Chennai
The regional capital is Chennai (formerly Madras), India’s fourth-largest city and capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. Chennai is the cradle of the ancient Dravidian civilization, one of the oldest articulate cultures in the world. It is also home of the classical style of Indian dancing and a notable center of temple sculpture art. Sprawling over 130 sq km (50 sq miles), the metropolis has few tall buildings and enjoys the relaxed ambience of a market town rather than the bustle of a huge city. From Chennai Lighthouse there is a fine view of the city that includes many churches which tell of the city’s strong Christian influence, first introduced in AD 78 when the apostle St Thomas was martyred here.
Chennai, however, is largely a commercial city and the center of the area’s rail, air and road networks, and serves as a good starting point from which to explore the south.

Tamil Nadu
Within the state are several important religious centers, notably Kanchipuram, which has an abundance of temples, and whose striking gopurams, or gateways, are decorated with sculptures of gods and goddesses. Inland is Madurai, with a large and bustling temple, and Thanjavur. Also worth visiting is Tiruchirappalli, which has a fortress built atop a strange boulder-shaped hill that dominates the town.
Further south, along the coast, is Pondicherry, an attractive town with a distinctive French style, and beyond, Rameswaram, once the ferry link to Sri Lanka.

Kerala :
Known as Inspiring Awe of India The Land of Green Magic and Back Waters with its best
To the west lies the state of Kerala, where many of India’s major coastal resorts are to be found. Among the finest is Kovalam, offering un-spoilt beaches with increasingly modern amenities, including luxury bungalows and a number of hotels (some including a swimming pool). Only a few miles away is Trivandrum, the state capital with its famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Further inland is the Periyar Game Sanctuary which has a rich and varied wildlife. Other resorts include Cranganorre, Alleppey and Kochi. The Landscape is dotted with rice fields, Mango, cashew nut trees and coconut palms. Kerala offers an in string mosaics of cultures and some unusual ways of traditions. It also offers some of the best and most picturesque beaches in India.

Karnataka
Further to the north is the state of Karnataka, which has fine, unexplored beaches at Karwar, Mahe and Udupi. The state’s capital is Bangalore, an affluent city which is the center of electronics and engineering industries, but has many charming parks and gardens. To the southwest lies Mysore, where incense is manufactured.
Karnataka has a number of important religious and historical sites, including the ruins at Hampi to the north of Bangalore, and the vast statue of Lord Bahubali at Sravanabelagola, north of Mysore.
 

The South of India includes the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu. Goa & Kerala. Chennai (Madras) the capital of Tamil Nadu is a colonial seafront city. The British used the hill stations, with their breathtaking views and milder climates, to escape the heat. Even today to a large extent one can see their influence. The Union Territory of Pondicherry, near Madras is a former French colony.

Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka, is a multifaceted city & is also known as the city Of drought beer. Places to see in & around Karnataka are the ruins at Vijaynagar, Belur & Halebid for its sculptures, the statue of Bahubali at Sravanabelagola which is the world's tallest freestanding monolith, Coorg which is located on the hills of the Western Ghats, Bandipur, Nagarhole & Bannerghatta with its wildlife & forests. Chikmagalur is famous for its plantations & the mountains, the Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur.

Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, is a mega city & has many beautiful monuments. The Charminar, Hussain Sagar Lake, Mecca Masjid, Golconda Fort, the Birla Mandir, Tank Bund, Nagarjunasagar / Nagarjunakonda, the beach resorts of Visakhapatnam are often compared with Goa for their scenery & charm. Hyderabad also has a number of temples and museums.

Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, is a gateway to a world of beaches, mountains, backwaters, wildlife sanctuaries & islands. Cochin is known as 'the Venice of the East' & is famous for its backwater canals.

Kerala as a state will prove to be a fascinating experience !