Amidst the idyllic and natural setting, South India provides the perfect alluring getaway for a fun-filled holiday. South India comes with plenty of surprises to delight every type of travellers where they’ll experience the matchless beauty of mother nature, deeply rooted culture, architectural excellence of historic monuments and spiritual centres as well as enjoy exciting leisure and adventure activities. South India comprises of ‘God’s Own Country’- Kerala; ‘the Land of Sandalwoods’- Karnataka; ‘the Land of Temples’- Tamil Nadu; ‘Rice Bowl of India’- Andhra Pradesh; and the newly christened state of India – Telangana. Each state is a scenic wonder, equally gorgeous as the other, retaining its own distinct identity.
Recommended Tour Packages
- Kerala Weekend Tour (3 Nights / 4 Days)
- Honeymoon Tour Package (4 Nights / 5 Days)
- Highlights of Kerala (4 Nights / 5 Days)
- Best of Kerala (6 Nights / 7 Days)
- Family Tour Package (6 Nights/ 7 Days)
Take a look at these 10 Awesome Places In South India You Should Visit Once In A Lifetime:
1) Murudeshwar
Murudeshwar, a famous pilgrimage centre for Hindus is one of the awesome places to visit in South India. It houses the second tallest Shiva statue in the world measuring a height of 123 feet, after the gigantic Mahadeva statue of Kailashnath Temple in Nepal.
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Situated in Karnataka, atop Kanduka hill surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides, the place offers breathtaking scenic vistas of the sea and fabulous sunset views. Murudeshwar is also famous for its spellbinding Temple Tower which is 249 feet high and has 20 floors. The magnificent view of the Shiva statue from the top of the gopura is jaw-dropping. The beautiful Murudeshwar Temple, Murudeshwar Fort and stunning beaches are the major attractions of this wonderful place which makes it a favourite spot among picnickers.
Best Time To Visit: October to May.
Nearest Airport: Mangalore International Airport, about 158.7 Km.
Nearest Railway Station: Murudeshwar Railway Station, about 2.4 Km.
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2) Lakshadweep
The exotic islands sprinkled with turquoise blue sea and virgin beaches draw tourists from far and wide to the stunning archipelago of Lakshadweep. It forms the smallest union territory of India and as the name Lakshadweep translates to “Hundred Thousand Islands”, you can find a cluster of picturesque islands here.
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Nestled in the midst of the endless Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep tempts you with its remoteness and tranquillity. The real charm of Lakshadweep lies underwater where you can explore the wonders of unspoilt coral reefs and incredible marine life which makes it a haven for scuba divers and snorkelers. Minicoy, Kavaratti, Agatti, Kadmat, Bangaram, and Kalpeni, are some of the most beautiful islands in Lakshadweep, not only known for its remarkable and breathtaking appeal but also for providing myriads of opportunities for Scuba diving, Snorkeling, Canoeing, Yachting, Pedal boating, Kayaking, Swimming, and lot more. The Marine museum that exhibits a plethora of artefacts related to marine life is a must-visit.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Nearest Airport: Agatti Airport, about 86.4 Km.
3) Tirupati
Tirupati which is home to the world’s richest temple, Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple is a heavenly paradise where nature and spirituality join hands. The utmost divinity offered by the place is something that makes Tirupati heaven on earth.
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This popular city situated in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh is also referred to as the “Spiritual Capital of Andhra Pradesh”. The magnificent Tirupati Temple is the major crowd-puller which is no doubt an architectural wonder as well showcasing Dravidian style with marvelous Gopuram and intricate carvings. On the other hand, Tirupati treats its visitors with lot of natural and heritage sites, breathtaking waterfalls, and a variety of flora and fauna. Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, Sri Kalahasthi, Kanipakam, Chandragiri, Silathoranam, and Talakona Waterfalls are some of the popular attractions here.
Best Time To Visit: November to February.
Nearest Airport: Chennai International Airport and Tirupati Airport, about 163 Km and 16 Km.
Nearest Railway Station: Tirupati Railway Station, just 75 m away.
4) Rameswaram:
Needless to say, Rameswaram is an awesome place to pay a visit to in South India as it is one of the holiest places in India. Rameswaram is a beautiful town located in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu which is connected with the Indian mainland by the enchanting Pamban Bridge.
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Home to the divine Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram is a sacred pilgrimage site and a must-visit during Char Dham Yathra. It is both spiritually and historically significant as it is the place where Lord Rama created a bridge across the sea to Sri Lanka to rescue his captured wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. The Five-faced Hanuman Temple is a major attraction here as it holds the floating stone which was used to build the bridge between India and Sri Lanka. Dhanushkodi Temple, Agni Theertham, Ram Theertham, etc are the other attractions. At Rameshwaram what captivates you the most is the longest corridor in the world and the ‘Hall of 1000 Pillars’ at the Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Nearest Airport: Madurai Airport, about 172.6 Km.
Nearest Railway Station: Rameshwaram Railway Station, just 1 Km.
5) Wayanad:
Embellished with rich foliage, Wayanad which is the most adorable and picturesque hill station in Kerala is a great place to visit at least once in a lifetime. You can savor the complete essence of nature at this wonderful destination that rewards all its guests with spectacular landscapes, captivating mist-clad mountains, the panoramic outlook of endless spice plantations and waterfalls of astounding beauty.
Also Read:- Best Places To Visit In Kerala
Away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan scheduling, you will get pampered by nature from the moment you step into this magical land. Explore the heritage of Kerala as you make your way around the historical sites in Wayanad. Nicknamed as “Green Paradise”, Wayanad is a matchless eco-tourism spot which is also teeming with numerous adventurous activities. Major attractions here are Edakkal Cave, Banasura Sagar Dam, Chembra Peak, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Luv Kush Temple, to name a few.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Nearest Airport: Calicut International Airport, about 99.1 Km.
