South India Tourist Attraction And Tour Itinerary Information

South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of area.

Festivals of India including those of South of India are major tourist attractions. Various festivities of South India Tour packages include Aaranmula Boat Race, Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Onam, Thrissur Pooram in Kerala and Pongal Festival, Kavadi Festival, Karthiqai Deepam, Natyanjali Dance Festival in Tamil Nadu.

Temple Tours of South India give a deep insight into the religious sanctity of ancient and cultural India. Take a trip to the most celebrated Meenakshi temple, Kanchipuram temple, Mahabalipuram, Rameshwaram, Murugan temple and Kanyakumari. Sabarimala temple and Guruvayoor temple are some of the famous temples and tourist destinations of Kerala. Karnataka hosts the famous the Somnathpur temple and Badami Cave temple. A trip to Tirupata Tirumala Balaji Temple and Thousand Pillar temple in the Andhra Pradesh is a must during your Temple Tours to South India.

South India also hosts various national parks and wild life sanctuaries. You can visit these national parks and enjoy the Wild Life of South India in its natural habitat. Spot various wild animals like Tiger, Panther, Gaur (Indian Bison), Spotted Deer, Ibex, Lingers, Bonnet Monkeys, Jungle Fowl and some commonly found birds at the national parks of South India.

Kerala Backwaters: The most attractive of the backwaters is in Kuttanad region where farming is done below the sea level. This has been made possible with a system of dykes and bunds.The largest backwater stretch is Vembanad Lake which flows through the three districts of Alappuzha Kottayam and Kochi. Ashtamudi Lake which covers most portions of Kollam district is the second largest backwater lake in the state. Known as the 'venice of the east', Alappuzha is another major backwater attraction. With a number of small lakes snaking through the region, small country boats are used as water taxies here. The boat race of the place attracts tourists from all over the place. The port city of Kollam situated on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake is another major Backwater Attraction. Kumarakoam, a 14 acre bird sanctuary attracts many different species of migratory birds, as the soothing backwaters have a magnetic effect upon the birds. Kozhikode as a backwater destination has a lot to offer to the tourists. However, much of Kozhikode's backwaters are yet to be properly explored. Alumkadavu, a majestic combination of the sparkling backwaters and unadulterated nature also pulls many tourists to its fold.

Kerala Ayurveda Tours: Most of India's ancient wisdom and heritage might have been lost due to utter neglect, but Kerala can boost of not only preserving the ancient medicinal system of Ayurveda, but even converting the same into a lucrative industry having the potential of curing a myriad of diseases. Developing way back in 600 BC in our own wondrous land, Ayurveda stresses on maintaining the right balance of the body's elements-vata, pitta and kapha to keep diseases at bay. Ayurveda believes in treating the body as a whole, not any individual part separately. Kerala can be regarded as the only state in India which practices this system full fledged and with great dedication. What makes Kerala a hub of Ayurveda is the abundance of herbs and medicinal plants found in the region. Coupled with that is Kerala's rainy weather and nice climate. The monsoon season (June-November) attracts the most number of people for seeking ayurvedic relief. Kerala's Ayurvedic Treatment can be divided into two broad categories-rejuvenating and therapeutic.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Tours: One of India's most popular wildlife sanctuaries, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is situated in Kerala. The park is in the cardamom hill ranges in Western Ghats of the state. The park was formed after the construction of a dam in 1895. Though a tiger reserve, people come here in large numbers also to have a look at the gigantic elephants. Also known as Thekkady Tiger Reserve, Periyar is one of the 16 Project Tiger Reserves of the country. As the chances of wildlife sightings become very slim during monsoons, tourists are advised to visit the sanctuary at any time between the months of October and June.

Meenakshi Amman Temple: Vigourously promoting Tamil literature, art, music and dance since thousands of years, the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Tamil Nadu's Madurai is an architectural masterpiece. The Pandyan King Kulasekarar built the great temple and thereafter laid the lotus shaped city of Madurai around the temple.

Rameshwaram Tour: Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu is popularly referred to as 'Benaras of the South.' Rameshwaram happens to be one of the most visited pilgrim sites of India. Legend has it that to attain Moksha, a visit to Rameshwaram is mandatory. In the epic Ramayana, there is mention of Rameshwaram at various places. Rameshwaram is at a distance of just 24 kms from Sri Lanka. Spread over an area of 61.8 square kilometres, Rameshwaram happens to be in the shape of a conch.

Kanyakumari Tour: The southern most tip of mainland India, Kanyakumari witnesses the meeting of three oceans - Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. Besides being an important pilgrimage centre of Hindus, Kanyakumari is famous for its sunrise and sunset. It is noteworthy that the sands of Kanyakumari beach are multicoloured which further adds to the beauty of the place. Due to its proximity to the sea, the weather of Kanyakumari remains very pleasant throughout the year.

Marina Beach: The beautiful beach of Marina forms the shoreline of Chennai. Marina beach is one of the major attractions of the metropolitan city of Chennai. Infact, lengthwise Marina is the second longest beach in the world covering a distance of 13 kms. From St. Fort George, the beach extends all the way to Mahabalipuram. Most people throng the Marina to have a glimpse of the sunset which leaves people spellbound. Most of Tamil Nadu's important buildings are situated on the beach front.