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South India Travel Guide
Cochin
About Cochin
Cochin is located in the west coast of India in Kerala.The city is regarded
as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala. The city is also popularly
called Queen of the Arabian Sea .
The History in a Nutshell :
Being a natural harbour, the city was the battleground of European powers
for capturing the lucrative trade in the west coast of India. The Portuguese
were the first to enter the city .The Dutch were the next to intrude into
Cochin and succeeded in throwing out the Portuguese very soon. Cochin flourished
as a major trade destination during that period. The city had also received
great patronage during the British period. Declared as a major port in 1936,
Cochin still handles a big portion of India's cargo.
Tourist Attractions
Being a place with a rich history, Cochin has a lot to offer to the tourists.
Fort Cochin, The St.Francis church, The Dutch palace at Mattancherry, Parishath
Thampuram Museum, Lighthouse.
Trivandrum
About Trivandrum
Trivandrum, the capital of beautiful Kerala lies in the southwest coast of India.
The city is officially known as Thiruvananthapuram. The city gets its name from
the word, Thiruvananthapuram, meaning the city of Anantha or the abode of the
sacred Serpent Anantha on which Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu trinity,
reclines. Trivandrum is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. The city
of Trivandrum has a prominent history. Trade had started in the place as far
back as 190 AD. It was the capital of the erstwhile Travancore state. After
independence, it was made the capital of Kerala.
Being a coastal city, Trivandrum has a tropical climate. Although the place
encounters sultry climate during summer, tourists start flocking in from moonsoon
onwards. The temperature becomes very soothing during winters.
Tourist Attractions
Padmanabhaswami Temple, The Observatory and Museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery,
The Backwater Boat Rides, Health Tourism, Excursion Delights.
Kollam
About Kollam
Kollam is a name that can also be substituted by cashew, the reason being that
India's cashew trading and processing industry is located in Kollam. Quilon
is the other name by which Kollam is known. The place also has a large marine
products industry. It is one of the rare places of India that is an industrial
hub and yet has an abundance of natural beauty.
It is situated about 71 kms. north of Thiruvananthapuram and is linked by
rail, road and backwater transport. Kollam has a tropical humid climate, with
an oppressive summer and plentiful seasonal rainfall. As is the case with
other places of Kerala, winter is the best time to visit the place. Today,
Kollam is an important commercial, industrial and trading centre. It is also
the headquarters of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation.
Tourist Attractions
Fortunately or unfortunately, most of the tourism attractions here are located
some distance away from the place.
Thangassery, Thirumullavaram, Oachira, Mayyanad, Jatayupara.
Alleppey
About Alleppey
Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha is one of the most magnificent backwater
sites of India. Located in the southern state of Kerala, Alleppey has shot
into fame for its famous boat race. The coir industry here also produces coir
of a very high quality. The Dutch and the Portuguese were the initial rulers
of the place. Later, Maharaja Marthandavarma came to power and tremendously
developed the infrastructure of the place. This also resulted in the establishment
of a number of coir factories. The climate of this small town is temperate
and the months of August-September and February-March are ideal for a visit
to this place.
Tourist Attractions
Punnamada Kayal, Krishnapuram Temple, Ambalapuzha Temple, St. Andrew's Church,
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja, The Chettikulangara Bhagavathy, Kottamkulangara
Mahavishnu Temple and Devi Temple, The Backwater Cruise.
Munnar
About Munnar
Munnar is a serene hill station in the Kannan Devan hills. For those who
do not want to be surrounded by crowds, Munnar is one of the best destinations
that could be selected. The place has greenery, lakes, reservoirs and some
of the highest tea estates in the world. The place also has good facilities
for adventure sports. Munnar is located in the eastern part of Kerala at an
altitude of 1524 meters.
Tourist Attractions
The Virgin Forests and Tea Plantations, Anaimudi, Christ Church, National Adventure
Foundation, Excursion Delights, Marayoor, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, The Mudapetty
Dam.
