Mangaluru (Mangalore)
A kind of eco-educational theme park, Pilikula is spread over 149 hectares and includes a tropical forest, an arboretum, a herb garden full of rare…
Must-see attractions in South India
HAL Aerospace Museum & Heritage Centre
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
For a peek into India’s aeronautical history, visit this wonderful museum past the old airport, where you can see some of the indigenous aircraft models…
Karnataka
The huge domed tombs of the Bahmani kings in Ashtur, 3km east of Bidar, were built to house the remains of the sultans, of which the stunning painted…
Hampi
Halfway along the path from Hampi Bazaar to Vittala Temple, a track to the right leads over the rocks to deserted Sule Bazaar, one of ancient Hampi’s…
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
The holy town of Sri Kalahasti, 37km east of Tirupati, is known for its Sri Kalahasteeswara Temple, dedicated to Shiva. There's been a temple here since…
Maharashtra
Cave 10 is thought to be the oldest cave (200 BC) and was the first one to be spotted by the British hunting party. Similar in design to Cave 9, it is the…
Mysuru (Mysore)
Dating from Tipu Sultan’s reign, this huge and very lively bazaar has local traders selling traditional items such as flower garlands, incense, spices and…
Maharashtra
About 40km northeast of Nagpur, Ramtek is believed to be the place where Lord Rama, of the epic Ramayana, spent some time during his exile with his wife,…
Kodagu (Coorg) Region
The highlight of Namdroling Monastery is the spectacular Golden Temple, presided over by three 18m-high gold-plated Buddha statues. The temple is at its…
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
A superb gallery with a wide range of Indian and international contemporary art, as well as permanent displays of Mysuru-style paintings and folk and…
Mumbai (Bombay)
The 109 Kanheri Caves lining the side of a rocky ravine 6km from the northern entrance of Sanjay Gandhi National Park are a big draw. The caves comprise…
Konkan Coast
This enthralling hilltop fort served as Shivaji’s capital from 1648 until his death in 1680. The fort was later sacked by the British and some colonial…
Mumbai (Bombay)
The Nehru Centre is a cultural complex that includes a planetarium, theatre, gallery and an interesting history exhibition, Discovery of India. The…
Karnataka
Dominating the heart of the old town are the ruins of Khwaja Mahmud Gawan Madrasa, a college for advanced learning built in 1472. To get an idea of its…
Mumbai (Bombay)
This top gallery is spread over three floors of a beautifully restored cream-coloured colonial-era structure. Its quarterly-changing exhibitions are…
Mumbai (Bombay)
This 140-year-old dhobi ghat (place where clothes are washed) is Mumbai’s biggest human-powered washing machine: every day hundreds of people beat the…
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
This scenic hilltop site, once a large monastery, merits visiting for those interested in Buddhism or archaeology. Its name comes from the nine cisterns…
Karnataka
The massive Virupaksha temple has columns covered with intricate carvings depicting episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. A giant stone sculpture of…
Kodagu (Coorg) Region
The striking Namdroling Monastery is a large Tibetan Buddhist compound home to the striking Golden Temple and impressive Zangdogpalri Temple. Around 5000…
Maharashtra
Cave 4 is the largest vihara at Ajanta and is supported by 28 pillars. Although never completed, the cave has some impressive sculptures, such as the four…
Hampi
Northeast of the Royal Centre, within the walled ladies’ quarters, is the Zenana Enclosure. Its peaceful grounds and manicured lawns feel like an oasis in…
Maharashtra
A largely ruined chaitya, cave 26 is now dramatically lit and contains some fine sculptures that shouldn’t be missed. On the left wall is a huge figure of…
Hampi
South of the Royal Centre you’ll find various temples and elaborate waterworks, including the Queen’s Bath, deceptively plain on the outside but amazing…
Karnataka
A striking Kerala-style temple with meticulously renovated woodcarvings and a pyramidal roof of gold-plated copper plates. Three elephants trunk out…
Gokarna
This lovely wide cove, backed by wooded headlands, offers plenty of room to stretch out on along its attractive sands. Restaurants, guesthouses and yoga…
Maharashtra
Cave 21, known as the Ramesvara Cave, features interesting interpretations of familiar Shaivite scenes depicted in the earlier temples. The figure of the…
Maharashtra
Cave 15, the Das Avatara (Ten Incarnations of Vishnu) Cave, is one of the finest at Ellora. The two-storey temple contains a mesmerising Shiva Nataraja…
Hyderabad
One of the city's best contemporary galleries, Kalakriti hosts excellent exhibitions by some of India's leading artists, and collaborative programme's…
Maharashtra
Cave 6 is an ornate vihara with wonderful images of Tara, consort of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, and of Mahamayuri, the Buddhist goddess of learning,…
Karnataka
The fantastic Car Museum is home to 48 vintage autos, including a 1903 Renault and 1920s Studebaker President used by Mahatma Gandhi, plus classic…
Pune
The 5-hectare Osho Teerth Gardens are a verdant escape from urban living with giant bamboo, jogging trails, a gurgling brook and smooching couples. You…
Mumbai (Bombay)
This Gorai Island amusement park is well maintained and has lots of rides, slides and shade. Ferries leave every 15 minutes (₹50) from Borivali jetty at…
Hampi
An interesting stop along the road to Virupaksha Temple is the 6.7m monolithic statue of the bulging-eyed Lakshimi Narasmiha in a cross-legged lotus…
Mumbai (Bombay)
A cutting-edge space showcasing some of India's most exciting contemporary artists.
Panaji & Central Goa
Situated in the far southeastern corner of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa’s most impressive waterfall splashes down just west of the border…
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
Huddled together at the southern end of Mamallapuram, the Five Rathas were, astonishingly, all carved from single large rocks. Each of these fine 7th…
Church & Convent of St Cajetan
Old Goa
Modelled on the original design of St Peter’s in Rome, this impressive church was built by Italian friars of the Order of Theatines, sent here by Pope…
Mumbai (Bombay)
It’s hard to believe that within 1½ hours of the teeming metropolis you can be surrounded by this 104-sq-km protected tropical forest. Here, bright flora,…
Tamil Nadu
According to legend, Shiva and Kali got into a dance-off judged by Vishnu. Shiva dropped an earring and picked it up with his foot, a move that Kali could…
Panaji & Central Goa
If you’re a history or temple buff, don’t miss the atmospheric remains of the unusual little Hindu Shri Mahadeva Temple at Tambdi Surla, 12km north of…
