South India Temples

Often it isn’t until you return home and have a bit of time for reflection that you realize just how unique and spectacular the sights you’ve just seen really are.

Such is the case as I sat down today and started scrolling through my photos of the women-only South India tour from which I just returned.

South India, specifically Tami Nadu, is renowned for its temples that are vast and plentiful – nearly so much so that it’s hard to wrap your head around the number, size and age of them all.

Our tour started in Chennai, which has a few famous temples itself, but some of the more spectacular ones were farther south in Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur and Trichy.

The bas-relief carvings of Mahabalipuram were built between the 7th and 9th centuries. These massive walls of art are still in excellent condition even after so many years.

Kanchipuram is among one of seven holy cities in India and a sacred pilgrimage site. This temple complex features beautiful stone pillars that line the interior.

Sometimes the most interesting sights are ones that you would never find in a guidebook. Our guide, Lakuma, had the bus stop along a roadway on the way to Pondicherry. Behind an imposing wall, we found a small temple with rather large statues, including the one above.

And at most every temple, you have the chance to buy flower garlands as offerings to the gods. Can’t you just smell these? I can!

My biggest take-away from South India was just how different it is from the north. There are fewer people (both Indians and tourists) and far less of the “Madam, you buy…” hassle that is found in the north. The experience is almost relaxed compared to Delhi, Agra and Varanasi (though those cities should never be shunned!) and the landscape simply beautiful (such as the tea plantations in Munnar).

It’s hard to say whether I’d recommend the north or the south for first-time travelers to India. They both have so much to offer. One thing’s for sure – whether you cover them in one fell swoop or on separate journeys, neither should be missed!

Travel Well!

Beth

Related links:
South India Tea Plantations
Pongal in Pondicherry
North India Women-only Tour