Tamil Nadu formerly Madras State, is one of the 29 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai (formerly known as Madras).

Capital and Largest city:Chennai(Madras)

Area rank:11th

Formation:January 1950, 26; 69 years ago†

Districts:33

Tamil Nadu([ˈt̪ɐmɨɻ ˈn̪aːɽɯ](listen), "TamilCountry"), formerlyMadras State, is one of the29 states of India. Its capital and largest city isChennai(formerly known as Madras). Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of theIndian subcontinentand is bordered by theunion territoryofPuducherryand theSouth Indianstates ofKerala,Karnataka, andAndhra Pradesh. It is bounded by theEastern Ghatson the north, by theNilgiri Mountains, theMeghamalaiHills, andKeralaon the west, by theBay of Bengalin the east, by theGulf of Mannarand thePalk Straiton the southeast, and by the Indian Ocean on the south. The state shares a maritime border with the nation ofSri Lanka.

Tamil Nadu, a South Indian state, is famed for its Dravidian-style Hindu temples. In Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Temple has high ‘gopuram’ towers ornamented with colourful figures. On Pamban Island, Ramanathaswamy Temple is a pilgrimage site. The town of Kanyakumari, at India’s southernmost tip, is thesite of ritual sunrises. Capital Chennai is known for beaches and landmarks including 1644 colonial Fort St. George.

Tamil Nadu, a South Indian state, is famed for its Dravidian-style Hindu temples. In Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Temple has high ‘gopuram’ towers ornamented with colourful figures. On Pamban Island, Ramanathaswamy Temple is a pilgrimage site. The town of Kanyakumari, at India’s southernmost tip, is thesite of ritual sunrises. Capital Chennai is known for beaches and landmarks including 1644 colonial Fort St. George.