Some Facts About South India

South India is full of wonder, colour, history, culture, and everything beautiful in between! From hills to beaches and forts to temples, this part of India has it all. And, if you think you know it all, here are a few unique facts about South India.

Around 17 breakfast dishes originated in South India

If you are a breakfast lover, the South has a lot of options to offer. But did you know that this is among the most fascinating unknown facts about South India?
The breakfast options in South India have so much to offer. As we all know, rice is the main staple food in South India. Thus, rice is the main ingredient of many of these South Indian breakfast dishes. We bet you would have at least one of them on the list of your favorite dishes.
Some of the famous South Indian breakfast dishes include Idli, Dosa, Upma, Uttapam, Appam, Pongal, Medu Vada, etc. The majority of these dishes are healthy and can be eaten during weight loss as well.

South India is the home to the world's richest temple

South India is home to some of the richest temples in the world, and Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala is famed for being the world’s richest temple. Located in the Pazhavangadi region of Thiruvananthapuram, its treasures include gold ornaments, statues, and other precious stones.

The Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple is also considered one of the most famous temples in India. Other temples on the list are the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram, the Meenakshi Temple of Madurai, and the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple of Kerala.

South India Has an Exclusive Elephants Only Spa

This is one of those unknown facts about South India that can leave you awestruck. In South India, not only humans but also elephants receive a spa treatment. The intense heat of July in India simply means one thing, i.e., spa treatments.

Through the entire month of June, dozens of the chubby and well-cared-for elephants can be seen at the Punnathoor Cotta Elephant Yard in Guruvayur, Kerala, where they get luxury baths, relaxing massages, and specialized meals.

The elephants are renowned to play a significant role in Kerala’s epic temple procession at the well-known Guruvayurappan Hindu Temple, which is connected to the elephant rejuvenation center.

The elephants are seen enjoying the compassion of the people, who cheerfully scrub their huge bellies and manage to clean those hard-to-reach parts. The Kerala sanctuary, which can house up to 59 elephants at once, allows these spoilt elephants to indulge in any task.

South India has the major Cotton production

South India is known not only for its natural beauty but also for its textile industry. While Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, and Tirupur are the four major cities of Tamil Nadu that have contributed to the growth of this industry, it is interesting to note that Coimbatore is known as the Manchester of South India, as 35% of the entire cotton in India is grown here.

South India is the largest producer of spices

India loves spices and that’s what India is famous for all over the world. So this is one of the spiciest unknown facts about South India: the majority of spices are grown in South India, where India ranks first in the world for production. Kerala is known as the spice capital of India.

Most of the southern state is at the top of the list of the largest producers of spices, which is another reason why Portugal was keen on conquering South India.

75% of India's Coconut Production Comes from South India

Did you know that around 3/4 of all coconuts come from South India compared to other states, such as Maharashtra, Odisha, and West Bengal?So, next time you’re sipping on some coconut water, give a toast to Southern India. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka are the states where coconut trees are cultivated extensively, and produced in large quantities. Further, these states are known to contribute around 84% of the total area for coconut cultivation.

South Indian history is marked by the rule of 18 dynasties.

The history of southern India spreads over a span of more than four thousand years, during which the region witnessed the rise and fall of a number of empires and dynasties and empires.

The most important dynasties that were at their peak during various periods of history are Cheras, Pandyans, Cholas, Travancores, Chalukyas, Sathavahanas, Pallavas, Hoysalas, Kadambas, Wodeyars, Rashtrakutas, Kakatiyas, and the Vijayanagara Empire.

Further, the rise of the Muslim empire in this region took place in 1323 CE, which was then followed by the Nizams and British Empire from the 18th century.

Koh-i-Noor Diamond Originated in South India

As per the records, the origin of this famed diamond was in Golkonda in Andhra Pradesh. It was during the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty that it was mined from the Rayalaseema diamond mine.

Records state that under the leadership of Alauddin Khilji, the Khiljis made successful raids in Southern India, and it’s believed that the Khiljis acquired the world-famous diamond during one such expedition in 1310. The diamond then kept on switching ownership from Ibrahim Lodi to Babur, Shah Jajan, and more.

Then, Nadir Shah, the Persian monarch, invaded the Mughal empire in 1739 and secured the said diamond. As per the legends, it was Nadir Shah who gave this diamond its current name, Koh-i-Noor.

South India Is Home To 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Without the local heritage, discussions on South India will always be inadequate. It is one of those unknown facts about South India that South Indians are proud of that South India can take pride in having nine of the 36 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country.
The most popular among them are the monuments at Mahabalipuram and two temples in Tamil Nadu.

The first known South Indian literature dates back over two thousand years

This is one of the most fascinating unknown facts about South India. The Sangams, an ancient Tamil script, were the foundation for the earliest South Indian literary works.
Moreover, contemporary South Indian writers can draw on the historical material because there are several monuments and archives that have survived the years, and as a result, they have received numerous translation honors.

South India Has the Most Ayurveda Schools Anywhere in The World

The ancient practice of Ayurveda medicine began in India 3000 years ago and it’s still going strong to this day. Especially in the South where countless ashrams and schools teach and practice mind and body healing techniques.