What Mark Twain saw is best kept intact in South India. The delightful
south ! Almost untouched by invasions
throughout
its history,.the Southern states of India, can be considered the most
`Indian ` part of India .The Aryans never brought their meat eating
influence to the south . The Muslims and British influence was minor . As a
result Hindu forms of lifestyles and artistic & cultural expression are
stronger here compared to anywhere else in India . While bringing to you the
manifestations of the glorious artistic creativity of South India's
incredible ancient heritage, we would not miss out on giving a human feel to
your tour. We will interact with locals by visits to popular local bazaars,
typical traditional work places, rides in local cycle rickshaws, visits to
typical homes and stopping for walks and visits to tribal villages while
driving through the countryside. We are attempting to harmonise the glorious
past with the vibrating, colorful and extremely hospitable lifestyles of the
present with which you could conveniently relate and see your own lives in a
different perspective !
Madras : The capital of Tamil Nadu, Madras has one of the finest
beaches in Asia. It was founded at Fort St. George in 1640 A.D. by
Francis
Day of the East India Company. Attractions : Fort St. George & St.
Mary's Church, Gandhi Mandapam, High Court, Anna Square, Kapaleeswara
Temple, Light House, Marina Beach & Aquarium, Parthasarathy Temple, San
Thom Cathedral, Snake Park, Theosophical Society, Valluvar Kottam, Ripon
Buildings and War Memorial Fort Museum .
Mahabalipuram (Mamalapuram) : 64 kms from Madras, Mahabalipuram is a
beautiful coastal town and the birthplace of art and architecture in South
India. Attractions :Rathas (Chariots), Arjuna's Penance, Krishna Mandapa,
Shore Temple, Mahishasurmardini Cave, Varaha Mandapa and Mandapams.
Tiruchirappalli or Trichy : Situated on the banks of river Cauvery,
This is famous for the beautifuly sculpted Ranganatha temple at Srirangam,
the biggest in India & which makes Trichy a very auspicious and sacred
Hindu city. Attractions : Rock Fort, Sri Jambukeshwara Temple,
Tiruvannaikaval, Srirangam, Museums & Art Galleries.
Madurai : The City resembles a huge and continuous bazaar crammed
with shops, street markets, temples, pilgrim rest houses and the
pilgrims
themselves. Madurai's main attraction is the famous Shree Meenakshi temple
in the heart of the old town. It has been appreciated as one of the most
outstanding piece of architecture in the world. The religious fervor gives
the city a perpetual festival appeal.
Rameshwaram : The sacred island town of Rameswaram at the extreme
south-eastern limit of the Indian Peninsula, has one of India's most
venerated temples. A fine example of South Indian architecture, the temple
is renowned for its many pillared corridors, about 1220 metres in length.
Kanya Kumari : The southernmost point of peninsular India and
situated at the confluence of three oceans - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian
Sea and the Indian Ocean, Kanya Kumari is a major pilgrim centre, famous for
its beautiful views of sunrise, sunset and moonrise over the waters.
Attractions : Kanyakumari Temple (Only Hindus are allowed inside the inner
sanctum), Gandhi Memorial, Vivekananda Memorial.
Manappad : The home of Christian missionaries, it is the birthplace
of Christianity in South India.
Hampi : A world heritage center, Hampi- is the most beautiful of all
the ruins in Karnataka. Founded in the 14th Century, this was the glorious
capital city of a flourishing dynasty who were great patrons of art and
architecture. The remains can still be seen in the vast ruins of Hampi,
which historians have praised as 'greater than Rome'.
Belur & Halebid (From Hassan) : Belur is famous for the
Chennakesava Temple built in Hoysala style. From 1116 AD it took 103 years
to complete This temple is an incredible example of artistic creativity. It
is amazing how compact and proportionate the shrine is. The wealth of
sculptured friezes is simply unbelievable, since from the base to the
projected eaves, every inch of available wall surface is covered with the
most exquisitely sculptured images. The Hoysala sculpture reaches its
highest point in sculptures of celestial maidens, carved with a marvellous
fluidity of modeling, and imbued with the most accomplished grace and
elegance.
Aihole : Known as the 'Cradle of Indian Architecture', Aihole has
over a hundred temples, scattered around the village. The oldest temple here
dates back to the 5th century.
Pattadakal : This was the last Chalukyan capital and is now a world
heritage center. It has ten major temples which are beautiful examples of
early Chalukyan sculptural art.
Badami : Founded in the 6th century A.D., Badami, was the capital of
the Chalukyan empire. They were the pioneers of the Chalukyan Style of
architecture which blends the North Indian, Indo-Aryan Nagara style and the
South Indian Dravidian style and can be seen in temples and other monuments
in Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal. The four cave-temples all hewn out of
sandstone on the precipice of a hill are an awe-inspiring sight.
Mysore : This salubrious and charming city lies 770 m above sea
level is an easy-going city famous for it's silk and is also a thriving
sandalwood and incense centre. The city is steeped in history. The Mysore
Palace, built in Indo - Saracenic style is one of the largest and most
brilliant palaces in India. It's a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors,
gilt and colours. There are beautiful carved wooden doors, mosaic floors, as
well as exquisite paintings. Half-way up the Chamundi Hill is the Nandi
Bull, a 4.8 m monolith. It was carved out of solid rock and is one of the
largest in India. Hordes of pilgrims come here throughout the year. Right on
top, is the 2000 year old Chamundeswari Temple. The temple provides atypical
festive atmosphere without overwhelming religious overtures. In Mysore we
would also visit the incredibly colourful Devraj Fruit & Vegetable
Market.
Pondicherry : Being a small and quiet enclave of Tamil Nadu, 160 Kms
from Chennai (Madras), Pondicherry has imbibed the Tamilian culture. This
former French colony oozes a Maditerranean aura with classy streets, stylish
houses and ormental gardens. is famous for pleasant weather and easy paced
life. Apart from this the serene atmosphere of Aurobindo Ashram attracts the
tourists to Pondicheery. The ashram was founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926 and
has attained international reputation for its spiritual tenets, which are
inclusive of yoga and modern science. The other attractions include The
Government Park which is well-planned with flower beds and fountains, one of
them dating back to the period of Napoleon III (1852-1870); Raj Niwas, where
Dupleix once lived: The Botanical Gardens, conceived in 1826, boast a
variety of rare and exotic plants from India and abroad, and the Sama Koil
church, once a temple of Shiva is impressive with a grotto of Mother Mary.
The Pondicherry Museum has whole suites furnished in the French style in
fashion, at the time of occupation.
