• Temple Tour of South India

The temples of South India comprise of the temples of four south Indian states namely - Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. All the four states have temples belonging to a different time period and architecture. The most famous temples belong to the state of Tamilnadu including the Meenakshi temple of Madurai, Brihadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur, temples at Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram; and one of the 12 jyotirlingas (Shiva temple) in India Rameshwaram. The other popular temples of South India are Guruvayoor temple in Thrissur, Kerala and Lord Venkateshwara (Balaji) temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.

The major empires - Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Pallavas, Vijayanagar, Hoysalas, Chalukyas - that ruled the thrones in South India are the builders of these Dravidian temples. Each of these states has distinct temple architecture. The temples of Kerala are an amalgam of stonework, wood work, stucco work and painting - harmoniously blended into a structure vibrant with regional traditions. The lifeline of Keralite temples has been the woodwork with the base and the structure above made of granite and laterite respectively.

The Hoysalas built temples on raised complex star shaped platforms in Karnataka. The Vijayanagar Empire marks the golden period of temple architecture in Karnataka. These temples are characterized by the pillared mandapas and lofty entrance towers. Vijayanagar empire temples in the state bear resemblance with the temples in Tamil Nadu in having a covered Pradakshinapatha (circumambulatory path) around the sanctum, and a Mahamandapam in front. The ornate pillars are a distinctive mark of the Vijayanagar style of temples. The Chalukyas of Badami (Karnataka) in the 6th century built the Alampur Bhrama temples.

Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Dravidian temples made by different empires marking the golden era of temple architecture in South India. The Cholas built the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tanjavur featured by numerous ornate mandpams or halls and large gopurams (towers). Dravidian temple architecture reached its zenith during the rule of Pallavas in Tamil Nadu during the latter half of 4th century AD. The monuments at Mamallapuram, Kailasanathar Temple at Kanchipuram and the Kapaleswarar temple at Chennai are just a few examples. The Pandya Style of architecture in Tamil Nadu saw the emergence of huge towers, high wall enclosures and enormous towered gateways. The Vijayanagar Style added the decorated monolithic pillars to the temples. The Naik style included the large prakarams (circumambulatory paths) and pillared halls.

One of the oldest temples in South India and known to be the richest temple in the world, Tirupati Venkateswara (Lord Balaji) Temple and the Kalahasteeswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh date back to the pre Christian times. The Tirupati Balaji temple receives the maximum number of tourists in the world every year like Mecca and Jerusalem. The temple is known as a wish-fulfilling temple and is quite famous for the tonsuring of head by the devotees after the fulfillment of their wish.