The South Coast of Tamil Nadu consists of Karaikal, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts. It is home to Thanjavur, once the capital of the Chola Empire and Rameswaram, one of the Hindu religious char dham (four abodes) sites.

Cities

• 1 Karaikal —

• 2 Kumbakonam — a city famous for its temples (there are hundreds of them)

• 3 Mannargudi —

• 4 Mayiladuthurai —

• 5 Poompuhar —

• 6 Pudukkottai —

• 7 Rameswaram — famous for Ramanthaswamy Temple and the birthplace of Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, with the mythological bridge to Sri Lanka nearby

• 8 Sirkazhi —

• 9 Thanjavur (Tanjore) — fine old architecture and exquisite handicrafts

• 10 Thirukkarugavur — site of a beautiful and well-maintained Garbharakshambigai temple

• 11 Thiruvayaru — a town with several temples and the home of the great Indian composer Thyagaraja and site of the annual Thyagaraja Aradhana

• 12 Tiruvarur —

• 13 Tranquebar (Tharangambadi) — port and site of a Danish fort (now a museum)

• 14 Velankanni —

Other destinations

• 1 Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
• 2 Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary — Mangrove forest