Calendar TN22 A4 Print-min

Tamil Nadu Tourism

\"\" , . _____ , ,, , , . . , , , . ,, . \" \". . , . ,, , . . , ... True to its name, Tamil Nadu possesses within itself the natural and cultural wealth of an entire nation. The sheer diversity of our natural landscapes have been spoken about since the Sangam period, where- in literature classified our lands into the Aivakai Nilam or the Five Types of Tamil Lands - Kurinji or the mountains, Mullai or the forests, Marudham or the plains and croplands, Neydhal or the seacoast and Paalai or the dry wastelands. Over the years, as flora and fauna, people and kingdoms oriented them- selves across these landscapes, evolved, one of the richest cultures in the country. To travelers, tourists, pilgrims, adventurists, artists, historians, and many more, Tamil Nadu has always been a point of interest, for it has something to offer for every kind of seeker. Aerial photographs allow for a drastic change in perspective, from what can be perceived with the naked eye. This calendar is a compilation of some unique aerial points of view that can help one discover a renewed sense of appreciation for Tamil Nadu, a place where stories never end. : | PHOTOGRAPHED BY AAKASH SELVAN







NILGIRI MOUNTAIN RAILWAY | OOTY The only operational rack railway in India is the Nilgiris Mountain Railway, that runs through the many valleys, rivers, and villages of the blue mountains. It's a trip not only up the hills, but also back in time, for the train is powered by an old-fashioned steam locomotive. APR FSSMTWTFS S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 2 | Telugu New Year’s Day 14 | Tamil New Year’s Day/ Dr. B R Ambedkar’s Birthday/ Mahaveer Jayanthi 15 | Good Friday

KOLLI HILLS | NAMAKKAL Popular belief claims that the Kolli Hills are guarded by Goddess Kollipavai, the local deity of the region. Riding up the high-altitude motorable terrain with 70 hairpin bends is a challenge that motor enthusiasts from around the country like to take up. M AY SMTWTFSSM T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 | May Day 3 | Ramzan

ROCK FORT | TIRUCHIRAPPALLI The Rockfort, or Malaikottai, a 272 feet-high ancient rock was a site of military importance throughout the reigns of the many kingdoms that ruled over Tiruchirapalli - the Vijayanagara Empire, the Pallavas, the Chozhas, the Madurai Nayaks, and the Delhi Sultanate. . JUN WTFSSMTWT F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

KOLIKAMUTHI ELEPHANT CAMP | TOPSLIP The Malasar tribes of Anaimalai Hills are the elephant whisperers of Tamil Nadu. At the Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp in TopSlip, they rehabilitate rescued elephants and use their specialized knowledge to train the animals. JUL FSSMTWTFS S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 10 | Bakrid

SURFING | KOVALAM Kovalam has become an important hub of surfing culture in South India. The yearly Covelong Point Surfing Festival is a celebration of this identi- ty of Kovalam and is visited by surfing enthusiasts from all around the world. AUG MTWTFSSMTW T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 9 | Muharram 15 | Independence Day 19 | Krishna Jayanthi 31 | Vinayakar Chaturthi

SHORE TEMPLE | MAHABALIPURAM The group of temples, shrines, and sculptures on the coast of the Bay of Bengal are part of the grand architectural footprint left behind by the Pallavas. The temples have been around since the 7th century and had been crafted from finely cut granite. SEP TFSSMTWTF S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

KULASAI DUSSHERA I THOOTHUKUDI The hamlet of Kulasekarapattinam, transforms into a new avatar all together, for the 10-day long festival of Dussehra. Lakhs of devotees, don- ning elaborate costumes and guises that are interpretations of the form of Amman, gather here to partake in the celebrations. OCT SSMTWTFSS M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2 | Gandhi Jayanthi 4 | Ayutha Pooja 5 | Vijaya Dasami 9 | Milad-un-Nabi 24 | Deepavali

PADDY FIELDS | TENKASI Tenkasi is an ideal destination for those who wish to experience the idyllic and pastoral lifestyle of rural Tamil Nadu. It is not just the famed Cour- tallam Waterfalls that have popularized Tenkasi, but also its active local food culture. NOV TWTFSSMTW T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

PICHAVARAM MANGROVE FOREST | CUDDALORE The Pichavaram mangrove forest is the second largest mangrove forest in the country, after the Sunderbans in West Bengal. One can take a boat to cruise through this marshy ecosystem of birds, animals, and plant species. DEC TFSSMTWTF S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 25 | Christmas