Thanks to the coexistence of several different religions, 18 officially recognised languages and hundreds of dialects and century-old traditions, India is a country brimming with cultural diversity. Towering temples, tribal lifestyles and inspiring forces of nature make India an incredible place to visit. From the foothills of the Himalayas to the Deep South, India is stepped in geographical and topographical riches. India is a land of hills, rivers, plateaus, plains, beaches, deltas and deserts. The southern Indian Peninsula is almost entirely composed of the Deccan plateau, which has two hilly coastal ranges, the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.Popularly known as the Gateway to South India, Chennai - capital of the state of Tamil Nadu was chosen by the British East India Company for permanent settlement in 1639. A lasting legacy of the British and the Raj is Fort St George and the vast array of colonial architecture. Famed for being centre of the burgeoning Tamil film industry, Chennai is also popular for Tamil cuisine. The city’s restaurants do a roaring trade in tiffin meals served with side dishes so typical of the south including idli and mouth-wateringly good dhosa with sambhar. Temples abound in Chennai. Kapaleeswarar is worth a look, as is Kandaswamy Temple. For a snapshot of Indian life, Marina Beach is a magnet for relaxation and outdoor pursuits such as strolling and cycling.Still in the state of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur – also known by its anglicised name Tanjore, is famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Brihadeeswara Temple. Built in the 10th century, Brihadeeswara is a Chola Temple and is a brilliant example of Dravidian architecture. The central temple, known as the ‘Big Temple’ stands within a fort. The vimana (main tower) of the temple stands some 215 feet high and as well as being the tallest in the world, has the added distinction of being constructed in such a way that it never casts a shadow at noon on any given day of the year! There is plenty to do at this site with a museum, Art Gallery and the Saraswati Mahal Library, which has over 30,000 manuscripts available in several European and Indian languages.Tiruchirappalli in the state of Tamil Nadu is perhaps more commonly and easily known simply as Trichy. Trichy is also home to the Rock Fort. Located in a city of flat land, at 272 feet it really stands out. Making the site even more fascinating is the fact that the rock is one of the oldest in the world at approximately 3.800 million years. At the top of the rock is a temple from where you can see amazing views of Trichy. There are several temples and sculptures dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries making the Rock Fort the perfect attraction for those interested in the history and culture of this village. If keen to take a walk on the wild side, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and Project Tiger nature reserve in the state of Kerala. Located high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, visitors can come here to view a variety of mammalian and birdlife such as elephant, wild pig, gaur, sambar, deer, Indian wild dog, cormorant, kingfisher and Malabar hornbill. Whilst more elusive, Periyar does also support a population of Bengal tiger. Kanchipuram is a popular spot amongst tourists, is commonly referred to as the “Golden City of Temples” and is considered to be one of the seven sacred cities of India. Although it boasts more than 100 temples, it is believed that in its time it had an impressive 1000. Famous for hand-woven silk fabrics and saris, Kanchipuram is known to have the best source of high quality hand-woven silk items. Be aware that the temples are closed between 12:30 and 4pm so you either need to go early in the morning or late afternoon.Diverse, impossibly colourful and astoundingly beautiful, a holiday in India whether it be the north or the beautiful south, will leave you breathless and hungry to see and experience more.
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