Feed your Wanderlust: Top Tourist Attractions in Southern India
When it comes to luxury travel in India, the Southern part of India rarely comes on the radar. You will be surprised to find out this southern part of India has a lot more to offer than just the sea beaches of Goa and the Taj Mahal. This beautiful yarn of cultures, cuisines, traditions, and languages is capable of providing everything to feed your wanderlust.
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Photo credit: Pritha Ganguly, Pexels
South India is the home of sparkling beaches, magnificent monuments, mesmerizing rivers, peaceful greenery, and yoga training studios. From honeymooning couples to families, Southern India comprising Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu will greet you with warmth and love. Here's the list of top tourist attractions in Southern India you must visit while traveling India.
Top Tourist Attractions in Southern India
1. Hampi, Karnataka
This tourist spot in Karnataka is one of India's top historical destinations, and UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. The laid-back village of Hampi was once the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, one of the greatest Buddhist Empires in India. Hampi is the home of magnificent ruins, evidence of mighty architectural structures from the 15th and 16th centuries. Hampi, with these remnants of temples and monuments, is the best place to immerse yourself in the culture and creativity.
2. The Kerala Backwater
Cruising along the palm-fringed canals, affectionately known as 'backwaters', is the most relaxing thing you can do in Kerala. Stay a night in the luxurious houseboat and enjoy the south Indian cuisine served by a trained chef in the middle of a slow-moving river, and experience complete serenity the surrounding offers. After this blissful experience, explore the area and enjoy a night at one of Kerala's luxurious resorts.
3. Varkala beach Kerala
Kerala boasts one of the top sea beaches in India as well. This white sandy Varkala sea beach, surrounded by towering cliffs, is nothing less than a fairy-tale setting. With an unending view of the Arabian Sea, this beach is always a popular site for photographers. Along the cliffs' length runs a paved footpath, surrounded by coconut palms, local shops, beach shacks, hotels, and guest houses, and at the bottom of the cliffs rests the white sparkling sea beach— an ideal place to escape the bustle of city life.
4. Periyar National Park Kerala
Periyar National park is the most famous wildlife sanctuary situated in Kerala. It is the natural habitat of the large herd of wild elephants, which can sometimes be seen by the lake during boat safaris. The park is also known for its stable population of rare wild tigers. This park is one of the few places in India, a natural habitat of a vast array of wild animals and among the very few parks remains open during monsoon season. Located in Cardamom hill and surrounded by enchanting mountains, Periyar National park is ideal for game drives, bamboo rafting trips, border hikes, and night jungle walk.
5. Pondicherry
Pondicherry (also known as Puducherry) can be dubbed as ‘small France in Asia’ as this former French colony still retains the French flavor. Wander around the French quarter and promenade with historically colonial charm, enjoy the French cuisine, and browse the boutique stores. Soak the peaceful ambiance by visiting Sri Aurobindo Ashram. This lesser-known town in India remains a separate union territory on the east coast of Tamil Nadu.
6. Mysore, Karnataka
Mysore is an enchanting city for the people yearns for the royal lifestyle. The city is the second-largest city of Karnataka and is believed to be the second most popular tourist site in India. Mysore is renowned for the spectacular monuments and other royal heritage found all over the city and is aptly named 'The City of Palace.' The city is the home of erstwhile Wodeyars Maharajas and the place where Tipu Sultan rose and fell. Apart from the palaces, the spice bazaar of the town is also another chief tourist attraction. Mysore is also an excellent place to learn Ashtanga yoga. The grand celebration of Dasara is also a popular tourist attraction and the perfect time to visit Mysore.
South India is the home of soothing greenery, mesmerizing waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries, magnificent monuments, and temples. South India provides everything to feed your wanderlust, and it is indeed a must-visit region while traveling in India.