Nearest Railway Station: Calicut Railway Station, about 85.9 Km.
6) Madikeri:
Situated in the Kodagu district, Madikeri is a picturesque hill town in Karnataka where one can feast their eyes on the lush green coffee plantations, rolling hills, endless valleys and dense forests. The refreshing aroma of the coffee will grab your nostrils at this enchanting location covered with sprawling plantations of coffee.
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Apart from its alluring beauty, the pollution-free, noticeably cool and tranquil environment is an important feature that attracts a lot of tourists to Madikeri. The place is dotted with numerous tourist attractions to make your vacation more fabulous. Raja’s seat is favourite among tourists as it offers the most spectacular sunset views and jaw-dropping panoramic views of Madikeri. Omkareshwar Temple, Madikeri Fort, Golden Temple, Abbey Falls, and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary are the popular places to visit in Madikeri.
Best Time To Visit: July to September.
Nearest Airport: Mangalore International Airport, about 111 Km.
Nearest Railway Station: Hassan Junction Railway Station, about 104.9 Km.
7) Thanjavur:
A prominent center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture, Tanjore or Thanjavur is a remarkable city located in Tamil Nadu, worth a visit at least once in a lifetime. It was the erstwhile capital of the great Chola empire and is dotted with most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments. Among them, the most popular is the Tanjore Brihadeeshwara Temple that proudly reflects the culture of the Chola Dynasty.
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The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the imposing architecture is its highlight. The Nandi statue at the entrance of the temple carved out of single granite rock is a masterpiece of amazing Chola architecture. Thanjavur is very famous for Thanjavur Painting, a painting style unique to the region which is developed over multiple layers and is usually focused on the Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Thanjavur Royal Palace, Thanjavur Art Gallery, and Airavateswara Temple are some of the popular tourist attractions here.
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Nearest Airport: Tiruchirappalli International Airport, about 60.2 Km.
Nearest Railway Station: Tiruchirappalli Junction Railway Station, about 60.6 Km.
8) Idukki:
Idukki is a breathtaking nature-rich paradise lying in the mighty Western Ghats of Kerala. With more than half of the area covered with forest and beautiful mist-clad mountains in the backdrop, Idukki serves as an eco-tourism spot attracting nature lovers, wildlife seekers and adventure enthusiasts.
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Tourists can indulge in various activities like trekking, hiking, elephant safari, plantation visit, etc, at the same time treating their eyes on the spellbinding beauty of Idukki. The 550 feet high and 650 feet long arch dam, built across the Kuravan Kurathi hills, which is one of the highest arch dams in Asia and the Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in South India are the crowning glory of this beautiful destination. Idukki wildlife sanctuary adorned with tropical evergreen and deciduous forest is home to a variety of animal and bird species. Idukki is a wondrous spectacle that treats you with nature’s pristine beauty and must a visit at least once in a lifetime.
Best Time To Visit: April to June.
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, about 110 Km.
Nearest Railway Station: Theni Railway Station and Ernakulam South Railway Station, about 60 Km and 100 Km.
9) Yercaud:
Settled in the Shevaroys range of hills in the Eastern Ghats, Yercaud is a hidden gem of Tamil Nadu, often called as “Poor Man’s Ooty”. The endless plantations of coffee, spices, orange groves and other fruits add special attractiveness to this hill station. Sandalwood, teak and silver oaks grow abundantly in the dense forests of Yercaud.
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Wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers can spend a wonderful time spotting a variety of animals and birds at this forest cover. Trekking at Yercaud is an unforgettable experience. It is a place with a mesmerizing beauty that must be visited at least once in a lifetime. Enjoy the salubrious climate and inhale the freshness of mountain air when you are at Yercaud. Shevaroy Temple, Killiyur Falls, Pagoda Point, Sri Raja Rajeshwari Temple, Anna Park, Lady’s Seat, Emerald Lake, Silk Farms and Rose Gardens are some of the popular attractions of Yercaud.
Best Time To Visit: May to June.
Nearest Airport: Salem Airport and Coimbatore Airport, about 47.4 Km and 186.5 Km.
Nearest Railway Station: Salem Railway Station, about 32 Km.
10) Horsley Hills:
Horsley Hills simply cannot be skipped from the list of awesome places to visit in South India. Offering breathtaking landscapes and relaxing climate, Horsley Hills is a picturesque hill station in Andhra Pradesh, nicknamed as the ‘Ooty of Andhra’. The most fascinating is the scenic drive to this enchanting location through the thick vegetation of trees lining on both sides of the road which is extremely panoramic and spellbinding.
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Another interesting feature is that Horsely Hills is home to the Thimmamma Marrimanu banyan tree, the world’s largest banyan tree that spreads across an area of 8 acres and Kalyani, the oldest known eucalyptus tree which is believed to be around 148 years. From bird watching to adventure sports and activities like rappelling, wall climbing, shooting, bow and arrow, trampoline, etc, endless fun awaits here. Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, Mallama Temple, Environmental Park, Lake Gangotri and Mansarovar, etc are the famous tourist attractions in Horsely Hills.
Best Time To Visit: Throughout the year.
Nearest Airport: Bangalore International Airport, about 141.2 Km.
Nearest Railway Station: Madanapalle Railway Station, about 26.2 Km.
Get set and pack your bags for a joyful journey to South India where lasting memories are created.
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