South Indian Temples Tour (13 Days)
Chennai | Mahabalipuram | Pondicherry | Thanjavur |
Trichy | Madurai | Kanyakumari
Day 01 : Arrive Chennai
Arrive
Chennai airport & transfer to your hotel. Chennai -also known as Madras,
the fourth largest city in India and the capital of Tamil Nadu. For more
than 2000 years the area has been popular with seafarers, spice traders and
cloth merchants. For travelers with an interest in the colonial history of
India, Chennai has much worth exploring and abundant transport operations
make other parts of the country readily accessible. Evening is free for
relax. Overnight stay in Chennai.
Day 02 : City Tour
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Chennai visit Fort ST.
Geroge, Marina Beach - the second longest beach in the world, Light House -
massive tall structure situated at south end of the Marina Beach, San Thome
Basilica, Birla Planiorium, Kalakshetra (Temple of Art), Government Museum.
Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay in Chennai.
Day 03 : Chennai - Mahabalipuram (58 kms )
Today after breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram. Enroute visit Kanchipuram -
The city forms an integral part of the golden triangle of the Southern
India. This sacred city is a beautiful place in India with temples in the
every nook and corner. This Golden City of Temples was believed to be one of
the most important centers of Hindu religion and also the most attractive
one. The place is considered a part of India's seven sacred cities and
second holiest after Varanasi. Today visit Ekambareswarar temple, Vaikunta
Perumal Temple, Varadaraja Temple & Kailasanathar Temple. Continue your
drive to Mahabalipuram & check in. Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.
Day 04 : City Tour
Today
after breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram is one of
history's intriguing enigmas. Was a flourishing port town of the Pallava
rulers of South India who chiselled in stone a fabulous open-air museum of
sculptures under the vault of a burning sky. You visit the Shore Temple and
the five rathas (chariots). These structures are the forerunners of the
Draviddian style of architecture that evolved later. In Mahabalipuram there
are the excavated rock temples that are anomalously called "Mandapas".
The Mahishamardhani and the Adivaraha are the two most remarkable of them.
The Mahishamardhani contains on walls facing each other two of the most
superb sculptural reliefs known to Indian art, both connected with each
other in their common scriptural source. Rocks have been scooped out to make
cave temples and rock-cut shrines. This singular feature enhances its
magnificence manifold. Rock surfaces have been filled with bas-reliefs and
panels crowded with a cavalcade of men, gods and animals, their figures and
movements breathtakingly realistic. Evening is free to laze on the beach.
Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.
Day 05 : Drive Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (130 kms)
Today drive to Pondicherry - It was a French settlement comprising of
Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam besides Pondicherry . It is today a union territory
where the French connection on the architecture and culture of the place is
strongly visible result of the centuries-old relation with the French power.
Enroute visit Gingee (Senji) - The Fort of Gingee contructed mainly in the
16th century by the Vijaynagars & Tiruvannamalai - Small town is an
important Shaivite town, where Shiva is revered as Arunachaleswar as aspect
of fire. Visit the Arunachaleswar temple - covers some 10 hectares and is
one of the largest in India . Shrines throughout the temple depict the
Arunachala legends & Ramanasraman Ashram - Located at the foot of Mt
Arunachala the Ramanasramam Ashram draws devotees of Sri Ramana Maharshi, a
guru who died in 1950, after 50 years in peaceful & mainly silent
contemplation. Arrive & check in. Later visit the Pondicherry Museum,
Church of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Sacred Heart Church, Sri
Manakula Vinayagar Temple , Sri Aurobindo Handmade Paper Factory &
Botanical gardens. Overnight stay in Pondicherry.
Day 06 : Pondicherry - Thanjavur (177 kms )
Today drive to Tanjore. Enroute visit Chidambaram - 60 kms south of
Pondicherry has great temple complex of Natraja, the dancing Shiva is
another architectural highlight. Visit Nataraja Temple & Pichavaram
Later visit Kumbakonam - The city is famous for the Mahamaham festival that
is celebrated once in 12 years. The town has also been well - known for its
prestigious educational institutions which have turned out eminent stalwarts
in diverse spheres. The town is famous for brass vessels. Visit The
Sarangapani Temple , Kumbeshwara Temple & Nageshwara Temples. Later
visit to Swamimalai - One of the six renowned abodes of Lord Subramanya. The
temple is built on an artificial hill and is approached by a flight of
steps. The presiding deity is worshipped as Swaminathan. Late evening arrive
Tanjore & check in. Overnight stay in Tanjore.
