Fly into the Detroit of India, Chennai. The skyline is a mixture of temple towers and tall apartment buildings. The second longest beach in the world is in Chennai. It is the capital of one of the most industrious states, Tamil Nadu.

See the bronze art at the museum. Drive along the longest beach in Asia. Drive to the temple city of Kanchipuram, the seat of Hindu religion. Both Saivite and Vaishnavite philosophies have flourished in Kanchipuram.

• Visits: Ekambareshwarar Temple | Kalilasnatha temple

Arrive at the garden city of the South. Explore the main market at MG Road. Do shopping, visit the pubs or just take rest at your hotel.

See the lovely blooms at the Lal Bagh. Don’t miss the glass house. The state assembly called the Vidhan Soudha is majestic in appearance. Explore the palace of the Wodeyar. The city of information technology has a rich history of rich royals. Drive to the city of Dusserah celebrations, Mysore in the afternoon.

• Visits: Lal Bagh Gardens | Bangalore City Palace

Climb the Chamundi hills and see the huge bull. Come back to see the magnificent Mysore Palace, famous for its illumination on Sundays and holidays. The beauty of the palace is incomparable to anything you might have seen. The golden dome of the tower is a sight that you will never forget.

• Visits: Chamundi Hills | Mysore Palace

A drive that will take you through the forests. Keep your eyes open for some wild birds and animals on the way. See the burst of colors at the Botanical Garden in Ooty and the breathtaking view of the tea plantations from Doddabetta pass.

• Visits: Doddabetta Pass | Botanical Gardens

Drive down the hills through the beautiful coffee plantations. The scenic beauty on the way is bound to keep you awed. At Cochin see the colorfully decorated artists play the Kathakali, the dance form native to Kerala, telling the tales from our rich Hindu mythology. The slow rhythm is bound to keep you mesmerized.

• Visits: Kathakali Show

See the sights at the Cochin fondly called the Queen of the Arabian sea. Cochin is rich with the history of the Dutch and the Portuguese. The Jewish Synagogue is magnificent. See the historical sites before driving to Alleppey to start your houseboat cruise. Cruise through the beautiful canals lined with coconut trees on both banks, connecting the backwaters in Kerala. Enjoy the best seafood cooked in local styles in the boat itself. Feel your eyelids become heavy as the waters rock you gently and sing a lullaby of gentle waves.

• Visits: Dutch Palace | Jewish Synagogue

After a filling breakfast on the boat, drive to Periyar the tiger sanctuary. Smell the spices at the spice plantation and feel like a king sitting on top of an elephant. Enjoy a nice Ayurvedic massage to relieve all the travel pains.

• Visits: Spice Plantation | Elephant Ride

A sunrise boat ride on the Periyar Lake to see the elephants and bison enjoy their morning bath at the far banks. Exotic birds fly above your head as the cold dissipates with the appearance of the sun. The drive to Madurai will keep you enthralled with the scenic beauty of the mountains and forests. Reach the seat of the Pandyan dynasty and rest for the night. The city is famous for its restaurants which are open throughout the night and serve fresh food.

• Visits: Boat Ride On Periyar Lake

Look up at the towers of the Meenakshi temple and marvel at the carvings. See the thousand pillared hall and the tank with the golden lotus. The city of temples is also famous for fresh flowers and fruits. See the Nayak Mahal and the Gandhi museum. The Nayak Mahal is a majestic building worth a few lovely selfies.

• Visits: Meenakshi Temple | Nayak Mahal | Gandhi Museum

Tanjore is another temple city as also famous as the center of Chola dynasty. The Brihadeeswara Temple is an architectural wonder. Stare in wonderment at the huge bull in the temple. See the antique bronze statues at the Raja Rajan Art Gallery

• Visits: Brihadeeswara Temple | Raja Rajan Art Gallery

See the majestic Chidambaram Nataraja temple dedicated to Lord Siva appearing as one of the elements of nature, Air. The vast expanse of the temple is sure to take you by surprise. This is one temple where the two philosophies of Saivism and Vaishnavism come together. This temple is very holy for both sects.

• Visits: Nataraja Temple

Feel peace in the serene atmosphere of the Aurobindo Ashram. Wonder at the shore temple and the five rathas at Mahabalipuram. The sculptures at the shore temple are a treat to the eyes. Reach back to where you started, Chennai and prepare to leave the beauty of South India.

• Visits: Aurobindo Ashram | Shore Tempe | Five Rathas