Tourist Destinations of South India Part 3

Kodaikanal – the hill station offering Colonial touch

Cool breezes, blue-green vistas and fields full of flowers compete with Raj-era bungalows, treks through lush forests and boat rides in the lake here. Waterfalls, natural water pools and natural wonders place Kodaikanal as a must-visit destination on your itinerary. At a height of 2000 metres, Kodaikanal affords brilliant views of the plains besides offering sun-scorched citizens the delights of a hill station. After you are done relaxing, pack your gear and go trekking up the hills which provide Southern India’s best trekking.

Must Visit and Do in and around Kodaikanal: Kodai Lake (go boating!), Pillar Rocks, Coaker’s Walk (stunning views), Byrant’s Park (scenic splendour)

Getaways around Kodaikanal: Chennai. 500 kms. Big city with urban fun. Feast on idlis and buy silk sarees.

Coorg – The land of spice and coffee plantation

Greener than green, this verdant region is redolent with the aromas of coffee and cardamom. Relatively undiscovered, and one of the most beautiful areas of Southern India, there is nothing much to ‘do’ in Coorg, but to relax in the untouched surroundings. The Coorgis have a distinct culture and lifestyle that sets them apart and the area makes for some fascinating travelling. Come to Coorg not for sightseeing but to breathe in the fresh, cool air, trek through the surrounding ridges, go golfing, angling or simply unwind amidst the forests and rice fields.

Must Visit in and around Coorg: Madikeri (capital city), Abbi Falls, Omkareshwara Temple (mingling of cultures)

Getaways around Coorg: Nagarhole National Park. 95 kms. One of the best game sanctuaries in India. Untouched. Watch elephants, rhinos, tigers and deer.

Ooty – A British Era Hill Station

An erstwhile home of the Toda Hill tribe, the town was developed by British wayfarers looking to make a fortune with tea plantations. Miles and miles of tea estates make Ooty a picturesque spot. The fun begins on the way itself where the hairpin turns on the road make for an adventure ride while the surrounding beauty soothes your senses. A Raj-era mood adorns the town, complete with an artificial lake, Victorian churches and houses built in stone. Tea plantations here roll down undulating hills and green grasslands proliferate.

Must Visit in and around Ooty: Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta, Adventure! (go paragliding, angling or horse riding)

Getaways around Ooty: Avalanche Lake. 28 kms. Scenic lake with breathtaking beauty and great trout-fishing opportunities.

Kovalam – A Beautiful Fishing Village

Picturesque fishing village turned hip resort town. Although only 10 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam offers an entirely different experience. The beaches are beautiful with white sands as well as plenty of surf and sun. Local kiosks sell trinkets and psychedelic clothing, shacks ring with music and offer excellent sea food. Come here for some seaside revelry with cheap prices and lots of coconut water.

Must Visit in and around Kovalam: Beaches (Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam Beach, Samudra Beach), Padmanabhapuram Palace, Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kumari Amman Temple

Getaways around Kovalam: Kanyakumari. 87 kms. Stunning stone temples stand on the shores where three seas meet.

Tourist Destinations of South India Part 2

Tanjore - The City of Ancient Temples

Established by the Chola dynasty in the 10th century, this ancient city is home to one of the most stunning stone temples, the Brihadishwara Temple. A marvel of engineering, it was designed so that the shadow of the cupola never falls on the ground. The temple is intricately carved and has colonnaded corridors, one of which is supposed to be longest in India. Matching this in size are the Shiva lingam and the image of Nandi, which are one of the largest monoliths in India. Come to Tanjore to appreciate stunning architectural wonders.

Must Visit Places in Tanjore: Brihadishwara Temple, Royal Palace Compound & Saraswathi Mahal Library

Nearby Getaways around Tanjore: Thiruchirapalli. 55 kms. 10th century impregnable citadels and 18th century quaint churches.

Warangal - The Home of Ancient Shrines

More than a millennium old, Warangal is home to numerous ancient shrines. The buildings have Indo-Islamic architectural styles because the city changed hands many times between Dravidian and Isalmic rulers. A thriving city in Southern India, Warangal attracted invaders again and again which accounts for the state some of its monuments are in. But when you start exploring you will discover a treasure trove of stunning marvels in stone.

Must Visit Places in Warangal: Warangal Fort, Shiva Temple (thousand pillared!) & Ramappa Temple

Nearby Getaway around Warangal: Pakhal. 50 kms. Wildlife sanctuary around manmade lake. Tranquil.

Ramoji Film City - Hyderabad

Ramoji Film City is the world's largest film production centres. Spread over a complex of more than 2000 acres, it is home to undulating hills, grasslands, rolling gardens and lakes. There are many entertainment options here such as vintage film city coaches, tours of studios, a prop shop with actors' costumes which can be tailor made for you, a nursery with exotic plants, several restaurants as well as gymnasium. Its biggest attraction, however, lies in its cinema based options such as the prop shop and the studios.

Nagarjuna Sagar - The City of Victory

This ancient city was once called Vijaypuri, the city of victory. Today, it is also known for the Nagarjuna dam, one of the tallest dams in Asia. But Nagarjuna Sagar has the distinction of having had one of the largest Buddhist settlements in India in about 2 AD and is named after Nagarjuna, a venerated Buddhist monk. The city was the centre of Buddhist learning with its four viharas and other monuments. Roam through these or go on a cruise down River Krishna in a luxury liner!

Must Visit Places: Ethipotala Waterfall, Nagarjuna Dam & Nagarjunakonda (island museum, preserving ancient Buddhist relics)

Nearby Getaways from Nagarjuna Sagar: Anupu. Reconstructed 3rd BC Buddhist university. Relive history.

Srisailam - A Holy Place for Hindus

Steeped in mythology, Srisailam remains one of the holiest spots for Hindus. It is said that the lingam at the Srisailam Devastanam was installed by Lord Rama himself and that later the Pandavas performed rituals here too. Srisailam is reputed to be one of the most ancient religious shrines of India too and attracts devotees from all over the country. The origins of the temple are not known but there is a chapter in the Skanda Purana dedicated to this shrine, underlining its antiquity.

Must Visit Places in Srisailam: Srisailam Devastanam (the venerated temple), Srisailam Dam (picturesque views and a crocodile breeding programme!)

Nearby Getaways from Srisailam: Srisailam Wildlife Sanctuary. Varied wildlife and green, tranquil surroundings.