Temples of South - 14 Days
Chennai - Tirupati - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Palani - Rameshwaram - Kanyakumari - Trivandrum.
Thousands of temples with lofty towers dot the skyline of the southernmost state of Tamilnadu in India. These temples are torchbearers of the glorious heritage of the Tamil speaking region, and are repositories of the magnificient art forms that evolved over several centuries. Several of these temples have been glorified by the ancient tamil hymns of the 1st millennium CE.
Day 01 ARRIVE CHENNAI
Arrive Chennai - the gateway to southern India, established in 1639 by the East India Company, is one of the oldest cities of the country. Assistance and transfer to hotelMeeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon visit The Kalikambal temple located in Thambu Chetty Street in the heart of George Town in the business district of Chennai is among the most visited temples in the meteropolis. The Marina beach, stretched over an area of 13 km, is the second longest beach in Asia. One of the many old temples of Chennai is the Parthasarthi temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Built in the 8th century BC by the Pallavas, the temple was renovated in the 16th century by the Vijaynagar kings. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 CHENNAI - TIRUPATI
Drive to Tirupati (154 kms/03hrs 30min)- A temple and pilgrim town. Located at the foot of the Tirumala Hills on which the ancient and beautiful temple of Lord Venkateshwara stands. Spread over seven hills, this township is the most picturesque pilgrimage centre in the south. On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 TIRUPATI - MAHABALIPURAM
Early morning drive to LORD BALAJI TEMPLE. One must see the fervor with which the devotees stand in long queues for a glimpse of their Lord. Masses of coins, jewelry & hair are received as offerings. Return to hotel for Breakfast. Drive to Mahabalipuram (230 kms/05 hrs). on arrival check-in at hotel.
Day 04 MAHABALIPURAM
Morning excursion to Kanchipuram 65 kms/01 hrs 30min)- 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. Lunch at local restaurant and later drive to Back to Mahabalipuram.
Afternoon visit the city - built in 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipooram, this ancient Pallava port, is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town , shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone. The only shore temple which remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum. Overnight at hotel
Day 05 MAHABALIPURAM - PONDICHERRY
After breakfast drive to Tiruvannamallai (112kms/03hrs)- a pilgrim centre with an ancient temple of Lord Shiva. Proceed to Pondicherry (131kms/ 3hrs 30min), which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. 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. On arrival at Pondicherry check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 PONDICHERRY - TANJORE
After breakfast drive to visit Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10kms 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. Drive to Tanjore (200 kms/04 hrs 30min)enroute visit Chidambaram(65kms/1.5hrs) 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. Continue drive to Tanjore. on arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 TANJORE - TRICHY
After Breakfast visit Temples - 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. Drive to Trichy (55 ksm/01hr30min) short name of Trichurapalli, situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim centre, it is famous for Ranganath temple at Srirangam. On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 TRICHY - MADURAI
After breakfast visit Rock fort and its temple at a height of over 23mts. Also visit Srirangam and Jambukeshwar Temple. Drive to Madurai (140 kms/03 hrs)- The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the centre. On arrival check-in at hotel. Evening witness puja ceremony at Meenakshi temple- an excellent example of Dravidian Architecture, the Meenakshi Temple attracts devotees from all over India and Tourist from all over the world. One can climb to the southern Gopuram of the temple to get a great view of the city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 MADURAI
Morning excursion to Palanimalai temple - 118-km from Madurai is the temple dedicated to Lord Subramanyam. The temple is located on top of a hill 180 meter high. The temple attracts many devotees and people coming to Madurai do not miss visiting Palani. From the hill top one gets an excellent view of the nearby area. Return to Madurai. Late afternoon visit Koodal Azhaar Temple one of the most ancient temples in Madurai, Koodal Azhagar temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In this temple he is seen in various postures sitting, standing, reclining one over the other. There are intricate woodcarvings in here, including one of Lord Rama's coronation. Azhagar Koil Temple- This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located 18-km northeast of Madurai on a picturesque hilltop. The gold image of Azhagar travels for the Celestial marriage during the Chithirai festival. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 MADURAI
After breakfast excursion to Rameshwaram - the pilgrimage has long been a tradition in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, and has passed into folklore. Many kings of old prided themselves on having planted columns of victory in Rameshwaram-Krishna III the Rashtrakuta, in the 10th century; the Hoysala, Vishnuvardhana, in the 12th century. Return to Madurai for overnight.
Day 11 MADURAI - KANYAKUMARI
After breakfast drive to Kanyakumari (250 kms/06 hrs) at the southern most land tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, lies Kannyakumari, an important pilgrim centre. annyakumari is famous for its beach and the spectacular sunrises and sunsets, especially on full moon days. Kannyakumari has been named after the Goddess Kannyakumari Amman who is the popular deity of the area. On arrival check-in at hotel Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 KANYAKUMARI
After breakfast full day excursion to Nagaraja Temple at Nagercoil, 19-km from Kannyakumari is Nagercoil, which contains the celebrated Nagaraja temple. Tirunelveli-The temple of Swami Nelliappar and Sri Kanthimathi Ambal in Tirunelveli (83-km from Kanyakumari) dates back at least to the seventh century. Originally, there were two temples side by side, dedicated to Lord Nelliappar and Goddess Kanthimathi. They were linked by a Mandapa, the "chain" Mandapa, built in 1647. The oldest inscription belongs to the middle of the tenth century.
Return to Kanyakumari & overnight.
Day 13 KANTAKUMARI - TRIVANDRUM
After breakfast drive to Trivandrum (90 kms/02 hrs)- the Trivandrum city is an interesting blend of the modern and traditional forms of architecture. The many palaces and temples in and around Trivandrum form an interesting sight. On arrival check-in at hotel. Afternoon visit Napier Museum This museum is just near the Mascot Hotel, opposite the Parkview Tourist Information Centre. The museum has a good collection of temple chariots and ivory carvings. The other interesting feature is the museum architecture.Padmanabhaswamy Temple The temple is near the East Fort city bus stand. This temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu has some interesting sculptures. The temple architecture is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidan styles. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 DEPART TRIVANDRUM
In time transfer to airport to board the flight for back home.
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