Southern
Part of India has witnessed many Dynasties and thus represents different
Cultures. It is still untouched, green and pure. The delightful south;
almost untouched by invasions throughout its history, the Indian heritage is
more intact here than in other regions of the country.
This is a
land of temples, a land of the devout where new wonders await - the
profusion of orange flowers, the shade of the banyan tree, and the soft beat
of distant drums as yet another festival starts... A Myriad of Temples.
The devout Dravidian people of the south live and breathe their
ancient religion. Nothing, however, can really prepare a visitor for the
temples, where images of the quiet bustle of the vast halls, the huge
gopurams completely covered by coloured sculptures of gods and goddesses,
the sight of bare feet walking across cool slabs, the heady smell of incense
and the chime of the temple bell rung by priests and the faithful leave
entrancing impressions. Rustic carts drawn by oxen with their brightly
coloured painted horns, smiling villagers harvesting the hay at the side of
the road - these will be some of the memorable features of the short journey
from Chennai to the famous temple town of Mahabalipuram. A
swim off the glorious beach will refresh you after absorbing the wonders of
the romantic shore temples and of Arjuna’s Penance, the huge rock
carvings of animals and gods.
There are so many impressive temple
towns in South India - nearby Kanchipuram with its spectacular gopurams, ’
visible from miles away, or other magical sounding places - Chidambaram,
Tanjore, Tiruchirapalli, and, most of all, the pilgrim centre of Madurai -
one of the oldest cities in Southern India - with its dramatic and lively
Meenakshi temple, dedicated to the fish-eyed goddess.
Alternatively,
for a different style of relaxation, visit the attractive French-style
coastal town of Pondicherry, south of Chennai. In the neighbouring state of
Karnataka lie the stone-carved temples of Belur and Halebid. Relive the
exciting era of the Hoysalas, who flourished around the 12th century, by
examining the endless stories which the sculptural detail portrays the war,
the hunt, the animals, the dancing girls and, of course the gods.
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