Best Places To Visit In Tamilnadu During Christmas And New Year

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Hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, glittering star lanterns and Christmas trees up for sale, the aroma of plum cake in the air, twinkling lightings and figurines of Santa Claus adorning the streets and shops, a festive ambience everywhere and the world is gearing up for the most favourite season of the year. Also, we are near to the time of the year to bid adieu to fabulous 2019 and to step into a new one with new resolutions and immense happiness. 

Christmas and New Year holidays are a joyful occasion for a blissful vacation with family and friends. This time, plan your Christmas and New Year vacation in Tamil Nadu. Brimming with numerous Churches to attend the Holy midnight mass and plenty of stunning places for a rocking New Year celebration, Tamil Nadu is an awesome destination to spend your Christmas and New Year holidays.

Here’s is the list of Must Visit Places In Tamil Nadu During Christmas and New Year:

San Thome Basilica, Chennai

San Thome Basilica in Chennai is one of the best places to enjoy Christmas with all its divinity as well as grandeur. The magnificent Church is beautifully decked up during Christmas celebrations offering a visual treat. The preparations for the grand day starts before 20 days of Christmas.

San Thome Basilica is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Chennai

San Thome Basilica Church, also known as St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas is one of the oldest churches in Chennai, in the state of Tamil Nadu. Devotees flocks here from far and wide on Christmas eve to attend the solemn Christmas service and the special Holy mass. The Church celebrates Christmas in a grand manner and gifts are distributed to kids during the celebrations. 

Things to do: Attend the holy mass, visit the St. Thomas Museum.

Places to visit:

  • Marina Beach.
  • Vivekananda House.
  • Victory War Memorial.
  • Fort St. George.

Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, Velankanni

Fondly known as the “Lourdes of the East“, the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health or the Velankanni Church in Nagapattinam is the most sacred Christian pilgrimage centre in India. It is a very divine place where traditions recount that Mother Mary had appeared with the Infant Jesus.

Velankanni Church in Nagapattinam

The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, also known as Sanctuary of Our Lady of Vailankanni, is a Marian shrine located at the small town of Velankanni in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu. Visiting Velankanni Church during Christmas and attending the midnight mass is a blessed experience. One can witness the Church glittering in the spectacular lightings during the festive time. 

Things to do: Attend holy mass, visit the Elliot’s Beach.

Places to visit:

  • Velankanni Church Museum.
  • Velankanni Beach.
  • Nagapattinam.

St. Andrew’s Church (The Kirk), Chennai

An epitome of a timeless masterpiece and a fascinating colonial-era monument, the St. Andrews Church is one of many exquisite colonial landmarks in Chennai. It is also one of the oldest churches in Chennai and was built by the East India Company.

St. Andrews Church in Chennai

The most striking features of the Church are its elegant blue-painted dome supported by a circle of 16 magnificent Corinthian pillars. The well-disciplined service and inspiring sermons of St. Andrews Church are very popular. Their incredible soul-soothing carols make it a must-visit place during Christmas. 

Things to do: Attend the Christmas service, enjoy the Christmas carol, explore the mesmerizing architecture of the Church.

Places to visit:

Armenian Church

The Armenian Church, also known as the Armenian Church of Virgin Mary in Chennai’s Parry’s Corner is a true testament to the multi-cultural fabric of the city. Built-in 1712 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Armenian Church is one of the oldest churches in India and must-visit church during Christmas. It is believed that the wishes of devotees who visit this Church and offer sincere and honest prayers are fulfilled.

Armenian Church in Chennai

The beautiful ambiance and the serenity offered by the Church is its highlight. The sparkling lights and ornate decorations make the church look spectacular during Christmas. A huge number of people visit the Armenian Church on Christmas eve to attend the holy mass. This small structure situated on the busy Armenian Street, which is easy to miss but it is undoubtedly one of the Chennai’s most important historic churches.

Things to do: Attend the Holy mass, Spend some quality time in prayer at the Church, Admire the beauty of the Church.

Places to visit:

  • Victory War Memorial.
  • Fort St. George.
  • Marina Beach.
  • Vivekananda House.

St. George’s Cathedral

Established in 1947, the St. George’s Cathedral in Chennai is counted as one of the first churches of Independent India. St. George’s Cathedral was the venue for the inauguration of the Church of South India(CSI) and one of India’s largest Christian denominations. Though the Church has lost its past glory, it is still admired for its intricate architecture and peaceful atmosphere.

Side view of St. George's Cathedral in Chennai

Christmas is celebrated here with much pomp and grandeur making it a must-visit during the festive season. The Church witnesses a huge number of devotees as well as tourists who visit here to seek the blessings of the Lord and to celebrate Christmas. The solemn service and holy mass of St. George’s Cathedral is very popular in the city.

Things to do: Attend the Holy mass, Explore the Church, Spend some quality time in prayer at the Church, Admire the beauty and tranquillity offered by the Church.

Places to visit:

St. Teresa’s Church

Another popular church to visit during Christmas is the beautiful St. Teresa’s Church, situated in Nungambakkam, Chennai. It was built-in 1970 by the British.

Front view of St. Teresa Church in Nungambakkam

The Church witnesses the maximum number of devotees twice a year – in the first week of October when the Church celebrates the Festival of St. Theresa with great devotion and during the Christmas eve. There is a special mass in the Tamil language during Christmas which is very popular.

Things to do: Attend the Holy mass, Explore the Church, Spend some quality time in prayer at the Church.

