Thursday, February 20, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
Highlights of South India
South India is a land of temples, colonials towns, beautiful beaches, tea plantations and palm trees. More laid-back than the north of India, the south is a great place to get acquainted to India, or get some R&R. Here are all the highlights of South India. You can see images and a map on my Pinterest site.
Cycling is a great way to explore the country side, or join a small group tour to discover larger areas.
Set on the Malabar, or 'Pepper Coast', Cochin (Kochi) is one of South India's most interesting towns and is believed to have been the first European settlement in India. It has a relaxed atmosphere and is famous for its Chinese fishing nets. Discover the old Mattancherry Palace, the synagogue with its hand painted 18th century blue ceramic floor tiles and St Francis Church where Vasco de Gama died in 1524.
The journey up to Coonoor is one of the most scenic in South India with superb views of the plains below. Don't forget to take the narrow gauge steam Blue Mountain Railway from Coonoor to Ootacamund, a delightful one-hour train journey.
Ootacamund, or 'Snooty Ooty' was a refuge for British Officials and tea planters in Southern India as the climate this high up is much cooler. Views from peaks, pleasant forest walks and the beautiful botanical gardens are the highlights of this area.
On the beautiful drive down the hills towards Mysore you may spot deer, elephant and monkeys. Mysore, a former capital, is a city of royal palaces, sandalwood and the manufacture of incense sticks. Explore the beautifully restored City Palace, with its domes, arches and colonnades of carved pillars and shiny marble floors. Marvel at the stained glass, wall paintings, ivory inlaid doors and ornate golden throne.
Just outside of Mysore is Srirangapatnam, the capital of Haider Ali and his famous son, Tipu Sultan. Tipu's famous battles against colonization are depicted in the murals on the walls of his summer palace.
Kanchipuram, one of Hinduism's seven most sacred cities, is known as 'the Golden City of a Thousand Temples'. There are still about 70 temples in the town, including the Ekambaresvara Temple with its Thousand Pillared Hall and the Kailasanatha Temple, considered to be the most beautiful of the town.
On the Coromandel Coast, visit the rock cut caves and temples at Mahabalipuram, occupying a stunning position on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea. There are plenty of cave temples, rock-carved shrines and sculptured rock panels all dating back to the 7th century.
Pondicherry enjoys a hint of its French colonial atmosphere in the grid pattern streets, distinctive police uniforms and the occasional colonial building. But if colonial charm is what you are after, Cochin is the place you want to be.
Thanjavur is famous for the Thanjavur Brihadisvara Temple, one of the great monuments of southern India. It is built mainly from granite and has outstanding inscriptions and sculptures of Shiva, Vishnu and Durga. Here you can also visit a beautiful 16th century palace which houses a huge library as well as the Rajaraja Museum with a collection of magnificent Chola bronzes.
Life revolves around the Meenakshi Temple in the bustling city of Madurai. It is a hive of activity and the scene of an almost continuous religious festival. One of the most spectacular parts of the complex is the 16th century Thousand Pillared Hall with exquisitely carved columns and its sculptured ceiling,
Periyar National Park is known for its elephants, sambar, wild boar and barking deer. Don't expect wildlife sightings as you would in Africa, but you can enjoy a jungle walk or boat cruise or go on a tour of the spice gardens. Coffee, tea, rubber, cardamom and pepper are just some of the local produce.
Traditional wooden boats were the method of transport for hundreds of years in Kerala and a houseboat cruise in the Kerala Backwaters is the highlight of many a South India trip. As your boat meanders through canals and waterways lined with lush tropical vegetation you will enjoy the scenery, watch locals travel by boat or spot some of the prolific bird life. Don't forget to step ashore to get an insight into traditional village life.
A typical trip through South India will end in Kovalam or Varkala. Enjoy the idyllic soft sandy beaches, warm clear waters and wide views of the ocean horizon that these seaside has to offer. It makes for a great end to any highlights trip through South India!
Cycling is a great way to explore the country side, or join a small group tour to discover larger areas.
Set on the Malabar, or 'Pepper Coast', Cochin (Kochi) is one of South India's most interesting towns and is believed to have been the first European settlement in India. It has a relaxed atmosphere and is famous for its Chinese fishing nets. Discover the old Mattancherry Palace, the synagogue with its hand painted 18th century blue ceramic floor tiles and St Francis Church where Vasco de Gama died in 1524.
The journey up to Coonoor is one of the most scenic in South India with superb views of the plains below. Don't forget to take the narrow gauge steam Blue Mountain Railway from Coonoor to Ootacamund, a delightful one-hour train journey.
Ootacamund, or 'Snooty Ooty' was a refuge for British Officials and tea planters in Southern India as the climate this high up is much cooler. Views from peaks, pleasant forest walks and the beautiful botanical gardens are the highlights of this area.
On the beautiful drive down the hills towards Mysore you may spot deer, elephant and monkeys. Mysore, a former capital, is a city of royal palaces, sandalwood and the manufacture of incense sticks. Explore the beautifully restored City Palace, with its domes, arches and colonnades of carved pillars and shiny marble floors. Marvel at the stained glass, wall paintings, ivory inlaid doors and ornate golden throne.
Just outside of Mysore is Srirangapatnam, the capital of Haider Ali and his famous son, Tipu Sultan. Tipu's famous battles against colonization are depicted in the murals on the walls of his summer palace.
Kanchipuram, one of Hinduism's seven most sacred cities, is known as 'the Golden City of a Thousand Temples'. There are still about 70 temples in the town, including the Ekambaresvara Temple with its Thousand Pillared Hall and the Kailasanatha Temple, considered to be the most beautiful of the town.
On the Coromandel Coast, visit the rock cut caves and temples at Mahabalipuram, occupying a stunning position on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea. There are plenty of cave temples, rock-carved shrines and sculptured rock panels all dating back to the 7th century.
Pondicherry enjoys a hint of its French colonial atmosphere in the grid pattern streets, distinctive police uniforms and the occasional colonial building. But if colonial charm is what you are after, Cochin is the place you want to be.
Thanjavur is famous for the Thanjavur Brihadisvara Temple, one of the great monuments of southern India. It is built mainly from granite and has outstanding inscriptions and sculptures of Shiva, Vishnu and Durga. Here you can also visit a beautiful 16th century palace which houses a huge library as well as the Rajaraja Museum with a collection of magnificent Chola bronzes.
Life revolves around the Meenakshi Temple in the bustling city of Madurai. It is a hive of activity and the scene of an almost continuous religious festival. One of the most spectacular parts of the complex is the 16th century Thousand Pillared Hall with exquisitely carved columns and its sculptured ceiling,
Periyar National Park is known for its elephants, sambar, wild boar and barking deer. Don't expect wildlife sightings as you would in Africa, but you can enjoy a jungle walk or boat cruise or go on a tour of the spice gardens. Coffee, tea, rubber, cardamom and pepper are just some of the local produce.
Traditional wooden boats were the method of transport for hundreds of years in Kerala and a houseboat cruise in the Kerala Backwaters is the highlight of many a South India trip. As your boat meanders through canals and waterways lined with lush tropical vegetation you will enjoy the scenery, watch locals travel by boat or spot some of the prolific bird life. Don't forget to step ashore to get an insight into traditional village life.
A typical trip through South India will end in Kovalam or Varkala. Enjoy the idyllic soft sandy beaches, warm clear waters and wide views of the ocean horizon that these seaside has to offer. It makes for a great end to any highlights trip through South India!
 |
| Meenakshi Temple, Madurai |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)