தமிழ்நாடு
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Usage
State in southeast India with Chennai as its capital; the Tamil heartland, dense with Chola-era temple towns
சென்னை
Chennai
Chennai
Usage
Capital of Tamil Nadu, formerly Madras; South India's main gateway with the region's largest airport, rail and metro hub
கோயம்புத்தூர்
Coimbatore
Coimbatore
Usage
Industrial city in the west of the state; the base for trips to Ooty, Kodaikanal and Kerala, with an airport and a main-line junction
மதுரை
Madurai
Madurai
Usage
Temple city over 2,000 years old, laid out in concentric squares around the Meenakshi temple; the hub of southern Tamil Nadu
திருச்சிராப்பள்ளி
Tiruchirappalli
Tiruchirappalli (Trichy)
Usage
Central Tamil Nadu city, commonly called Trichy; home of the Rock Fort and Srirangam, and the base for visiting Thanjavur
சேலம்
Salem
Salem
Usage
Rail junction city in the northwest, gateway to the Yercaud hills and a main stop between Chennai and Coimbatore
திருநெல்வேலி
Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli
Usage
City in the far south, base for Courtallam falls and the Thiruchendur temple; famous for its halwa sweet
திருப்பூர்
Tiruppur
Tiruppur
Usage
India's largest knitwear manufacturing town, about 50 km east of Coimbatore; a business rather than sightseeing destination
ஈரோடு
Erode
Erode
Usage
Textile town on the Kaveri river with a major station on the Chennai-Coimbatore main line
வேலூர்
Vellore
Vellore
Usage
Northern city known for its 16th-century fort and for CMC Hospital, one of India's leading medical centres
தூத்துக்குடி
Thoothukudi
Thoothukudi (Tuticorin)
Usage
Port city on the southeast coast, formerly Tuticorin; historically a pearl-fishing centre, and has its own airport
தஞ்சாவூர்
Thanjavur
Thanjavur
Usage
Former Chola capital and site of the UNESCO-listed Brihadeeswarar temple, about 55 km from Trichy
திண்டுக்கல்
Dindigul
Dindigul
Usage
City north of Madurai, the turn-off for Kodaikanal; known for its rock fort and its biryani
காஞ்சிபுரம்
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Usage
The city of a thousand temples, about 70 km southwest of Chennai; former Pallava capital and famous for silk saris
கும்பகோணம்
Kumbakonam
Kumbakonam
Usage
Temple town in the Kaveri delta; the base for the UNESCO Chola temples at Darasuram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram
நாகர்கோவில்
Nagercoil
Nagercoil
Usage
Main town of Kanyakumari district at India's southern tip, about 20 km from Kanyakumari and close to the Kerala border
கன்னியாகுமரி
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Usage
Southernmost tip of the Indian mainland, formerly Cape Comorin, where three seas meet; famous for sunrise and sunset views
ராமேஸ்வரம்
Rameswaram
Rameswaram
Usage
Pilgrimage island facing Sri Lanka, linked to the mainland by the Pamban bridge; one of Hinduism's four holiest sites
மாமல்லபுரம்
Mamallapuram
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
Usage
UNESCO coastal site about 55 km south of Chennai; signs and official use say Mamallapuram, while guidebooks often say Mahabalipuram
புதுச்சேரி
Puducherry
Puducherry
Usage
Former French territory, a Union Territory renamed from Pondicherry in 2006; known for its grid-planned French Quarter and beaches
சிதம்பரம்
Chidambaram
Chidambaram
Usage
Town built around the Nataraja temple of the dancing Shiva, about 60 km south of Puducherry, with its own railway station
திருவண்ணாமலை
Tiruvannamalai
Tiruvannamalai
Usage
Pilgrimage town at the foot of sacred Arunachala hill; home of the Ramana Maharshi ashram and crowded on full-moon nights
வேளாங்கண்ணி
Velankanni
Velankanni
Usage
Catholic pilgrimage town on the Bay of Bengal, site of the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, called the Lourdes of the East
நாகப்பட்டினம்
Nagapattinam
Nagapattinam
Usage
