Top 10 Reasons to visit South India

Author: Lorna GradyDate: 15 May, 2023City: South India

1.People

One of the most lasting memories you will have of South India is the people and this has been a common point and the highlight of their stay with almost all our guests who booked with us. South Indians are very warm, welcoming and hospitable and you’ll always be greeted with smiles.  You will find some of the warmest, friendliest and most hospitable people on your trip down South and your interactions with the local guide, hotel staff and even locals are sure to leave a lasting impression on your mind. Go with an open mind and heart and come back with pleasant memories of not just the destination but the people too.

2.Temples

Temples are an intrinsic part of everyday life in South India and represent the cultural heritage and diversity of the region. These ancient temples also showcase the confluence of religion and art during historical times and people still marvel at their architectural details. Each temple has its own character and style, depending on when it was built, by whom was it built and the deity that resides inside. The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is multicolored with thousands of painted deities and statues while the ancient Chola temples like Brihadeshwara temple in Thanjavur  is built in  monochrome stones. Travelling through South India one can see the maginificience of some of India's greatest temple architecture and few jaw dropping wonders too like  the gigantic balancing granite-boulder resting on a short incline in the historical town of Mamallapuram or the floating rocks in Rameshwaram.

3.Beaches

With a huge coastline running along the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, South India has a plenty of beaches. Unlike Goa, the beaches of South India have a more relaxed and serene vibe and are comparatively less crowded too, apart from the very popular ones. One of the most picturesque beaches in South India, is The Lighthouse Beach, located in Kovalam, the Varkala Beach, located in a calm and quite hamlet almost seem fairy-tale like. The Mahabalipuram beach is a favourite with surfers while Gokarna has four of India's most secluded and pristine beaches, including the famous Om Beach. Pondicherry beach has less sand and more rocks where one can sit on the seafront and enjoy the waves and watch the sun go down, while Auroville beach is a sandy quaint beach. 

    
4.Backwaters

The southern state of Kerala is home to a landscape of interwoven backwaters dotted with swaying palm trees, coconut groves and paddy fields. The backwaters are unique to Kerala. Spread over 900 km and connecting 38 rivers and 5 major freshwater lakes, they form an extensive network of interconnected natural waterways and thus form an integral part of inland navigation and an economical means of transport too. The most popular ways to explore the beauty of these backwaters is by houseboats. These boats are modified into luxurious floating hotels with plush interiors and an array of comforting amenities. You can take a ride for a few hours, enjoy a freshly cooked meal or even enjoy an overnight stay on the houseboat.  Kerala's backwaters are truly magical and well worth the trip to the South.  

5.Historical Ruins

For history buffs or even those interested in ancient architechture, South India is a literal treasure trove. 
South of India is the land where history unfolds itself in its entire glorious avatar. The long list of archaeological site can take days to visit but it surely be worth every minute spent here. The ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire in Hampi, the rock-cut monolithic temples, mandapas, and giant open-air reliefs in Mahabalipuram, the Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort or the Hoysala architecture displayed in the temples in Halebidu all showcase the dramatic history of the bygone era and the richness of the kingdoms which ruled in these regions.

6.Forts and Palaces

Forts and Palaces in India are associated with royalty and dynasties from the past. South India has been ruled by many dynasties, such as Pallavas, Chalukyas, Cholas and Mughals too. These rulers had built many ancient forts, tombs, temples, palaces, etc during their reign and now these historic monuments are our window to the glorious architectural, cultural, traditional and religious legacy. Every kingdom had a different style and hence each of these forts and palaces is different and unique in its own way. 
Almost all the palaces are grand in architecture, with intricate carving and equally magnificent as their counterparts in Rajasthan. Some of these ancient palaces, the Falaknuma Palace have been renovated and converted into heritage hotels while some have been and converted into museums like the Mysore palace. The forts have been preserved well, some with a museum inside to display all artefacts associated with the era, Eg ; Chandragiri Fort in Andhra Pradesh. Few of them, like the Golkonda Fort also have the Son et lumière or a sound and light show for tourists which is an excellent way to learn about its history.

7.Hill Stations

Summers in South India are quite harsh and humid too. In spite of being located in a plateau, South India is blessed with a number of hill stations. Some of the popular one are Ooty, Coonoor, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Yelagiri etc. Places like Ooty are quite touristy and get very crowded during the summers but certain places like Coorg and Kodaikanal has still retained it’s old world charm. Most hill stations have several sightseeing options including tea estates, spice plantations, coffee plantations, water falls, sunset point etc and also offer opportunities for hiking and trekking too.

8.Ayurveda

Ayurveda is known as the oldest medical system known to man and the southern state of Kerala is popular the world over as the hub of Ayurveda and traditional treatments. Ayurvedic treatments involves different types of treatment styles using a variety of herbs, spices and oils, massages, and even exercises to cure the ailments of the human body. Given the fact that South India, especially Kerala is blessed with an abundance of medicinal plants and herbs, sesame, coconut and other plants, it has gained a lot of prominence worldwide as a centre for Ayurvedic practices. From being the 'science of life', Ayurveda has now become the 'spice of life’. Tourists looking to experience a ‘healthier’ side to an otherwise indulgent holiday by clubbing it with a Ayurvedic therapy at one of the several luxurious Ayurvedic healing retreats that have mushroomed lately.

9.Festivals

Like the rest of India, the South too has a long list of festivals. There are some common festivals which are celebrated in all parts of India including South India but the way of celebration, the rituals etc would be unique. Apart from the popular festivals like Diwali, some popular festivals in South India are the Mysuru Dasara held in Mysore where the royal elephants are decked up and is celebrated with with music, dance, traditional folklore, and a torch-light parade called Panjina Kavayithu. The Mahamaham Festival, takes place once every twelve years while Karaga is one of the oldest festivals in Karnataka. Ugadi is a harvest festival and marks the beginning if the Hindu calendar. Onam, Pongal, Thrissur Pooram are also quite popular. 

10.Food

India is known for its spicy, mouth-watering and colourful dishes. While North Indian dishes are high on spices and primarily wheat based, south Indian cuisine is comparatively milder and rice based. Popular south Indian dishes dosa, idli, vada, uttapam, etc are all very subtle flavoured and served with an accompaniment of sambar which is pulses cooked withlocally sourced vegetables and a coconut chutney. The food down south has a very strong flavour of coconut and curry leaves which is omnipresent in almost all dishes. Coconut and curry leaves are both believed to boost immunity and improve gut and heart health. 
 
Already in the mood to explore the beautiful southern states of India, do check out the list of packages here……