Munnar-Alleppey-Thekkady, Kerala: To the backwaters

January is the time when Tamil Nadu is at its best. The place exhibits a myriad of colors offered by nature. Also, January is the time for Mamallapuram Dance festival, which is an absolute treat for culture lovers. Around the same time, Pongal calls for a statewide celebration, making Madurai and Mamallapuram the best places to visit in South India in January.

Madurai celebrates Float Festival with huge processions that are carried out from Meenakshi temple. While the tempting aroma of crisp vada and dosa permeate the air around; the chanting of mantras cleanse the atmosphere, and to top it all the exciting designs of rangoli adorn the households immaculately.

Places to visit in Mamallapuram-Madurai: Meenakshi Temple, Gandhi Museum, Samanar Hills, Shore temple, Panch Rathas, Descent of the Ganges, and Tiger Caves

Things to do in Mamallapuram-Madurai: Try moving Krishna’s Butterball, go surfing, explore the lighthouse, watch crocodiles move around in their natural habitat at Crocodile Farm, and relax with the Ayurvedic treatment at Sri Durga

How to reach
By air: Chennai International Airport is the easiest way to get to Mamallapuram
By train: Chengalpattu is the nearest railhead at a distance of 29 km
By road: 1.5-hour drive from Chennai