Temple Tour of South India

Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.

In the afternoon proceed for half day sightseeing of Chennai.

Half day city sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Government Museum and Art Gallery, to see the art and bronze gallery (closed on Fridays and public holidays) and also a visit to the famous 16th century Kapaleeshwarar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, sacred to Tamil Shivaties. Non-Hindus are only allowed up to the outer courtyard. Later drive past Fort St. George, Marina Beach and San Thome Cathedral.

Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast check out & drive to Mahabalipuram. In the afternoon proceed for sightseeing of Mahabalipuram.

Krishna's Butterball is a gigantic granite boulder resting on a short incline in the historical town of Mahabalipuram in India, the boulder is approximately 6 meters high and 5 meters wide and weighs around 250 tons. It stands on an approximately 1.2-meter base on a slope, and is said to have been at the same place for 1200 years later vist Five Rathas (chariots) ceremonial chariots, rock-cut monoliths, named after the 5 Pandavas - heroes of the Mahabharata epic and Draupadi their wife. 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. Bhagiratha’s Penance is a bas- relief (27 to 9m) sculptured on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, depicts, the penance of Arjuna, myraid characters from the Mahabharata, realistic life-size figures of animals, gods and saints watching the descent of the river goddess Ganga to earth.

Overnight at the Hotel

Breakfast at Hotel

After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram which is Situated 70 Kms from Mahabalipuram and located on the banks of the Vegavathy river and is one of Hinduism's seven most sacred cities. This "Golden city of a Thousand Temples" dates back to the early Cholas in the 7th century A.D. Only around 70 temples of the original 1000 old temple complex are still intact and the most famous of them is the Kailasanatha Temple built with sandstone in the early seventh century A.D. and then visit to Ekambareswarar Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva and temple complex covers 25 acres and one of the largest in India. Kanchipuram is famous for its silk weaving and a visit to the nearby villages to see the craftsmen at work on their looms is rewarding experience.

Later drive back to Mahabalipuram. Overnight stay at hotel

After breakfast check out & drive to Tiruvannamalai & proceed for visit to famous Shiva Parvathi Temple of Arunchaleswar is said to be one of the largest in India covering an area of 10 hectares. The main gopuram is 66 meters tall with 13 stories, one of which is a 1000 pillared hall. And the famous Ramana Ashram in Tiruvannamalai is a calm and inviting ashram offering tranquility and secluded meditation options. This ashram displays the life, philosophies and teachings of Bhagwan Ramana Maharishi, the revered mystic saint who attained Samadhi at this place.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel.

After breakfast departs by surface for Pondicherry enroute visit to Gingee Fort, known also as Chenji Fort, is an ancient fort and one of the few surviving forts in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This fort is located in the district of Villupuram. The fort was called as the "Troy of the East" by the British. Chatrapati Shivaji was impressed by the strength of the fortified region and he ranked it as the most impregnable fortress in India. The original fort was small and was built by the Chola dynasty during 9th century. Later it was modified in 13th century by the Vijayanagar emperors. It was made as an unbreakable fort to safeguard the small town of Gingee. It was Shivaji who made the present fort in complete form in 1677 AD.

Later continue drive to Pondicherry, nicknamed, as "Pondy" is a union territory, situated on the Coromondal coast about 160 Kms South of Chennai. Pondicherry offers an amazing confluence of age-old heritage and modern advancement. Now known as Puducherry, this spiritual beach town used to be a French settlement comprising of Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam other than Pondicherry itself. The old French flavor is distinctly visible in the well-laid gardens, magnificent churches, historical monuments, magnificent mansions, and clean and wide roads, which still carry French names. Endowed with immense natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Pondicherry has emerged as one of the most sought after tourist destinations in India.

On arrival check in at hotel

Breakfast at hotel.

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing at Pondicherry, Visit Auroville, it’s an experiment in International living where men and women could live in peace and progressive harmony with each other above all creeds, politics and nationalities. It is a developing town 10 km from Pondicherry. Then take a heritage walk which highlight Pondicherry’s rich architectural heritage. Today, The only real way to soak in the charm of this historic district is on foot to enjoy this exploration of the Tamil and French Quarters later afternoon visit the paper factory where they naturally recycled the product, natural papers are our most popular. They are high-end, rustic, authentic, and naturally strong given the high-quality cotton raw material.

Later visit the popularly beach's of Pondicherry like paradise beach, serenity beach and other beach.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel.

Day at leisure to explore the city on your own or free for independent activities.

Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast check out and drive to Kumbakonam Enroute visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram  was built during medieval India and was erected as the capital of the Cholas by Rajendra Chola I, the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola, the great Chola who conquered a large area in South India, Airavatesvara temple in darasuram. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, It is said that the King of Death, Yama also worshipped Shiva here. This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture and has some exquisite stone carvings and visit Sarangapani Temple a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu and temple is believed to be of significant antiquity with contributions at different times from Medieval Cholas, temple is enshrined within a huge granite wall and the complex contains all the shrines and the water bodies of the temple and later visit Mahamaham Tank is a huge temple tank located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu It is considered to be the foremost and one of the largest temple tanks in Tamil Nadu.

Later drives to Kumbakonam, on arrival check in at hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast check out & drive to Tanjore, on arrival checks in at hotel.

