Temples of South India

Culture, Cuisine and Calm

Sacred Dot Journey Ideas

Temples of the South

Explore ‘Gateway to South India’ (Chennai) to ‘God’s Own Country’ (Kerala) the stretch happens to be home to many gods, deities, saints, and spiritual icons. Madurai’s 17th century Meenakshi Temple is the largest temple complex in the country. Some Shore Temples along the Bay of Bengal date back to the 6th century. There are Protestant Churches, Synagogues and Cathedrals as well.

This part of South India has been the land of kings and dynasties. Monuments from the 6th and 7th centuries are abundant, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Impressions of the colonial past are to be seen and experienced as you move from one city to another. Walking through villages you can see artisans at work – weavers’ village in Kanchipuram where exquisite silk saris come to life, traditional paintings of Tanjore, intricate wood works, beautifully sculpted brass and silverware, and hand-woven Kandangi saris in Chettinad are some of the attractions. While several cultures have had their influence on the food in the region, Chettinad is distinctive in its taste & flavor. An interactive kitchen at The Bangala hotel sets you up close with the chefs where you could pick up some secrets to savory mouth-watering dishes.

Kerala is a complete change of scenery. Kochi is rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler’s ’50 greatest places of a lifetime’. Munnar, at 6000 feet, is ensconced with tea plantations. The town is great for walks through clouded landscapes and spice gardens, bird watching and elephant sightings. Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands villages on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom is a perfect leisure getaway. Your very own Kettuvallam (houseboat) will take you through the famous Kerala backwaters traversing through paddy fields, and villages. This is a journey through religion, history, the spice route and how they all come together in the fascinating region of Southern India.

Journey Highlights
  • Shore Temples of Mamallapuram – Huge temple complexes with imposing rock carvings; Arjuna’s Penance, an open-air bas-relief sculpture depicting an episode from the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata; UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Meenakshi Temple, in Madurai, one of the largest temple complexes in the country built in the 17th century
  • 11th century temple of Brihadeshwara, in Chettinad, built by the Chola King, Rajaraja the Great; Saraswasti Mahal library;  Nayaka Palace Museum with rich artifacts from the Chola dynasty
  • St. Thomas Basilica built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Jewish Synagogues, Colonial Fortresses, Dutch Palaces, and historic monuments
  • Village walks to catch up with art and craft; Traditional Tamil cuisines, the famous dishes of Chettinad, delicacies from Malabar, and fresh brew from the Munnar tea gardens
  • Houseboats on Kumarakom backwaters; Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
  • Interactive & experiential encounters with artisans, Kathakali dancers, master chefs

This idea is just an example of what we offer. It is a starting off point from where we build your personally curated holiday – with you.
All our itineraries are bespoke.

Sacred Dot Destinations

Need Some Inspiration?

India

India

India is a confluence of peoples, cultures, and religion. It is a grand fusion of colors, sounds, flavors, food, architecture, spirituality and cultural practices that have their roots dating back to tens of millennia. India is a life changing experience.…

Other Popular Journey Ideas

Classical India & Nepal

Classical India and Nepal

This trip is right out of a fantasy adventure movie that takes you from one era to another, across different kingdoms, through spiritual lands to the highest mountain in the world. The experience is unmatched in this classic kaleidoscopic journey.…
An oman Discovery

An Oman Discovery

Oman is a fusion of cultures from across the Arabian Peninsula. This is where the contemporary and traditional meet. Sultan al Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat is a perfect blend of modern architecture and traditional icons. One of the…
Epic East India

Epic East India

Erstwhile Capital of the British Raj, the third largest metropolis in India, this port city of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) has been crucial in the nation’s economy, human rights, and freedom. Home to philosophers, scholars, scientists, musicians, celebrity playwrights, novelists and poets,…
a Journey Through Bhutan

A Journey through Bhutan

Bhutan is a one-off experience especially for the first timers. As you arrive in Paro you start breathing the cleanest air possible, in the happiest land of all. Bhutan is all about trekking, biking, and appreciating the environs. With a…

Sacred Dot

Let us do the hard work!

Meetings

Meetings

Sacred Dot is a professional conference organizer. We arrange conferences of all sizes, style and manner. From board meetings to large congresses, industry meets, economic summits, trade associates and channel partner events all are managed professionally. …
Sacred Dot Logo

Sign up to our Newsletter!

Subscribe to our newsletter now to stay updated with what's new with Sacreddot!
Sacred Dot Logo

Thank you for signing up to our Newsletter!

Look out for news, advice, travel ideas and much, much more!
And remember you can unsubscribe at any time by contacting us at [email protected]