Temples in South India – Expressions of Architectural Excellence and Grandeur

India offers a refreshingly different holiday experience for the tourists. The sheer multitude of options will make it challenging for the holiday makers to experience the best of everything within their holidays. There is a stark difference in the landscape, culture, traditions and ways of living in the different parts of India, which makes it a wonderfully diverse holiday experience for the tourists. Very often, the language, dressing style and food habits change every few hundred miles in this great country.

If spirituality is the underlying theme of your holidays, then you can set the ball rolling with the temples in South India. These exquisite masterpieces, created with passion and dedication over many years stand as testimonies of the architectural excellence and traditional temple building techniques of the past. Patronised by the royals of the Pallavas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar kings and the Chalukyas, most of the temples are built in Dravidian and Vesala styles of architecture. The detailed and intricate patterns, breathtaking frescos and murals flaunt the creative excellence and talents of the craftsmen. South India tours will enable you to visit some of the most popular temples in South India including Kanchipuram temples, Kailashanthar, Ekambareshwar, Kumara Kottam and Devarajaswami temple. The ancient city of Madurai in Tamilnadu has a lot of temples and cultural heritages. The most distinguishable landmark of this city is the Meenakshi temple, which stands out for its distinct constriction pattern and ornate architecture.

No South India tours can be complete without a cruise in Kerala houseboats. Made from eco-friendly materials like wood and coir, these massive boats are done up with all the modern amenities like air-conditioned bedrooms, kitchenettes and lounge. Explore the mystical maze of water channels that form the complex back water system of Kerala in these majestic boats that will rival your favourite star hotel in comfort. House boat tours are not only popular among families and honeymoon couples but are hugely popular among business travellers too. Many companies make use of houseboats for product launches, corporate day outs or for annual business meetings.

Kerala backwaters offer a different world of their own. The enviable slow pace of life in the tiny islands and villages along the backwaters and the hospitable and fun loving local populace will soothe the frayed nerves of the urban travellers. Explore the quaint village markets, test your mettle with the fishing rod, savour the country liquor of Kerala that is tapped from coconuts or try climbing a coconut tree- there are many options to unwind and to have fun . No matter whatever you choose to do, the bottom-line reads that it is impossible not to fall in love with Kerala backwaters at first sight! After all, it is this veritable charm of the house boats and the backwaters, which is bringing back the visitors every time.