There is no better place than South India for a diverse and unique vacation. Starting from waterfalls to barren lands, temple towns to nightclubs, this state is a mixture of everything in abundance. Covered by the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean on three sides, this beauty has a rich natural value. Starting from the romantic beaches of Andaman to the rich biosphere of Nilgiri, this region is famous for numerous elements of tourism.
South India is an important tourism destination, especially during the winter season. Top tourist destinations include Goa, Andaman, Lakshadweep, Coorg, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Kumarakom, Wayanad, Hyderabad, Hampi and so on. You can enjoy every kind of vacation, from a luxurious Deccan Odyssey or Golden Chariot luxury train vacation to a simple hitchhiking trip on a shoestring budget.
Are you planning a South India trip in future? There is everything that you need to know about South India.
Is South India Safe?
South India, just like any known location in the world, is riddled with opportunistic criminals. In that context, no city in the world is safe. Scams and scandals are common. You need to have alertness and common sense to get out of situations without losing money. Solo travellers and especially women travellers should keep to themselves, choose busy regions and end the trip by evening. The best way to be safe is by pre-booking every service and amenity and staying with top service providers or tour organisers.
Rebel, riot and political instability are not common in this part of the country. Pollution is a little higher in many major cities. On the other hand, the clean villages and remote paradises are common in this region. Bangalore is considered the most polluted city in the country (air pollution).
Water hygiene is a questionable factor throughout India. If you are in an urban location, stick with bottled mineral water brands which you are familiar. If you are planning a visit to a rural location, pack a bottle of water with you. When it comes to medical safety, India is a medical tourism destination. You can find all kinds of medical requirements throughout the country. Again, rural places might have a simple primary health care centre only.
Find here the Golden Chariot Price and departure dates
What is the culture of South India?
Culture of this region varies with the geographical and historical factors. Yes, a coastal region has a different culture when compared to a temple town like Madurai. The Portuguese colony of Goa still has remains of the European culture, while French history fills Pondicherry. South Indian women’s traditional attire is saree and you can find a lot of them wearing it on a daily basis.
Apart from this, you can find them wearing chudidar/ salwar kameez (an attire derived from North India) and western wear. The traditional attire of men is Dhoti, a few people wear them today. Western wear is also common among men.
Read More: What To Wear In India – Essential Packing List
The cuisine of southern India is focused on seafood, as most of the regions are coastal areas. Rice and seafood are the main components of the cuisine. When it comes to Kerala and southern Tamil Nadu, coconut is widely used in the dishes. Andhra and Telangana are famous for pickles and spicy food. Tea and coffee are commonly consumed by people. Non-veg dishes are iconic to Chettinad and Kerala. If you wish to enjoy spicy food, choose the southern part of Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh.
If you want to enjoy many delicacies, choose Mysore or other parts of Karnataka. Yes, the ancient ruler of Karnataka has a sweet tooth, and he invited chefs from various parts of the country to cook him unique dishes. While you are in Mysore, you ought to try the royal delicacy, Mysore Pak.
Read More: No Trip Is Complete Without These Five Delicacies In Karnataka
Each state has its own iconic music and dance form. Most of southern India focuses on Carnatic music. Folk music is regaining popularity among youngsters now. The top iconic dances of southern India are Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Theyyam, Mohiniaatam, Kathakali, Ottamthullal, Oppana and others.
Ancient rulers of the land built numerous monuments and structures around the region. When it comes to architecture, there is not much of a difference between the states of Tamil Nadu. The traditional architectural style of Southern India is called the Dravida style. Top places of southern India to enjoy architecture are Mahabalipuram, Badami, Hampi, Tanjore, Halebidu, Pattadakal, Lakkundi, Belur and others.
Tanjore painting, mural paintings of Travancore, Raja Ravi Varma paintings and Mattancherry Dravidian mural paintings are the iconic styles of art of ancient times. As time passed by, each state derived new artworks mixing the Western style and tradition. Paintings are not the only form of artwork in India. Sculptures are an inevitable part and can be found in temples and ancient monuments. Handlooms of Kanchipuram and Pachapalli are iconic souvenirs. Handicrafts of Mahabalipuram, accessories of Kanyakumari, wooden articles of Kodapalli, sandalwood articles of Sathyamangalam and Mysore are the top ones to mention in this genre.
The most beautiful part of the culture is its colourful festivals. Each state has its own set of local festivals. Even when a festival is common throughout the country, each state and each community celebrates it differently. During festivals, you can enjoy local dance and music, delicious delicacies and watch people perform many unique rituals. Locals allow tourists to be a part of their culture and festivals. Remember to wear and act modestly to blend in. This is the land with hospitality as a spiritual factor. Indians are taught that the guest is God and thus, hospitality is guaranteed.
This cultural element has given rise to a richness in the shopping experience. Thanks to the tradition and culture, you can find many antique items, handloom articles, handicraft items and others. The same goes for natural items, too. The spices of Kerala are as worthy as a traditional Kanchipuram silk saree.
Main Languages Spoken In South India
Surprisingly, English is more than enough to scale the place and live in South India. Apart from this foreign language, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam are common in this region. You can also find other languages, like Hindi, spoken by a small group of people.
In India, the most common language is English itself. The largest population of people speak Hindi and other common languages include Marathi, Urdu and others.
