What are some of the wrong depictions of South India in Bollywood movies?

 Bollywood doesn’t know any place other than Mumbai and Awadh.

With respect of South India, they only have two cities- Chennai and “Kerala”(I know this is a state)

Their South Indian vocabulary starts from ”Ayyo” and ends at “Yenna Rascala”.

Apparently all South Indian dons only well-plaid SAREES. Seldom you will see any South Indian girls in any other clothes, be it Dil Se… or 2 States.

Another thing is that they expect all South Indians will be trained in Classical Indian dances. Nothing wrong in that but just that in every Bollywood movie I had watched on South India, protagonist will have one classical dance number.

I am a North Indian but I have met a lot of South Indian students in schools (Army School). And trust me, their vocabulary is not as bad as it is shown in movie. You will be surprised at how clear is pronunciation of many. But who will tell this to Bollywood.

(Most annoying accent of all time. Comic, but hugely irritating)

I don’t think that South Indians wear only Lungi.

Agneepath, Sajan Chale Sasural, Padosan, Gumnaam, these are some movies where characters only wear Lungi all the time.

Bollywood need to introspect on how they portray different cultures. Most of us grow watching Bollywood and think that what’s shown there is true as hell.

P.S. High Expectations from Thalaivi. Hope this doesn’t disappoint us in terms of cultural portrayal.

Why are idols in South Indian temples kept in dark with no lights?

The Statues-Idols are kept in Karpa-Graha of the Temple.

• The term "karpa graha" refers to the sanctum sanctorum of a Hindu temple, also known by the Sanskrit term garbhagriha . In Tamil, it is called karuvarai, which means "womb chamber," derived from the words "karu" (foetus) and "arai" (room).
• I’m not sure what is reality behind the closure of Karpa-Graha without any light nor celebrating the Statues-Idols in Karpa-Graha using Lamps-Lights-Sounds on specific days of the year.
• There should be wider meaning for the timely celebration and closure of temples on-time and every-time.
• Exception: Few temples are just opened for once in year or once in 14 years, many temples are opened daily.
• For Instance, Sabarimala Temple do manage a specific calendar for the opening and closure of Temple.

What are the lesser known tourist destinations in South India?

 Pichavaram Mangrove Forest!

Most of us know that the world's biggest mangrove forest is Sundarbans spread in West Bengal and Bangladesh.

But majority doesn't know that the second largest mangrove forests is also in India. It's the Pichavaram mangrove forest in Tamil Nadu.

The forest is spread about 1100 acres and there are more than 400 routes for boating. The forest is known for its richness in biodiversity. It houses some endangered species of plants and birds.

Snakes could surprise you during your boat ride. As you go inside the forest, it would get denser and you could feel the thrill and the adventure.

This place has not become a commercial tourist destination yet. I wish this place remain underrated and unknown to the humans of the world. Let this place remain free from us!

What are the specials in South Indian Nashta?

 South Indian tiffin has so many specials but kanna!!! the SUPERSTAR OF SOUTH INDIAN TIFFIN IS DOSA.

• Plain Dosa

• Masala Dosa

•Mysore masala dosa

• Kal Dosai

• Ghee Roast

• Paper Dosa

• Adai Dosa

• Rava Dosa

• Ragi Dosa

• Madurai Kari Dosai

• Podi Dosai

• Egg Dosai

• Onion Dosa

• Set Dosa

• Wheat Dosa

• Coconut Dosa

• Paneer Dosa

South India - divided by states but united by dosa.

Dear readers,

If I had forgotten any dosa please feel free to comment

What are the specials in South Indian Nashta?

 Here’s a quick (and slightly nostalgic) tour of what we usually have at home 👇

Puttu (Rice cake)

The king of Kerala breakfasts.

We usually have this with kadala curry (black chickpeas) or sometimes green lentil curry.

If we run out of curry, no problem — we Mallus are resourceful. Just grab a banana, or a pappadam, and you’re sorted.

If you like a non-veg twist, it pairs beautifully with fish curry, chicken curry, or beef curry.

👉 My favourite combo: puttu with molakitta meen curry (spicy fish curry) — or just with pappadam when nothing else is available!

Vellappam/Kallappam

Made from fermented rice dough. When kallu (toddy) is used for fermentation, it becomes kallappam.

We eat it with all the gravies mentioned above, plus chicken stew or vegetable stew (usually made with potatoes and coconut milk).

👉 My go-to combo: vellappam with kadala curry or molakitta meen curry. I will soak the appam by pouring the curry over it and leave it for a minute.

Kanji and Payaru

Ah, childhood memories!
A simple rice porridge (kanji) served with payaru upperi/thoran (green gram stir fry) and chutta pappadam (roasted pappadam).

Sometimes, we add coconut chutney or mango chammanthi on the side

Back in the day, we didn’t even bother with spoons. We used jackfruit leaves folded into a makeshift spoon. 😄

Idli and Dosa

Not going deep into these, since most people already know them. But yes, they’re part of our regular breakfasts too.

Noolputtu (Stringhoppers)

Another rice-based dish. Usually eaten with vegetable stew, but honestly, it tastes amazing with fish curry, chicken curry, egg curry, or kadala curry.

Uppumavu

Our go-to breakfast when groceries are low or we just want something quick.
I used to hate it as a kid, but now I actually enjoy it!

