure
- ThanjavurNeighborhoodIt is the 12th biggest city in Tamil Nadu.
- VishnuPlaceAn &Beyond cruise through the state of Assam is an immersive lesson on the once inaccessible region.
- Thirumalai Nayak PalaceSight17th-century king’s palace, melange of Italy and Rajasthan
- AurovilleNeighborhoodcosmopolitan township dedicated to mystic Sri Aurobindo
- MatrimandirPlace of worship100-foot-tall frontage of meditation space
- SrinivasapuramNeighborhoodvillage workshops known for bronze statues and gold leaf paintings
- DharasuramNeighborhoodvillage with weavers working on silk looms
- VilacherySuburbart village famed for pottery and papier-mâché work
- AthangudiNeighborhoodtile-making village with master artisans
- Chidambara VilasHotelChettiar home converted into a boutique hotel
- ChettinadTrain stationregion of opulent mansions built by mercantile community
- Sundareswarar TemplePlace of worshipTamil manifestation of Siva
- MeenakshiPlace of worshipTamil manifestation of Siva's wife Parvati
- SivaPlace
- PallavasPlace
- Rajaraja CholaPlace
- N Paneer SelvamPlace