South India or the Deccan is the area encompassing the southern region of India. It comprises the southern states of Karnataka, Kerala, TamilNadu and Andhra Pradesh as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. Linguistically, South India is distinguished as the home of the Dravidians. South India lies in the peninsular Deccan Plateau and is bounded by the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal in the west, south and east respectively. It encompasses two mountain ranges — the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats and a plateau heartland.
South India is a peninsula in the shape of a vast inverted triangle and bounded on the north by the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges.
Together with Pondicherry, each South Indian state has an elected state government, while the Lakshadweep islands are centrally administered by the President of India. The modern states of South India were created as a result of the States Reorganisation Act which established states and union territories based on linguistic boundaries.
The Official languages spoken in South India are Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Urdu, English and French at a few places like Pondicherry.
The history of South India covers a span of over two thousand years during which the region saw the rise and fall of a number of dynasties and empires. The period of known history of the region begins with the ancient period during which the great king Ashoka ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent. The dynasties of Satavahana, Chalukya, Pallava, Rashtrakuta, Chera, Chola, Pandya, Kakatiya and Hoysala were at their peak during various periods of history. These kingdoms constantly fought amongst each other and against external forces when Muslim armies invaded south India. Vijayanagara empire rose in response to the Muslim intervention and covered the most of south India and acted as a bulwark against Mughal expansion into the south. When the European powers arrived during the 16th century CE, the southern kingdoms were not powerful enough to resist the new threat and eventually succumbed to British occupation. The British created the Madras Presidency which covered most of south India directly administered by the British Raj, and divided the rest into a number of dependent princely states. After Indian independence South India was linguistically divided into the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Source: Wikipedia
The region has a very tropical climate with the monsoon playing a major part. Days are very hot from March to June when temps can go over 40°c. The best time to travel to South India is from September to February when the season is pleasant in all parts generally. Tropical Cotton for summer and Woolen for winter is recommended clothing.
The different states of South India offer different and attractive tourist attractions. If in Andhra Pradesh one finds lots of historically significant places, in Kerala one can find nature at its best. Tourists just need to select the state of their choice to enjoy a complete holiday. South India is where culture echoes, traditions speak, beauty enthralls and diversity delights.
All foreign visitors are required to carry a passport valid at least for 6 months. Special restrictions apply to Pakistani and Afghan nationals.
It is always advisable to make photocopies of important documents such as passport, visa and air tickets. They are required in case the originals are lost.
All the South Indian states are comfortably connected by their individual state capitals with the major cities and with the rest of India by Air, Rail and Road services.
Local Transport:
The most common mode of local transport is taxis and auto-rickshaws. Auto rickshaws are an important and frequently used mode of transport throughout. It is a convenient and comfortable way of traveling.
Taxis are another popular means of transport. One can book the taxis for the required period of time from Private as well as government recommended operators. Buses are one of the most popular public transports in the country with Government as well as private operators running and providing good services.
Each South Indian state offers a unique experience. The sights that Andhra Pradesh offers is absorbing enough to charm and add a few stops on a longer tour of South India. The fusion of cultures and harmony in diversity makes this state special.
Kerala has an experience in a way of life that has altered little in centuries. Reach out to the backwaters in the most laidback and serene state of the country.
Karnataka's major attractions are a handful of lesser-visited places dotted with mesmerizing palm-fringed beaches and extraordinary historic sites.
Tamilnadu has a visible legacy of great temples and the largest landmarks in a vast network of sacred sites in the country.
Pondicherry is a city of delight for those who are looking for a travel tour in India with a difference. This city is a beautiful blend of colonial and Indian cultures.
The 10 inhabited islands of the Lakshadweep archipelago are unique and distinctive and offer the ultimate diving experience to tourists.
The nearest sates to the Southern India are: Maharashtra, Goa, Chattisgarh and Orissa.
South India offers diverse tourist attractions to enjoy. From Religiously significant places like the TirupatiTirumala Devalaya (The second richest Temple of the world) in Andhra Pradesh, to the lap of Nature’s bounty in Kerala to the historically rich Karnataka, South India has it all.
