PILGRIMAGE

South India is famous as the spiritual destination housing various temples and religious hubs. Southern India and Spirituality can be termed as the two faces of the same coin. From magnificent temples symbolizing ancient architecture and carvings to small temples residing in stone buildings, the Southern India is blessed with a long list of attractions for the divine seekers. South India houses a special wealth of distinctive temples built in the style of Dravid Desam. Below are selections of some popular pilgrimage places in South India which are popular all over India.

Badami - A popular town in Karnataka majorly known for its cave temples, Badami is the ancient capital of the early Chalukya Kingdom, and is well known for its rich history and ancient architecture. A number of places of historical importance are situated in and around Badami. With a temperate climate, the summers here are moderately hot while winters are cool and pleasant. Famed for cave temples, fortresses, fine carvings, and wonderful architecture, Badami is a must visit place if a metropolitan detox is what you are looking for.

Guruvayoor - Guruvayoor is counted among the top pilgrimage destinations in Kerala, and is home to the fourth largest temple in India. The place unfolds the state’s most beautiful and astounding temples, and is counted amongst the top tourism cities in Kerala. Rich in natural beauty, Guruvayoor encloses some superbly built temples that are famous across the globe.

Kanyakumari - Deriving its name from the goddess Devi Kanya Kumari, the town of Kanyakumari is notable for pilgrimage and tourism. This southernmost point of mainland India is all about stunning beaches, cascading waterfalls, and the splendid Kumari Amman Temple, one of the Shakti Peeths. Travellers visit this tranquil destination to spend some moments away from the worldly chaos and unwind in its picturesque vistas.

Madurai - The second largest city of Tamil Nadu, Madurai has remained a major center for Tamil culture and learning. Famous for its Meenakshi Sundareswara Temple, Madurai is one of the oldest cities of Tamil Nadu. If you are keen to visit a place that has a glorious past and a busy present with great temples that flaunt the architectural brilliance of the artisans, you need to be in Madurai.

Mahabalipuram - Residing on the Coromandel Coast facing the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram has always managed to entice tourists with its bag full of attractions. Home to numerous sun kissed beaches, World Heritage listed temples and grand historical sites, Mahabalipuram is truly blessed with some stunning stone carved heritage sites. Every attraction here narrates the interesting stories about the town’s past which make it one of history's fascinating enigmas.

Puttaparthi - A small town located in the Ananthapur District of Andhra Pradesh, Puttaparthi was the abode of spiritual guru, Sathya Sai Baba. Located on the banks of Chitravathi River, Puttaparthi is surrounded by undulating hills. While there is not much in terms of natural beauty, Puttaparthi houses a list of popular religious attractions. The main attraction of the town is Prasanthi Nilayam, or the abode of peace, which was constructed in 1950. Puttaparthi is the hub of contemporary Indian religion and has also acquired global acclamation as a centre of religious importance and excellence.

Rameshwaram - Renowned as one of the pilgrimage centers of India, Rameshwaram evokes great religious value in the hearts of the devotees. Situated in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, Rameshwaram is visited by a number of pilgrims throughout the year, and is among the “Char Dham” pilgrimages in the country. This religious city will captivate you with its architectural brilliance. Besides the Rameshwaram Temple, the place is home to various other temples such as Agnitheertham, Gandamadana Parvatham, Dhanushkodi, and Kothandaraswamy Temple.

Sabarimala - Sabarimala is a popular religious destination among Hindus, harmoniously blending nature, culture, beliefs, myths, legends and people together in one string. Situated in the Western Ghat mountain ranges, Sabarimala enjoys the pristine beauty of nature. The place is flocked by tourists throughout the year, but especially during the holy months of November-December. This period is the Mandalakala Season as per the Malayalam Calendar, which is an annual pilgrim season.

Sivagiri - Sivagiri Pilgrimage, also known as Sivagiri Theerthadanam in Malayalam, is a popular religious pilgrimage. The distinctive character of the place makes it different from other pilgrimage sites. Located in Varkala town of Kerala, Sivagiri is the place where social reformer and sage Sree Narayana Guru’s tomb is located.

Tirupati - One of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage sites in India, Tirupati is a holy town located in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor District. Popular among Hindus as a religious site, Tirupati is believed to be the sacred abode of Lord Tirupati. Huge number of devotees from all over India visits the famous Sri Venkateswara Temple each year to pay their homage. The temple is so well renowned among Hindus that it makes Tirupati a popular tourist spot for undertaking religious journeys. Apart from its glorious temples, Tirupati enchants visitors with its serene ambience and overwhelming beauty.