Chennai (Madras)
The printing workshop of Tara Books, where you can watch pages being silk-screened and hand-bound into books.
Must-see attractions in South India
Nirmala Birla Gallery of Modern Art
Hyderabad
This skilfully curated collection of modern and contemporary art includes paintings by superstars Jogen Chowdhury, Tyeb Mehta and Arpita Singh.
Mysuru (Mysore)
At the summit of Chamundi Hill, the striking Sri Chamundeswari Temple is dominated by a towering 40m-high gopuram (entrance gateway).
Maharashtra
Cave 7 has an atypical design, with porches before the verandah leading directly to the four cells and the elaborately sculptured shrine.
Andaman Islands
The sprawling, rugged and blonde Netaji Nagar, stretching 8km to 12km north of Hut Bay, is the beach where most accommodation is located.
Vizhinjam Marine Research Aquarium
Kovalam
About 500m northwest of Kovalam's lighthouse, this small series of tanks displays fish from Kerala's waters, including lionfish and eels.
The Western Ghats
Catherine Falls is 8km south of Kotagiri off the Mettupalayam road; the last 2km or so are on foot, and the falls only flow after rain.
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Once home to Governor Dupleix, the neoclassical governor's residence looks out over Bharathi Park from the north. You can't go inside.
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Inaugurated in 1907, the Sacred Heart Basilica is a soaring brown-and-white neo-Gothic structure beautified by restored stained glass.
Hyderabad
The Charkaman (Four Arches) area is named after four Qutb Shahi arches on and off Patthargatti, focused on the Gulzar Houz fountain.
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Built for the royal family of Travancore, this early-20th-century palace is now mostly a venue for cultural events and performances.
Karnataka
For the best views of Murudeshwar, head up the skyscaper-like Shri Murudeshwar temple via its lift for fantastic coastal panoramas.
Hyderabad
Constructed in 1906, this highly ornate mosque is Moorish-meets-Deccan in style, with an array of minarets, balconies and columns.
Kochi (Cochin)
Just southwest of Mattancherry's synagogue, the undisturbed Jewish Cemetery contains ancient tombstones marked with Hebrew script.
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Towards the north end of MG Rd stands this fine neo-Gothic Anglican church, notable for its stained glass and 19th-century tombs.
Andaman Islands
Wandoor has a lovely blonde beach, though at the time of writing swimming was prohibited due to a fatal crocodile attack in 2017.
Karnataka
This small museum behind the Durga Temple contains good examples of Chalukyan sculpture.
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
A shady green haven that's always busy, Bharathi Park faces the neoclassical governor's residence, Raj Nivas, on its north side.
Maharashtra
Cave 14, the Ravana-ki-Khai, is a Buddhist vihara converted to a temple dedicated to Shiva sometime in the 7th century.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
A beautifully carved throne or seat in the shape of a lion, a little west (uphill) from the Raya Gopura on Mamallapuram Hill.
Mysuru (Mysore)
Dating from 1805, Government House, formerly the British Residency, is a Tuscan Doric building set in 20 hectares of gardens.
Pune
Adjacent to the Pataleshvara Cave Temple is the Jangali Maharaj Temple, dedicated to a Hindu ascetic who died here in 1818.
Chennai (Madras)
Chennai's main Shia mosque, built in 1810. Mostly useful as a landmark, as non-Muslims aren't allowed inside the buildings.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
Similarly sized to Mamallapuram's famous Arjuna's Penance, this unfinished relief carving is just south along West Raja St.
Varkala
This gold-hued stretch of sand, around 1km north of the North Cliff, makes a peaceful alternative to Varkala's main beach.
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
Decorated with lion-shaped pillar bases, the Ganesh Ratha is carved from a single rock and was originally a Shiva shrine.
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
In the northwestern section of Cubbon Park, the neoclassical Attara Kacheri was built in 1864 and houses the High Court.
The Western Ghats
About 19km north of Kotagiri, Kodanad Viewpoint boasts vistas across both the Coimbatore Plains and the Mysore Plateau.
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
The elegant Indo-Islamic summer residence of ruler Tipu Sultan is notable for its teak pillars and ornamental frescos.
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Pondy's lighthouse was completed in the 1830s and functioned for more than a century before being replaced in 1979.
Tamil Nadu
Badly damaged by the 2004 tsunami, this 14th-century seafront temple is now repainted in kaleidoscopic colours.
Hampi
This temple is at a lower level than the surrounding structures. It's on the western side of the Royal Centre.
Mumbai (Bombay)
A gallery with work by emerging artists in a space that once served as a 'godown', a cotton-storing warehouse.
Maharashtra
Cave 27 is virtually a vihara connected to the cave 26 chaitya, though it is not accessible.
National Gallery of Modern Art
Mumbai (Bombay)
Well-curated shows of Indian and international artists in a bright and spacious five-floor exhibition space.
Chennai (Madras)
Built entirely of granite in 1795 by the Nawab of the Carnatic, and generally known simply as the Big Mosque.
Hyderabad
A landmark structure built by the seventh nizam in Indo-Saracenic style on the south bank of the Musi River.
Karnataka
This lively market is an explosion of colour and scent, with flowers, spices and fresh produce for sale.
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
A red-brick neo-Gothic construction, built in 1900 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