Delta port and district headquarters; the access point for Velankanni, Nagore and Tharangambadi
உதகமண்டலம்
Udhagamandalam
Udhagamandalam (Ooty)
Usage
Hill station in the Nilgiris at about 2,200 m; officially Udhagamandalam, but tickets and everyday speech use the short form Ooty
குன்னூர்
Coonoor
Coonoor
Usage
Tea-garden town below Ooty and a midway stop on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway; quieter than Ooty for an overnight stay
கொடைக்கானல்
Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal
Usage
Hill station in the Palani hills at about 2,100 m, centred on its lake and viewpoints; nearest railhead is Kodai Road, about 3 hours by bus
காரைக்குடி
Karaikudi
Karaikudi
Usage
Main town of the Chettinad region, known for its merchant mansions and spicy Chettinad cuisine; about 90 km from Madurai
புதுக்கோட்டை
Pudukkottai
Pudukkottai
Usage
Former princely-state town about 50 km south of Trichy; the base for the Sittanavasal cave paintings
தரங்கம்பாடி
Tharangambadi
Tharangambadi (Tranquebar)
Usage
Former Danish coastal settlement, once Tranquebar; the 17th-century Dansborg fort and colonial streets survive
பழநி
Palani
Palani
Usage
One of the six abodes of Murugan; a winch railway and ropeway climb to the hilltop temple, about 60 km west of Dindigul
திருச்செந்தூர்
Thiruchendur
Thiruchendur
Usage
Seaside abode of Murugan and the only one of the six on the shore, about 40 km south of Thoothukudi
சென்னை விமான நிலையம்
Chennai Vimana Nilaiyam
Chennai International Airport
Usage
Major international airport of South India (MAA) at Tirusulam, about 20 km southwest of the centre, connected by the metro blue line
கோயம்புத்தூர் விமான நிலையம்
Coimbatore Vimana Nilaiyam
Coimbatore International Airport
Usage
Airport of western Tamil Nadu (CJB) about 10 km east of the city; the air gateway for Ooty, Kodaikanal and Kerala
மதுரை விமான நிலையம்
Madurai Vimana Nilaiyam
Madurai Airport
Usage
Airport about 12 km south of Madurai (IXM), convenient for the Meenakshi temple and onward travel to Rameswaram
திருச்சிராப்பள்ளி விமான நிலையம்
Tiruchirappalli Vimana Nilaiyam
Tiruchirappalli International Airport
Usage
Trichy's airport (TRZ) with many Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia flights; also the entry point for Thanjavur
சென்னை சென்ட்ரல்
Chennai Central
Chennai Central
Usage
South India's largest long-distance terminus (MAS). Officially renamed Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central in 2019, but tickets, signs and everyday speech still say Chennai Central
சென்னை எழும்பூர்
Chennai Egmore
Chennai Egmore
Usage
Terminus (MS) for trains to southern Tamil Nadu such as Madurai, Rameswaram and Kanyakumari; about 2 km from Central and linked by metro
சென்னை கடற்கரை
Chennai Beach
Chennai Beach
Usage
Suburban rail terminus (MSB) in old George Town; start of the southern suburban and MRTS elevated lines, close to the port area
தாம்பரம்
Tambaram
Tambaram
Usage
Main station of Chennai's southern suburbs (TBM); terminus of many suburban services and origin of some long-distance trains
செங்கல்பட்டு சந்திப்பு
Chengalpattu Junction
Chengalpattu Junction
Usage
Junction south of Chennai (CGL) where lines divide; the interchange for Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram
காட்பாடி சந்திப்பு
Katpadi Junction
Katpadi Junction
Usage
Railhead for Vellore (KPD) on the Chennai-Bengaluru main line, about 8 km from the town centre
விழுப்புரம் சந்திப்பு
Villupuram Junction
Villupuram Junction
Usage
Major junction in the north of the state (VM) where the Puducherry branch line splits off; the usual change for Pondicherry
மதுரை சந்திப்பு
Madurai Junction
Madurai Junction
Usage
Largest station in the south (MDU), within walking distance of the Meenakshi temple and the starting point for Rameswaram and Kanyakumari
திருச்சிராப்பள்ளி சந்திப்பு
Tiruchirappalli Junction
Tiruchirappalli Junction
Usage
