South India is rich in distinctive traditions, culture, art, lush tropical forests, flora and fauna. Here is a brief overview of some UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South India.
Western Ghats
This 1,600 km mountain range is one of the top 10 hottest biodiversity hotspots in the world. It enriches about half of the India's geographical area. It runs parallel to the western coast of India, along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau.
Western Ghats are Older Than the Himalaya Mountains
Western Ghats separates the Deccan Plateau from the narrow Konkan coast, along the Arabian Sea. The upper slopes of Western Ghats are abundantly clothed with magnificent forests, and wild animals abound. Western Ghats' forests, which are older than the Himalaya mountains, influence the Indian monsoon weather pattern.
There Are 39 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Western Ghats
39 locations in Western Ghats (wild life sanctuaries, reserve forests and national parks) are UNESCO World Heritage Sites; 20 in Kerala, 10 in Karnataka, 5 in Tamil Nadu and 4 in Maharastra.
Agasthyamalai Sub-Cluster, Periyar Sub-Cluster, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster, Talakaveri Sub-Cluster, Kudremukh Sub-Cluster and Sahyadri Sub-Cluster are included.
Elephants in Periyar Tiger Reserve
Periyar Tiger Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Western Ghats, Kerala | Source
5 Best Places to Stay Near Periyar Tiger Reserve
Aranya Nivas KTDC
Hotel Tigers Roare'
Jungle Palace Homestay
Hotel Treetop
Jungle Park Resort
Periyar Tiger Reserve Logo
Periyar Tiger Reserve Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kumily, India. Official Facebook Page of Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady.
Importance of Western Ghats
The forests harboured by the Western Ghats play an important ecological function in sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide and hence have an important role in climate change.
Great Living Chola Temples
Located in Tamil Nadu, this UNESCO World Heritage Site includes three 11th and 12th century temples: the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram, the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. These temples give you an idea of power, wealth, imperial domain and religious commitment of the rulers belonging to the Chola dynasty.
Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram
Wikimedia Commons | Source
Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur
Wikimedia Commons
Brihadeeswarar Temple Timings
Opening
Closing
6.00 am
12.30 pm
4.00 pm
8.30 pm
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
Carved out of rock, this group of sanctuaries is located on the Coromandel Coast in Tamil Nadu. It is well-known for its rathas, mandapas, open-air reliefs and the temple of Rivage.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
This 46-km long metre-gauge single-track railway was completed in 1908. It is located in Tamil Nadu. It connects Mettupalayam and Udhagamandalam. It has the steepest track in Asia.
You can't leave the Nilgiri Mountain Railway without pleasant memories, whether you're on the fabled toy train or at the Fernhill station.
— Geeta Padmanabhan
Nilgiri Mountain Railway Timings
Departure
Mettupalayam to Ooty
7.10 am
Ooty to Mettupalayam
2.00 pm
Churches and Convents of Goa
OOne of these monuments, the Church of Bom Jesus, houses the tomb of St Francis-Xavier. This UNESCO World Heritage Site illustrate the evangelization of India.
Basilica of Bom Jesus Time
Group of Monuments at Hampi
Ruins of Dravidian temples and palaces are among Monuments at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. These monuments were built by kings who ruled the Vijayanagara Empire, which was established in the 14th century. These monuments were destroyed by Islamic Deccan sultanates.
Virupaksha Temple
This temple is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Shiva. It consists of a layered tower of elaborate, hand-carved friezes, populated by a bevy of Hindu deities and symbols.
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
Located in Karnataka, these monuments include nine Hindu temples and a Jain sanctuary. Built by Chalukyas, the architecture of these monuments has been influenced by both North Indian and South Indian architectural style.
National parks not only protect forests and wildlife, but also enable you to rejuvenate yourself, and to bond with your friends / colleagues / family members.
Here is a list of popular national parks in South India.
Bandipur National Park
Located in Karnataka, this national park houses many species of endangered wildlife. Covering an area of 874 square kilometres, this awe-inspiringly beautiful national park is well-known for its sizable number of tigers and other animals.
Gaur in Bandipur National Park
Periyar National Park
Periyar National Park is also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve. Located in Kerala, it is the only national park in India that is open for visitors during monsoon. Spread over 350 square kilometres, this national park houses tigers, elephants, lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards, Indian bison and many other animals.
Blue Pansy in Periyar National Park
Wikimedia Commons | Source
Nagarhole National Park
Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, this national park covers an area of 642.4 square kilometres. It is a protected habitat for many species of fauna, including tiger, leopard, wild elephant, dhole, and Gaur.
An Elephant in Nagarahole National Park
Wandur National Park
Wandur National Park is located Andaman and Nicobar islands, a string of around 300 tropical islands in the Bay of Bengal. Also known as Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, this national park covers an area of 281.5 square kilometres.
Kudremukh National Park
Tiger, leopard, wild dog, jackal, samba, spotted deer, barking deer and giant flying squirrel are among the main wildlife attractions of this national park. Located in Karnataka, this park covers an area of 600 square kilometers.
Indira Gandhi National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
Established in 1976, this national park is located in Tamil Nadu. It is spread over an area of 958 square kilometers. Many species of animals, including nilgiri langur, liontailed macaque, gaur, elephant, chital, sambar, mouse deer, barking deer, birds, tiger, panther, wild dog and Nilgiri tahr have made this national park their home.
Sri Venkateshwara National Park
Located in Andhra Pradesh, this national park is home to hosts 168 mammals, 349 birds, and 138 reptiles. Spread over an area of 353 square kilometers, it was officially declared a National Park in the year of 1998.
Silent Valley National Park
This national park is in Nilgiri Hills, in Palakkad district, Kerala. The core area of Silent Valley National Park is 236.74 square kilometers. It houses more than 1000 species of flowering plants which include about 110 species of orchids, more than 34 species of mammals, about 200 species of butterflies, 400 species of moths, 128 species of beetles of which 10 are new to science, about 150 species of birds including almost all the 16 endemic birds of southern India.
