South India pilgrimage tours are a great option for anyone looking for a meaningful and exciting vacation. You’ll sense a deep spiritual connection and have an experience you’ll never forget. Set off on a journey that will take you to the area’s most revered and significant landmarks. You will also get a deep understanding of its fascinating cultural history. The area is stunning, with towering mountains and an abundance of flora and fauna. The people and their history are fascinating, and the beaches are lovely to boot. There’s so much fun to discover and enjoy when you visit that it’s like entering another universe.
It’s a different experience for travelers
A tour of southern India is filled with exciting experiences. You will be awestruck by the breathtaking scenery. It’ll be like stepping into another dimension! You’ll have a deeper sense of oneness with the natural world and harmony with the planet after participating in this fantastic activity. When you go, you’ll be blown away by the splendor of nature. It’ll open your eyes to the interconnectedness of life and give you a renewed sense of vitality.
How many days would you need for South India pilgrimage tours?
South India is a beautiful and culturally rich destination, and visitors should plan to spend at least 15 days there. If you plan ahead and give yourself enough time, you may have a fantastic vacation full of experiences you’ll never forget. The voyage might start in the fascinating metropolis of Chennai, where visitors can begin their exploration of India. They may take in the stunning architecture of Kapaleeswarar Temple or take a stroll along the picturesque Marina Beach. Then they may visit the historic city of Madurai and the revered Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Top pilgrimage places in South India
Below are the must-visit places during South India pilgrimage tours:
1. Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Kanyakumari
The Indian peninsula ends in Kanyakumari, popularly known as Cape Comorin. The Land’s End’ is another name for this location. Many people go to Kanyakumari both as a vacation destination and as a religious pilgrimage site. The goddess Kanyakumari, popularly known as “The Virgin Princess,” is the inspiration for the city’s name. People worship her as though she were the goddess Parvati or Vishnu’s sister.
Kanya Devi, the subject of a tale, was supposedly destined to wed Shiva. Unfortunately, Lord Shiva did not show up for their wedding; therefore, the ceremony was never held. It is claimed that Kanya Devi, a deity, has never been married. Those who visit her temple are blessed. The Kanyakumari temple has been existing for three thousand years, and it is also known as the Bhagavathy Amman Temple. The 108 Shakti Peethas may be found all across India, including this one. It honors a deity called Kumari Amman, also known as Kumari Bhagavathy Amman.
According to legend, Lord Parshuram constructed this, the first Durga temple, himself. There are references to it in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. This is a prominent place to visit on South India pilgrimage tours.
2. Tirupati Balaji, Andhra Pradesh
Tirupati, located in Andhra Pradesh, is known as the “Spiritual Capital” of India. A prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara Swamy may be seen at Chittoor. ‘Tiru’ denotes Shri (Lakshmi) in Telugu, whereas ‘Pati’ means “spouse.” The name ‘Tirupati’ is derived from two Sanskrit words that mean “husband of Lakshmi,” which refers to the Hindu god Vishnu. Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshman supposedly rested here on their way back from Lanka.
King Thondaiman built the temple centuries ago. It stands above the Tirumala Hills. The temple is always bustling with visitors.
3. South India pilgrimage tours: Chamundeshwari, Mysore
The Chamundeshwari temple in Mysore, India, is a well-known Hindu worship site. It’s located high in the Chamundi Hills. It is considered one of India’s 18 shakti peethas. According to legend, here is where Sati’s hair landed when she set fire to herself. Legend has it that monarchs of the Hoysala dynasty constructed the shrine back in the 12th century. Chamundeshwari, a fierce form of the goddess Shakti, inspired the name of the temple.
Many devotees believe that it was at this peak that Durga vanquished Mahishasura. The villain’s lair was up on the hill. Originally known as Mahishooru, the area was renamed Mysore by the British. South India pilgrimage tours include this place of attraction due to its immense significance.
4. Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
Shravanabelagola, in the Indian state of Karnataka, is an important pilgrimage site for Jains. There is a 58-foot-tall statue of Lord Gometeshwara at Shravanabelagola. It is a freestanding structure that is among the world’s highest statues.
Long ago, a warrior by the name of Chamundaraya carved the massive monument. Located atop Vindhyagiri Hill, this monolithic structure was carved from a single block of stone. The monument is visible from a distance of 30 kilometers! To gain a better view, visitors must ascend over 700 sculpted stone stairs. What a fantastic building design! After embracing the austere lifestyle of a Jain monk, Emperor Chandragupta Maurya died away in 298 B.C.
