Tamil Nadu GK Quiz – Questions with Answers
How well do you really know Tamil Nadu? This free Tamil Nadu GK quiz brings together the questions that turn up again and again in school tests, competitive exam practice and family quiz nights: the state symbols, the great works of Tamil literature, famous temple towns, local industries and the arts that give the state its character. Every question comes with four options, and after you answer you see a short explanation, so you learn something new even when you guess wrong.
What this quiz covers
The questions are grouped around a few big themes. Knowing them makes the quiz far easier, and it also gives you a neat mental map of the state.
- State symbols – the official animal, bird, tree, flower, fruit and butterfly of Tamil Nadu.
- Language and literature – the Thirukkural, the Sangam-era epics, Tolkappiyam and the poets who shaped modern Tamil.
- Temples and towns – which city is home to which famous temple, and the nicknames towns are known by.
- Industries and crafts – silk, fireworks, mining, dolls and the products that made places famous.
- Arts and traditions – classical dance, temple music and traditional martial arts.
A few facts worth remembering
Tamil is one of the oldest living languages in the world, and its literary tradition stretches back to the Sangam age. Tolkappiyam is the oldest surviving work of Tamil grammar, and the Thirukkural by Thiruvalluvar is divided into three parts: Aram (virtue), Porul (wealth) and Inbam (love). Two great epics, Silappathikaram by Ilango Adigal and Manimekalai by Sattanar, are still read and performed today, and Kannagi, the heroine of Silappathikaram, remains one of the best-known characters in Tamil storytelling.
Tamil Nadu has its own state symbols too. Besides the Nilgiri tahr and the palmyra palm, the state bird is the emerald dove, the state fruit is the jackfruit – one of the famous "mukkani" or three fruits along with mango and banana – and the state butterfly is the Tamil Yeoman, a bright orange butterfly of the Western Ghats.
Many towns are famous for one thing above all. Kanchipuram is known for its silk sarees, Neyveli for lignite mining, Chidambaram for its Nataraja temple and Thanjavur for the nodding thalaiyatti bommai dolls. If you can link a town to its speciality, you will score well here.
Study tips for Tamil Nadu GK
- Learn in groups. Memorise the state symbols together, the epics and their authors together, and temple towns together. Linked facts are easier to recall.
- Use a map. Place each temple town and industry on a map of Tamil Nadu. You will remember Tiruchendur better once you know it sits right on the seashore.
- Read the explanations. After each game, read the explanation for every question you missed. That one habit improves scores faster than anything else.
- Play little and often. Ten questions a day works better than a hundred once a month. Our post on making brain games a daily habit explains why.
Want a warm-up first? Read our article with Tamil Nadu GK questions with answers, or plan a trip with the beginner's guide to Tamil Nadu temple towns.
More quizzes to try
Once you are done here, go deeper with the Tamil Nadu geography quiz on rivers, hills and coasts, the Tamil Nadu history quiz on the Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas and freedom fighters, and the Tamil festivals and food quiz.
Ready? Play the quiz above, read the explanations, and then take the timed TN Quiz game in the TNChatZone app to win coins – they are just for fun and bragging rights, with no cash value.
All 43 questions with answers
Try to answer before you tap "Show answer".
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What is the capital of Tamil Nadu?
- A. Madurai
- B. Chennai
- C. Coimbatore
- D. Trichy
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✅ Chennai
Chennai, formerly called Madras, is the capital of Tamil Nadu and its largest city.
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What is the state animal of Tamil Nadu?
- A. Tiger
- B. Elephant
- C. Nilgiri tahr
- D. Blackbuck
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✅ Nilgiri tahr
The Nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat found in the Western Ghats, is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
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What is the state tree of Tamil Nadu?
- A. Banyan
- B. Neem
- C. Coconut
- D. Palmyra palm
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✅ Palmyra palm
The Palmyra palm (panai maram) is Tamil Nadu's state tree; nearly every part of it is used, from its fruit to its leaves.
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What is the state flower of Tamil Nadu?
- A. Lotus
- B. Gloriosa lily (Senganthal)
- C. Jasmine
- D. Marigold
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✅ Gloriosa lily (Senganthal)
The Gloriosa lily, called Senganthal in Tamil, is the state flower of Tamil Nadu.
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Who wrote the Thirukkural?
- A. Kambar
- B. Avvaiyar
- C. Thiruvalluvar
- D. Ilango Adigal
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✅ Thiruvalluvar
The Thirukkural, the classic Tamil work on virtue, wealth and love, was written by Thiruvalluvar.
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How many kurals (couplets) are in the Thirukkural?
- A. 1000
- B. 1330
- C. 1500
- D. 1133
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✅ 1330
The Thirukkural has 1330 kurals, arranged in 133 chapters of 10 couplets each.
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The Meenakshi Amman Temple is in which city?
- A. Madurai
- B. Thanjavur
- C. Kanchipuram
- D. Tiruchendur
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✅ Madurai
The Meenakshi Amman Temple, with its towering colourful gopurams, stands at the heart of Madurai.
