Overview
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.
Cost
includes:
• Double room on twin sharing basis on bed & breakfast
basis, except at
Backwater where it will be on Full Board.
• 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.
• Khatakali Dance Show in Cochin
• Service Tax.
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.
11th,Dec 2011
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 people 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.
12th,Dec 2011 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.
13th,Dec 2011 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.
14th,Dec 2011
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.
15th,Dec 2011
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.
16th,Dec 2011 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.
17th,Dec 2011 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.
18th,Dec 2011 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.
19th,Dec 2011 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.
20th,Dec 2011 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.
21st,Dec 2011 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.
22nd,Dec 2011 Chennai
Day free to enjoy the Dance festival.
Overnight in the Hotel.
23rd,Dec 2011 Chennai - Departure
On time transfer to the International Airport to board the
flight for onwards journey
End of Services
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.
