There are outstanding tourist attractions throughout Tamil Nadu, and visitors to the gorgeous coastline can boost the local economy and enjoy themselves while learning a lot from locals about their post-tsunami experiences.
Mahabalipuram, right on the Bay of Bengal, is one place it's especially easy to linger while exploring the temples, carvings and caves at this alluring UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is a friendly fishing village with incredibly well-preserved ruins from the 6th to 9th centuries that attract many domestic tourists. It is easy to walk around the town, but hiring a tuk-tuk to buzz between sights is cheap and helps beat the heat and rain. There are guides at each site who make visits more worthwhile and are great value.
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