Amazing South Indian Temple Tour

Are you planning a South India tour with family or friends? Please note that most itineraries start in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu and a great center of cultural heritage and temple architecture. It is one of those places in the entire South Indian belt that displays a perfect blend of Dravid, Portuguese and Dutch traditions.

Chennai:

Almost all of Chennai’s highlights can be explored in a half day trip with a guide or any Indian travel agent. Places like St. George Fort (built in 1640 AD by the British East India Company), St. Mary’s Church, Fort Museum (displaying old uniforms, coins, padlocks, old prints and palanquins) They are the soul of Chennai. Whether you are an art lover or a history buff, Chennai has endless attractions for you.

Mahabalipuram:

You can then move on to Mahabalipuram, the 7th century port city of South India. Located just 70 km from Chennai, this city got its name from the Pallava king Mamalla. Its various historical monuments (dating back to the 7th and 9th centuries) are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. When it comes to the best examples of Dravidian architecture, Mahabalipuram is second to none. Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance and Pandava Rathas are some of the best monolithic temples here.

Kanchipuram:

While hiking from Mahabalipuram, you can easily explore Kanchipuram in just half a day’s drive. Known for its temples and silk sarees, Kanchipuram is located just 65 km from Mahabalipuram. You can hire a guide to explore the ancient temples like Kailasanatha Temple, Ekambaranatha, Kamakshi Amman Temple etc.

Tanjore:

Flourishing under the rule of the Nayaks and Mahrattas kings, Tanjore boasts of being a haven for the religiously minded. Serving as an ‘Art Treasure House’ for centuries, this small but beautiful city displays exquisite handicrafts such as art plate, pith, bronze icons, Thanjavur paintings and classical South Indian musical instruments.

One can spend some relaxing moments in temples like the Brihadeshwara temple. This is the place where an art lover can also find many examples of Dravidian art and beautiful Chola Fresco paintings.

Madurai:

This is your last stop in Tamil Nadu during this trip. This is the place where you can experience the rich cultural heritage dating back more than 2,500 years. It is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu and offers attractions like Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Meenakshi Sundareshwar etc.

Periyar:

Located 136 km from Madurai lies Periyar with its divine dense greens and serene waterways to welcome you to God’s country Kerala. Popular for its wildlife sanctuary, Periyar provides an opportunity to spot and click animals such as tigers, leopards, elephants, bison, antelope, sambar, wild boar, monkeys and a wide variety of birds. This is the place where you can really explore aromatic spice plantation farms.

Kumarakom:

Moving on to the next destination (by houseboat if possible), drive to Kumarakom via the huge Vembanad Lake. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a favorite among all ornithologists, bird lovers and nature lovers. Cormorants, teals, ducks, darters (snake birds), night herons, egrets and Siberian storks are the main attractions of this sanctuary.

Allepey:

Later, you can board your houseboat for the watery land: Alleppey. Surrounded by picturesque backwaters, this is an ideal place to relax and savor authentic delicacies from the sea.

cochin:

Lastly, you can head to Cochin for a half-day excursion, where you can explore attractions such as the Jewish village and Chinese fishing nets, and enjoy watching Kerala’s most popular classical dance – Kathakali.

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