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Chennai music and dance festival is a celebration of classical music and dance of South India (Carnatic Music) held during mid December to mid January in the capital city of Chennai. The festival is held at a number of venues around the city by various organizations.
Chennai music and dance festival is a celebration of classical music and dance of South India held during mid December to mid January in the capital city of Chennai. Besides the auditoriums, well-known temple premises and heritage bungalows are being used as venues. The month long dance and music extravaganza will have performances of famous artistes from various parts of India.
The 'Chennai festival of dance and music' started early back in 1927, to commemorate the anniversary of Madras Music Academy every December, was later adopted by various
organizations which held art festivals in different parts of the city. The Tamil month of
'Margazhi' is a sacred month of the Hindus. South Indian classical music (Carnatic Music), which has its roots in devotion to the gods, has been a traditional form of worship from time immemorial.
Program
Day 1 : Cochin Arrival
Fly to Cochin. On arrival in Cochin, you will be Greeted and Escorted by Indo Asia Tour Executive to your Hotel. On arrival at hotel check in. (Room will be available from 1200 Noon) Cochin or Kochi, as it is called now, is till date influenced by medieval Portugal, Holland and England. The city displays a blend of different pe
ople and architecture and it is one place where you can see a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, Dutch architecture, Mosques, Hindu temples and Chinese fishing nets all in one day.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 2 : Cochin
After breakfast visit St. Francis Church built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars where Vasco da Gama was buried for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon. Nearby is the Mattancherry Palace or "Dutch Palace". The central hall on the Ist floor was the coronation hall of the rajas of Kochi. Also visit Jew City with the Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, with hand-painted,willow-pattern floor tiles brought from Canton in the mid-18th century by a Rabbi, who had trading interest in that city. Evening enthrall yourself with a special presentation of the colorfully costumed Kathakali Dance Drama. This mask dance form is originally from Kerala and 1500 years old. This classical dance has 24 mudras expressing the nine emotions of serenity, wonder, kindness, love, valour, fear, contempt, loathing and anger. Usually performed by males.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 3 : Cochin - Backwater
After breakfast drive to the jetty to board Houseboat (Kettuvallom) on the World famous
Backwaters of Kerala.
"Kettu" literally means to tie up and "Vallom" means " boats". The boats played a major role in the economic development of ancient Kerala, moving cargo and men from the very nook and corner of otherwise unreachable area, cutting across the length and breadth of the land.
Enjoy your overnight stay in Kettuvallom.
Day 4 : Backwater - Periyar
After breakfast board down the Jetty and drive to drive to Periyar. Periyar National Park is a unique wildlife sanctuary and is about 780 sq. km centered around an artificial lake fed by the Periyar River.
On arrival check in at the hotel
Later we take you on a fascinating and informative visit to several neighboring spice and tea plantation as well as smaller-scale spice gardens whose owners pride themselves on their adaptation of organic farming methods, including the use of methane gas produced from cow dung to provide energy for their household needs. A must for any one who cares for taste and flavors, the spice plantation visit enables you to get a deeper understanding of how the spice used in everyday cooking throughout the world are grown, harvested, and processed before they find their way to your local supermarket. The visit also provides you with a first hand idea on the wonderful world of spices and its history, cultivation, medicinal values, economics, etc.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 5 : Periyar - Madurai
After breakfast drive to Madurai.
Madurai, the cultural capital of Tamilnadu with the Dravidian culture reached its zenith in art, architecture, palaces and temple buildings. Once the capital of powerful Nayaka kings, a bustling city packed with pilgrims, businessmen, bullock carts and legions of rickshaw pullers.
On arrival transfer to the Hotel.
In the evening visit Meenakshi temple to watch the night ceremony, which is a hive of activity, colorfully decorated temple elephant, flower sellers and performances by musicians.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 6 : Madurai
After breakfast visit the city that offers a grand ceremonial tank of water called Mariamma with its temple in the middle.
Visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a palace in Indo-Saracenic style built in 1636, with huge domes and 240 columns rising to 12 m, a beautiful garden and an attached museum. The celestial Pavilion an arcaded octagonal structure is curiously constructed in brick and mortar without any supporting rafters.
Also visit the famous Meenakshi Temple that is an outstanding example of Vijaynagar temple architecture. Meenakshi, the fish eyed goddess and the consort of Shiva has a temple to the south and Sundareswarar (Shiva) a temple to the west. One of the biggest temples of India. Its nine "Gopuram" Temple towers (23-30m) have wonderful stucco images of gods, goddesses and animals from the Hindu mythology.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 7 : Madurai - Trichy - Tanjore
After breakfast drive to Tanjjore.
Enroute visit Trichy / Tiruchirapalli whose skyline is dominated by the Rock Fort temple. The temple can be reached by a steep flight of steps cut into a tunnel through the rock.
On arrival visit Sri Rangam; the superb temple complex spread over an island in the Cauvery River. Later drive Tanjore. On arrival transfer to then hotel and check in.
