Tamil Nadu 06 Nights / 07 Days
The famous 16th century Kapaleeshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, sacred to Tamil Shaivites. Non-Hindus are only allowed upto the outer courtyard. Later drive past Fort St. George, Marina Beach and San Thome Cathedral.
DAY 1 - CHENNAI
Arrive at Chennai Airport, meet and assist by our representative and transfer to your hotel Afternoon proceed for half day tour of Chennai. City sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Government Museum & Art Gallery, to see the art and bronze gallery (closed on Fridays & public holidays) and also a visit to the famous 16th century Kapaleeshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, sacred to Tamil Shaivites. Non-Hindus are only allowed upto the outer courtyard. Later drive past Fort St. George, Marina Beach and San Thome Cathedral. Overnight in Chennai.
DAY 2 - CHENNAI
Morning drive to Kanchipuram, one of Hinduism's seven most sacred cities and this "Golden City of a Thousand Temples" dates back to the early Cholas in the second century. Only around 70 temples of the original temple complex are still intact and the most famous is the Kailasanatha Temple built of sandstone in the early seventh century. Kanchipuram is famous for silk weaving. Later drive to Mamallapuram, which occupies a stunning position on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon. Built by the Pallava rulers in the seventh century the complex comprises of 14 cave temples, nine monolithic "Rathas", three stone temples and two relief sculptured rock panels and Bass Relief; the largest in the world. The Shore temple built on the water's edge with an east-facing altar designed to catch the rising sun, has now been declared a World Heritage Site. After sightseeing return back to Chennai. Overnight in Chennai.
DAY 3 - CHENNAI TO PONDICHERRY
Morning drive to Pondicherry. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon proceed for half day tour of Pondicherry. Pondicherry which traces its origin to Saint Gasthya, the revered sage of the South. Excavations near Pondicherry reveal that a Roman settlement existed here 2000 years ago. It was also the theatre of many a battle between the British and the French and was the capital of French India before it attained its independence. Visit Auroville, an 'Ashram' for peace and harmonious living, founded by saint-philosopher Sri Aurobindo and after his death by his French companion Mirra Alfassa, known as "The Mother". Overnight in Pondicherry.
DAY 4 - PONDICHERRY TO TANJAVUR
After breakfast at hotel, drive to Tanjore enroute visit Chidambaram is among the most venerated tow ns in the Southern India. The sacred city has some of the finest of the architectural marvels that its famous temples reflect. Among the most widely visited pilgrimage spots is the Natraja Temple that sprawls in an area of 40 acres in the heart of the city with the pre siding deity being Lord Natraja. Chidambaram has also Sivakamiamman Temple, Kali Temple, which are thronged by the devotees all the year round. After sightseeing continue to Tanjore. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon proceed for half day tour of Tanjore. Visit the beautiful Chola temple of Brihadishwara. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Thanjavur one of the highlights of a visit of the South. It is also famous for its silk, one of the best in India. Overnight in Thanjavur.
DAY 5 - : THANJAVUR – TRICHY - THANJAVUR
After breakfast at hotel, proceed for half day excursion of Trichy. Visiting the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, 434 steps c ut out into the rock side and interspersed with shrines, lead to the temple and yet another flight leads to the temple of Lord Shiva. The ascent is climaxed by magnificent view of the sacred Kaveri river. Visit Srirangam, a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu which contains within its walls a bazaar, as well. After sightseeing return back to Tanjore. Overnight in Thanjavur.
DAY 6 - THANJAVUR – MADURAI
After breakfast at hotel drive to Tanjore. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon proceed for half day tour of Madurai. Sightseeing tour visiting the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams, rising high above the surrounding country side. Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - a gracious building in the Indo- Saracenic style, famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches. Overnight in Madurai.
DAY 7 - MADURAI – FLY OUT
Transfer to Madurai airport or railway station for onward destination.
Arrive at Chennai Airport, meet and assist by our representative and transfer to your hotel Afternoon proceed for half day tour of Chennai. City sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Government Museum & Art Gallery, to see the art and bronze gallery (closed on Fridays & public holidays) and also a visit to the famous 16th century Kapaleeshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, sacred to Tamil Shaivites. Non-Hindus are only allowed upto the outer courtyard. Later drive past Fort St. George, Marina Beach and San Thome Cathedral. Overnight in Chennai.
DAY 2 - CHENNAI
Morning drive to Kanchipuram, one of Hinduism's seven most sacred cities and this "Golden City of a Thousand Temples" dates back to the early Cholas in the second century. Only around 70 temples of the original temple complex are still intact and the most famous is the Kailasanatha Temple built of sandstone in the early seventh century. Kanchipuram is famous for silk weaving. Later drive to Mamallapuram, which occupies a stunning position on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon. Built by the Pallava rulers in the seventh century the complex comprises of 14 cave temples, nine monolithic "Rathas", three stone temples and two relief sculptured rock panels and Bass Relief; the largest in the world. The Shore temple built on the water's edge with an east-facing altar designed to catch the rising sun, has now been declared a World Heritage Site. After sightseeing return back to Chennai. Overnight in Chennai.
DAY 3 - CHENNAI TO PONDICHERRY
Morning drive to Pondicherry. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon proceed for half day tour of Pondicherry. Pondicherry which traces its origin to Saint Gasthya, the revered sage of the South. Excavations near Pondicherry reveal that a Roman settlement existed here 2000 years ago. It was also the theatre of many a battle between the British and the French and was the capital of French India before it attained its independence. Visit Auroville, an 'Ashram' for peace and harmonious living, founded by saint-philosopher Sri Aurobindo and after his death by his French companion Mirra Alfassa, known as "The Mother". Overnight in Pondicherry.
DAY 4 - PONDICHERRY TO TANJAVUR
After breakfast at hotel, drive to Tanjore enroute visit Chidambaram is among the most venerated tow ns in the Southern India. The sacred city has some of the finest of the architectural marvels that its famous temples reflect. Among the most widely visited pilgrimage spots is the Natraja Temple that sprawls in an area of 40 acres in the heart of the city with the pre siding deity being Lord Natraja. Chidambaram has also Sivakamiamman Temple, Kali Temple, which are thronged by the devotees all the year round. After sightseeing continue to Tanjore. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon proceed for half day tour of Tanjore. Visit the beautiful Chola temple of Brihadishwara. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Thanjavur one of the highlights of a visit of the South. It is also famous for its silk, one of the best in India. Overnight in Thanjavur.
DAY 5 - : THANJAVUR – TRICHY - THANJAVUR
After breakfast at hotel, proceed for half day excursion of Trichy. Visiting the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, 434 steps c ut out into the rock side and interspersed with shrines, lead to the temple and yet another flight leads to the temple of Lord Shiva. The ascent is climaxed by magnificent view of the sacred Kaveri river. Visit Srirangam, a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu which contains within its walls a bazaar, as well. After sightseeing return back to Tanjore. Overnight in Thanjavur.
DAY 6 - THANJAVUR – MADURAI
After breakfast at hotel drive to Tanjore. On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon proceed for half day tour of Madurai. Sightseeing tour visiting the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams, rising high above the surrounding country side. Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - a gracious building in the Indo- Saracenic style, famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches. Overnight in Madurai.
DAY 7 - MADURAI – FLY OUT
Transfer to Madurai airport or railway station for onward destination.