Key central junction (TPJ), also written Trichy Junction on tickets and boards; buses to Srirangam leave from here
தஞ்சாவூர் சந்திப்பு
Thanjavur Junction
Thanjavur Junction
Usage
Station serving Thanjavur (TJ), about 2 km from the Brihadeeswarar temple, with the branch line towards Kumbakonam
கோயம்புத்தூர் சந்திப்பு
Coimbatore Junction
Coimbatore Junction
Usage
Largest station in western Tamil Nadu (CBE), with frequent Kerala services and connections to Mettupalayam for the Ooty mountain railway
சேலம் சந்திப்பு
Salem Junction
Salem Junction
Usage
Junction in the northwest (SA) where the Chennai and Bengaluru lines meet; a common place to change trains
திருநெல்வேலி சந்திப்பு
Tirunelveli Junction
Tirunelveli Junction
Usage
Main station of the far south (TEN); the base for Thoothukudi, Thiruchendur and Courtallam
நாகர்கோவில் சந்திப்பு
Nagercoil Junction
Nagercoil Junction
Usage
Southernmost junction of the network (NCJ), the change point before Kanyakumari and for lines into Kerala
மேட்டுப்பாளையம்
Mettupalayam
Mettupalayam
Usage
Base station of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (MTP), about 35 km north of Coimbatore; the steam train to Ooty leaves once, early in the morning
நீலகிரி மலை ரயில்
Nilgiri Malai Rayil
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Usage
UNESCO-listed rack railway running about five hours from Mettupalayam via Coonoor to Ooty; seats need booking in advance
பாம்பன் பாலம்
Pamban Palam
Pamban Bridge
Usage
Sea bridge linking the mainland with Rameswaram island; a road bridge and a rail bridge run side by side and the crossing is a sight in itself
சென்னை மெட்ரோ ரயில்
Chennai Metro Rail
Chennai Metro Rail
Usage
Chennai's urban rail network linking the airport, Central, Egmore and Koyambedu; signage is in Tamil and English
ஆலந்தூர்
Alandur
Alandur
Usage
Chennai Metro interchange where the airport branch meets the city line; the usual transfer when coming in from the airport
கிண்டி
Guindy
Guindy
Usage
District in southern Chennai with both a suburban rail station and a metro station, next to the city national park and the IT corridor
கோயம்பேடு
Koyambedu
Koyambedu
Usage
Transport hub in western Chennai with a metro station and a huge wholesale market; also a departure point for intercity buses
வடபழநி
Vadapalani
Vadapalani
Usage
Metro-served district in western Chennai, known for its Murugan temple and the Tamil film studios nearby
சைதாப்பேட்டை
Saidapet
Saidapet
Usage
Southern Chennai neighbourhood with metro and suburban stations, close to the government offices along the Adyar river
ஆயிரம் விளக்கு
Ayiram Vilakku
Thousand Lights
Usage
Central Chennai metro station and the area around it, named after the mosque of the same name; a commercial stretch along Anna Salai
அண்ணா நகர்
Anna Nagar
Anna Nagar
Usage
Planned residential district in western Chennai served by the metro; plenty of restaurants and hotels, a practical place to stay
சென்னைத் துறைமுகம்
Chennai Thuraimugam
Chennai Port
Usage
One of India's major ports on the Bay of Bengal, spreading east of George Town and Chennai Beach station
கிழக்குக் கடற்கரைச் சாலை
Kizhakku Kadarkarai Salai
East Coast Road (ECR)
Usage
Coastal highway running south from Chennai to Mamallapuram and Puducherry; the standard taxi and bus route down the coast
மயிலாப்பூர்
Mylapore
Mylapore
Usage
Chennai's oldest quarter, centred on the Kapaleeswarar temple, with street stalls, concert halls and old houses
அடையாறு
Adyar
Adyar
Usage
Quiet residential district in southern Chennai, on the river of the same name and home to the Theosophical Society gardens
தியாகராய நகர்
Thyagaraya Nagar
T. Nagar
Usage
Chennai's main shopping district, packed with sari and gold showrooms; officially Thyagaraya Nagar, but everyone says T. Nagar
திருவல்லிக்கேணி
Triplicane
Triplicane
Usage
Old neighbourhood behind Marina Beach with the Parthasarathy temple, cheap lodges and eating houses; the English name Triplicane comes from the Tamil one
