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Holidays in Southern India  -  Travel information Southern India.

States in Southern India : Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh

Union Territories : Lakshadweep and Pondicherry.

Cities South India : Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad


car rental, hotels in south india, travel agencies, travel guides, transportation / travelling to southern india

links


Car Rental in India

 Holiday Autos  -   
Holiday Autos offers the best fully inclusive car hire prices. Get cheap car hire quickly and securely online with holidayautos.co.uk, the experts in online car rental.

 Sixt  -   

Hotels in South India

 Booking - Hotel in Bangalore

 Booking - Hotel in Chennai 

 
Centrally located hotels ranging from small family run budget accommodation to world-class five star hotels.

  -  look for hotels in India

Nature parks

 Reefindia 
This site, designed and hosted by the National Institute of Oceanography, is the gateway for coral reef research in India. The reef regions in India are geographically diverse. The resource-harvesting activities, the socio-economic profiles and research activities in each reef region are also varied.

Travel Agents / Tour Operators

 British Airways  -  Holidays in South India 

  The Adventure Company
Do you want to see wildlife, go trekking, discover fascinating cultures and ways of life, experience life in a tribal village, see the stars from a desert wilderness... Try one of the activity holidays, travel experiences not to be missed! Adventurecompany.co.uk.

  Kuoni Holidays  -  Resorts : Agra, Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Mumbai, Rajasthan and Shimla
Type of holidays : All inclusive, Beach holidays, Escorted tours, Family holidays, Train holidays, Spa
India highlights :
** Goa, India's smallest state of Portuguese colonial culture, World Heritage listed architecture and natural wonders, from aromatic spice gardens to breathtaking Indian Ocean beaches.

My Travel  -  Sun Holidays in India [ Goa ]

Thomas Cook  -  Goa and Kerala



 Lakshadweep Tourism 
Lakshadweep islands have gained popularity as a unique tourist destination and a paradise for naturalists.
Lakshadweep is the tiniest Union Territory of India and is its only coral island chain. This archipelago consists of 36 islands, 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks. The period from October to May is ideal and popular with tourists

Travel Guides India / Related books

India Travel Guides [ Amazon.co.uk ] 

Lonely Planet India (Travel Guide) -  by Hugh Finlay, Sarina Singh (Editor)
Paperback 1072 pages (August 22, 2003); Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications
South India - Lonely Planet -  C. Niven
Explores south India and includes Orissa and Maharastra and looks at and explains the magnificent architecture to be found in the region. A special section on eurotrash rave haven to ashram nervana, here is the full scope of the south India experience with options all along the way.
Paperback 720 pages (October 2001); Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; Language: English; ISBN: 1864501618

Transportation / How do I travel to South India

 Agatti Airport [ Lakshadweep ]
 Bangalore Airport
 Chennai Airport [ MAA ]  -  southeast India
 Cochin International Airport links Lakshadweep [ Agatti Airport ] with the mainland of India
 Hyderabad Airport
 Thiruvananthapuram Airport  -  south India
 Hyderabad

see Airports Authority of india

 

 Ebookers  -   
Book cheap flights to at ebookers and benefit from discounted airfares.

 British Airways  -  Flight tickets 
 
 Airline Tickets Southern India / Bargain Flights 
Price comparison possible.

  Indian Railways Online Passenger Reservation Site
Train Schedule, Internet Reservation, Time Schedules, Fares, Trains and more
 Palace on Wheels  -  luxury train
Palace-on-Wheels has been rated amongst the top ten luxury trains of the world. India boasts of other luxury trains too like the Royal Orient and the Fairy Queen. It happens to be one of the finest ways to travel through the intoxicating, incomparable, incredible, impressive, inimitable, inspirational land of India.
 Southern Railways

 Indiatransit.com  -  extensive information public transport India

Ferries between Cochin and Lakshadweep

 Mapsofindia.com
Political maps, Travel to India Maps, States / Districts & Cities, Reference Maps, Transport Network Maps, India Information in Text.
 Maps of India [ Uni Texas  -  Perry-Castañeda Library -  Map Collection ]