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Which Chola king built the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur?
- A. Rajendra Chola I
- B. Karikala Chola
- C. Rajaraja Chola I
- D. Kulothunga Chola
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✅ Rajaraja Chola I
Rajaraja Chola I built the Brihadeeswarar Temple, completed around 1010 CE; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Which place is the southern tip of mainland India?
- A. Rameswaram
- B. Kanyakumari
- C. Tuticorin
- D. Nagercoil
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✅ Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is the southern tip of mainland India, where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean meet.
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Which hill station is called the "Queen of Hill Stations" in Tamil Nadu?
- A. Kodaikanal
- B. Yercaud
- C. Ooty
- D. Valparai
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✅ Ooty
Ooty (Udhagamandalam) in the Nilgiris is popularly called the Queen of Hill Stations.
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Thai Pongal is celebrated in which Tamil month?
- A. Chithirai
- B. Aadi
- C. Margazhi
- D. Thai
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✅ Thai
Thai Pongal is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai, usually around 14 or 15 January.
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Jallikattu is held during which festival?
- A. Deepavali
- B. Pongal
- C. Karthigai Deepam
- D. Navaratri
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✅ Pongal
Jallikattu, the traditional bull-taming sport, is held during the Pongal festival, especially around Mattu Pongal.
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Which classical dance form comes from Tamil Nadu?
- A. Kathakali
- B. Kuchipudi
- C. Bharatanatyam
- D. Odissi
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✅ Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam comes from Tamil Nadu; Kathakali is from Kerala, Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh and Odissi from Odisha.
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Marina Beach is in which city?
- A. Chennai
- B. Puducherry
- C. Cuddalore
- D. Nagapattinam
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✅ Chennai
Marina Beach runs along the coast of Chennai and is one of the longest urban beaches in the world.
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The Mahabalipuram shore temple was built by which dynasty?
- A. Cholas
- B. Pandyas
- C. Pallavas
- D. Cheras
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✅ Pallavas
The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram was built by the Pallavas in the 8th century, during the reign of Narasimhavarman II.
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Mettur Dam is built across which river?
- A. Vaigai
- B. Kaveri
- C. Thamirabarani
- D. Palar
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✅ Kaveri
Mettur Dam in Salem district is built across the Kaveri (Cauvery) river and supplies water to the delta districts.
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Which city is called the "Manchester of South India"?
- A. Tiruppur
- B. Erode
- C. Coimbatore
- D. Salem
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✅ Coimbatore
Coimbatore is called the Manchester of South India because of its many textile mills.
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Sivakasi is famous for which industry?
- A. Silk
- B. Fireworks
- C. Leather
- D. Tea
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✅ Fireworks
Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district is famous for fireworks, matches and printing.
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Thanjavur is known as the ___ of Tamil Nadu.
- A. Rice bowl
- B. Temple city
- C. Textile capital
- D. Gateway
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✅ Rice bowl
Thanjavur, in the fertile Kaveri delta, is known as the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu.
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In which year did India declare Tamil a classical language?
- A. 1999
- B. 2004
- C. 2008
- D. 2010
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✅ 2004
In 2004 Tamil became the first language to be declared a classical language by the Government of India.
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How many letters are there in the Tamil alphabet?
- A. 216
- B. 247
- C. 256
- D. 230
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✅ 247
Tamil has 247 letters: 12 vowels, 18 consonants, 216 vowel-consonants and the aaytham (ஃ).
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Kodaikanal is in which district?
- A. Theni
- B. Nilgiris
- C. Dindigul
- D. Madurai
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✅ Dindigul
Kodaikanal, the "Princess of Hill Stations", is in Dindigul district.
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The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is at which place?
- A. Rameswaram
- B. Kanyakumari
- C. Chennai
- D. Tiruchendur
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✅ Kanyakumari
The Vivekananda Rock Memorial stands on a rock in the sea off Kanyakumari, where Swami Vivekananda is said to have meditated.
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What is the state bird of Tamil Nadu?
- A. Indian peacock
- B. Emerald dove
- C. Indian roller
- D. Great hornbill
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✅ Emerald dove
The emerald dove is the state bird of Tamil Nadu. It is a shy green-winged dove found in forests, including the Western Ghats.
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What is the state fruit of Tamil Nadu?
- A. Mango
- B. Banana
- C. Guava
- D. Jackfruit
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✅ Jackfruit
Jackfruit is the state fruit of Tamil Nadu. Along with mango and banana it forms the "mukkani", the three classic fruits of Tamil tradition.
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Which butterfly is the state butterfly of Tamil Nadu?
- A. Tamil Yeoman
- B. Blue Mormon
- C. Southern Birdwing
- D. Common Rose
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✅ Tamil Yeoman
The Tamil Yeoman, a bright orange butterfly of the Western Ghats, was chosen as the state butterfly of Tamil Nadu.
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Which of these states shares a border with Tamil Nadu?
