Religion

Tamil Nadu is a tapestry of religious devotion, most visibly marked by its monumental Dravidian temple architecture.

* **Hinduism:** The majority religion. Tamil Nadu is famous for its towering, intricately carved *Gopurams* (temple towers). Key sites include the Meenakshi Amman Temple (Madurai), Brihadisvara Temple (Thanjavur), and Ramanathaswamy Temple (Rameswaram). * **Christianity:** The state has a significant Christian population. St. Thomas the Apostle is traditionally believed to have been martyred here. San Thome Basilica in Chennai and the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni are major pilgrimage sites. * **Islam:** Islam has a long history in the state, largely via coastal trade. The Nagore Dargah and the Thousand Lights Mosque in Chennai are significant centers of Islamic worship.