(Last Updated on : 29/03/2013)
The monuments of Tamil Nadu attract tourists from all over the world and are considered the architectural gems in the southern area of India. Most of the ancient buildings have been constructed by following Dravidian architectural style. These monuments reflect a unique style which is evident from their design of the walls and the ceilings which have been decorated with intricate and delicate sculptures. Lots of ancient monuments such as Madras War Cemetery, Bharathiyar Illam, Rippon Building, Vivekananda Illam, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal and the Rock Fort temple are present in the major cities of the state.
The monuments of Tamil Nadu can be classified into two categories, historical monuments and religious monuments. Several dynasties ruled over the province from the ancient period. Those rulers were the patrons of art and constructed lots of historical monuments. The early and medieval era monuments still exist in these provinces and are beautiful and amazing. The Tamil Nadu monuments embody the excellence of sculptors of the ruling dynasties of that period. Several cities of Tamil Nadu such as Mahabalipuram, the capital Chennai, Madurai and Tiruchilappalli are dotted with these wonderful monuments. Apart from the historical monuments, the rulers of different dynasties also built several religious monuments that remain as a witness of craftsmanship of the by gone days.
It is a land of strong religious beliefs that comprises different religious groups. However, Hinduism is the religion whose past endures into the present. The major religious monuments constructed in the state from the ancient period were temples. The intricate sculptures of the temples, such as, the beautifully carved walls, amazing sanctum and the huge mandapa are the major characteristics of the religious monuments of Tamil Nadu. The typical cultural icons of these monuments are the huge temples along with their lofty gopurams or spires. Some of the famous religious monuments of Tamil Nadu present in the cities of Rameshwaram, Kanchipuram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Thiruvannaamalai, Aragalur, Tiruttani, and Tiruvallur. These temple monuments are built in a typical architectural style of this province and not seen anywhere else in the country. The famous towering temples and the rock cut temples render millions of tourists speechless.