Ashley Madison Winter Map Shows Surprising Dominance of Tamil Nadu Cities for Discreet Relationships
2nd Dec 2025, India: With the winter chills setting in, the inclination to explore the discreet relationships, emotional spaces and shared intimacy is increasing, especially in South India. Ashley Madison, the world's leading platform for discreet relationships, mapped the top Indian cities that are highlighting a rising indulgence in discreet relationships. While New Delhi claimed the top position, 8 out of the top 10 cities (per capita) are located in Tamil Nadu (TN).
Even though the country’s capital, New Delhi, leads the list, non-metro cities like Vellore, Coimbatore, Thanjavur, Dindigul, Thoothukudi, Erode, Tirunelveli and Salem from Tamil Nadu follow closely. The surge in the sign-ups for discreet relationships in regional spaces that are often considered culturally traditional indicates evolving definitions of relationships and commitment among the younger or middle-aged population, or a heightened desire for discretion in largely close-knit communities.
The new rankings reinforce the trend previously seen, where the temple town of Kanchipuram took the #1 spot in the summer. The latest data indicates that this growing interest in discreet relationships has a majority of the top-ranking cities originating from the state of Tamil Nadu. The dominance of these Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities over major metros suggests that the desire to redefine relationships further from the traditional understanding, is now deeply rooted beyond India's urban centers.
“We are seeing a clear shift in the narrative with a surprising cultural evolution in regions like Tamil Nadu. The presence of so many cities from the region in the top ranks suggests that while the communities here may be close-knit and traditional in nature, individuals are finding a safe and discreet outlet to explore their individuality and desires that their primary relationship may not necessarily fulfill. Seeing so many non-metro cities is a strong indication of growing personal autonomy,” says Dr. Tammy Nelson, Relationship Expert and Consultant at Ashley Madison.
Paul Keable, Chief Strategy Officer at Ashley Madison, adds, "This data tells a compelling story of regional adoption. The significant presence of these Southern Indian cities at the top, demonstrates that the curiosity and need for relationship alternatives are becoming universal in India. Where Kanchipuram led the charge last time in the summer, a full cohort of non-metro Tamil Nadu cities is now showing that the desire to explore intimacy on one's own terms is a powerful and growing nationwide movement."
The attached map offers a visual snapshot of India’s most curious and discreetly explorative cities this season, showcasing how approaches to relationships are being redefined around the country.
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