10 Travel Destinations in South India this December

1. Havelock Island

Named after Henry Havelock, a British General in the region, Havelock Island is the star attraction of the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands. Thousands of tourists flock to this paradise on earth every year. There are five main villages featuring their own unique beaches namely Govinda Nagar, Radha Nagar, Bejoy Nagar, Shyam Nagar and Krishna Nagar. Travellers coming here can indulge in various activities such as scuba diving and trekking. It is the perfect place to head to with your family this winter.

Photo Courtesy: Sankara Subramanian

2. Srisailam

Srisailam is a small town in Andhra Pradesh and holds great religious significance for the Hindus. Located on the Nallamala Hills in the district of Kurnool, the town is established on the banks of River Krishna. It is considered a holy town by the Hindus and is visited each year by millions of devotees from all over the country. The town has famous temples and 'theerthams' that make it a popular pilgrim destination. The most famous of the temples is the Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Devi Parvati.

Photo Courtesy: sai sreekanth mulagaleti

3. Anthargange

Anthargange in Karnataka is a destination that will surely please the adventure enthusiasts. The name Anthargange actually refers to a perennial spring that lies on the hills to the east of Kolar district. The spring gushes its ways through some massive rock formations that come together to form a chain of big and small caves. The charm of Anthargange lies in its rocky structure and caves. For those seeking adventure; rock climbing and trekking up the hill can be a great experience. The caves here are also worth exploring. The trek takes at least an hour or two going up, while coming down will be much faster and easier. Rapelling and high rope traversing are other options for the adventurers.

Photo Courtesy: solarisgirl

4. Devarayanadurga

The rocky hills of Devarayanadurga, encircled by green dense forests, is a must visit hill station in Karnataka. It is famous for its temples and forests that attract tourists from far and wide. The temples at this hill station include Bhoganarasimha, Yoganarasimha and the Laxmi Narasimha Devarayanadurga that lie at three distinct elevations. The Bhoganarasimha temple lies at the foothills, while the Yoganarasimha shrine is located atop the hill. The Laxmi Narasimha temple lies on the first elevation. Travellers coming here can trek uphill to visit these temples and also admire the architecture.

Photo Courtesy: sai sreekanth mulagaleti

5. Athirapally

Athirapally located in Mukundapuram Taluk of Thrissur district is famous for its majestic waterfalls and enchanting rainforests. The place is rich in biodiversity and attracts nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and bird lovers from all over. It is one of the best holiday getaways, as it is enclosed in the arms of nature and disconnects you from the rest of the world.

Photo Courtesy: Manoj K

6. Kalpetta

Kalpetta is a small sleepy town filled with the aroma of coffee from its coffee plantation and surrounded by picturesque mountains. It lies in the lap of Wayanad district at 780 mt above sea level. It is a wonderful place to visit for nature lovers, as well as a delight for the devotees who come to pay homage at the numerous beautifully designed temples here. The scenic beauty of this place is further enhanced by the cascading waterfalls of Meenmutty, Soochipara and Kanthapara.

Photo Courtesy: Sankara Subramanian

7. Yanam

Yanam in Pondicherry is a place rich in culture and history. It was part of the French India during the days of colonial rule. It is located adjacent to the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The various attractions here include Sivalayam, Grand Mosque and the various churches. Travellers coming here get a feel as if they have entered a French town as most of the architecture here has a French design.

Photo Courtesy: Kartik Malik

8. Dindigul

Dindigul, located in the state of Tamil Nadu, derives its name from the words ‘Thindu' which means pillow and ‘kal' which means rock. It refers to the bare hills which overlook the city. The city is located between the Palani Hills and the Sirumalai Hills, and is a bed of fertile land. Apart from the majestic fort, there are also a few temples and holy rivers that can be visited in Dindigul. There is also a 300 year old Roman Catholic Church located in this town that is worth visiting.

Photo Courtesy: Premnath Thirumalaisamy

9. Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari, also famous as 'Cape Comorin' in the past, is situated in Tamil Nadu. The town is located at the southern most tip of the Indian mainland. It rests at the merging point of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Tourists who do not have a creative bend of mind may not find much interest in the art and culture of the town. However, Kanyakumari has numerous temples and beaches that can attract a lot of pilgrims as well as the fun loving travellers. The main attractions of the city include Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Vattakottai Fort, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Thiruvalluvar Statue and many more.

Photo Courtesy: Ramanathan Kathiresan

10. Nalgonda

Nalgonda is a small town in the state of Telengana. The name of the town is a combination of two Telugu words; Nalla and Konda that stand for ‘Black' and ‘Hill' respectively. There are various attractions in the town that caters to the every need of the tourists coming here. Some of the interesting places worth visiting here are Pillalmari, Rajiv Park, the Phanigiri Buddhist Sites, the Pangal Temple, the Lateef Saheb Dargah, the Bhuvanangiri Fort and many more. All these places hold immense significance in the history of Nalgonda.

Photo Courtesy: Avsnarayan