Links 

 Travel Insurance

 Incredible India  -  official web site Tourist Board India

 Andhra Pradesh [ AP ]  -  Government Andhra Pradesh  -  Rice Bowl of India
Andhra Pradesh has the second-longest coastline in India of 970 kilometres and is a mineral rich state.
Districts in Andhra Pradesh :East Godavari, Guntur, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Krishna, Kurnool, Mahbubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nellore, Nizamabad, Prakasam, Ranga Reddy, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Warangal and, West Godavari. See Andhra Pradesh Tourism.
 Karnataka  -  Government Karnataka
It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Maharashtra to the north, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala to the southwest. Hoofdstad Bangalore.
 Kerala, South India  -  God's Own Country  -  Government of Kerala
Occupying a narrow strip of India's southwestern coast. Kerala is divided into three regions: Highland or Mountain region, midland or the rolling hillsand lowland or the coastal plain land.
National Geographic Society described Kerala as one of the 50 must-see destinations of a lifetime. Kochi, the commercial capital of the state is known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. Alapuzha, the first planned town in Kerala is called the Venice of the East. See for more Kerala Tourism.
 Tamil Nadu  -  Government of Tamil Nadu
Zie ook Tamil Nadu Maps [ Districts: Chennai, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Erode, Kancheepuram, Kanyakumari, Karur, Madurai, Nagapattinam, Namakkal, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Salem, Sivaganga, Thanjavur, Nilgiris, Theni, Thiruvallur, Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvarur, Tirunelveli, Trichirappalli, Tuticorin, Vellore, Villupuram, Virudhunagar ]

 Lakshadweep [ UT ]  -  Lakshadweep Official Web Site
Union Territory of India, beautiful islands, a Coral Paradise, Eco friendly Tourism. The only coral reef island in India,rich flora and fauna. Great tourist destination for watersports, fishing etc. Virgin, fragile eco-system. A unique and quiet getaway destinations 200-400 kms from Malabar Coast.
Major islands Lakshadweep : Minicoy, Kalpenia, Androth, Agatti,Kavaratti, Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat, Bitra, Bangaram & Pitty.
 Puducherry / Pondicherry [ UT ]  -  former French colony - French Riviera of the East
Pondicherry consists of four small unconnected districts: Pondicherry, Karaikal, and Yanam on the Bay of Bengal and Mahé on the Arabian Sea. Puducherry and Karaikal are by far the larger ones, and are both enclaves of Tamil Nadu. Yanam and Mahé are enclaves of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala respectively.

 PBS - Living Edens  -  mountain range Anamalai
Rising from the hot, dusty plains of Southern India is a mountain range called Anamalai, which means "The Elephant Mountain." This intimate portrait of life in Anamalai begins with the birth of a baby elephant, following it through its first year of life under the ever-watchful eye of its mother and its large extended family. The program also tells the story of the other animals that share this mountain sanctuary and the role of the elephant in creating and maintaining this unique Eden

 District Yanam 
Yanam is one of the regions in the Union Territory of Puducherry, which is 870 Kms away from it. It is situated on the East Coast of the Indian Peninsula.