It’s great with banana, pappadam, or pickle.

From My Wife’s Malabar Side 🍛

After marriage, I discovered some gems from the Malabar region — and they’re now part of my favorites too!

Nice pathiri

Made from rice, these are very thin and soft — I can easily eat 10 in one go 😅
Usually served with fish curry or chicken curry, but my top pick is fish curry all the way!

Katti pathiri

This one’s thick and full of flavour. The dough is made from rice flour, grated coconut, shallots, curry leaves, and green chilies — coconut is a must!

It goes well with any curry, but honestly, I love eating it just as it is, for that rich coconut taste.

Also, a special mention for the Tamil Nadu-style kichadi — with vegetables and a bit of ghee magic. I actually make that for my family now. Adulting, huh? 😅

Kerala breakfasts are not just about filling your stomach — they’re about starting the day right.
Each dish has its own story, its own memory, and that unique “amma’s touch” that no restaurant can ever replicate. ❤️

PC: All photos taken from the internet.

Which dynasty in South India was famous for the construction of chariot temples?

 Many of them are aware of the SUN konark temple in ODISSA that is a famous Chariot temple as well as a temple for calculating the time.

But in South there is temple called AIRAVATESHWARA temple in DARASURAM near Kumbakonam, built by the great Cholas .This temple is known for its stunning architecture and is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites in INDIA.This famous temple stands as a architectural marvel among the great CHOLA living temples in TAMIL NADU.

Yes,this temple which was built by the chola dynasty is a Chariot temple and a temple for time.Built by Raja Raja Chola in 12th century.

A wheel which can be used for calculating time.

Legend of the temple:

Here ,Lord shiva is worshipped by Airavata , the white elephant of the King of the Devars, Deva Indra.The King of Death, Yama also worshipped Lord Shiva here.

The Airavatesvara Shiva temple has a water tank. This tank has a connected channel that brings in Cauveri River water where devotees gather annually to take a dip. The mythology narrates how Airavata, or Indra's white elephant wich was cursed by Sage Durvasa(a sage whose power increases as he bestows curses)was restored with clean, white skin after he took a dip in this tank. This legend is carved in stone in the inner shrine, and this Indra's elephant gives this temple its name.

This temple is built in the shape of a chariot having wheels(these wheels act as a clock) and there are 24 spokes on these wheels denoting 24 hours in a day and using the science behind this wheels one can find the time of the day.

Yaali -A mystic animal that is portrayed in many South Indian temples

Not only that this temples has many sculptures telling about the stories of ancient times .This temple is known for the 3D sculptures which gives a different perspective for viewers.

See in this above scuplture, you can see both bull and a elephant having same head but the prespective to all.

A women having one head but three differnt body postures.

Though this temple is small than the other Chola temples,this temple has more scuptures of intricate designs.The Vijayanagara empire and the Pandyas are known for the building up of musical pillars but the cholas have designed musical steps.

I think everyone who tours Tamil Nadu should surely visit this temple .

What are some interesting facts about South Indian temples?

 Vaishnava philosopher and guru Ramanujacharya original body preserved inside Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Tiruchinarpalli since 1137 CE.

Sri Ramajunacharya was an exponent of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism.

Ramanuja’s thiruvarasu (sacred burial shrine) is the Ramanuja shrine (sannidhi) located inside the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple.

Sandalwood paste and saffron are used to maintain the body and no other chemicals are added.

Twice a year, a coat of camphor mixed with saffron, which produces ochre/orange tint on the preserved body and this tradition has been practiced for more than 878 years.

His body is placed behind his idol and is open for darshan to all devotees.

One can notice nails on fingers, and original eyes which indicate that it is actually a human body.

His physical body is placed in the southwest corner on the fifth round within the Srirangam temple as ordered by Lord Ranganatha himself.

Even many Srivaishnavas are not aware that in Srirangam, their holiest place hailed as ‘ Bhuloka Vaikuntam‘ ( Heaven on Earth) lies preserved the body of Sri Ramanuja in all its pristine state unostentatiously, without any fanfare or publicity and without using any of the chemical preservatives used for the Egyptian and Goan mummies.

The egyptian mummies are kept in sleeping position and wrapped in cloth after applying several layers of chemicals.

But Ramanujacharya original body is kept in normal sitting position and open to all for viewing.

This is the only instance where an actual human body is kept inside a hindu temple for so many years.

Ramanujacharya original body preserved in Srirangam Temple -

In the year 1017 A.D., Ramanuja was born in the village of Perumbudur, about twenty-five miles west of Madras. His father was Kesava Somayaji and his mother was Kantimathi, a very pious and virtuous lady. Ramanuja’s Tamil name was Ilaya Perumal. Quite early in life, Ramanuja lost his father.

Then he came to Kancheepuram to persue his study of the Vedas under one Yadavaprakasha, a teacher of Advaita philosophy.

Ramanuja had re-installed Govindaraja idol in Tirupati, which was initially thrown into sea by Kulotthunga Chola, a Saivaite.

He attained his Acharyan Thiruvadi (the lotus foot of his Acharya) in Lord Ranganatha temple at Srirangam and ever since, Ramanujacharya original body was mummified and preserved there.

Source- Google.

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