South India Temple Tour

Day 1: Chennai

Arrive Chennai On arrival to Chennai and transfer to the hotel. Half a day Chennai sightseeing and overnight stay in Chennai.

Day 2: Chennai - Mahabalipuram (58 kms. – 01½ hrs.)

After breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram. Reach & Check-in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. Mahabalipuram is globally renowned for the Shore Temples. The main tourist attraction of the town is the Varaha Cave, a small rock-cut mandapam (hall). Heinrich Zimmer, a leading expert on Mahabalipuram has described the famous Pallava doorkeepers' expression outside the cave as of "pious rapture”. Explore the rest of the day at your own leisure.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 3: Mahabalipuram

Enjoy the sumptuous breakfast. Later proceed for the sightseeing of Mahabalipuram. The major attractions are Arjuna's Penance which is carved in relief on the face of a huge rock. Arjuna's Penance is the mythical story of the river Ganges, issuing from its source, high in the Himalayas. The surface of the rock has detailed carvings showing the most endearing and natural renditions of animals. Mandapams (low rise, rock cut halls), Krishna Mandapam adorn massive rocks near the centre of the village. The beautiful Shore Temple towers over the waves, behind a protective breakwater. Sixteen man-made caves in different stages of completion are also seen. Shore Temples - These beautiful temples, ravaged by wind and sea, were given the World Heritage listing, a few years ago. The two spires of the temples contain a shrine for Lord Vishnu and for Lord Shiva.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 4: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (130 kms. – 03½ hrs.)

After breakfast drive to Pondicherry. Reach & check-in at the hotel and relax relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. Later proceed to take a ramble. Pondicherry which offers a versatile choice ranging from historic buildings, museums, art galleries, meditation centers, scenic beauty to sun-kissed beaches. The trip to this magnificent destination is never complete without indulging in the culinary delights, indigenous to the region. The cuisines offer a unique blend of the culinary traditions of the Orient and the French. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 5: Pondicherry

Enjoy the sumptuous breakfast. Later proceed for the sightseeing Aaayi Mandappam which is also known as the park Monument, an attractive monument of Pondicherry government park (Bharathi Park). Sri Aurobindo Ashram which exhudes a spiritual aura. Sacred Heart Church which is built by French Missionaries in the 1700’s in a contrasting Neo – Gothic style with its towers. Chunnambar Beach & Backwater the tropical paradise flanked by a quiet flowing creek on one side. Matri Mandir which is not a temple but a place for individual silent concentration. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 6: Pondicherry - Tanjore (180 kms. – 04½ hrs.)

After breakfast drive to Thanjavur/ Tanjore which is like Rome in Europe or Egypt in Africa. Reach & check-in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. The major attractions of Tanjore are Sri Brihadeswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva with its architectural excellence. The Palace is a fascinating building with huge corridors, spacious halls, decorated rooms, having the amazing stucco work with wonderful fresco painted walls & ceilings, underground tunnel and intricate carvings. Art Gallery the place where you can find fabulous collection of bronze icons, stone sculpture and pieces of art. Saraswati Mahal Library is the most remarkable library in India. Royal Museum which displays rare antiques belonging to the Maratha Royal Family.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 7: Tanjore - Trichy (55 kms - 01½ hrs.)

After breakfast drive to Trichy. The major sight-seeing attractions of Trichy are Rock Fort Temple which crowns a gigantic piece of rock, soaring 83 meters upwards, from the encircling plains. Srirangam (Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple) is among the most venerated temples to Lord Vishnu in South India. Enclosed by seven rectangular walled courtyards, this 13th century temple has 21 gopurams. The Jambukeshwara Temple the temple at Tiruvanaikkaval is dedicated to Shiva, and has five concentric walls, and seven gopurams. The chief deity is the Shiva lingam, which remains almost submerged in water flowing from the subterranean spring. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 8: Trichy - Madurai (130 kms - 03½ hrs.)

After breakfast driveto Madurai which is called the `Athens of the East' because of the way myth meets life here. Reach & check-in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. Madurai is almost synonymous with the famed Meenakshi Temple the nucleus of the temple is older than the Madurai city. The Meenakshi temple complex at Madurai is not only an architectural marvel but also the epitome of Indian culture and civilization. Explore the rest of the day at your own.
Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 9: Madurai

Enjoy the sumptuous breakfast. Later proceed to see the other attractions of Madurai. Thirumalai Nayak Palace, the main Palace where the king lived. Vandiyur Mariamman the area of the tank, and the island pavilion with a garden in the center. Thirupparankunram, one of the six houses of Lord Subramanya, the second son of Lord Siva, is located here. Subramanya is said to have married Indra's daughter, Deivanai, on this hill. The rock-cut temple of Subramanya here is thronged with pilgrims on all days of special worship.Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 10: Madurai - Kanyakumari (250 kms. – 05½ hrs.)

After breakfast drive to Kanyakumari. Reach & check-in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. Kanyakumari an important pilgrim centre of India, is famous for the Amman Temples – a symbol of unity and sanctity – dedicated to the virgin Goddess, Kanyakumari. To its South – East lies the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a blend of all architectural styles of India. Explore the rest of the day at your own leisure. Overnight stay at the Hotel.