Thousands of people gather to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka once every twelve years. In a fascinating ritual, they decorate the statue with gold and silver flowers, sandalwood paste, sugarcane juice, saffron, sand, turmeric, rice flour, and water. The Mahamastakabhisheka took place in February 2018. In 2030, another Mahamastakabhisheka event will take place.
5. Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
The Indian state of Tamil Nadu is home to a holy site called Rameshwaram. Pamban Island is the name of the location’s island. Due to the presence of the Pamban Channel, it is cut off from the rest of India. Another island, Sri Lanka’s Mannar Island, is not too far away. The Pamban Bridge connects Pamban Island to the rest of India. For Hindus, Rameshwaram is one of the holiest sites on Earth. It’s a must-stop on the Char Dham tour. And that’s why all the South India pilgrimage tours have this place included.
The legend of Lord Ram dates back to ancient times. He built a sea bridge to get Sita out of Lanka. He built a sand Shivalinga, believed to be the identical one at the Ramanathaswamy Temple, and prayed to Shiva for victory. Located smack dab in the center of town is the Shiva-dedicated Ramanathaswamy Temple. The temple is one of the twelve holiest sites in the world, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, in the form of a Jyotirlinga (literally “pillar of light”), is supposedly enshrined there.
The Pandya kings of the 12th century built the temple. When compared to other Indian temples, its corridor is the longest. Those planning a journey to South India for spiritual reasons should make a point of stopping by this temple.
6. Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, Velankanni
Velankanni is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Bay of Bengal’s Coromandel Coast, it is part of the Nagapattinam district. This area’s history includes extensive trading with ancient Rome and Greece. The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, a massive Roman Catholic cathedral, has transformed the town into a tourist hotspot. Construction of the basilica began in the 1600s.
It is sometimes referred to as the “Lourdes of the East” by its admirers. The Portuguese first erected a smaller church in the Gothic style, but they eventually expanded it.
7. South India Pilgrimage Tours: Nagore Dargah
Originally constructed in the 16th century, the Nagore Dargah is also known as the Syed Shahul Hameed Dargah and the Nagore Andavar Dargah. This place of worship is a dargah where devotees of the Sufi saint Shahul Hameed may pay their respects. Nagore, a coastal town in Tamil Nadu, is home to the dargah. The people of Nagore ascribe several “miracles” to the saint Shahul Hamid. Achuthappa Nayak, the Hindu monarch and ruler of Thanjavur in the 16th century, had a health condition that he solved.
Residents of Nagore refer to Shahul Hameed as “Nagore Andavar,” which translates to “Ruler of Nagore.” His devotees, many of whom are Hindu, are credited with constructing the dargah. The dargah has five minarets, or turrets, that reach far into the sky. Pratap Singh, an ancient Hindu king of Thanjavur, constructed the largest one.
8. Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala
The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is a sacred site for Hindus. They built the worship center as the most lavish one ever. ‘Thiruvananthapuram’ translates to ‘The City of Lord Ananta’ (The City of Lord Vishnu), which is a fitting moniker for the city.
The temple is a significant location for followers of Vaishnavism, an ancient religious tradition with roots in ancient Tamil lyrics. The builders combined Chera and Dravidian elements to construct the temple in its unique style. Lofty walls and a gopura characterize this 16th-century construction. Padmanabhaswamy, the principal deity, is always in a pose called “Anantha Shayana,” which is meant to evoke the eternal slumber of the large serpent Adi Shesha.
What is the best time for South India pilgrimage tours?
Travel to tropical South India in the winter for the most outstanding weather. The months of December through February are peak seasons. When the weather is perfect, you should go. The months of March through May are often the warmest in southern India. The average temperature during this period is about 32 degrees Celsius. The monsoon season occurs from June through September. High temperatures, high humidity, and heavy precipitation characterize this period.
The best time to go to South India is whenever it best suits your holiday plans. Avoid the hottest months of the year if you plan on seeing the cities of South India and learning about their culture and history through South India pilgrimage tours. However, those looking for adventure in the Ghats and Highlands should plan their trip for after the rainy season, when the landscape is at its most vibrant.
