Sacred South India Temple

Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Chidambaram – Tanjore - Tiruchirappalli - Madurai - Rameshwaram - Kanyakumari – Trivandrum

DAY 01: ARRIVE CHENNAI

Meet and garland upon arrival in Chennai. Transfer to Hotel. The gateway to the south and the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, Madras or Chennai is a vibrant metropolis and a combination of old-world charm and modern-day efficiency. After lunch city tour of Chennai visiting Fort St. George, the seat of the state government and the legislative assembly. The fort was built in 1652 by the British East India Company. The fort contains the fort museum with its collection of memorabilia of the East India co, also visit Government Museum and San Thomas Cathederal.

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 02: CHENNAI – KANCHIPURAM - MAHABALIPURAM

Morning after breakfast, depart for Kanchipuram (Approx 1 hr drive), Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai) 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 haspaintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.

After lunch drive to Mahabalipuram (70 Kms/1.5 Hrs). Upon arrival, visit the magnificent rock temples and carvings in Mahabalipuram. Five Rathas (chariots), ceremonial chariots, rock-cut monoliths, named after the 5 Pandavas. The Shore Temple by the sea surrounded by gardens designed according to descriptions of the original layout from ancient times. 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 stay at hotel.

DAY 03: MAHABALIPURAM – PONDICHERRY (100 KMS/02 HRS)

Morning after breakfast, depart to Pondicherry. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Pondicherry was a French settlement that comprised Pondy, Yanam, Karaikal, and Mahe. There is a strong influence of French culture on Pondicherry town, especially on its architecture, a result of the centuries-old relations this place maintained with France. Later visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram - The ashram was founded in 1920 when Sri Aurobindo reached Pondicherry, a French colony and put in place his ideas of peaceful community. The ashram houses the samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and the mother and open to everybody for fixed hours every day. Pondicherry Museum Situated in the Government Park - Museum has a very good sculpture gallery and a section of archaeological finds from the Roman settlement at Arikamedu. There is also a superb collection of the snail shells from the Pondicherry Region. Later visit Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - built in the Gothic style, this massive church is one of the most beautiful churches in Pondicherry.

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 04: PONDICHERY – CHIDAMBRAM – TANJORE - TIRUCHIRAPPALLI

Morning after breakfast, depart for Tiruchirappalli. Enroute visit Chidambaram and Tanjavur (Tanjore).

Thanjavur - was the ancient capital of the Chola kings whose origins, go back to the beginning of the Christian era. Probably the greatest chola emperors were Raja Raja who was responsible for building the Brihadishwara Temple. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Tanjore - was the capital of the Chola Empire from the tenth to the fourteenth centuries. A Chola king, Raja RajaChola, who held the throne from 985 to 1016, built the greatest of the empire's 74 temples, the Brahadeeswarar, with its soaring tower over the inner sanctum. This tower rises more than 62 meters (200 feet). On its dome rests a single block of granite weighing 80 tons. After sightseeing of Thanjavur, continue to drive towards Tiruchirappalli. Tiruchirapalli, called Tiruchi or Trichy in Short, was built by the Nayak rulers of Madurai around a rock fort. Tiruchirappalliis on the banks of the Kaveri river and is famous for the Ranganatha Temple at Srirangam, 10 km away.

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 05: TIRUCHIRAPPALLI - MADURAI (158 KMS/4.5 HRS)

Morning after breakfast, you will go for sightseeing of Tiruchirappalli. Visit the 'Rock Fort Temple’which rises abruptly to a height of 273 ft. A steep staircase cut into the rock leads upto the Fort. At the first level are the remnants of a huge hall blasted into ruins in 1772. The next storey is the Mathrubhuteshwarer Shrine dedicated to Shiva. Finally, at the top of the hill, the 'UchhiPillayarKoil' - a Ganesh Temple offering a commanding view of the city.

After sightseeing leave for Madurai - situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai is more than 2,500 years old and has a rich cultural heritage and history. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD. Madurai was the capital city for the great Pandya kings.

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 06: MADURAI

Morning after breakfast, visit Meenakshi Amman temple, Gandhi Museum, Tirrumalai Nayak Palace and Thirumohur (1O km). This place has its legendary origin in the distant past when Devas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) churned the ocean to get Amritham (nectar).

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 07: MADURAI – RAMESHWARAM (175 KMS/03 HRS)

Morning after breakfast, drive to Rameshwaram. Upon arrival visit Rameshwaram temple - a prominent jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, Ramjharoka Temple, Kothandaramaswamy Temple and Ramanatha Swamy Temple.

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 08: RAMESHWARAM – KANYAKUMARI (310 KMS/06 HRS)

Morning after breakfast, drive to Kanyakumari. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel. Kanyakumari is the confluence of three mighty water bodies- Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. Later visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Suchindram Temple, Kanyakumari Temple and the Gandhi Mandapam. Evening free to enjoy at beaches.

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 09: KANYAKUMARI - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (90 KMS/2.5 HRS)

Morning after breakfast, drive to Thiruvananthapuram. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel. Later, start your sightseeing visiting Aruvipuram Siva Temple, Janardhan Swamy Temple, Shree Parasurama Temple, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Ganapati Temple and Shree Kanteswaram Temple, Chitra Art Gallery and Napier Museum.

Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 10: THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - DEPART

Morning after breakfast, transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.