Places to visit:

  • Semmozhi Poonga.
  • San Thome Church.
  • Government Museum Chennai.
  • The Faraway Tree Gallery.
  • Vivekananda House.

St. Thomas Mount National Shrine

St. Thomas Mount National Shrine is a well-known attraction in Tamil Nadu. Perched atop of a hillock, near the neighborhood of Guindy and very close to Chennai International Airport, the Church stands on the site where the tradition states that St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ was killed. It is a must-visit place during your trip to Tamil Nadu during Christmas and New Year.

St. Thomas Mount National Shrine in Chennai

The entire Church is decked up in glittering lightings attracting hundreds of people during Christmas. The solemn prayer sessions and lectures are worth inspiring. The spiritual tranquillity offered by the Church takes you to a different world.

Things to do: Attend the Holy mass, Explore the Church, Enjoy the scenic views from the hillock, Spend some quality time in prayer at the Church.

Places to visit:

  • Marina Beach.
  • Fort St. George.
  • San Thome Church.
  • Government Museum of Chennai.
  • Vivekananda House.

Marina Beach Chennai

The Marina Beach in Chennai hosts elegant Christmas and New Year parties. If you love to have some fun on the beach along with indulging in the Christmas and New Year parties, Marina Beach is an ideal pick. It is considered as the second largest beach in the world featuring a long shoreline for basking and other beach activities.

Chennai Marina beach New Year celebration

The beach is bustling with numerous stalls selling handicrafts, artefacts, ethnic jewellery, and food items. Admiring the beautiful sunrise and sunset at Marina Beach is a pleasant experience.

Things to do: Strolling, Admire sunrise and sunset, Shopping, Fly kites, Pony riding.

Places to visit:

  • Vivekananda House.
  • Semmozhi Poonga.
  • Chepauk Palace.
  • Lighthouse.
  • MGR memorial.
  • Anna memorial.

Pondicherry/Puducherry

There is no better place than Pondicherry to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s eve. It’s a hub for party lovers and the popular restaurants, hotels and beach resorts in Pondicherry hosts night parties, wine parties, cocktail parties, etc with rocking DJ, unlimited food, snacks, grand firecracker display and spectacular live performances by various artists.

Auroville in Pondicherry

If you wish to enjoy this Christmas and New, indulging in parties, think no further and head to Pondicherry. Besides, Pondicherry is a picturesque place with plenty of beaches and seashores. If you are not into the parties, spend your vacation exploring the exquisite beauty of Pondicherry.

Things to do: Indulge in Christmas and New Year parties, Explore the beaches, Admire the beauty of the place, Indulge in Auroville, Shopping.

Places to visit:

  • Paradise Beach.
  • Chunnambar Boat House.
  • Serenity Beach.
  • Promenade Beach.
  • Arikamedu.
  • Auroville.

Kodaikanal

For those seeking a peaceful getaway in the lap of nature, the alluring hill station of Kodaikanal is a perfect choice and a must-visit place in Tamil Nadu to celebrate this Christmas and New Year.

Silhouette of a woman watching the sunrise at Dolphin's nose in Kodaikanal, India

Known for its mesmerizing natural beauty and soothing climate, it is reckoned as the “Princess of Hill Station“. Treat yourself to the spellbinding views of sprawling lush green tea plantations and rolling hills and other famous tourist attractions places when you are at Kodaikanal.

Things to do: Admire the natural beauty of the place, Boating, Strolling, Trekking, Hiking, Shopping.

Places to visit:

  • Kodaikanal Lake
  • Coaker’s Walk.
  • Pine Forest.
  • Pillar Rocks.
  • Bryant Park.
  • Guna Caves.
  • Dolphin’s nose
  • Mannavanur
  • Poomparai Village

Kanyakumari

How about watching the New Year begin, admiring the most incredible sunrise? Then visit the iconic tourist attraction Kanyakumari. It is said to be the only place in India where you can observe the sunrise and sunset at the same beach.

Kanyakumari

Home to many pristine beaches and beautiful churches, Kanyakumari is one of the best places in Tamil Nadu to celebrate Christmas and New Year. The place offers a unique opportunity to behold the sight of the confluence of three oceans – the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean

Things to do: Admire the beauty of the place, Watch the incredible sunrise and sunset, Boating, Shopping.

Places to visit:

  • Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
  • Padmanabhapuram Palace.
  • Thiruvalluvar Statue.
  • Thirparappu falls.

Kutrallam

Nature lovers who wish to spend their Christmas and New Year holiday amidst nature, Kutrallam/Courtallam is the place for you. Fresh air, sprawling greenery, spellbinding cascades of waterfalls and picturesque surroundings makes Kutrallam a haven for nature lovers.

Courtallam waterfalls

The waterfalls of Kutrallam is said to possess some medicinal properties. Enjoy a peaceful and joyous Christmas and New Year, exploring the panoramic vistas and relaxing in the unadulterated nature of Kutrallam.

Things to do: Admire the beauty of the place, Have fun at the waterfalls, Shopping.

Places to visit:

  • Shenbaga Falls.
  • Five Falls.
  • Main Falls.
  • Palaruvi Waterfalls.

Come, celebrate a fun-filled Christmas and New Year holiday in Tamil Nadu.

On this very special festival season, Tamilnadu Tourism offers customized tour packages at the best price for you to enjoy a blissful vacation in Tamil Nadu during this Christmas & New Year.

Enquire now and get the best deals and offers

www.tamilnadutourism.com

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