Tamil Nadu is a southern state in India and home of the Tamil people, whose Tamil language is widely spoken in the state and serves as its official language. The capital and largest city is Chennai. The region is defined by the lush Western Ghats and the semi-arid Deccan Plateau in the west, the discontinuous Eastern Ghats in the north, the fertile Eastern Coastal Plains lining the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait to the south-east, and the river Kaveri bisecting the state.

Known for its temples and architecture, food, movies and classical Indian dance and Carnatic music. The region of Tamil Nadu shows evidence of having had continuous human habitation from 15,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE3.

Some of its most popular temples include the Meenakshi in Madurai, Nataraja in Chidambaram, Rameswaram Jyotirlinga in Rameswaram, Arunachaleshwar in Thiruvanamallai, Sri Rangam in Trichy, Suchindram in Kanyakumari, Nellaippar in Tirunelveli, and Parthasarthy in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu is the most industrialised state in India. With a diversified manufacturing sector and features among the leaders in several industries like automobiles and auto components, engineering, pharmaceuticals, garments, textiles, leather, chemicals, and plastics. It ranks first among the states in terms of the number of factories and industrial workers.

Alappuzha⁩ is a city in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is known for its network of canals and lagoons and is referred to as the Venice of the East. The city is also famous for its coir products and prawn farming. Alappuzha⁩ is home to the Punnamada Lake, where the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race takes place. The race is a major tourist attraction and features traditional snake boats rowed by hundreds of oarsmen.

We didn’t see it.

Also known as Cochin, a major port city on the Malabar Coast bordering the Laccadive Sea. Part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala and is commonly referred to as Ernakulam.

Kochi was an important spice trading center from the 14th century onward, and maintained a trade network with Arab merchants from the pre-Islamic era. Highlights include Fort Kochi, Chinese Fishing Nets at Fort Kochi, Marine Drive Skyline, Cochin Shipyard, and Hill Palace.

Kochi to Kozhikode by train. Then by bus on the NH766 past Lakkidi View Point to Kunnathidavaka.

Of the total distance of 272 km, 117 km of the NH766 is in Kerala and 155 sits in Karnataka.

It passes through dense forests of the western ghats of India and through 19.7 km of Bandipur National Park and Wayanad wild life sanctuary.

On safari in the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. The Reserve is a national park located in Kodagu district and Mysore district in Karnataka. The park has populations of Bengal tiger, gaur, Indian elephant, Indian leopard, chital and Sambar deer.

It derives its name from naga, meaning snake and hole, referring to streams. Formally an exclusive hunting reserve of the kings of the Wodeyar dynasty, the rulers of the Kingdom of Mysore.

Village of indigenous people living in the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve – just inside the elephant fence. Supported by the Indian government and vital to the stewardship of the forest, gathering natural resources, and for maintaining controlled access routes for tourists.

Karnataka is a state in the southwestern region of India. Formed as the State of Mysore on 9 August 1947, by renaming of the Kingdom of Mysore.

Its capital and largest city is Bengaluru (Bangalore) and is bordered by the Lakshadweep Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Maharashtra to the north, Telangana to the northeast, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala to the southwest.

Mysore Palace, also known as Amba Vilas Palace, is a historical palace and a royal residence (house). It is located in Mysore, Karnataka, India. It used to be the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. The palace is in the centre of Mysore, and faces the Chamundi Hills eastward. Mysore is commonly described as the 'City of Palaces', and there are seven palaces including this one. However, the Mysore Palace refers specifically to the one within the new fort.

The market was constructed in 1886 and was initially a weekly market. It was named in 1925 after Dodda Devaraja Wadeyar and is also known as Dodda market. It is bounded by a structure with wooden rafters and stone masonry walls that faces the street on all four sides.

The north gate is on Devantri Road with Sayaji Rao Road on the east side. While the south gate faces Dufferin Clock Tower.

Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage and modern infrastructure. It is often referred to as the “Silicon Valley of India” due to its thriving IT industry. The city is home to several prominent educational institutions, research centers, and multinational corporations.

The flower market at KR Market is a bustling hub where vendors sell a wide variety of fresh flowers, including roses, marigolds, and jasmine12. The market is a photographer’s delight, especially during religious festivals when it becomes a riot of colors and fragrances.