Chennai
About Chennai
Considered among the four metropolitan cities of India, Chennai is also the
gateway to other popular destinations of South India. Located on Bay of Bengal
coast, a myriad of interests attract people to this magnificent city. Chennai
has preserved its traditional Tamil heritage even today and has effectively
brewed it to create a unique synthesis of cultures. Chennai has many destinations
of tourist interest, such as ancient temples and museums, churches and forts,
which are worth visiting.
Today, it is a booming industrial and software destination, an important point
of trade in Asia, houses some of the best hospitals in India and has numerous
attractions for the tourists.
Tourist Attractions
Marina beach, Anna Square, Fort St. George, Jain Temple, St. Thomas Mount,
Parthasarthi temple, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Covelong,
Cuddalore.
Coimbatore
About Coimbatore
On the foots of majestic Nilgiri hills is Coimbatore, known as the Manchester
of South India for its numerous textile mills. There are more than a hundred
textile mills in and around Coimbatore. Coimbatore also has a number of other
industrial units producing engineering equipment and electronic items. Winter
is the best time to visit the place.
Tourist Attractions
VOC Park and Zoo (Amusement Park), Agriculture University, Perur, Marudhamalai
temple, Forest, Siruvani Waterfalls, Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
Madurai
About Madurai
Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, the mystical city of Madurai derives
its name from the divine nectar (madhu) according to Hindu mythology.
Madurai, the second largest city of Tamil Nadu is a prime cultural centre
of the state. As is the case with the rest of cities in Tamil Nadu, Madurai
is hot and sultry during summers. Therefore, winter is the best time to visit
this magnificent city. However, the cold breeze of river Vaigai does have
a soothing effect on the climate of Madurai.
Tourist Attractions
Meenakshi Amman, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Tirumalai Naik Palace, The
Industrial Units, Munnar, Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary.
Tanjore 
A city of tremendous historical significance, Thanjavur can still be regarded
as the dotting guardian of Tamil culture. An agricultural hub, Thanjavur or
Tanjore was the royal city of Cholas, Nayaks and Mahrattas during medieval period.
Also called the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu, the place is famous for its handicrafts.
Thanjavur still preserves and promotes classical arts and music, Bharatnatyam
dances and the Tanjore style of painting.
Tourist Attractions
Sri Brihadeswara temple, The Place of Thanjavur, The Saraswati Mahal library,
Thanjavur Art gallery, Sivagangai Garden, Gangaikondacholapuram, Nageswaraswami
and Airavateswara Temple, Thiruvaiyaru, Kumbakonam.
Goa
About Goa
Goa is the smallest of all Indian states and covers an area of 3702 sq. km.
Located in India's south-west, this small state is sandwiched in between the
bigger states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Panaji(Panjim) is the capital
of the state.
History
The ancient Hindu city of Goa, was the first territorial possession of the Portuguese
in Asia. Goa became the capital of the whole Portuguese empire in the east.
Goa was under Portuguese rule for long 450 years. India launched 'Operation
Vijay' on December 17, 1961 and Portuguese India was, by constitutional amendment,
incorporated into the Indian Union in 1962.
Tourist Attractions
Goa has a myriad of tourist attractions. There are numerous forts and churches
of the Portuguese time, which are worth visiting. But the major attraction of
the state lies in its colourful beaches for their most spectacular surroundings.
Along the western coastline of Goa are some of the country's finest beaches.
The picturesque beaches include Baga, Varca, Candolim, Majorda, Colva, Calangute
and Anjuna beaches.
The beaches of Goa are also the best place in India to indulge in water sport.
Water sports activities like parasailing, speed boat, water skiing and wind
surfing have developed in a big way in Goan beaches. Sports like beach volleyball
and football are also gaining popularity. While some of the beaches like Calangute
and Candolim remain abuzz with activity, others like Majorda and Baga offer
a serene ambience.
Goa may be described as a canvas of many colours. Tourists who have visited
the state greatly admire the fun loving attitude and hospitality of Goans.
The easy going and partying attitude of Goans is actually a legacy of the
Portuguese being carried forward.
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