Mammalapuram Shore Temple on the wild east coast is slowly being eroded away whilst inland, terra cotta horses are votive offerings to village deities. In Chidambaram, the temple celebrates Natural, Lord of the dance. Chettinad cuisine will tempt you, before the magic of Madurai and its stunning Meenakshi temple overwhelms you. Every night, witness Shiva, as a lingum, is carried through the temple to Meenakshi’s bedchamber, and every morning, music is played to wake them.

This is intense India.