Top Ten Popular Tourist Destinations in South India

Bangalore


IT city Bangalore welcomes travelers with open arms. Blessed with a soothing climate, Bangalore is the most preferred tourist destination on south Indian itineraries. Here, past can be seen embracing the future. Gardens, malls, lakes and ancient bazaars hold the sense of cosmopolitanism. Also famous as Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore has taken great advancements when it comes to science and technology. However, cultural ethnicity finds a stronghold amid all technological advancements. As a travel destination it offers quite a few places that will bowled you over. Famous attractions of city are Cubbon Park, Wonder La Amusement Park, Innovative Film City (IFC), ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple, Sri Raja Rajeshwari Temple and Lal Bagh.

Ooty

Soubriquet as Queen of Hill Stations. Not only it provides break froview of ootym the sun spell of the plain regions, but offers scenic views that travelers would love to capture during their visit to India. During colonial days, Ooty used to be a favorite getaway for the British. Besides its beautiful mountains and rich vegetation Ooty will take your breath away with its grasslands and tea estates. Journey on mountain train is an added attraction for tourists on their golden tour.

Alleppey

Alleppey is known as Venice of the east due of its large network of inland canals. Alleppey enjoys status of most popular tourist attractions of south India. In past, it was one of the most engaged trade centers. Much famous for backwater tourism also attracts tourists towards its snake boat race competition held every year on second Saturday of August.

Cochin
Located in south-west coast of Indian headland, Cochin is a part of thcochin forte most beautiful south Indian state Kerala. It’s outstanding port and international airport links it to major cities across the world. Adjoined by Western Ghats and Arabian Sea in east and west respectively, this gorgeous sea side city is one of the popular tourists’ sites. Here one can enjoy boat riding and performances by great Kathakali dancers as well.

Top tourist spots in Cochin are:

1) Chinese Fishing Nets, Fort Kochi
2) Fort Kochi beach
3) St. Francis Church, Fort Kochi
4) Vasco House, Fort Kochi
5) Santa Cruz Basilica, Fort Kochi
6) Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town, Mattancherry
7) Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), Mattancherry
8) Hill Palace, Tripunithura

Chennai
Chennai, the largest city in Tamil Nadu, is situated on the southeastern coast of India. Formerly known as Madras, this city was recognized by the British and is famous as the ‘Gateway to South India‘. Chennai has been endowed with the rich heritage of art and culture. Various cultural events, showcasing the performing arts such as Dance, Music and Drama reflect the great asset of arts and literature. Tamil literature holds strong wealth in content and advocates ancient morals and values.

As a travel destination, it offers variety of places where visitors can have fun, enjoyment and add an everlasting travel experience. George Town, Government Museum, National Art Gallery, Marina Beach, Santhome Cathedral and Snake Park are the most popular highlights.

Madurai
Madurai, one of South India’s great temple towns, is famous worldwide for the much celebrated Meenakshi Temple. Located on the banks of Vaigai River, this place has inherited 2500 years old affluent cultural heritage from great Tamil era. Since time immemorial, Madurai has been a significant cultural and commercial center. During the supremacy of great Pandya Kings, Madurai enjoyed the status of the capital city.

Most popular for the Meenakshi temple, Madurai is visited by lots of tourists from various parts of India. Architecture of the temple inscribed it on the list of the nominees selected for the new list of 7 wonders of the world. It’s rich culture and heritage is noticeable through its architectural marvels dotted all over the town.

Kanchipuram
The City of Thousand Temples, Kanchipuram is one of the oldest temple towns of India. Revered as one of India’s seven holy cities, Kanchipuram has a great past. It was ruled by several powerful dynasties like Cholas, Pallavas and the empire of Vijayanagar. Each one of them imparted a unique architectural style to the temples and significant monuments.
The famous hand-woven silk fabrics and saris of Kanchipuram are woven by skilled weavers who use the supreme quality silk and pure gold thread. With great availability of varied quality of silk, Kanchipuram is also known as Silk City. Highly venerated Sankaracharya ‘Math’ is located at Kanchipuram.

Mahabalipuram

Globally renowned for its shore temples, Mahabalipuram was the secoMahabalipuram shore templend capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. 58 km from Chennai on the Bay of Bengal, this small coastal village is set in a boulder – strewn landscape. Its miles of unspoiled beach and rock-cut art act as magnet that attracts a lot of tourist. The sculptures of the town have an intriguing quality that particularly interests the onlookers. Their depiction of day-to- day life is in contrast with the rest of the state of Tamil Nadu, where the carvings generally depict gods and goddesses.

Mysore
One of the most highlighted travel destinations, Mysore is a culturally rich city of Southern India. Known for its magnificent Sandalwood products of this city are famous all across the world. It truly represents rich culture of Indian state Karnataka at an international level.

It conjures up reminiscences and visions of the splendid glory of the memorable Wodeyar Kings. This former state capital retains its tradition in music, dance, art and literature. Mysore, the second biggest city in the state of Karnataka lies 130 km’s from the State.
Popular places of the city are Ambavilas Palace (Mysore Palace), Lalitha Mahal Palace, Jayalakshmi Vilas, Chamundeshwari Temple (Chamundi Hills), Mysore Zoo, Regional Museum of Natural History, Brindavan Gardens, Railway Museum and Nagarhole National Park.

Pondicherry
With grand boulevards and quiet promenades Pondicherry town is a surprise in India. The four unconnected, erstwhile French colonies of Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam together form the Union Territory of Pondicherry. Pondicherry is opulently cosmopolitan. Pondicherry is a preferred hunting ground for the shop-hopper as wonderful bargains are easy pickings. It is a peaceful, easy feeling that makes you want to put your feet up and let your hair down. Famous places to visit in Pondicherry are the old colonial quarter, Pondicherry Museum, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Old Light House, Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary Cathedral, Botanical Garden and certainly Auroville.