Annamalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu | Kodaikanal Hills

Annamalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu

Annamalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, closer to Kodaikanal in the Palani hills, is better known for its Lion-tailed Macaques (black-maned Monkeys). The wetlands of the coast provide perfect resting places for migratory birds, whose numbers soar during the winter monsoon at Vedathangal, near Chennai, and Point Calimere.

History of Tamilnadu

Kodaikanal Hills - Tamil Nadu was ruled by three major dynasties-the Cholas in the east, the Pandyas in the central area and Cheras in the west. This was during the Sangam Age-the classical period of Tamil literature-that continued for some 300 years after the birth of Christ. The Pallava dynasty was influential particularly in the 7th and 8th centuries, the testimonies to which are the monuments at Mamallapuram.

Tour to Kodaikanal - However, by the 17th century, due to the disintegration of the Vijaynagar Empire, various small rulers like the Nayaks ruled southern India.

By the middle of the 18th century, there were frequent conflicts between the British, French, Danes, and Dutch due to their interest in these areas. Tour to Kodaikanal, The British were finally victorious, while small pocketed areas including Pondicherry and Karaikal remained under French control. Under the British rule, most of south India was integrated into the region called the Madras Presidency. In 1956, the Madras Presidency was disbanded and Tamil Nadu was established.

Tour to Kodaikanal - Although Tamil Nadu is one of the most urbanized states of India, it is still a rural land; agriculture is the mainstay of life for about three-quarters of the rural population. The principal food crops are rice, maize, Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, and pulses. The cash crops include cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds, coffee, tea rubber, and chillies.

The major industries of Tamil Nadu include cotton textiles, chemicals, fertilizers, paper and paper products, printing and allied industries, diesel engines, automobiles and parts, cement, sugar, iron and steel, and railway wagon and coaches.

The state of Tamilnadu is the largest textiles producer in India and an important exporter of leather and leather products, cotton piece goods, tea, coffee, spices, tobacco, etc.

There are a number of hydel power stations in Tamil Nadu.

The atomic power plant is located at Kalpakkam, in the Chengalpattu MGR district.

Tamil Nadu is rich in handicrafts; notable among them are hand loomed silk, metal icons, leather work, Kalamkari (hand-painted fabric, using natural dyes), brass, bronze, and copper wares, and carved wood, palm leaf, and cane articles.

For the best Chola bronzes and a glimpse of the magnificent paintings that flourished under Maratha rajas in the 18th century, travellers should head for Thanjavur.

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