Afternoon proceed for sightseeing of Tanjore. Thanjavur as it was earlier called was the capital of the chola empire from the 10th century to the 14th century A.D. later is become part of the Vijayanagar kingdom, then passed into the hands of the Marathas and later still went to the British. For ages it has been the chief political, literary and religious centre of the South the Brihadeeswarar Temple (locally known as "Big temple") is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thanjavur. It is also known as Raja Rajeswara Temple Raja rajeswaram and Peruvudayar Temple.[1] It is one of the largest temples in India and is an example of Dravidian architecture during the Chola period, completed in 1010 CE, the temple turned 1000 years old then visit Saraswati Mahal library, dating back from the time of the Marathas, containing a rare collections of books and manuscripts on paper and palm leaves. The Brihadeeswara Temple has gopurams over 90 ft. (27 m) high and are exquisitely sculpted.  They lead to a vast courtyard in which the main temple stands guarded by two sentries carved out of single stones.

Facing the sanctum is a Nandi (bull) Shiva’s favorite vehicle.  The corridors around the sanctum have many sculptures as well as Chola frescoes which were recently discovered.  The Palace and the remains of the fort that surround it can still be seen.  Members of the former royal family of Thanjavur still occupy some apartments in the inner recesses but the Palace is now mainly used as an art gallery.

Later Visit Bronze Making Factory where they Manufacturers and exporters of Complete Devotional / Religious and Spiritual needs of all Brass, Copper, pure Silver, Silver Plated, pure Gold and Gold Plated complete Hindu Temple Needed pooja articles and etc… since 1964. they will also show the Process Of South Indian Bronze Work.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel

After breakfast drive to Trichy, Situated 55 Kms from Thanjavur at the head of the Cauvery delta is this ancient town of Tiruchirappalli often referred to as Trichy or Tiruchy for short. Once a bastion of the Chola dynasty centuries before Christ, it gained eminence under the Nayaks of Madurai, who built the fort and temple. It changed hands many a time and was with the Vijayanagar Emperors until their defeat by the Deccan Sultans in the 16th century AD.

Proceed for visit to Sri Ranganatha swamy Temple, on an island called Srirangam on the Cauvery River is this fascinating temple complex built in the 10th century. The temple complex is well preserved and spread over an area of over 60 hectares with seven concentric walls and 21 gopurams; it is one of the largest in India. The festival of Vaikunda Ekadasi held here annually in December/January attracts thousands of pilgrims. There is a small museum here containing sculptures, bronzes and plaques. South of the temple is the Ammamandapam, a bathing ghat for the devotees.

Also visit Tiruchirappalli Rockfort is a historic fortification and temple complex built on an ancient rock It is constructed on a 83 metres (272 ft) high rock[1][2] that may date to over one billion years ago. There are two Hindu temples inside, the Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Rockfort and the Thayumanaswami Temple, Rockfort. The Rockfort is the most prominent landmark of the city.

Later drive back to Tanjore. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast check out & drive to Chettinad.

Karaikudi is known as the capital of Chettinad. Chettinad is well known for its Chettinad cuisine, mansions, and temples. "Chettinad" also means a social caste that specializes in the preparation of food. Chettiars are considered master chefs who prepare food that reflects the excellence that people in Chennai/South India look for in the preparation and serving of food. Chettinad is rich in cultural heritage, art and architecture. It is well known for its houses.

In the afternoon proceed for sightseeing of Chettinad includes local village visits, heritage homes & palaces and tiles making factory.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel.

After breakfast depart by surface for Madurai, On arrival check in at hotel.

Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel.

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Madurai the `Temple City’ was the capital of the Pandya kingdom but it was during the reign of the Nayaks (10th to the 18th century) that the magnificent Meenakshi Temple and other buildings were constructed. Visit the Palace of Thirumalai Nayak, the most famous king of the Nayak dynasty.  It has a great audience hall, a three-sided pavilion and a courtyard. Some of the original apartments still remain and there is a museum in one of the halls. Yet another Nayakar legacy is the Mariammam Teppakulam, a tank which was fed from the waters of the river Vaigai, north of the city.

Visit to Meenakshi Amman Temple, This is one of the famous temples in South India, which is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva. Main goddess is Lord Meenakshi. The temple is located in the centre of the city. Most impressive of the temple is its 12 Towers. This temple has five entrances, four entrances were built according to the direction like East, west, North and South and name as East Tower, West Tower, North Tower and South Tower and it is famous for Golden Lotus tank also. In this temple various festivals are celebrated continuously around the year. All the temple towers are decorated with paintings with arts and architecture. Thousand pillars hall is located inside the temple itself.

Overnight stat at Hotel.

Breakfast at hotel.

After breakfast depart by surface for Rameshwaram.

On arrival check in at hotel.

In the afternoon proceed for half day visit to the island of Rameshwaram. It spreads out over a 56-Km swell with gentle sand dunes embellished with the delicacy of casuarinas trees and stark palms. This is a sacred place for Hindus since according to Ramayana this is where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of killing Ravana. A dip into the sacred waters of the Agnitheertham which was calmed by Rama is a must Hindu pilgrims.

Overnight stay at hotel.