Monuments of South India

South India has some of the most beautiful and evocative monuments in the world. Widely known for their architectural splendor, these monuments owe their execution to the imagination of Great rulers and emperors who dared to extend their ideas to the farthest limits of human thought. Every monument has a distinct construction and style of its own. There are some special features, which make the South Indian Monuments different from those in other pats of India. The dome and the arches are uniquely built in a distinct architectural style. Monuments in South India have not only withstood the ravages of time and onslaught of attacking enemies, they have gradually added many features of the cultures that took shelter in the region. These are not just stone and brick structures, but they are the living examples through the walls of which we can go back in time and explore the history of India.

Major Monuments in South India

Monuments in Kerala

• Jewish Synagogue - is the oldest Synagogue in the Common Wealth countries.
• Kaudiar Palace - the home of the late Maharaja Sree Chitra Thirunal Bala Rama Varma.
• Mattancherry Palace - originally built by the Portuguese and presented to the king of Cochin, Veera Kerala Varma, in the year 1555 AD.
• Fort Cochin - built by the Portuguese in 1503 A.D.

Monuments in Karnataka

• Gol Gumbaz - situated in Bijapur, it is the second largest dome in the world.
• Mysore Palace - located in the heart of the city, it is the most attractive monument in Mysore
• Palace of Tipu Sultan - started by Hyder Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan in 1791.
• Jagmohan Palace - constructed in 1861, but it has been converted into an art gallery which houses paintings dating back to the late 19th century.

Monuments in Tamil Nadu

• Arjuna's Penance - bas relief which is an extensive panel of relief sculptures, with life size images.
• Valluvar Kottam - the memorial to the poet-saint Tiruvalluvar, and is shaped like a temple chariot.
• St. Mary Church - the first church built by the British in Asia.
• St. Thomas Cathedral - a rare church, raised on the tomb of St. Thomas, an apostle of Christ.

Monuments in Andhra Pradesh

• Char Minar - built by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah in 1591, to commemorate the eradication of plague from Hyderabad.
• Falaknuma Palace - constructed by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra Bahadur, the 5th Amir of the Paigah.
• Mecca Masjid - single granite slab mosque started by Abdullah Quli Qutub Shah in 1614 but completed by Aurangzeb when he captured Golconda in late 17th Century.
• Golconda Fort - originally built by the Hindu Kakatiyas in the 12th century, but later the Qutub Shahi Kings expanded it into a massive fort.
• Hussain Sagar Lake - has a huge monolithic structure of Lord Buddha installed in the center. Also known as Tank Bund.

Recommended Itineraries

• South India Golden Triangle Tour

• South Indian Cultural Tour

• Temple Tour of South India