South India Tour Packages

Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Mahabalipuram is located right on the Coromandel Coast next to the Bay of Bengal. It was a well established sea port during the 7th and 10th centuries of the Pallava dynasty, and has flourished accordingly. This city was actually the 2nd capital of the Pallavas. It was originally named after the rude, cruel, and arrogant King Mahabali who was killed during a fierce battle by Lord Vishnu at that location. It was named by the people more out of gratitude that the heartless king was killed there than out of respect upon his death for his leadership. 

 

 

During the rule of the Pallavas, new styles of art and architecture were pioneered. Mahabalipuram is where they tried and then exhibited their new artistic and architectural creations. As a result, the area is brimming with rock-cut caves and numerous temples. In fact, this region is often referred to as an open museum. Some of the temples were even carved out of one enormous rock rather than simply constructed out of rock. Not much pillaging has occurred here over the centuries, since the wealth of the Pallavas was never flaunted, so the temples are well preserved. 

 

The magnificently-moustachioed policeman politely doffed his kepi as I passed by, just as any of his colleagues might do in a similar French town. In the midday heat I pottered languidly alongside the brightly-coloured bougainvillea on Rue Romain Rolland and the church of Notre Dame des Anges, with the statue of Joan of Arc in the square at the side. All in all, it was rather bizarre to think I was actually in India.

 

          

 

On the other is the raucous, horn-honking Tamil area with goats in the street, Royal Enfield motorbikes, women in multi-coloured saris, and large posters for “Kollywood” movies, as the local made-in-Kodambakkam films are called  – all in all, noisily, head-poundingly, fantastically fun and full of life.  And unlike on a previous trip to Delhi, which I just remember for the constant hassle, it was great fun to wander here. Zero aggravation, lots of smiles and plenty of photo opportunities. 

 

The island contains a temple that is one of the most venerated of all Hindu shrines. The great temple of Rameswaram was built in the 17th century on the traditional site said to be sanctified by the god Rama’s footprints when he crossed the island on his journey to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon Ravana. The temple is built on rising ground above a small lake.

Gandamadana Parvatham - is a hillock situated 3 km away and is the highest point in the island. Here one can see the imprint of Lord Rama’s feet on a chakra. The entire island of Rameswaram is visible from this point.

 

   

 

Sugreevar Temple/Theertham - is situated on the way to Gandamadana Parvatham near the Doordarshan Kendra.

Satchi Hanuman Temple - is considered to be the place where Hanuman delivered the good news of finding Sita to Rama with satchi or evidence, Choodamani or the jewel that belonged to Sita. Situated 3 km from the main temple, on the way to the Gandamadana Parvatham.

Badrakaliamman Temple - is a temple for Devi Durga, situated 2 km from the main temple on the way to the Gandamadana Parvatham.

The Five-faced Hanuman Temple (2 km from the main temple) - the deity of Hanuman drawn withsenthooram. Idols of Lord Ram, Sita and Hanuman brought from Dhanushkodi during the 1964 cyclone were placed here. The floating stone, used to build theSethuBandanamor the bridge between India and Lanka can be found in this temple.

 

 

Popularly known as Athens of the East, Madurai, like Varanasi, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in India. Situated on the banks of Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu, the city is renowned across the world for its Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple.Madurai dons many hats. It is a pilgrim town, a popular tourist destination, a cultural hotspot, Pandyan imperial capital, besides being famous for its food and cuisine, impressive architecture, shopping and endearing people.Madurai is known by several names. City of Junction (Koodal nagaram), City of Jasmine (Malligai maanagar), Temple city (Koil maanagar), City that never sleeps (Thoonga nagaram) and City of four junctions (Naanmada koodal) are among the soubriquets of the city.The city even finds mention in the Tamil classical epic Silappatikaram. The epic revolves around Kannagi who avenges her husband’s death by destroying the Pandyan kingdom. The city’s recorded history goes back to the 3rd century BC. It is mentioned by Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to India and Kautilya.

 

 

Perhaps the locals have not done enough to promote Ooty  (yes that's what they all call it) as a destination not only for travellers escaping the heat of the plains.How many know that the game of SNOOKER was created here over a century ago at the Ooty Club?     Why don't they sponsor a world snooker cup with the logo; SNOOKER - BORN IN OOTY. I'm pretty sure that will bring in the hordes of snooker lovers. It will also bring in tons of money to upgrade the infrastructure of the town and contribute to the upkeep of the gardens.