பரங்கிமலை
Parangimalai
St. Thomas Mount
Usage
Hill associated with the martyrdom of the apostle Thomas, near the airport; also the name of a rail and metro station, called Parangimalai in Tamil
மெரினா கடற்கரை
Marina Kadarkarai
Marina Beach
Usage
Roughly 6 km of sand along Chennai's east side, a busy evening promenade; swimming is dangerous because of strong currents
செயின்ட் ஜார்ஜ் கோட்டை
Saint George Kottai
Fort St. George
Usage
East India Company fort completed in 1644, now the seat of the state government, with a museum and St. Mary's church inside
அரசு அருங்காட்சியகம்
Arasu Arungatchiyagam
Government Museum, Chennai
Usage
Museum in Egmore founded in 1851, world-renowned for its collection of Chola bronzes
வள்ளுவர் கோட்டம்
Valluvar Kottam
Valluvar Kottam
Usage
Stone monument shaped like a temple chariot honouring the poet Thiruvalluvar, in Nungambakkam, with his verses carved on the walls
கபாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில்
Kapaleeswarar Kovil
Kapaleeswarar Temple
Usage
Shiva temple in Mylapore with a brightly painted gateway tower; the easiest major temple to visit inside Chennai
பார்த்தசாரதி கோயில்
Parthasarathy Kovil
Parthasarathy Temple
Usage
Vishnu temple in Triplicane founded by the Pallavas in the 8th century; among the oldest temples in Chennai
சாந்தோம் ஆலயம்
Santhome Alayam
Santhome Basilica
Usage
Catholic basilica on the seaward side of Mylapore, built over the tomb of the apostle Thomas; one of only three churches worldwide over an apostle's grave
மீனாட்சி அம்மன் கோயில்
Meenakshi Amman Kovil
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Usage
Vast temple at the heart of Madurai with fourteen painted gateway towers and a thousand-pillar hall; the showpiece of South Indian temple architecture
பிரகதீஸ்வரர் கோயில்
Brihadeeswarar Kovil
Brihadeeswarar Temple
Usage
UNESCO-listed granite Chola temple in Thanjavur completed in 1010; locally called Periya Kovil, the Big Temple
ஸ்ரீரங்கம்
Srirangam
Srirangam
Usage
Temple town on an island north of Trichy; its Ranganathaswamy temple, ringed by seven walls, is among the largest Hindu temples in India
ராமநாதசுவாமி கோயில்
Ramanathaswamy Kovil
Ramanathaswamy Temple
Usage
Pilgrimage temple on Rameswaram island, famous for one of India's longest pillared corridors and for the ritual bathing at its 22 wells
அருணாசலேஸ்வரர் கோயில்
Arunachaleswarar Kovil
Arunachaleswarar Temple
Usage
Shiva temple in Tiruvannamalai dedicated to the element of fire; during the Karthigai festival in November or December a flame is lit on the hilltop
நடராஜர் கோயில்
Nataraja Kovil
Nataraja Temple
Usage
Temple in Chidambaram dedicated to Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, with a gold-roofed sanctum
ஏகாம்பரநாதர் கோயில்
Ekambaranathar Kovil
Ekambareswarar Temple
Usage
Largest Shiva temple in Kanchipuram, with a gateway tower about 59 m high and an ancient mango tree in its courtyard
ஐராவதேஸ்வரர் கோயில்
Airavatesvarar Kovil
Airavatesvara Temple
Usage
UNESCO site at Darasuram near Kumbakonam; a finely carved 12th-century Chola temple, one of the Great Living Chola Temples
கங்கைகொண்ட சோழபுரம்
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Usage
Ruined 11th-century Chola capital with a UNESCO temple, about 35 km north of Kumbakonam; public transport is sparse, so hiring a car is safer
கடற்கரைக் கோயில்
Kadarkarai Kovil
Shore Temple
Usage
Eighth-century stone temple standing at the water's edge in Mamallapuram, the centrepiece of the UNESCO site; best seen at sunrise
நாகூர் தர்கா
Nagore Dargah
Nagore Dargah
Usage
Sufi shrine near Nagapattinam honouring a 16th-century saint; visited by people of all faiths
விவேகானந்தர் பாறை
Vivekanandar Parai
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Usage
Memorial on a rock islet off Kanyakumari, a few minutes by ferry; said to be where Vivekananda meditated
