World famous temple towns, slightly bigger than villages. The temples in
typical Dravidian style are excellent examples of traditional Hindu
architecture. These temples are the cream of what remains the most
artistically exuberant periods of Hindu cultural development. The wealth of
sculptural details on the temples make them easily the most outstanding
example of art and architecture. Every inch of the outside wall and much of
the interiors are covered with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages,
scenes from wars, hunting, agriculture, music and dance and some very
sensual sculptures explicitly portraying the amorous lifestyles of the
dancing girls. Also fascinating is the life outside the temples, which is
extremely busy and colourful. Pilgrims, bare feet with horizontal or
vertical sandalwood paste smearing on their foreheads and wearing
traditionally coloured saffron or black pilgrim's costumes move in and out
of the temple complex with flowers and other offerings in their hands. The
pavement flower shops, shops selling religious artefacts, the fruit and tea
stalls with pilgrims flocking around, add colour and character to the place