- A. Goa
- B. Odisha
- C. Kerala
- D. Maharashtra
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✅ Kerala
Tamil Nadu borders Kerala to the west, and Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to the north.
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Which Union Territory has parts that are surrounded by Tamil Nadu?
- A. Lakshadweep
- B. Puducherry
- C. Daman and Diu
- D. Chandigarh
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✅ Puducherry
Puducherry and Karaikal, both parts of the Union Territory of Puducherry, are surrounded by Tamil Nadu on their land sides.
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Who wrote the Tamil epic Manimekalai?
- A. Kambar
- B. Thiruthakkathevar
- C. Sattanar
- D. Ilango Adigal
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✅ Sattanar
Manimekalai was written by Sattanar (Seethalai Sathanar). It continues the story of Silappathikaram through Manimekalai, the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi.
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The Thirukkural has three sections: Aram, Porul and which other?
- A. Inbam
- B. Veedu
- C. Puram
- D. Agam
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✅ Inbam
The Thirukkural is divided into Aram (virtue), Porul (wealth) and Inbam (love), also called Kamathuppal.
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Which Tamil poet is known as "Puratchi Kavignar" (the revolutionary poet)?
- A. Kannadasan
- B. Bharathidasan
- C. Subramania Bharati
- D. Namakkal Kavignar
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✅ Bharathidasan
Bharathidasan is called Puratchi Kavignar. He took his pen name out of admiration for Subramania Bharati.
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Kanchipuram is world famous for which product?
- A. Silk sarees
- B. Brass lamps
- C. Leather goods
- D. Coir mats
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✅ Silk sarees
Kanchipuram silk sarees, woven with rich colours and zari borders, are a prized part of Tamil weddings and festivals.
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The famous Nataraja Temple, where Shiva is worshipped as the cosmic dancer, is in which town?
- A. Kumbakonam
- B. Srirangam
- C. Chidambaram
- D. Tiruvarur
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✅ Chidambaram
The Thillai Nataraja Temple is in Chidambaram, where Shiva is worshipped as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance.
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The famous Murugan temple that stands right on the seashore is at which town?
- A. Palani
- B. Swamimalai
- C. Tiruttani
- D. Tiruchendur
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✅ Tiruchendur
The Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Tiruchendur stands on the seashore in Thoothukudi district and is one of the six abodes of Murugan.
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The Rock Fort Temple stands in which city?
- A. Tiruchirappalli
- B. Dindigul
- C. Vellore
- D. Salem
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✅ Tiruchirappalli
The Rock Fort (Malaikottai) is a landmark of Tiruchirappalli, with temples built on an ancient rock that rises above the city.
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Which Tamil Nadu city is often called the "Athens of the East"?
- A. Chennai
- B. Kanchipuram
- C. Madurai
- D. Thanjavur
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✅ Madurai
Madurai is often called the "Athens of the East" for its ancient history and its long tradition of Tamil learning and culture.
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Neyveli in Tamil Nadu is well known for mining which mineral?
- A. Iron ore
- B. Bauxite
- C. Mica
- D. Lignite
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✅ Lignite
Neyveli has large lignite (brown coal) mines, and the lignite is used to generate electricity in power stations nearby.
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The nodding "thalaiyatti bommai" dolls are a famous craft of which town?
- A. Kondapalli
- B. Thanjavur
- C. Karaikudi
- D. Madurai
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✅ Thanjavur
Thanjavur is famous for its thalaiyatti bommai, dolls whose heads keep nodding because of their clever balanced design.
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Silambam, a traditional martial art of Tamil Nadu, is mainly fought with what?
- A. A bamboo staff
- B. A sword and shield
- C. Bare hands
- D. A bow and arrow
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✅ A bamboo staff
Silambam is a stick-fighting art that uses a long bamboo staff. It is mentioned in old Tamil literature and is still practised today.
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Which wind instrument is traditionally played at Tamil weddings and temple festivals?
- A. Flute
- B. Shehnai
- C. Nadaswaram
- D. Veena
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✅ Nadaswaram
The nadaswaram, a long double-reed wind instrument usually accompanied by the thavil drum, is considered auspicious at Tamil weddings and temple festivals.
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Which flower is Madurai especially famous for?
- A. Rose
- B. Lotus
- C. Marigold
- D. Jasmine
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✅ Jasmine
Madurai Malli, the jasmine grown around Madurai, is famous for its strong fragrance and has a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
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What is the official name of the hill town popularly called Ooty?
- A. Udhagamandalam
- B. Kotagiri
- C. Coonoor
- D. Gudalur
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✅ Udhagamandalam
Ooty is the short form of Udhagamandalam, the headquarters of the Nilgiris district.
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The tall Thiruvalluvar statue that stands on a rock in the sea is at which place?
- A. Chennai
- B. Rameswaram
- C. Kanyakumari
- D. Mahabalipuram
Show answer
✅ Kanyakumari
The Thiruvalluvar statue stands on a small rock island off Kanyakumari, next to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Its 133-foot height honours the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural.
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