 Promoting Chettinad
 Palatial mansions, huge temples, lakes and a cuisine that is spawning restaurants by the dozen in Tamil Nadu, are major attractions in the state. But tourism-wise, they are the least exploited. The government is stepping in to correct this anomaly.
Chettinad - part of Sivaganga and Pudukottai districts in Tamil Nadu - is being promoted as a major tourist destination, after Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Thanjavur and Rameswaram, according to Tourism commissioner Shaktikanta Das.
 Participating in the 'Chettinad Heritage Seminar and Festival' in Karaikudi, organised to seek suggestions for promoting tourism in the region, he said Tamil Nadu was second to Uttar Pradesh in attracting foreign tourists.
About 11 lakh tourists had visited Tamil Nadu last year, most of them staying for seven to eight days in the state.
 The Tourism Development Board wanted them to stay for at least 10 to 12 days in Tamil
Nadu.
"Besides, we should make about three crore domestic tourists visit Tamil Nadu by providing them a package tour, including Chettinad. Now there were only four major tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu, including Madurai, Kanyakumari, Tiruchirapalli and
Thanjavur."
"Our effort is to create awareness about the hidden treasures of Chettinad, which include its rich culture, heritage, mansions and temples and make it a permanent destination like other destinations," he said.
 Das said the government had allocated Rs 2 crore for making Karaikudi a heritage town, developing its infrastructure and amenities and taking up development works in the Chettinad heritage areas.
The Chettinad area, people by Chettiars, or Nagarathars, as they prefer to be called, has a unique style of living, remarkale architecture, culture, its own cuisine and sarees. The mansions of even ordinary business people speak volumes about their rich heritage. The shining walls and floors and the intricate woodwork are awe-inspiring.
 Apart from their culture, the temples of Chettinad are also major draws, the most famous being Pillaiyarpatti. The colossal image of Lord Ganesa, carved on the rock, is unique as it is depicted with only two hands. It is temples like these that the government should focus on to draw tourists, apart from showcasing the lifestyle of the Nagarathars.
(Agencies)
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