Best places to visit in South India

India, the country to be embraced for its chaos. Cultural diversity, religious turmoil, geographical distinctions and culinary experiences will enamor you with the simplicity of the country.  India is a united country, but there are distinct regions that are quite varied.  We will explore them all, beginning with the South India destinations.

South of India is the country’s haven of natural beauty abundant with mystical hills, intricately carved temples and quaint backwaters. Here are some of my favorite places in South India that capture the real essence of life in the south.

Kerala-God’s own country

Kochi

Kochi, on the slanting shore of the Arabian Sea, is nicknamed as Queen of the Arabian Sea. Walk on the streets of Fort Kochi, styled with old British buildings built in the colonial times and muse on the wall graffiti.  End the evening with a beautiful Kathakali performance, the art form of Kerala at Kerala Kathakali Centre.

Places to visit-Fort Kochi, Cherai Beach, Mattancherry Palace, St. Francis CSI Church, Paradesi Synagogue, Willingdon Island, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Kerala Sun Travels.

Alleppey

Alleppey is the place to stretch yourself and relax your spine on the salty backwaters. Rent a houseboat and enjoy the backwater ride with mouth-watering marine cuisines to tickle your taste buds. Houseboat ride provides an insight into the backwater lifestyle of people living in Alleppey. You can watch kids going to school and people rowing the small canoes for their daily life activities.

Places to visit: Alappuzha Beach, Vembanad Lake, Marari Beach, Pathiramanal Island, Punnamada Lake, Basilica of St. Mary, Champakulam, Alleppey Beach, Kanichukulangara Devi temple, The Great Backwaters, Punnamada Jetty, Chethi Beach.

Munnar

Munnar, known as the “Kashmir of South India” is the famous hill station in Kerala. The misty mountains and green tea plantations are the main attraction of Munnar. Eravikulam National Park at Munnar is one of the places in India where you can see Nilgiri Thar and Neelakurinji flower which blooms only once in 12 years. Top stationis another attraction at Munnar where you can enjoy the misty mountains.

places to visit:

Tata Tea Museum, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, Blossom Park, Pothamedu Viewpoint, Attukal Waterfalls, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Kundala Lake, Mattupetty Dam, Anamudi Peak, Marayoor Dolmens, Lakkam Waterfalls, Rose Garden, Life of Pie Church, Meesapulimala, Echo Point, Chokramudi Peak, Hydel Park.

Kolukkumalai

Kolukkumalai is a small village in Bodinayakanur Taluk in the Theni District of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is home to the highest tea plantations in the world with the tea is grown here possessing a special flavor and freshness because of the high altitude The distant hills slipping in and out of the mist is a captivating sight. 

Tamil Nadu

Chennai

Beaches, temples, monuments. Modern-day Chennai is deep-rooted in reflections of a rich heritage and cultural past, offering a wholesome holiday experience to visitors to the city. Set on the coast of the Bay of Bengal, this sixth largest city in India is a fast-growing metropolis. If your travels take you to the ‘gateway of South India.

Places to visit:Marina beach, Mahabalipuram, Government Museum, Fort St. George, Edward Elliot’s Beach, Santhome Cathedral Basilica, Valluvar Kottam, St. Thomas Mount, Marundeeswarar Temple, Krishna’s Butterball, Matsya Narayana Temple.

Ooty

The rustic old-world charm, lush greenery, lofty waterfalls, spiraling water streams, spellbinding natural sceneries, and amazing tranquillity attracts flocks of tourists tooOoty. Especially a thrilling ride on the Nilgiri Heritage Mountain Train will be a richly rewarding experience on your trip to Ooty.

Places to visit: Botanical garden, Ooty Lake, Pykara Lake, Doddabetta Peak, Shooting point, Tea museum, Wax World Museum, Avalanche Lake, Mudumalai National Park, Emerald Lake, Mini car Museum, Ooty Boat House.

Meenakshi Amman Temple

The sun was blazing as hurriedly made a way through the labyrinth of streets, leading us to the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple. The temple is the most popular among all Madurai attractions a good enough reason to let ourselves get burnt by the sun. The pleasant fragrance of Jasmine flowers filled the air, mixed with the smell of hot, steaming Jalebis that the street shopkeeper skillfully placed in the boiling oil.

Places to visit: Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, Gandhi Memorial Museum, Koodal Azhagar Temple, St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Dhanuskodi

Now an abandoned small town at the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. The small town has a rich story from the Ramayana period to catastrophic destruction from 1964 cyclone. Rameshwaram to Dhanushkodi is one of the popular road routes for the most scenic view.

Places to visit:Dhanushkodi Beach, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Shri Ram Setu View Point From Dhanushkodi Point, Old Dhanushkodi Railway Station.

Andra Pradesh

Gandikota fort

        Adventure, leisure, archaeological, historical, nature and eco-tourism rolled into one is Gandikota which derives its name from the 1123 A.D. fort and a gorge or canyon through which flows the river Pennar. In Telugu a gorge is called ‘Gandi’ and the fort is ‘Kota’.The Mylavaram Dam situated about 7 k.m. from the fort.

Horsley Hills

Situated close to the southwestern fringe between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Horsley Hills alludes to a slope station that is the ideal amalgam of the charms of Andhra Pradesh and the excellence of the slopes. It is in this manner regularly called, the Ooty of Andhra. This common wonder is arranged at a bewildering stature of 4312 meters and is outstanding for its stunning scenes.

Tada falls

Tada Falls or Ubbalamdugu Falls is in Varadaiah Palem Mandal of Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. It is situated on the border of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and is around 91 km from Chennai.

Places to visit: waterfalls, Nagalapuram Water Falls, Srikalahasti Temple, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary.

Karnataka

Coorg

Better known as “Scotland of India” because of its beautiful landscapes and enchanting climate as that of Scotland, It is nestled amid emerald hills of the Western Ghats that dot the southernmost tip of Karnataka. Coorg is indeed a mini paradise embraced with beautiful green hills, hanging valleys, deep gorges, dense forests, alluring waterfalls, pleasantly flowing streams and rivers, and traditional dark tiled cottages.

Places to visit: Abbey Falls, Dubare Elephant Camp, Raja’s Seat, Golden Temple/ Namdroling Monastery, Chiklihole Reservoir, Harangi Dam, Omkareswara Temple, Madikeri Fort, Nalknad Aramane Palace, Padi Igguthappa Temple, Talacauvery Temple, and Waterfalls.

Nandhi Hills

the Nandi Hills is an alluring hill station known for its cozy and lovely surroundings and natural charm. It is also known as Nandidurg and is situated in Karnataka. With its picturesque beauty, majestic ambiance, soothing weather, mighty hills, extensive vegetation covers, and gorgeous scenic vistas.

Places to visit: Tipu’s Drop, Tippu’s Summer Resort, Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Amritha Sarovar, Muddenahalli, Brahmashram, Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Nehru Nilaya.

Hampi

Hampi is an ancient village in the south Indian state of Karnataka. It’s dotted with numerous ruined temple complexes from the Vijayanagara Empire. On the south bank of the River Tungabhadra is the 7th-century Hindu Virupaksha Temple, near the revived Hampi Bazaar. A carved stone chariot stands in front of the huge Vittala Temple site.

Places to visit: Virupaksha Temple, Matanga Hill, Hemakuta Hill Temple, Saasivekaalu Ganesha, King’s Balance, Nandi, Queen’s bath place, Anjaneya Hill, Sunrise Sunset Point, Badavilinga Temple

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