Main Religion Of South India
Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Christianity and Buddhism are common in Southern India. However, Hinduism is the largest population of the region. Christians are common in coastal regions. Karnataka is famous for the Jain pilgrimage. There are many branches of Hinduism, which prevail in India. Commonly, there are two main branches of Hinduism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Those who follow Shaivam pray to Lord Shiva, and the latter pray to Lord Vishnu. Ayyavazhi is a deviant of Vaishnavam, which is common in Kerala and the southern part of Tamil Nadu. The Malabar Coast has a high Muslim population. This is due to the trade link between Oman and Kerala. Kerala holds an old Jew community, which is an important tourism destination in the state.
Which Is The Biggest State of South India?
South India covers 19.31% of the whole country. There are five main states in this region and union territories of Goa and Pondicherry, islands of Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep. The largest state of this region is Karnataka. A few years ago, the largest state in South India was Andhra Pradesh. Later, it was separated into two different states, making Karnataka the largest one.
The geographical boundaries keep changing in Southern India. Before 1950, the Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were combined as the state of Madras. It was the largest state of South India. Later, Madras was separated into Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
The smallest state in the region is Kerala, which has an area of 38,863 sq km. Not just in South India, this is the smallest state in the country. Karnataka has an area of 12,791 sq. km. With regards to population, Tamil Nadu is the largest state with 7.2 crore population.
List Of States In South India
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Tamil Nadu
- Karnataka
- Kerala
Largest City Of South India
The largest city of South India is Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. When it comes to population, Chennai is the most populated city, followed by Bangalore, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram.
Top Tourist Destinations Of South India
As mentioned before, South India is a land of diversity. It is impossible to compare two destinations of different genres and give a list of top attractions. Here is the list of different types of vacations to enjoy in South India and the top places to visit under each category.
Top Hill Stations Of South India
- Munnar, Kerala
- Ooty, Tamil Nadu
- Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
- Coorg, Karnataka
- Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh
- Coonnor, Tamil Nadu
- Idukki, Kerala
- Devikulam, Kerala
- Ananthagiri hills, Telangana
- Lambasingi, Andhra Pradesh
Suggested Tour: 6 Days - South India Hill Stations Tour
Top Cultural Spots Of South India
- Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Hampi, Karnataka
- Hyderabad, Telengana
- Mysore, Karnataka
- Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu
- Cochin, Kerala
Suggested Tour: 10 Days - South India Culture Tour
Top Temple Sites Of South India
- Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
- Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
- Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
- Tanjore, Tamil Nadu
- Hampi, Karnataka
- Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
- Chottanikarai, Kerala
- Pattadakal, Karnataka
Suggested Tour: 8 Days - South India Temple Tours
Read More: Top Places for a Temple Experience in South India
Top Heritage Sites Of South India
- Hampi, Pattadakal and Aihole of Karnataka
- Hyderabad of Telangana
- Thajavur of Tamil Nadu
- Mysore of Karnataka
- Cochin of Kerala
- Mahabalipuram of Tamil Nadu
- Gooty Fort, Andhra Pradesh
- Warangal, Telangana
- Nizamabad, Telangana
Top Metropolitan Cities Of South India
- Bangalore, Karnataka
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Hyderabad, Telengana
- Kochi, Kerala
- Goa
- Pondicherry
- Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Mangalore, Karnataka
- Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Alappuzha, Kerala
- Kozhikode, Kerala
Top Beach Locations Of South India
- Goa
- Kovalam, Kerala
- Gokarna, Karnataka
- Kochi, Kerala
- Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
- Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
- Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep
Read More: Famous Beaches of South India
Suggested Tour: 5 Days - South India Beach Holidays
Top Shopping Destinations Of South India
- Bangalore
- Hyderabad
- Chennai
- Kanyakumari
- Kochi
- Mysore
- Badami
- Kakinada
- Andaman
- Thekkady
Also Read: Best Shopping Destinations in India with Specialities
Top Nightlife Destinations Of South India
Top Secluded Tourism Destinations Of South India (Hidden Gems)
- Vattakanal, Tamil Nadu
- Badami caves, Karnataka
- Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
- Thalassery, Kerala
- Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh
- Belum Caves, Karnataka
- Maravanthe Beach, Goa
- Papi Hills, Andhra Pradesh
Top Wildlife Destinations Of South India
- Periyar National Park
- Mudumalai National Park
- Bandipur National Park
- Nagarhole National Park
- Kudremukh National Park
- Bannerghatta National Park
Suggested Tour: 10 Days - South India Wildlife and Culture Tour
Popular Tour Packages Of South India
When it comes to vacationing in South India, it is literally impossible to see every beautiful place within a given time. It also confuses tourists about where to start, which path to take and so on. This is where travel agents like Travelogy India come into the scene. There are numerous customised and general tour packages scaling up to 26 days.
You can choose themed vacations like South India temple tour, Hills and Backwaters of Kerala, South India Wildlife, South India hill station tour and so on. If you are looking for a diverse vacation, stick with geographically arranged packages like the Karnataka and Kerala tour, Tamil Nadu and Kerala tour and so on. If you want to start the tour from specific locations, you can pick the itineraries, which start from your destination, like the South India tour from Chennai, South India temple from Mumbai and so on.
Also Read :
- Top Tourist Places to Visit in South India During Summer
- Unique Destinations for Honeymoon in South India
Popular South India Tour Packages :
- 5 Days - South India Beach Holidays
- 6 Days - South India Hill Stations Tour
- 10 Days - South India Culture Tour
- 10 Days - South India Tour with Goa
- 11 Days - Tamil Nadu and Kerala Tour
- 14 Days - South India Tour from Bangalore
- 16 Days - South India Wildlife Tour
- 20 Days - South India Tour from Chennai
