Bound by green mountain ranges to the north, east and west, the Deccan Plateau is a dry, rocky tableland that forms the bulk of South India. Crisscrossed by ancient empires that left behind ruined cities and temples, raging rivers that tumble into tall waterfalls, and impressive wildlife that dwells in dense deciduous forests, the Deccan is geologically and historically distinct from the rest of India. The culturally rich cities of Mysore and Hyderabad anchor the region, and are the perfect places to begin your tour.
Deccan Plateau Cities
- Mysore, once the seat of a wealthy dynasty of Hindu maharajas, is known for its fantastical Amba Vilas palace complex, a riot of marble domes, sparkling mirrorwork and scalloped archways, as well as the ornate temples of Chamundi Hill, which draw hardy pilgrims and tourists to the 3,490-foot summit.In contrast, Hyderabad was long ruled by Muslim dynasties that left behind their own distinctly Islamic monuments and mosques. The Charminar, a minaret-topped gate, is the city’s most recognizable landmark, while the elaborately appointed Chowmahalla Palace gives a peek into the lives of the city’s former rulers.
Ruins of the Deccan
- Ancient Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist kingdoms have all contributed to the cultural heritage of the Deccan. The Hindu empire of Vijaynayagar had its empire at Hampi in present-day Karnataka, now a ruined city of stone temples and monuments set within a surreal, boulder-dotted landscape. Bijapur, also in Karnataka, is known for its Medieval Muslim architecture, including domed tombs, delicate shrines and crumbling fortress walls. And the Ajanta and Ellora caves, both near Aurangabad in Madhya Pradesh, feature fine mural work and carvings that reflect the Buddhist beliefs of that area’s past rulers.
- Natural Wonders
- With its furrowed, rocky topography, it’s no wonder the Deccan is home to some of India’s most spectacular waterfalls. As the Kaveri River tumbles over a crescent-shaped cliff in Tamil Nadu, it creates Hogenakkal Falls, a series of multiple cascades that are particularly impressive during the monsoon. And Jog Falls, on the Sharavathi River in Karnataka state, is India’s second-highest waterfall, plunging more than 800 feet to the pool below. But because the Sharavathi is dammed upriver from the falls, the flow is reduced to a trickle in the pre-monsoon spring months.
Wildlife Parks
- For a more immersive nature experience, you can join a safari in one of the Deccan’s wildlife preserves – and maybe spot an elusive elephant or Bengal tiger. Nagarhole National Park and Bandipur National Park, both near Mysore in southern Karnataka, are home to rare wildlife both large and small: leopards, tigers, Asian elephants, sloth bears and hundreds of species of birds. Wildlife is easiest to spot during the hot, dry months of April and May, but the parks are often closed during the monsoon months of July to October.
