South India Temple Tours,South India Temples Tour,Tour of South India Temples,Temples of South India

DAY-01 : ARRIVE CHENNAI
Arrive Chennai - the gateway to southern India, established in 1639 by the East India Company, is one of the oldest cities of the country. Upon arrival met and and transfer to hotel. Afternoon half day sightseeing tour, visiting Gandhi Memorial, Kala Kshetra, Mylapore temple and Marine beach. Overnight at hotel.

DAY-02 : CHENNAI
After breakfast, proceed to Tirupathi 154 kms and 4 hrs drive from Chennai . Tirupathi is a temple town known for the famous ancient temple of Lord Venkateswara (Lord of seven hills or Balaji, as he is affectionately known ) on the top of the 860mts high Tirumala hills. The temple of Lord Venkateswara is not only believed to be amongst the oldest temples in the country, but also the richest of them all .Legend has it that Lord Venkateswara borrowed money from the divine treasurer Kubera for his wedding expenses. He is still paying back this debt which is why the pilgrims donate generously to the temple funds. In the evening return to Chennai . Overnight at Hotel.

DAY-03 : CHENNAI - MAHABALIPURAM( BY SURFACE) VIA KANCHIPURAM 70 KMS 1.50 HRS DRIVE
After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram 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 paintings on the walls.Temples of Ekambaswara , Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks. later drive to Mahabalipuram and check in at hotel. Afternoon visit the city - built in 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipuram, this ancient Pallava port, is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town , shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone. The only shore temple which remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum. Over night at hotel.

DAY-04 : MAHABALIPURAM - TIRUVANNAMALAI - PONDICHERRY ( BY SURFACE ) 243 KMS 7 HRS DRIVE
After breakfast drive to Tiruvannamallai- a pilgrim centre with an ancient temple of Lord Shiva. Then proceed to Pondicherry , which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French colony on the east coast of South India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St.Agasthaya settled down. Checkin at Hotel . overnight at Hotel.

DAY-05 : PONDICHERRY
After breakfast drive to visit Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. Afternoon visit Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony. Overnight at hotel.

DAY-06 : PONDICHERRY - CHIDAMBARAM - TANJORE( BY SURFACE) 170 KMS 4 HRS DRIVE
Afterbreakfast drive to Chidambaram also called as Thillai, which has the famous Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden plates is located in the centre of the town covering an area of 40 acres. In this temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer. After lunch drive to Thanjavur enroute visiting the Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Tanjore once the capital of Chola Kings, has the Brahadeswara temple(or the big temple of God).The temple tower rises to a height of 15mts from a square base of 29 mts and then tapers off, making a total of 66mts.Checkin AT Hotel . overnight at Hotel.

DAY-07 : TANJORE- TRICHY ( BY SURFACE)54KMS 02HRS DRIVE
After breakfast leave for Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli, situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim centre, it is famous for Ranganath temple at Srirangam. Checkin at hotel. After noon city tour visiting Rock fort and its temple at a height of over 23mts. Also visit Srirangam and Jambukeshwar Temple.overnight at Hotel.

DAY-08 : TRICHY- MADURAI( BY SURFACE) 135KMS- 4 HRS DRIVE
After breakfast proceed to Madurai and checkin at hotel. The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the centre. After noon city tour visiting - Meenakshi temple, King Tirumala's Palace, Great tank and Gandhi museum. Dinner and overnight at hotel

DAY-09 : MADURAI
After breakfast proceed to Rameshwaram- the most sacred temple town of India is an island hallowed by the epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama is said to have visited before going into battle of Srilanka. Legend has it that Lord Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring a Lingam for worship when he set foot after defeating Ravana. As Hanuman did not return when the auspicious hour was approaching, Sita made a sand Lingam so that worship could be performed in time, which is where the present day Ramanatha Swamy Temple stands close to sea on the eastern side of the island. One of the twelve Jyotirlingam shrines is also well known for its magnificent corridors and the massive sculptured pillars lining them. Return to Madurai . overnight at hotel.

South India Temple Tours - SPH 015