திருவள்ளுவர் சிலை
Thiruvalluvar Silai
Thiruvalluvar Statue
Usage
Stone statue about 41 m high on an islet off Kanyakumari, depicting the poet Thiruvalluvar; reached by the same ferry as the Vivekananda Rock
தனுஷ்கோடி
Dhanushkodi
Dhanushkodi
Usage
Eastern tip of Rameswaram island, where the ruins of a town destroyed by the 1964 cyclone remain; Sri Lanka is about 30 km away
ஒகேனக்கல்
Hogenakkal
Hogenakkal Falls
Usage
Waterfalls on the Kaveri river in Dharmapuri district, known for rides in round coracle boats
குற்றாலம்
Courtallam
Courtallam
Usage
Cluster of waterfalls in Tirunelveli district, called the spa of the south; busiest with bathers in the June to September season
முதுமலை
Mudumalai
Mudumalai
Usage
National park and tiger reserve on the northern Nilgiri slopes, with elephants and gaur; on the road from Ooty towards Mysuru
ஆரோவில்
Auroville
Auroville
Usage
International experimental township outside Puducherry; visits to its golden dome, the Matrimandir, must be booked in advance
யாழ்ப்பாணம்
Jaffna
Jaffna
Usage
Main Tamil city of northern Sri Lanka, about 7-8 hours by train from Colombo, with a chain of islands beyond the peninsula
நல்லூர் கந்தசுவாமி கோவில்
Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
Nallur Kandaswamy Temple
Usage
Murugan temple north of Jaffna town, the most important shrine for northern Sri Lankan Tamils; its festival in July and August runs 25 days
திருகோணமலை
Trincomalee
Trincomalee
Usage
Port city on Sri Lanka's east coast with one of the world's finest natural harbours; nearby Nilaveli beach is best from May to September
கோணேஸ்வரம் கோவில்
Koneswaram Kovil
Koneswaram Temple
Usage
Shiva temple on the cliff of Trincomalee's headland, jutting over the sea; one of Sri Lanka's five principal Shiva temples
மட்டக்களப்பு
Batticaloa
Batticaloa
Usage
Tamil-speaking city on Sri Lanka's east coast, known for its lagoon, the legend of its singing fish, and a Dutch-era fort
வவுனியா
Vavuniya
Vavuniya
Usage
Transit town in northern Sri Lanka on the Colombo-Jaffna railway and highway, commonly used as a changing point
கிளிநொச்சி
Kilinochchi
Kilinochchi
Usage
District capital in northern Sri Lanka, an inland town on the A9 road and the railway towards Jaffna
மன்னார்
Mannar
Mannar
Usage
Island and town in northwest Sri Lanka facing Rameswaram across the Adam's Bridge shoals; known for its baobab trees and migratory birds
பருத்தித்துறை
Point Pedro
Point Pedro
Usage
Northernmost town of Sri Lanka, about 35 km from Jaffna; called Paruthithurai in Tamil
கதிர்காமம்
Kataragama
Kataragama
Usage
Pilgrimage town in southeast Sri Lanka revered by Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims alike; close to Yala National Park
நுவரெலியா
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya
Usage
Hill station in Sri Lanka's central highlands at about 1,900 m, with a large Indian Tamil population working the tea estates
கொழும்பு
Colombo
Colombo
Usage
Sri Lanka's largest city, with the country's airport and port; the starting point for trains and buses to the Tamil north and east
சிங்கப்பூர்
Singapore
Singapore
Usage
Country where Tamil is one of four official languages; station signs and public notices appear in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil
சாங்கி விமான நிலையம்
Changi Vimana Nilaiyam
Changi Airport
Usage
Singapore's international airport, with Tamil on its signage; served by flights to Chennai, Trichy and Madurai
கோலாலம்பூர்
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Usage
Capital of Malaysia; much of the Indian community speaks Tamil, and the Brickfields district is its Tamil commercial quarter
பத்துமலை
Batu Malai
Batu Caves
Usage
Limestone cave temple outside Kuala Lumpur dedicated to Murugan; hundreds of thousands attend the Thaipusam festival in January or February
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