South India Travel Attractions

Kerala is often sobriquet God's Own Country and that's not for nothing as it is home to some of the most exotic locales on the planet replete with breathtaking natural beauty and amazing features. One such tourist magnet is the captivating beauty of the backwaters. Imagine yourself in a houseboat replete with all the luxury facilities that enhance your experience of feasting your eyes on the enchanting surroundings. Gently sway past lush fields and sandy beaches lined with palm trees as you witness a world that is totally unlike what you would have seen before.

One of the must visit attractions while on a visit to the country is the 400 year old monument Charminar, also sometimes known as the Mecca of the south. As the Statue of Liberty is to New York and Eiffel Tower to Paris, the Charminar has over the years become synonymous with the city of Hyderabad. The behemoth of a structure was built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1591 to celebrate the eradication of plague from the kingdom. It is also said that having madly fallen in love with a Hindu lady Bhagmati, the king built the monument at the same place where he saw Bhagmati for the very first time. The square shaped monument is a typical example of Tazia architectural style housing prayer spaces and a mosque inside it.

he Maharaja's Palace situated at Mirza Road in Mysore is one of the most attractive monuments in the state of Karnataka. Also known as Amba Vilas, the present structure was built in 1912 by the fourth Wodeyar king after the original structure made of wood got burnt down in a major fire in 1897. The opulent palace designed by British architect Henry Erwin is a treasure trove of rare artifacts and exquisite work of art brought here from around the world.

The holy land of south India is blessed with hundreds of temples and religious shrines, but perhaps none that can outclass the brilliance and grandeur of the Meenakshi temple. Situated at Madurai in the state of Tamil Nadu, this 17th century architectural marvel is one of the largest and most visited centres of worship in the country, ornate with intricately carved stone walls, life like statues and beautiful murals. Madurai has an important place in Hindu mythology being considered as the place where the wedding between Shiva and Parvati took place, better known in this part of the country as Sundareshwar and Meenakshi respectively. The twin temples of Shiva and Meenakshi lie enclosed within the towering 6 mts high wall of the temple resembling much like a fortress.