What a south Indian Temple tour brings you is towards a magnificent display of ancient Indian architecture on a day tour to India. What is most remarkable during a day tour to South Indian Temple trip is the gopuram, a monumental tower, generally at the entrance of the temple. Most of the temples are example of Dravidian style of architecture. On the top of the temple lies a bulbous stone finial learnt to be as Kalasam. On a guided tour of South Indian temples you will come across the many world renowned temples.
Tanjavur Temple also known to be as Brihadeeshwara Temple is a complex of 70 temples formed during the Cholas era dedicated to Lord Shiva. Made during the 11th Century the gopuram of the temple is of a height of 66 meters. The entire temple complex is made from single granite stone. At the entrance of the temple there is situated a huge nandi carved out, believed to be the Lord Shiva’s vehicle. One such another temple of lord Shiva is Kailash Manasarovar Temple that devotees can pilgrimage during Kailash Manasarovar Yatra at this part of the year.
Brihadeeshwara Temple |
The next temple in series of South Temples is Ramanathaswamy Temple situated on the tip of Indian Peninsula in Rameshwaram. At the temple, you can see an excerpt of the Ramayana, the greatest Indian epic. This is the spot where Lord Rama constructed a bridge with the help of the Sugreev’s Army to save Goddess Sita from Ravana, in order to reach the island of Sri Lanka. It is known to one of the longest hallways in India till date in India. At the temple there are also about twenty- two wells considered to be as fresh from that era.
Rameshwaram Temple |
The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai in reverence of Goddess Meenakshi is many centuries old is boasts of remarkable sculptures of Rathi, Mohini, Manmatha and Arjuna. The temple hall is formed of 985 tall rocks carved pillars and 22 musical pillars that leave melodies tunes if you tap them hard.
Meenakshi Temple |
Finally Mahabhalipuram Temple is made of rock cut designs engraved on granite stone on the Shore temples depicting incidents from the grand epic of Mahabharata. There you will find the rathas (chariots) showcasing Buddhist art as well. Formed in a shape of a pyramid, the temple has a Shikara on the top intensifying its beauty.
Mahabhalipuram Temple |