 Bangalore [ Ka ]  -  Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike  -  Capital City Karnataka State
Fifth largest city in India and popular due to the wonderful mild, healthy climate and warm cosmopolitans who make the city what it is. The city offers itself as an ideal base to explore the fascinating and culturally rich state of Karnataka. Visitors will find the ruins of the once powerful Vijayanagar empire, the sculpted wonders of Belur and Halebid, the awesome mausoleum of Bijapur and much more within easy reach.
Bangalore is also known as the silicon valley of India due to its wide acceptance of the fast growing cyber world.
Popular Tourist Spots : VidhanaSoudha, Lalbagh, Cubbon Park, General Post Office,  Banarghatta National Park, M.G Road, Commercial Street, Brigade Road, Shoppers Stop, Planetarium, Musical Fountain, Temples and many more. Popular Tourist Spots Outside Bangalore city limits : Nandhi hills, Pearl Valley, Mysore, Ranganthittu, Srirangapatna, Nagarahole, Bandipur National Park and Big Banyan Tree.
 Chennai [ TN ]  -  Capital City Tamil Nadu  -  see Gateway of South India
Chennai, the largest city in southern India located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, developed after 1639 when the British East India Company established a fort and trading post at the small fishing village of Chennai.
 Guntur [ AP ]  -  Municipality Guntur  -  heart of tobacco, mirchi and cotton industries
Home of the famous Amaravati, Bhattiprolu and Sitanagaram monuments, rich in history, culture and heritage.
 Hyderabad [ AP ]  -  CC = Andhra Pradesh - see Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation
Hyderabad, founded in the year 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth sultan of Qutb Shahi dynasty, offers a fascinating panorama of the past, with richly mixed cultural and historical tradition spanning over 400 years. It is one of the fastest growing cities of India and has emerged as a strong industrial, commercial, technology center, gives a picture of glimpses of past splenders and the legacy of its old history.
Places to visit in Hyderabad : Birla Mandir, Birla Planetarium, Gandipet, Sanghi Temple, Shilparamam.
Historical places Hyderabad : Charminar, Golconda, Hayat Bakshi Begums Mosque, Main mishk masjid, Mecca Masjid, Mushirabad Mosque, Nijamiya observatory, Paigah tombs, Patancheru tombs, Qutub shahi tomb, St Mary's cathedral, Toli masjid and Uppal mosque.
 Secunderabad [ AP ]  -  forms a twin city with Hyderabad
See Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation  
 Thiruvananthapuram  -  City of the Holy Serpent
The city of the thousand-headed Anantha, the holy serpent on which Lord Vishnu reclines, Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most beautiful cities of India. Perched on undulating terrain of low coastal hills near the southern edge of the Indian mainland, clean and green, Thiruvananthapuram, which was previously called Trivandrum, is an ancient city with trading tradition dating back to 1000 BC.
It is an excellent base to explore the interiors of Kerala, the southernmost region of India, and from Kochi, the Lakshadweep Islands. The city offers all modern facilities needed by a visitor and is a centre for cultural activities. See Thiruvananthapuram District
 Tirupati [ AP ]  -  location richest temple in the world / most visited pilgrimage site India
See Googlepages [ About visiting tirupati from Bangalore and information about nearby places/temples to visit, from where to get darshan tickets etc ].
 Vijayawada [ AP ]  -  Municipality Vijayawada  -  also known as Bezawada
Important trading centre / prominent railway junction. Vijayawada is the third largest city in Andhra Pradesh  and located on the banks of the Krishna River to the south, bounded by the Indrakeeladri Hills on the west and the budameru stream on the north.
 Visakhapatnam [ AP ]  -  Andhra Pradesh's main seaport
Home to the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command. The second largest city of Andhra Pradesh and one of the fastest growing cities in Asia. Once a small fishing village, the city today is a busy port endowed with a natural harbor. A number of major industries, ship building yard, a mega oil refinery, a massive steel and power plant make Vizag one of the modern faces of India. However, all the industrial progress of Vizag has taken place in the midst of the awe-inspiring Eastern Ghats on one side and the blue waters of Bay of Bengal on the other, giving the city a magical touch. See Andhra Pradesh Tourism or Port of Visakhapatnam.
 Warangal [ AP ]  -  one of the oldest cities in Andhra Pradesh  -  Warangal Tourism
Fourth largest city in Andhra Pradesh. It has a history of over 800 years and was the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty. See also Warangal District

 India Today - India magazine
 Times of India - largest English newspaper in India

