Editing Tamil Nadu (section)

== Tourism and recreation==
{{Main|Tourism in Tamil Nadu}}
[[File:NMR Train on viaduct 05-02-26 33.jpeg|thumb|upright=0.9|[[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]] in the [[Nilgiri hills]] is a declared [[World Heritage Site]]]]
With its diverse culture and architecture and varied geographies, Tamil Nadu has a robust tourism industry. In 1971, the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] established the [[Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation]], which is the nodal agency responsible for the promotion of [[tourism]] and development of tourist related infrastructure in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tn.gov.in/department/32|title=Tourism,Culture and Religious Endowments Department|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=1 October 2023|archive-date=2 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002075336/https://www.tn.gov.in/department/32|url-status=live}}</ref> It is managed by the [[Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department|Tourism,Culture and Religious Endowments Department]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/rti/proactive/inftour/handbook_ttdc.pdf|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu|title=Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Limited|access-date=1 October 2023|archive-date=30 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130115242/https://www.tn.gov.in/rti/proactive/inftour/handbook_ttdc.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The tag line "Enchanting Tamil Nadu" was adopted in the tourism promotions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tourism.gov.in/webcast/enchanting-tamil-nadu-culture|title=Enchanting Tamil Nadu|publisher=Government of India|access-date=1 October 2023|archive-date=3 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603090225/https://tourism.gov.in/webcast/enchanting-tamil-nadu-culture|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="EC">{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/travel/tamil-nadu-ranks-first-for-domestic-tourism-official/articleshow/44713716.cms|title=Tamil Nadu ranks first for domestic tourism: Official|date=10 November 2014|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=3 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603090231/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/travel/tamil-nadu-ranks-first-for-domestic-tourism-official/articleshow/44713716.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 21st century, the state has been amongst the top destinations for domestic and international tourists.<ref name="EC"/><ref>{{cite report|title=India Tourism Statistics 2020|url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-05/INDIA%20TOURISM%20STATISTICS%202020.pdf|access-date=10 August 2023|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608163829/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-05/INDIA%20TOURISM%20STATISTICS%202020.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2020}}, Tamil Nadu recorded the most tourist foot-falls with more than 140.7 million tourists visiting the state.<ref name="CR">{{cite report|url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-09/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%202022%20%28English%29.pdf|title=India Tourism statistics-2021|publisher=[[Government of India]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922083717/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-09/India%20Tourism%20Statistics%202022%20%28English%29.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tamil Nadu's coastline is {{convert|1,076|km}} long, with many beaches dotting the coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/beaches|title=Tamil Nadu beaches|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=22 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222142050/https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/beaches|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Marina Beach]] spanning {{cvt|13|km|abbr=on}} is the second-longest urban beach in the world.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJfu5vbPbA0C&pg=PA81|title=Observing our environment from space: new solutions for a new millennium|author=EARSeL|year=2002|isbn=978-9-058-09254-0|publisher=A. A. Balakema|access-date=24 December 2023|archive-date=3 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603090223/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJfu5vbPbA0C&pg=PA81|url-status=live}}</ref> As the state is straddled by the Western and Eastern ghats, it is home to many hill stations, popular amongst them are [[Ooty|Udagamandalam]] (Ooty) situated in the [[Nilgiri Hills]] and [[Kodaikanal]] in the Palani hills.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/hills|title=Tamil Nadu hill stations|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=22 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222143609/https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/hills|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-valuead-initiative/ooty-the-queen-of-hill-stations-in-south-india/1725177/|title=Ooty: The Queen Of Hill Stations In South India|date=22 August 2023|newspaper=Print|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=22 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222143743/https://theprint.in/theprint-valuead-initiative/ooty-the-queen-of-hill-stations-in-south-india/1725177/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/ooty|title=Ooty|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=22 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222143745/https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/ooty|url-status=live}}</ref> There are a number of [[Indian rock-cut architecture|rock-cut]] cave-temples and more than 34,000 temples in Tamil Nadu built across various periods some of which are several centuries old.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tamil-Nadu-Andhra-Pradesh-build-temple-ties-to-boost-tourism/articleshow/6284409.cms|title=Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh build temple ties to boost tourism|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 August 2010|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=18 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418203859/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tamil-Nadu-Andhra-Pradesh-build-temple-ties-to-boost-tourism/articleshow/6284409.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Cave-temples in the Regions of the Pāṇdya, Muttaraiya, Atiyamān̤ and Āy Dynasties in Tamil Nadu and Kerala|first=D.|last=Dayalan|year=2014|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India}}</ref> With many rivers and streams, there are a number of waterfalls in the state including the [[Courtallam]] and [[Hogenakkal Falls]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/coutrallam-waterfalls|title=Coutrallam|access-date=1 December 2023|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|archive-date=23 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223074246/https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/coutrallam-waterfalls|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/waterfalls|title=Waterfalls|access-date=1 December 2023|publisher=[[Government of Tamil Nadu]]|archive-date=23 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223074249/https://www.tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/waterfalls|url-status=live}}</ref> There are four [[World Heritage Site]]s declared by [[UNESCO]] in the state: [[Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/249/|title=Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=4 November 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051104085753/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/249/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Great Living Chola Temples]],<ref name="Great Living Chola Temples"/> [[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Nilgiri Mountain Railway|url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,1,304,374,492,552|publisher=Indian Railway|access-date=21 August 2019|archive-date=6 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206122930/https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,1,304,374,492,552|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/944/|title=Mountain Railways of India|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|access-date=1 March 2023|archive-date=19 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219024051/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/944/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]].<ref>{{cite news|date=27 January 2021|title=Conservationist joins SC panel on elephant corridor case|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/conservationist-joins-sc-panel-on-elephant-corridor-case/article33678554.ece|access-date=28 January 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128055024/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/conservationist-joins-sc-panel-on-elephant-corridor-case/article33678554.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/biosphere/aspac/nilgiri|title=Nilgiri biosphere|date=11 January 2019|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|access-date=1 March 2023|archive-date=2 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202001705/https://en.unesco.org/biosphere/aspac/nilgiri|url-status=live}}</ref>