Day 07 : City Tour
Today
after breakfast proceed for a sightseeing tour of Tanjore - the capital of
the powerful Chola dynasty. Today, it is the little town set amidst the lush
green rice fields of the Cauvery delta. Magnificent temples, still bear
witness to the splendour of Chola architecture. Visit the Brihadeeswarar
temple - the huge Shiva lingam and a stone sculpture of the Nandi bull
within this ancient temple are simply spectacular. There is a shrine
dedicated to the Lord Subramanya within the temple compound. A unique
feature of this temple is that the 'Vimana' does not cast its shadow in any
direction at noon or any other phase of the day. The Brihadeeswarar Temple
is also counted among the tallest temples in the world. The
Gangaikondacolapuram temple is also an important tourist attraction. The
Tanjore temple is well known for its two gopuras oriented in the same
direction. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay in Tanjore.
Day 08 : Drive Thanjavur - Trichy (48 kms )
After a relaxed breakfast drive to Trichy - Situated on the banks of the
river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of
the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. Trichy is a fine blend of
tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Trichy has several
beautiful temples, churches and a large number of scenic spots Its long
history goes back to before Christian era when it was Chola Cidatel. Arrive
& check in. Overnight stay in Trichy.
Day 09 : City Tour
Today proceed for a sightseeing tour of Trichy visiting Rock Fort -
Situated in the center of the city on top of an 83 m high rock, housing the
famous Vinayakar Temple. The Sri Ranganathaswami Temple, considered as the
largest temple complex in the country, is another most important tourist
attraction of Trichy. On your tours to Trichy, you can also visit the 19th
century St John's Church - Built in 1812, this Church has louvered doors,
which when opened, turns the church into an airy pavilion. Jambukeshwara
Temple - An important place of worship, it is one amongst the Jothirlinga
states of lord Shiva is seen in a form of linga and he is partially
submerged in water. Underneath the linga form of Shiva a spring comes and is
a divine gift of the god. Archeological surveys prove that this was built in
the same time when Renganatha Swamy temple was built. Natarwala Dargah -
dedicated to a popular 17th century Muslim saint Natar Shah, Government
Museum - The rare collections in the sections of Geology, Zoology,
Paintings, Anthropology, Epigraphy, Historical Records, etc., are very
interesting. Mukkombu - A wonderful picnic spot & Viralimalai Peacock
Sanctuary - situated in a small town, at a distance of 30-kms from Trichy.
It is famous for its Murugan temple and the Peacock sanctuary. This scenic
town is bestowed with a good number of wild peacocks, which roam around the
Murugan temple. Trichy is also popular for its Float Festival. Trichy also
offers exciting shopping experiences to its visitors. On your tours to
Trichy, you can shop for cheroots, cigars, handicrafts, brassware, jewelry
and carpets. Evening return to hotel & relax. Overnight stay in Trichy.
Day 10 : Drive Trichy - Madurai ( 201 kms / 5 hrs)
Drive
to Madurai - One of the oldest cities in South India, Madurai has been the
centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Spread along the rocky
banks of the river Vaigai in the state of Tamil Nadu, this modern industrial
city is today famous as a temple town. Arrive & check in. Evening attend
aarti / ceremonies at the famous Meenakshi temple. Overnight stay at Madurai
Day 11 : Drive Madurai - Kanyakumari (235 kms )
After an early breakfast drive to Kanyakumari - is the 'Land's End' of
India. Here, the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.
It is also a popular pilgrimage destination and of great spiritual
significance to Hindus. it is dedicated to the goddess Devi Kanya, the
Youthful Virgin, who is an incarnation of Devi, siva's wife. Arrive &
check in. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay in Kanyakumari.
Day 12 : City Tour
Today after breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing tour of Kanyakumari.
Visit Kumari Amman Temple - Picturesquely situated overlooking the shore,
this temple and the nearby ghat attract tourist. Gandhi Memorial - Next to
the Kumari Amman Temple, this striking memorial stored the Mahatma's ashes
until they were immersed in the sea. Vivekananda Memorial - This memorial is
on two rocky islands projecting from the sea about 400 m offshore. Evening
is free for relax. Overnight stay in Kanyakumari.
Day 13 : Departure
Early today transfer to Trivandrum airport for flight to onward
destination.
End of a memorable tour !!!
Tariff Chart :
| Destination |
Standard Hotels |
Tour cost per person
Validity : May to Sep 2008
Request for rates valid Oct 2008 onwards |
Us $ 1050
(twin sharing) |
| Chennai |
Vijay Park |
| Mahabalipuram |
MGM Beach Resort |
| Pondicherry |
Ananda Inn |
| Tanjore |
Oriental Towers |
| Trichy |
Jenny’s Residency |
| Madurai |
GRT Regency |
| Kanyakumari |
Singaar International |
Package Includes :
- Accommodation for 13 days / 12 nights in well appointed double room
- Daily breakfast at all hotels on tour
- Transportation by air conditioned Tata Indica car as per itinerary
- Services of local English speaking guide during sightseeing tour
- Driver allowances, fuel, parking interstate permits, toll charges &
Govt taxes
Package Excludes :
- Any air / train fare to destination on tour
- Meals other then specified
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Items of personal nature viz, laundry, tele con, mineral water,
insurance, etc
- Anything not specifically mentioned under package includes section
