South India is a wonderful mix of dance, traditions, religious diversity and spectacular temple complexes, where India’s rich Dravidian heritage has created a vibrant culture of beautiful temple towns such as Madauri and Tiruchirapalli. The diversity is further enhanced by the colonial charms of Pondicherry lying on the Bay of Bengal and the rich cultural heritage of the Chettinads.

Chennai (Madras)

The state capital of Tamil Nadu Chennai is India’s fourth largest city and the gateway to southern India’s cultural diversity. Established as a trading post for the British East India Company, the city grew from a collection of fishing villages into one of the most important settlements of the Raj. Today it is a mix of colonial grandeur and modern enterprise where Tamil culture thrives in its performing arts and impressive sights.

Kanchipuram & Mamallapuram

Once the capital of the Pallavas, Kanchipuram is one of India’s 7 most revered Hindu sites, sacred to both Shiva and Vishnu and filled with temples to both gods, as well as the important Devi temple of Kamakshi. Home to a vast array of Shrines, temples and huge bas-reliefs, the UNESCO site of Mamallapuram can also trace its ancestry back to the Pallavas and is the site of some of the finest examples of their art anywhere.

Pondicherry

Lying besides the Bay of Negal, Pondicherry, the former capital of France’s India territories, still retains something of its captivating Gallic charm. Wandering past the colonial mansions of its French quarter, down tree-lined streets where you can still hear spoken French and watch the odd game of boules, evoking an overwhelming feel of colonial grandeur, whilst the rich chaos of its centre is essentially India.

Madurai

One of India’s oldest cities, Madurai is famed for its temples, including the magnificent Meenakshi Sundareswarar, around which the entire city is built. Considered on of Southern India’s great temple cities, it has a rich Tamil heritage that stretches back some 2,500 years. Gaining a prominence during the reigns of the Chola and Pandya dynasties the city developed around the great temple, taking on the shape of a lotus and filling up with a wealth of ancient monuments. During festival periods, the temple elephants take pride of place in the parades, decorated with regal finery and a blessing from one of these magnificent animals is considered luck.

Temples of Trichy and Tanjore

Situated on the banks of the Cauvery River, Trichirapolli (known as Trichy for short) is Tamil Naudi’s fourth largest city, an engaging blend of tradition and enterprise lying in the shadow of the spectacular Rockfort Temple. Dominating the landscape from its rocky outcrop and dedicated to Ganesh and Shiva, it is a combination of two famous 7th century temples. Tanjore meanwhile was once the cultural capital of the great Chola kings. Known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu,’ it is famed throughout the country for the architectural majesty of the 11th century Brahadeeshwarar Temple, considered by many to be one of the finest temples in Southern India.

Journeying through southern India’s glittering highlights takes you across a landscape that spans cultural and religious contrasts of quite extraordinary splendour. In Mysore you can take in the regal majesty of the Wadiyars and the grandeur of the Amba Vilas Palace, whereas the Belur and Halebid present the ancient capitals of the Hoysala Kings, with their spectacular 16th century Hindu temple art. The lush, cooling foothills of the Ghats afford a chance to revel in the fading glories of the former hill stations of British colonial India, whilst the Golden Chariot presents a luxurious train journey across the historic landscapes of Karnataka region.

Mysore

Renowned for its sandalwood, silk and incense, Mysore was the capital of the Wadiyars for some 650 years, (aside from a brief spell under the auspices of Tipu Sultan, the famous ‘Tiger of Mysore’) and is one of southern India’s most popular attractions. Its main draw, the majestic and grand Amba Vilas Palace, is a rich mix of style, domes and intricate decoration that was designed by Henry Irving for the 24th Wadiyar Raja.

Temples of Belur and Halebid

Set amongst the lush, fertile landscapes of southwest India lie the temple complexes of Halebid and Belur, representing some of the finest examples of Hoysala art and architecture anywhere in the country. Halebid, once the site of the royal capital, is home to the 12th century Hoysalehvara Temple, whilst at Belur, lies the magnificent Chennaskeshava Temple, for many one of south India’s architectural gems.

South India’s Hill Stations

With the spread of colonial influence in the 19th century, India saw a proliferation of small communities growing up amidst the fertile foothills of the Ghats. Places like Ooty and Coonor sprang up amongst the blue hills of the Nilgiris, where the British could escape the oppressive heat of the plains, while the vast tea plantations of the Western Ghats saw picturesque towns like Munnar take on the mantle of old world gentility.

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About Felicity Baillie

Other articles by Felicity Baillie

Felicity has recently completed her BA Hons Tourism Management degree and has returned to work at Bales after spending her placement year with the company. Her passion for travel continues after recently returning from Mexico, and spending two weeks in Costa Rica last year. Next on her list is Asia!