Temple Tour of Southern India

Day 01 – Arrival Chennai

Arrive Chennai met with and transfer to Hotel. Chennai, the capital city, popularly considered as the Gateway to the South represents a culture that is distinctly different from that of northern India.

Day 02 – Chennai

Today we would take you for sightseeing tour of Chennai. The places of interest are Kalakshetra – it is also known as Temple of art is located outside the Elliots beach established in 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale to train, encourage and revive interest in Bharatanatyam which is the classical dance form of the state.

Fort St. George – constructed in 1640 AD, by the British East India Company – now houses the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. St. Marys Church – the oldest Anglican Church in India.

Sri Parthasarathy Temple – devoted to Lord Krishna was originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century AD.

Kapaleswarar Temple – located in Mylapore is yet another 8th Century Pallava Temple. The temple Gopuram (tower) is in the characteristic Dravidian style of architecture. It is devoted to Lord Shiva.

San Thome Cathedral Basilica – rebuilt in 1606 as a cathedral and in 1896 it was made a basilica; and Theosophical Society – the world headquarters of the Theosophical Society formed to encourage the study of comparative religion philosophy and science.

Day 03 – Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram

Drive Kanchipuram situated 76 kms away from Chennai. The little Temple Town of Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, as it is popularly recognized for one of the seven holy cities of the Hindus. It remained the capital of Pallavas from 6th to the 8th centuries. They built numerous temples here. So your trip would include all the major temples to be visited in the city.

VisitKamakshi Temple devoted to Goddess Kamakshi. It has four colourful gopuras and the main chamber has a gold–plated roof. The Kailasanatha Temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. It is the oldest temple constructed by Pallava ruler. This temple is encircled by 58 smaller shrines, each with splendid carvings of the various images of Shiva.

The Great Ekambareshvara Temple, constructed initially by the pallavas, has a 16–pillared mandapa in front of it, was added later by the Vijayanagar Kings. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the largest & ancient temples.

The Vaikuntha Perumal Temple is one of the 18 temples dedicated to Vishnu, erected by Varman II. This exceptional structure has three main chambers, built one on top of the other. Each of them enshrines an image of Vishnu in a different form – standing, sitting and reclining.

The Varadaraja Temple is the towns main Vishnu temple. The chief deity in the form of Vishnu is known as varadaraja. It is believed that the temple stands on the site where Brahma performed a Yagna (Sacrifice) to invoke Vishnus presence. Later proceed to Mahablipuram. On arrival check into hotel.

Day 04 – Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram – worldwide renowned for its shore temples, it was the second capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram.It is located 58 kilometres from Chennai on the Bay of Bengal. Later we would take you for trip to following places – Caves – There are nine rock cut cave temples.

The Mahishasuramardhini cave, contrasting the goddess fighting an evil spirit on one side, and Lord Vishnus cosmic sleep on the other, is an amazing sight to view.

Krishna Mandapam – This cave features carvings of a rural scene, presenting Lord Krishna lifting up the Govardhana Mountain, to protect his people from the rage of Indra, the God of Rain.

Five Rathas – These rock–cut temples are rated as excellent examples of Pallava art. Fashioned in unusual styles, the five Rathas are named after the Pandava Brothers & Draupadi – the heroes of Mahabharata epic.

Arjunas Penance – This huge whale–back shaped rock contains figures of gods, demigods, men, beasts, and birds and in fact, can be said to represent creation itself. It also illustrates Arjuna – one of the Pandava brothers and a skilled archer, is standing on one leg, doing penance to obtain a boon from Lord Shiva.

The Shore Temple – This is one of the ancient temples in South India. They were built in 8th Century A.D. and is an excellent example of the first phase of the structure of temples constructed in the Dravidian style. The two spires of the temples contain a shrine for Lord Vishnu and for Lord Shiva.

Day 05 – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry

Today you will take drive to Pondicherry, on arrival check into hotel. Rest of the day is free for you. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06 – Pondicherry

Today enjoy the city tour of Pondicherrys main sights are Sri Aurobindo Ashram – established in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo after whose death the religious authority passed to one of his follower, a French woman known as the Mother. In the courtyard are the Samadhi of Aurobindo and The Mother where their mortal remains have been enshrined.

Auroville – located at 10 km from Pondicherry. Its original deed aimed at creating a city of the future where people from all over the world with different religions could live and work together in a spiritual environment. Beach – where you can enjoy swimming & sun bathing.

Day 07 – Pondicherry – Thanjavur

Drive to Tanjore visiting enroute Chidambram.Visit The Nataraja Temple – is located in the heart of Chidambaram town and cover an area of 40 acres. The roof of the chamber is covered with gold plates. This is the temple of the Cosmic Dancer, where the presiding divinity is called Nataraja. It has 56 pillars in the hall portraying 108 gestures of Bharat Natyam, the classical dance of Tamilnadu. On arrival, check–in at the hotel. Aternoon visit Tanjore.

Visit Sri Brihadeswara Temple– It was constructed by the great Chola King in 10th century AD. It is brilliant example of Chola architecture.

The Palace – It is a huge building of stonework built partly by the Nayaks around 1550 AD and later completed by the Marathas.

Art Gallery – It is positioned in the Thanjavur Palace only. It has some of the most magnificent and precious Granite and Bronze statues of Chola period.

Day 08 – Thanjavur – Trichy

Today you will take drive to Trichy, on arrival check into hotel.

Day 09 – Trichy

Today enjoy sightseeing tour of Trichy: Sri Rangnathaswamy Temple – The Temple at Srirangam is positioned 6 kilometers from the city center Trichy. The temple is built on an island in the middle of the Kaveri River and devoted to Lord Vishnu. It is also the largest temple in the world.

The Rock Fort–situated on the banks of the Kaveri River is an 84 m high rock which is one of the oldest in the world. The temple that is located 300 feet above the sea level is devoted to Lord Shiva. The extremely huge temple has a 100–pillar hall and a Vimana covered with gold.

Day 10 – Trichy – Madurai

Today you will take drive to Madurai. Madurai, which is recognized as Athens of the East is also the second largest city on the banks of the River Vaigai.

It is a beautiful city famous for its spectacular temples that are examples of rich architecture and magnificent sculptural works. The city is believed to be on of the ancient cities of India. On arrival check into hotel. Rest of the day is free for you.

Day 11 – Madurai

Morning we would take you for a tour of Madurai. Visit Meenakshi Temple – devoted to Lord Shiva who was identified here as Sundareshvara and his wife Parvati or Meenakshi.

The temple has 12 gateways (Gopurams), which vary in height from 45 to 50 m and the highest Gopuram is in the south. The southern gateway is nine stories high and has images of gods and goddesses. Evening witness Prayer Ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple.

Day 12 – Madurai – Rameshwaram – Madurai

Today you will take excursion to Rameshwaram temple.

The Ramanathaswamy Temple – is considered as one of the holy shrines of Hindus in India. Positioned close to the sea on the eastern side of the island, this temple is famous for its 1200 gigantic granite column. The 54 metre tall gopuram (gate–tower), 1220 metres of superb corridors and the colorful columns decorate and render fame to the temple.

Day 13 –Madurai – Chennai

Today you will transfer to railway station to catch your train to Chennai. On arrival transfer to hotel.

Day 14 – Chennai departure

Today you will transfer to airport catch your flight back to home.