South India Highlights
Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Trichy - Tanjore - Rameshwaram - Madurai - Kanyakumari
Tamil Nadu, a cradle of South Indian culture, was ruled by various native dynasties till its colonization in modern era. The kings being native were steeped in the local culture and ethos.
While establishing his kingdom, every king raised a fabulous temple engaging the best of the artisans and artists in the prevalent architecture form. The native rulers paid less attention to their forts as compared to the temples. Temple architecture with its various forms developed to its perfection.
On arrival at Chennai airport, our representative will receive and transport you to your hotel in Chennai.
Stay overnight in the hotel.
After breakfast, the forenoon tour visiting the temples tour of Chennai includes Ashtalakshmi temple, Shri Parthasarathy Temple
built by Pallavas in the 8th century AD and Kapaliswara Temple at
Mylapore ( eighth century Pallava Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva).
Afternoon is at your leisure to roam around and relax.
Stay overnight at hotel in Chennai.
Sightseeing in Kanchipuram - kanchipuram, 80km southwest of chennai.
Kamakshi Amman temple- goddess shakti is worshipped in three major cities out of which, kanchipuram ranks first in importance.
Ekambareswarar temple- dedicated to lord shiva, the temple has been spoken about by tamil poets who lived in the 2nd century. the temple had undergone many changes since then.
During the rule of pallavas, the original structure was pulled down and new temple was built during chola dynasty.
After early breakfast at hotel drive to Tanjore enroute Pondicherry - Gangaikodacholapura, Darasuram, Chidambaram.
Pondicherry a French colonial settlement in India 1954 , is now a Union Territory Town Bounded by the South-eastern Tamilnadu State. A small orientation Tour of Pondicherry is recommended
Overnight at Tanjore hotel.
After breakfast, Morning visit of Trichy and Pm visit of Tanjore
Trichy which is around 50 kms away from Tanjore on arrival proceed for sightseeing includes visit of
Sri Renganathaswamy temple and Rock fort. Just 5 kms drive from Trichy transports you to an island called Srirangam
Return to Tanjore afternoon visit of Brahadeswara temple and art Gallery. Tanjore is also very famous for Palm reading as well. Stay overnight in a hotel at Tanjore
Overnight at Tanjore.
Today you will be driving to Madurai enroute CHETTINAD PALACE and ATHAM KULAM TILE FACTORY - Checking at Hotel late evening visit of Meenakshi Temple for Evening Ceremony
Madurai, called Athens of the East, is a 2500 years old city of temples. The city is named after nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva's locks when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. Meenakshi-Sundareswara Temple with 12 gopurams(gateways to the temple with pyramid-like structures).
Four of its tallest gopurams stand at the outer walls of the temple. The 48.8 m high gopuram in South of the temple has over 1500 sculptures. In the Ashta Shakti Mandapam inside the Meenakshi temple, the sculpted pillars tell the tale of princess of Madurai and her marriage to Lord Shiva.
Day 7 Morning drive to Rameshwaram 180 Kms 5 hrs drive
check- in your hotel and refresh yourself for the visit the Ramanatha Swamy temple. Evening Stay overnight in your hotel at Rameshwaram.
Rameshwaram is an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. It is believed Lord Rama established two Lingams here and worshipped Lord Shiva. Besides this, there are various temples to visit in Rameshwaram.
After day-longs temple tour, stay overnight in a hotel at Rameshwaram.
Ramanatha Swamy temple This temple is dedicated to lord Ramanatha Swamy & Lordess Parvadhavardhini .It is one of the 12 Jyothirlingas of India . Ramanatha swamy temple is very famous for its longest temple corridor ever built in India.
The temple comprises of twenty-two wells where the taste of the water of each well is different from one another. The water of the wells are believed to possess medicinal properties.
Agni teertham At a stone throw away from the Ramanatha Swamy Temple is Agni teertham. The sacredness of the place makes it a popular bathing spot with the pilgrims.
Ramjharoka Temple The imprint of Lord Rama’s feet is placed on a chakra in the Ramjharoka temple at the highest point of the Island of Rameswaram this makes Gandamadana Parvatham a major tourist attraction. The highest point happens to be at a distance of five kilometres from Rameswaram town.
Owing to its height Gandamadana Parvatham offers an excellent view of the Ramanatha Swamy Temple and the beautiful blue waters of the sea.
Overnight Stay at Hotel.
After a drive to Kanyakumari, check- in your hotel and get ready for the visit. Kanyakumari temple is located at the southernmost end of India in Tamil Nadu at is a meeting point of Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
It dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanyakumari (Parvati) who is believed to have waited for Lord Siva to meet there. Other places to visit here are Gandhi Memorial where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were kept for public view in an urn before being immersed into the three seas and Vivekanand Memorial on Vivekananda Rock where he meditated in solitude.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
after breakfast at hotel proceed to Trivandrum enroute visit of Padmanabhapuram Palace ( which is closed on Mondays ).
On arrival at city visit of Trivandrum which includes Shree Padmanabhaswamy temple , Napier Museum , Sree chithira Art Gallery later in the evening proceed to Airport to board Onwards destination.