Pudukkottai town is the headquarters of the district. Once a princely state, the area, which comparises the district, is of aborbing interest to historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and lovers of art. The numberous dolmens, stone circles and other forms of megalithic burials in the district indicate the antiquity of this region dating back to pre-historic and protohistorical times. This tract is mentioned in the sangam classics. The archaneological and cultural remains at kodumbalur, narthamalai, kudumianmalai, kunnandarkoil, sittannavasal, thirumayam and avudaiyarkoil are proofs of its rich cultural heritage.

Aranthangi: the second largest town in oudukkottai district after the headquarters. Aranthangi was the most populous locality in the south of the of the thanjavur district till it was added to pudukkottai. The main centre of attraction is a ruined fort.

Avudaiyarkoil: 40 kms from pudukkotttai. The athmanathaswami temple situated here contains graceful life-size sculptures which are of absorbing interest. The car of this temple is renowned for its wood carvings. The temple is noted for zephyr (granite roof) work. The sanctum sanctorum is covered with copper plate and is similar to the chidamparam natarajar temple.

Avur: 28 kms from pudukottai. The old chapel here was constructed in 1547 A.D. by fr, john venantius bouchet and the new roman catholic church was constructed in 1747 A.D. tamil scholar rev. Father joseph beschi (veerama munivar) also served in this church. The easter passion play followed by car festival, takes place in summer which attracts people of all faiths.

Brahadambal temple: thirukokarnam and bhuvaneswari temple, pudukkottai.church(1) church of st. Antony, Gandhi nagar (2) zion jubilee church near bus stand and (3) sacred heart church. Marthanpuram. Mosque, south second street.

Government museum: situated at thirrukokarnam, the museum is at a distance of 5 kms. From pudukkottai railway station. The wide range of collections in the sections of geology, zoology, paintings. Anthropology, epigraphy, historical records, ect. Are very interesting. The fine sculptures and bronzes of various periods are the attractive items of the museum. Timings 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. entrance fee: free holidays Friday ph: 04322-222247.

Kattubava pallivasal: 30 kms from pudukkoottai one of the Islamic muslim centres, this is located on the thirumayam-madurai highway. Both hindus and muslims visit this place. Annual “urs” takes place in the months of rabiyul ahir.

Sri kokarneswarar temple: the rock-cut cave temple of sri kokarneswarar brahadambal at thirukokarnam is of mahendraverma pallava’s period.

Vendanpatti: 40 kms from pudukkottai via ponnamaravathi. The nandi known as nei nandi in the arulmigu meenakshi chokkeswarar temple is very well known. Through made of black granite, it now shines like marble due to frequent abishekam with pure ghee. Another interesting feature is the absence of files and ants inspite of the nandi being showered with pure ghee every day. A large number of devotees flock dailt to this temple.

Viralimalai: the temple of lord subramanya at this place is on a hillock and is said to exit before 15th century A.D. there is a peacock sanctuary. It is 30 kms. From tiruchirapalli and 40 kms from pudukkottai. The principal idol is seated on a peacock with consorts on either side.

Kodumbalur: also known as moovarkoil, it is 36 kms, from pudukkottai and 42 kms from tiruchirapalli. It was formerly the seat of irukkuvelirs. Who were related to the cholas of the three shrines of moovarkoil only two exist now. These temples were built by boodhi vikramakesari in the 10 th centuary A.D. the architecture of the temple is unique among south Indian temples. The sculptures of kalarimurthi, gajasamharamurthi ardhanari. Gangadaramurthi ect. Are interesting master pieces of art. Nearby is the muchukundeswarar temple of the early chola period.

Kudumiyanmalai: the siva temple here has some interesting inscriptions as well as beautiful sculptures. One of the inscriptions deals with the musical treatise of mahendravarman pallava and his experimentation with an eight-stringed instrument called parivadini.

Kumaramalai; it is 10 kms from pudukkottai. A top a small mpunt is a murugan temple. The tank water of the mount is considered to be holy.

Manamelkudi: manamelkudi is a village panchayat in avudaiyarkoil taluk of pudukkottai district with a population of 10072 as per 1991 census. It extended over an area of 1135.24 hect. It is situated along the way of Bengal and well connected by a major district, road leading from aranthangi which is 43 kms. Away and passing through the taluk headquarters avudaiyarkoil which is 32 kms to the west.

Narthamalai: it is a place of historical importance and the headquarters of the mutharaiyar chieftains. The earliest structural stone temple, circular in shape, built by the mutharaiyars and the vijayalaya choleeswaram cave temple built by vijayalaya chola, the first king of the later cholas and kadambarmalai temple of the place are also worth visiting. It is 17 kms from pudukkottai.

Sittannavasal B.C.Jain cave temple. Fresco paintings reminiscent of Ajanta adorn the walls. Many of them are typical of the 9th century pandyan period and include exquisitely detailed pictures of animals, fish, ducks, people gathering lotuses from a pond and two dancing figures. There are also inscriptions dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries. Fresco paintings from the 7th century can be ten on the ceiling of ardhamandapam. There are many pre-historic burial sites around  attannavasal and among the relies unearthed are burial urns, cists and kungupatarai.

Thirumayam: 19 kms. From pudukkottai. The fort, the siva and Vishnu temple are the tourist attractions here. The fort played an important role in the history of tondaiman rulers of pudukkottai and the british. The creation of this 40 acre-wide fort in 1687 A.D. is attributed to sethupathi vijayaragunatha thevar, the sethupathi of ramanathapuram. On the hill there is a rock cut siva temple with music inscription and the relics of a fort. At the food of the hill also Vishnu and shiva shrines are found. The Vishnu temple is one of the most complete and the largest anantasayi groups in india. It is a natural cavern which has been changed into a shrine.