Tanjore, once an old capital of the mighty Chola kings. Nowadays, Thanjavur is famous for its mighty Shiva temples, its Chola bronzes in the Sarasvati Palace Museum and furthermore it is one of the most famous centres of pilgrimage for the Christians, as Thanjavur is only some kilometres away from Vailankanni. Our Lady of Good Health, popularly called "Our Lady of Vailankanni" is in the small town of Vailankanni (with 5,000 residents) located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 8 : Tanjore - Mahabalipuram
After breakfast visit the famous Brihadeshwara temple at Tanjore constructed by the Chola Rajendra I in the 10th Cent. The temple is considered to be the culmination of the classic architecture in South India. Later drive to Mahabalipuram.
Mahabalipuram, the second capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. This tiny sea - side village of Mahabalipuram, is set in a boulder - strewn landscape. The sculpture, here, is particularly interesting because it shows scenes of day-to- day life, in contrast with the rest of the state of Tamil Nadu, where the carvings generally depict gods and goddesses.
On arrival transfer to the Hotel
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 9 : Mahabalipuram
After breakfast visit the historical sites of the sea-side resort of Mahabalipuram: "City of Seven Pagodas". The ancient Pallava port of Mamallapuram and its 7th century rock-hewn monuments, magnificent rock temples and carvings transport you to the yesteryears. Visit the Five Rathas (chariots) ceremonial chariots, rock-cut monoliths, named after the 5 Pandavas - heroes of the Mahabharata epic and Draupadi their wife.
Next proceed to the Shore Temple by the sea surrounded by gardens designed according to descriptions of the original layout from ancient times. Built in sandstone in the 7th century.
Also visit Bhagiratha's Penance which is a bas- relief (27m X 9m) sculptured on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks. It depicts the penance of Arjuna alongwith myraid characters from the Mahabharata, realistic life-size figures of animals, gods and saints watching the descent of the river goddess Ganga to Earth.
Afternoon is free.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 10 : Mahabalipuram - Chennai
After breakfast check out at 1200 Noon. Later drive to Chennai
Chennai formerly Madras, is the capital of Tamil Nadu state. The city traces its origin to 1639 when Francis Day a trader with the British East India Company, built a trading post - Fort St. George, near the village of Madraspatnam. Today Chennai is the fourth largest city of India
with a population of 9 million people. Also called as "Hollywood of India" it is the center for making South Indian films.
On arrival check into the hotel
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 11 : Chennai
After breakfast enjoy a tour of Chennai. Visit Kapaleshvara Temple in Mylapore, dedicated to God Shiva and offers a good example of South Indian colourful temple architecture. Fort St. George - a British trading post and powerful bastion and entrance to South India. The 16th century Portuguese old Cathedral of St. Thomas Church in which the remnants of St. Thomas is buried who came to India in 52 AD.
Pass by the University built in Indo-sarscenic style, as well as 5 km long Marina Beach, a lovely esplanade by the sea, and National Museum with sculptures from Pallava, Pandava and Chola time which houses archaeology, art, exceptionally beautiful bronzes statues, with exhibits of stone and iron age.Later witness the dance festival.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 12 : Chennai
Day free to enjoy the Dance festival.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 13 : Chennai - Departure
On time transfer to the International Airport to board the flight for onwards journey
End of Services
Hotels
TOUR LODGING INFO: 12 Nights Hotels
| Places | Nights | 04 & 05 Star Hotels |
Cochin |
02 Nights |
Adab Atrium |
Backwater |
01 Night |
Athira House Boat |
Periyar |
01 Night |
Muthoot Cardamom County |
Madurai |
02 Nights |
Fortune Pandiyan Hotel |
Tanjore |
01 Night |
Parisutham Hotel |
Mahabalipuram |
02 Night |
Ideal Beach Resort |
| Chennai | 03 Night | Radha Regent |
Rates
Tour Prices
| Category | Currency | 04 star & A* |
| Per Person on twin sharing basis | USD | 1219 |
PRICE INFO AND VALIDITY:
* The above quote is valid for the mentioned paying persons only
* The above rates are based on presently prevailing taxes and entrances to the monuments. If there is any change, prices will also change accordingly.
* Given rates are based on present rate of exchange and incase of fluctuation they may change.
* In case of waitlisted booking we have to hold the alternate, for which we will advise the supplement OR reduction accordingly.
Cost includes:
• Double room on twin sharing basis on bed & breakfast basis..
• All transfers and sight seeing by air-conditioned Vehicle.
• Services of German / English Speaking local guides in each city for sightseeing as per the itinerary.
• Public boat ride in Varanasi
• Train fare from Delhi to Jhansi in AC Chair Car.
• Train fare from Varanasi to Kolkata in 02nd AC
• 05.15% Service Tax on Accommodation
• 2.575% Service Tax on Package.
Cost does not include:
• Any airport taxes.
• Any airfares.
• Any new tax imposed by the Government.
• Any entrances
• Any meals other than specified
• Any expenditure of personal nature such as tips, drinks, telephone charges, laundry etc.
IMP
• Incase of waitlisted booking we have to hold the alternate, for which we will advise the supplement OR reduction accordingly.
• The above rates are based on presently prevailing taxes and entrances to the monuments. If there is any change, prices will also change accordingly.
• Check in and check out time is 1200 Hrs noontime.
• In case of fluctuations in the Rate of Exchange, the above-mentioned prices will change.
