Overview
South India is first choice of religious interest traveler. There are several
places that are referred to as the temple towns. Some major Highlight of this
temple tours are world famous religious temples of Madurai, trichy and Tanjore.
Day 01 Chennai
Departure Flight to Chennai.
Day 02 Chennai
Arrive Chennai On arrival, assistance and transfer to hotel.
Day 03 Chennai
Full day excursion of Tirupati - it is one of the most important and among the
richest temples of South India. It is famed for the shrine on the - Seven Hills
- of Tirumala which attract millions of pilgrims from all over India.
Picturesquely situated amidst sacred waterfalls and tanks, the shrine presents a
fine example of early Dravidian art. In front of it is the -Hall of Pillars-
from where an attractive stepped way leads to the temple.
Day 04 Chennai - Mahabalipuram
Drive to Mahabalipuram enroute visiting Kanchipuram - it is the ancient capital
of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The
first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has
paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and
Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.
On arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon visit Mahabalipuram - it is famous for
the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock
hewn temples which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture.
Day 05 Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry
Drive to Pondicherry - this erstwhile French colony on the east coast of South
India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry
is the place where St. Agasthaya settled down. Enroute visit Tiruvannaamalai - a
pilgrim centre with an ancient temple of Lord Shiva.
On arrival, check in at hotel.
Day 06 Pondicherry
Morning visit Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10 kms north of
Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis
of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. Afternoon
visit Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a
new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in
harmony.
Day 07 Pondicherry - Tanjore
Drive to Tanjore enroute visiting Chidambaram also called as Thillai, which has
the famous Nataraja temple with the root
of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with
golden plates is located in the centre of the town covering an area of 40 acres.
In this temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in
sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer.
On arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon visit Tanjore, once the capital of
Chola Kings, has the Brahadeswara temple (or the big temple of God). The temple
tower rises to a height of 15mts from a square base of 29 mts and then tapers
off, making a total of 66mts.
Day 08 Tanjore - Trichy
Drive to Trichy and check in at hotel.
Afternoon visit the city. Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli, situated on the
banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim
centre. Visit the famous Rock fort and its temple at a height of over 23mts.
Also visit Srirangam and Jambukeshwar Temple.
Day 09 Trichy - Madurai
Drive to Madurai and check in at hotel. The ancient city of
Madurai some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of Vaigai as a lotus flower
with the Meenakshi temple in the centre. Afternoon visit the city - Meenakshi
temple, King Tirumala's Place, Great Tank and Gandhi museum.
Day 10 Madurai
Full day excursion of Rameshwaram - the most sacred temple
town of India is an island hallowed by the epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama is
said to have visited before going to battle of Srilanka. Legend has it that Lord
Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring a Lingam for worship when he set
foot after defeating Ravana. As Hanuman did not return when the auspicious hour
was approaching, Sita made a sand Lingam so that worship could be performed in
time, which is where the present day Ramanatha Swamy Temple stands close to sea
on the eastern side of the island. One of the twelve Jyotirlingam shrines is
also well known for its magnificent corridors and the massive sculptured pillars
lining them. Lunch at local restaurant.
Day 11 Madurai - Trivandrum
Drive to Trivandrum and check in at hotel. Afternoon at
leisure.
Day 12 Trivandrum
Excursion of Kanyakumari - is the land's end of India where
the water of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. An
important pilgrim centre of India, it is famous for the Amman Temples - a symbol
of unity and sanctity - dedicated to the virgin Goddess, Kanya Kumari. To its
South - East lies the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a blend of all the
architectural styles of India.
Day 13 Trivandrum - Chennai
Transfer to airport to connect flight for Chennai. On
arrival, assistance and transfer to hotel.
Day 14 Chennai Departure
Morning city tour visiting Gandhi Memorial, Kala Kshetra, Mylapore temple and
Marine beach. Check out at 1200 hrs. Transfer to airport to connect flight for
onward journey.
End of Services
TOUR LODGING INFO:
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