Key Facts
- Location: Tamil Nadu is a state in Southern India.
- Capital and Largest City: The capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu is Chennai.
- Borders: It is bordered by the Union Territory of Puducherry and the South Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Geography: Tamil Nadu is bounded by the Eastern Ghats in the north, the Nilgiri Mountains, the Meghamalai Hills, and Kerala in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east, and the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait in the southeast. It is also situated along the Indian Ocean to the south.
- Historical Empires: Tamil Nadu has a rich history and was home to three great empires: the Chera, Chola, and Pandyan empires.
- Tannery Industry: The state contributes to 60 percent of the tannery industry in India.
- Kanyakumari: Kanyakumari is the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula and a meeting point of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean.
- Biodiversity: Tamil Nadu ranks first in angiosperm diversity among Indian states.
- Mamallapuram: Mamallapuram is a group of rock-cut monuments and temples carved between the 7th and 8th centuries AD in Mahabalipuram.
- Meenakshi Temple: The magnificent Meenakshi Temple in Madurai was built by the Pandyas.
- Classical Language: Tamil is the first Indian language to attain Classical Language status.
- Religious Traditions: Tamil Nadu is often referred to as “a land of temples,” and Tamils take pride in their religious traditions and strict adherence to them.
- Brihadeswara Temple: The world’s first granite temple is the Brihadeswara Temple at Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu.
- Classical Dance: Bharata Natyam is a classical form of dance from Tamil Nadu.
- Tolkappiyam: Much of Tamil grammar is extensively described in the oldest known grammar book for the Tamil language, the Tolkappiyam.
- Tirukkural: A notable example of Tamil poetry is the Tirukkural, written by Tiruvalluvar.
- Sangam Literature: The earliest period of Tamil literature, Sangam literature, is roughly dated from around 300 BCE to 300 CE.
- Agriculture: Tamil Nadu is the largest producer of banana, turmeric, tapioca, and the second-largest producer of mango, coconut, and groundnut.
- Poultry: Tamil Nadu had the second-largest number of poultry among all the states.
- Leather Tanning: The state accounts for 60 percent of the leather tanning capacity in India.
- Textile Sector: Tamil Nadu is one of the leading states in the textile sector and houses the country’s largest spinning industry, accounting for almost 80 percent of the total installed capacity in India.
- Biosphere Reserves: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, located in the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills, comprises parts of adjoining states of Kerala and Karnataka. The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is in the southwest of the state, bordering Kerala in the Western Ghats.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| State Animal | Nilgiri tahr |
| State Bird | Emerald dove |
| State Tree | Palmera Palm |
| State Flower | Gloriosa Lily |
| Rivers | Cheyyar, Cauvery, Meyar, Ponnaiyar, Chittar, Tamraparani, Bhavani |
| Tribes | Irulas, Kotas, Kaniyan, Kotas, Kanikkaran, Badagas, Koraga, Todas |
| Lakes | Ooty lake, Red hills lake, Kaliveli lake, Chembarambakkam lake, Sholavaram lake |
| Protected Areas | The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Agasthiyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Indira Gandhi /Anamalai National Park, Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Guindy National Park, Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary, Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalakaadu Mudanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Biosphere Reserves | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve – 1st Biosphere Reserve of India, Agasthyamalai |
| Tiger Reserves | Anamalai, Kalakad Mundanthurai, Satyamangalam |
| Dams | Aliyar Dam (Aliyar River), Amaravathi Dam (Amaravati River), Bhavanisagar Dam (Bhavani River), Grand Anicut Dam (Kallanai, Cauvery River), Mettur Dam (Cauvery River), Sathanur Dam (Pennaiyaru River), Pechiparai Dam (Kodayar River), Mukkadal Dam (Vambaru River), Vaigai Dam (Vaigai River) |
| Festivals | Pongal (harvest festival), Chithirai festival, Adipperukku, Mamallapuram, Natyanjali dance festival, Mahamagam festival, Kanthuri festival, Velankanni festival, Navarathiri, Karthigal Deepam |
| Dances | Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Odissi, Kolattam, Karagam, and Mayilattam (Folk Dances) |
| Art & Crafts | Tanjore style of painting, Kanchipuram silk, Toda women embroider geometrical patterns on shawls, called poothkuli |
| GI Tags | Kancheepuram Silk, Bhavani Jamakkalam, Madurai Sungudi, Arani Silk, Kovai Kora Cotton Sarees, Salem Silk (known as Salem Venpattu), Salem Fabric, Srivilliputtur Palkova, Stone carvings of Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur Art Plate (Logo), Swamimalai Bronze Icons (Logo), Temple Jewelry of Nagercoil, Panchamrit of Palani Murugan Temple, Pathamadai mat, Kovilpatti Kadlai Mittai, Coimbatore Wet Grinder, Virupakshi Hill Banana, Madurai Malli, Pattamadai Pai (“Pattamadai Mat”), Nachiarkoil Kuthuvilakku (“Nachiarkoil Lamp”), Chettinad Kottan, Toda Embroidery, Dindigul Locks, Kandangi Saree |
| Sports | Kabbadi (also known as Sadugudu), Silambam (traditional sports), Jallikatu (bull-taming sport) |
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Nilgiri Mountain Railways |
| Ramsar Site | Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary |
