South India Road Trip

 

Day 1 – Hyderabad To Tirupati

We started our South India journey at dawn, taking the roads with the excitement of adventure and piety. While driving through Shadnagar, we pulled over at a petrol station for a hasty breakfast and some stretch.

Our first significant stop was the Vontimitta Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple in Kadapa — an ancient wonder of architecture. It is thought that this is where Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita spent time during their exile and that the temple was constructed by a worshipper who carved out the idols from one stone. The temple is a beautiful example of Vijayanagara architecture.

There is a heavenly narrative that the mandapam (wedding pavilion) of Lord Venkateshwara's heavenly wedding with Padmavathi Devi started right in this region of Kadapa and went on right up to Tirupati. Even now, folks feel that the spiritual energies here are leftovers of that heavenly wedding procession.

By 6:30 in the evening, we arrived at Tirupati and stayed at a guest house. We freshened up and then paid a visit to Govindaraja Swamy Temple, Padmavathi Ammavaru Temple, and Sri Kalyana Venkateshwara Swamy Temple in Srinivasa Mangapuram — ending the day immersed in faith and serenity.

 

Day 2 – Tirupati To Srirangam Via Kanchi

The day began with a discovery — a temple I had never previously heard about: Sri Prasanna Venkateshwara Swamy Temple, in Appalayagunta. What made it distinctive was Lord Venkateshwara's hand position, which is different from the Tirumala version — here, His right hand is in the "Abhaya Mudra" (posture of blessing). It is said that this form manifested to soothe and comfort sage Markandeya, offering blessings and protection. The darshan was peaceful and powerful — a secret treasure true.

Breakfast was taken close to the temple, after which we headed for Kanchipuram, the temple city. We saw:

Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, one of the 108 Divya Desams, famous for its huge gopurams and the 100-pillar mandapam. There is also a secret god of Lord Vishnu hidden under the temple tank (Anantha Saras) who comes out for darshan only after a period of 40 years.

Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple, where Goddess Kamakshi, an incarnation of Parvati, is enshrined in a seated position with great poise and power. The sanctum emits the divine motherhood energy.

Golden and silver lizard sculptures that are claimed to absolve devotees of sin when touched, and a temple well within the complex.

We continued our highway drive towards Srirangam, and I'd say — Indian highways are grossly undervalued. Picturesque, clean, and lined with rolling hills and green fields — the ride itself was a blessing.

We arrived at Srirangam just after temple timings — missed darshan by a few minutes. But we wandered through the expansive temple grounds, home to Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, the world's largest operational temple complex. With seven prakaras (enclosures) and imposing towers, the architecture itself was darshan enough. We finished the day in awe of the gopurams' grandeur and the divine silence that remained.

 

Day 3 – Srirangam to Madurai

We woke up early and joined the queue for darshan — not knowing we’d be waiting 4 long hours without food, water, or even shade. But then again, darshan of Lord Ranganatha isn’t just a visit, it’s a spiritual test — a tapasya.

Lastly, we saw Him — lying graciously on Adisesha, with His four arms (chaturbhuja) grasping the chakra, shankha, lotus, and mace. His countenance was peaceful and radiant. Just that one sight made it all worthwhile.

We also espied a well with fishes having the "Namam" (Tilak) mark — yes, real fishes with markings that are very similar to the Vaishnava tilak. The people around here think they're divine and symbolic of the Lord's eternal presence.

After a complete lunch and a brief halt, we left towards Madurai to see Meenakshi Amman Temple. It was a 3-hour journey via hilly roads and picturesque roads. We took a daring gamble — not sure if we would reach on time before the temple closed. But luck smiled upon us.

Even though the queues were long, we finally took darshan at 10:30 PM. Goddess Meenakshi radiantly stood holding a parrot in one hand, wearing silk and flowers, in the middle of a sanctified water pond. The temple was magnificent, old, and energetic. The Dravidian architecture, the hall of 1000 pillars, and ceiling paintings were captivating. I had goosebumps — weary legs but a happy heart.

We came back to Srirangam after midnight, tired but content.

 

Day 4 – Srirangam  to Ahobilam

Following a leisurely morning walk through the streets of Srirangam, seeing temple rathams and local life, we ate breakfast and left for our last and most exhilarating destination — Ahobilam.

It was a drive of many hours on twisty ghat roads, thick forests, and sporadic village halts. After almost a day's drive, we arrived in Ahobilam at 8 PM and fell into bed, exhausted, speechless.

 

 

Day 5 –Ahobilam's Nine Narasimha Shrines

We started our day with darshan at the main temple of Ahobilam. Then followed the actual journey — the trek to the Nava Narasimha temples, which are dedicated to the nine fierce and protective forms of Lord Narasimha.

As we walked along the hills and forests, we saw passing by the Prahlada Maharaj School, where the young Lord Narasimha devotee is said to have studied and preached devotion. Steep was every step, yet spiritually enlightening. We were weary by the time the sun set.

 

Day 6 – Ahobilam To Hyderabad

We took the morning to savor the clear scenery of Ahobilam's lush hills and clean air. We saw the lower Narasimha temples, each with its own posture and legend — except for Pavana Narasimha, which we left for another visit.

With our hearts and minds full, our cameras bursting with memories, we began the journey back home.

                            This wasn’t just a road trip — it was a pilgrimage, a test of patience, an embrace of spontaneity, and a reminder of India’s spiritual and scenic richness. From the untold shrines of Tirupati to the ancient lanes of Kanchi, from the grandeur of Madurai to the fierce forests of Ahobilam — every mile was a memory, every darshan a blessing.

And as with all true adventures — it didn't simply alter our schedule, it altered us.