The states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu will greet you with its soaring temples while the tiny islands of Lakshadweep and Puducherry will enchant you with its beauty.
The South Indian region also known as Dravida is heavily guarded by the Western and Eastern Ghats with the rich peninsular Deccan Plateau in between. Due to this topography, the geography of this region, from the Deccan in the north to the Cape Comorin in the southern tip, is extremely diverse.
Temple visits are an essential part of South India tour. Surprisingly, none of the foreign invasions have changed the architectural richness of South Indian temples. So today, the temples in the South are still at their very grandest and the temples at Kanchipuram,
Madurai, Mahabalipuram, Rameshwaram, Thanjavur, Tiruchchirappalli, Srirangam
and Tiruvannamalai is a testimony of this fact. These religious and architectural delights are reminders of the dynasties like the Cholas, the Chalukyas, the Pandyas, the Cheras, the Rashtrakutas and the Rayas of Vijayanagar that ruled the area.
Experience the diverse wildlife and explore the rich flora and fauna of South India Tourism with a visit to some of the wildlife sanctuaries like the Periyar (Thekkady), the Eravikulam, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park and the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. At the waters and forests of Thekkady, enjoy watching elephants, gaur, sambhar, bison, spotted deer, tigers, leopards, malabar flying squirrels, stripe necked mongooses, in their natural habitat. The sanctuary is also home to over 260 species of birds like the Nilgiri wood pigeons, the parakeets, etc.
A trip to South India isn’t complete unless you’ve tried a cruise along the backwaters of Kerala, India’s very own “God’s Own Country”. Sail along palm-dotted canals and picture perfect lakesides and lagoons on a speed boat or luxury cruisers at Trivandrum, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Kasargod. Otherwise, if you are in for some adventure try some water sports like wind sailing, water skiing, canoeing or fishing.
There are an ample number of beaches in South India. The 600 kms long shoreline of Kerala is dotted with sunny beaches like the Kovalam Beach, Alappuzha Beach, Bekal Beach, and Kochi Beach while Tamil Nadu’s Marina Beach and the Kanyakumari Beach are equally inviting. Otherwise, skip the beaches and climb the hill stations of Kodaikanal, Ooty and Yercaud for a weekend getaway.