Cuisine - Indian Recipes

A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food -  K.T. Achaya
Paperback 364 pages (January 9, 2003); Publisher: OUP India; Language: English; ISBN: 019565868X
The Classic 1000 Indian Recipes -  C. Humphries
The grand tour of Indian cuisine - all in one top-value cookbook. With enough range to prepare any variety of Indian meal, this comprehensive cookery collection now boasts high-quality, full-colour photographs. From classic favourites to exotic regional specialities, this is handy for everything from salads and snacks to special dinner parties, and includes all the most popular favourites. Offering this kind of quality, style and value, it's a must-have for your cookery shelves.
Paperback 464 pages (March 14, 2002); Publisher: Foulsham; Language: English; ISBN: 0572028075
 Indian Food Guide  -  recipes
 Cuisine of India [ Wikipedia ]
Regional Indian cuisines; Staple ingredients and spices, Regional specialties [ Other famous Indian dishes & Some sweets and desserts ], Indian food abroad
Savoring the Spice Coast of India: Fresh Flavors from Kerala -  Maya Kaimal
Hardcover 240 pages (August 2000); Publisher: Morrow Cookbooks; Language: English; ISBN: 0060192577

History of South India

 History of Puducherry [ Pondichéry ]
Early period, European period, Separation from France [ Cession of Pondicherry and Karaikal, Cession of Yanam, Cession of Mahe, Cession of Chandernagore, Date of Events ], List of Governors of French Establishments in India. See also The Colonial History of Yanam [ Yanam or Yanaon was a French colony between 1731–1954 ].

The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture and Identity -  Amartya Sen
Hardcover 256 pages (June 2, 2005); Publisher: Allen Lane; Language: English; ISBN: 0713996870
 Timeline India  -  Wikipedia
 Pepper Trail  -  The trail of history, tradition and cuisine of Kerala.
Please come through this Pepper trail to the corner of the pepper country, the old kingdom of Kochi, in central Kerala. Black pepper, the most widely used spice in the world, is native to my home state of Kerala, located at the southwestern tip of India. Centuries ago black pepper attracted many foreign traders to our shores. This long history of foreign trade had considerable impact on our agriculture, cuisine and to a certain extent even on our language. Both the Nayars (hereditary warriors) and the Royalty of Kerala still continue to observe the ceremonial aspects of the ancient matrilineal system. Let me introduce you through this web site to our ancient cultural traditions, fascinating food history and our delicious and simple cuisine.
 Tranquebar
Tranquebar was a Danish colony in India, from 1620-1845, founded by the Danish East India Company. It is spelled Trankebar or Trangebar in Danish, which came from the native Tamil, Tarangambadi. It was sold to Britain in 1845.
Tranquebar: A Season in South India -  Georgina Harding
Now a fishing village on the Coromandel Coast of India, Tranquebar was once the chief Danish colony in Asia . Intrigued by its dual identity, the author spent a winter there with her baby son, and describes it today - a village reclaimed by an India that appears careless of its legacy, its history, its decaying colonial buildings now occupied by rich Muslims and rival Christian missions, and even of the Hindu temple that is slipping into the sea.
Paperback 224 pages (March 3, 1994); Publisher: Sceptre; Language: English; ISBN: 0340597801

Music, Art & Culture, Events & Entertainment

 Music of India

India - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette -  Nicki Grihault
Culture Smart! India offers illuminating insights into Indian culture and society. It will help you turn your visit - whether on business or for pleasure - into a memorable and enriching experience.
Paperback 168 pages (March 27, 2003); Publisher: Kuperard; Language: English; ISBN: 1857333055
Bollywood: A Guidebook to Popular Hindi Cinema -  Tejaswini Ganti
Publisher: Routledge,an imprint of Taylor & Francis Books Ltd.; Language: English; ISBN: 0415288541
A Tale of Four Dervishes 
Mir Amman
Paperback 158 pages (April 15, 2003); Publisher: Penguin Books Australia Ltd.; Language: English; ISBN: 0140245731
India - the Raga Guide 
These four CDs tucked into a meaty, comprehensive book portray and explain the different histories, tonalities, and rhythms of 74 of Hindu's most common ragas.

Web Portals / Search Engines / India Directories

 Fullhyderabad.com

 India Image  -  Gateway to Government of India Info over the web
Official Government of India Portal developed with an aim to provide comprehensive, accurate , reliable and one stop source of information about India and its various facets including its Government, heritage, economy, news, online citizen services etc. Links at various places have been provided to other official Indian Government Portals/websites.

 Searchindia.com  -  search engine
 Travel India


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