South India Travel Guide

Alleppey

Alleppey or Alappuzha is a market town built on a labyrinth of canals and surrounded by coconut palms. It is one of the starting points for the famous backwater cruises which take you through the water highways

Badami

Badami is a very old town, famous for its exquisite 6th century Hindu and Jain cave temples carved out of sandstone hills, beneath which is the ancient Bhuthanatha Lake.

Bandipur

Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve is situated 80 km. south of Mysore on the way to Ooty. Once the Maharaja of Mysore's private hunting ground, it is noted for herds of bison, spotted deer, elephants, sambar

Bangalore

Bangalore was named Bendakalooru, the Town of Boiled Beans, by its King Veera Ballala, who was hungry and received a meal of boiled beans from a kindly woman here. Bangalore has since then been known as the Garden

Chennai

Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the gateway to South India. It is a centre of culture, rich in its vibrant traditions of music and dance - the land of Bharat Natyam, the most popular classical Indian dance today.

Cochin

Cochin (or Kochi as it is now known) is a port city with a rich past and bustling present. Formed from a myriad tiny islands set in the shimmering blue Arabian Sea, against lush green back drops

Hampi

Hampi the 14th century capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire lies in the Deccan heartland, in the state of Karnataka. The ruins spread over an area of more than 26 sq kms protected by the tempestuous river

hASSAN

Hassan is the base for visiting the famous temples of Belur and Halebid which remain incomplete despite 80 years of labour. The intricately sculptured decoration on the temple is, according to some critics

hYDERABAD

Hyderabad is known as the City of Pearls and the home of the Kohinoor Diamond. This capital city of Andhra Pradesh now comprises 3 cities: Hyderabad - an important centre of Islamic culture

kANCHIPURAM

Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India, is famous for its exquisitely woven silk sarees and for its temples. Kanchipuram was a centre of learning from the 3rd century with Hindu

kANYAKUMARI

Kanyakumari is situated at the "Land's End" of India, at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. It is located 89 kms far from Travandrum, which is the nearest airport.

kODAIKANAL

Kodaikanal, located at an altitude of 2133 is the second of South India's major hill resorts and is variously known as the "Princess of Stations" and the "Switzerland of the South". Kodai was established

kOTTAYAM

Kottayam is a small town in the eastern foothills of the Western Ghats. It is a commercial centre for the trade of rubber, pepper, tea etc but is also notable as the first district in India to achieve total literacy.

kOVALAM

Kovalam, 26 kms South of Trivandrum, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and is most people's idea of paradise - a lazy blue sea lapping against golden sands fringed by swaying palms.

MADURAI

Madurai is recorded in Tamil and Greek documents from the 4th century BC when it was a popular spice trading site. Since then it has been ruled by various dynasties. It's main attraction is the Meenakshi Temple

mAHABALIPURAM

Mahabalipuram, the ancient capital and sea port of the Pallava kings is famous for its south Indian temple architecture. The sculptures and carvings are fascinating ranging from the famous beach temples

Mangalore

Mangalore, once the major port of Hyder Ali's kingdom is a cosmopoltian city and a major commercial centre, influenced by Mumbai. It is the centre for coffee and cashew exports

Mysore

Mysore, once the capital of the Wodeyar dynasty, is one of India's finest cities and is known for its sandalwood, silks and incense. The Maharaja's Palace - built in Indosaracenic style

Ooty

Ooty or Udaghamandalam is popularly known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations'. Located at the height of 2240 metres it was the summer headquarters of the Madras Government

Periyar

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary surrounds the small settlement of Thekkady and extends over an area of 777 sq. km including a 26sq km artificial lake. Cruises on the lake are a pleasant way to see the local wildlife

Pondicherry

Pondicherry was the French dream of an Indian empire, a settlement established in the early 18th century and under French control until 1954. The French connection still exerts an influence with the tricolour flying

Tanjore

Thanjavur or Tanjore was a capital of the Chola rulers and the World Heritage Brihadesvara Temple dates from this time - the dome consists of a single piece of granite weighing some 8 tons

Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram (City of the Sacred Serpent) or Trivandrum is Kerala's gracious capital city and retains some of the old feel with its red tiled roofs and pagoda shaped buildings.

Tiruchirapalli

Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) has a long history, going back to the 1st century AD when it was held by the Pallavas, Pandyas and Cholas. Its most famous landmark is the Rock Fort with its temple perched