THE SACRED SPLENDOR OF SOUTH INDIA TOUR

DAY 1

Arrival in Chennai — The capital city is rich in history, from temples of south India and shrines to forts and palaces, where the past lives harmoniously with the present. Chennai is the fourth largest city in India. Retaining much of its traditional charm, this 350-year-old city is the gateway to the South, providing many a fascinating vignette of southern heritage. (Night in Chennai: Hotel Radha Park / Similar)

DAY 2

Chennai / Kanchipuram (75 km 2hrs) — Famous as the city of thousand temples, Kanchipuram has been considered as the religious capital of the country due to the presence of several famous temples and the establishment of the Kamakotipeedam by the religious leader Adi Sankara. Apart from this Kanchipuram has been synonymous for its silk sarees which have come to be known as Kanchipuram Sarees. (Night in Kanchipuram: Hotel GRT Regency/ Similar)

DAY 3

Kanchipuram / Mamallapuram (70km 2hrs) — Mamallapuram, a historical retreat, This ancient seaport of the Pallava dynasty of the 7th century AD has its monuments hewn out of solid granite. Though ravaged by sea and wind through these many centuries, the monuments bear testimony to the magnificent heritage of Dravidian architecture. Among the legacy of the Pallavas at Mamallapuram is the Shore Temple, the oldest in South India, standing on the seashore with its paved forecourts, Arjuna's Penance, an immense bas-relief, 27m long and 8m high, intricately carved and rock-cut temples excavated from the hillside with large carved panels depicting stories from Indian mythology. (Night in Mamallapuram: Hotel Maamalla Heritage/Similar)

DAY 4

Mamallapuram — Continued exploration and relaxation... (Night in Mamallapuram: Hotel Maamalla Heritage/Similar)

DAY 5

Mamallapuram / Pondiherry (100 km 2 hours by ECR East Coast Road) — After breakfast leave for Pondicherry. A quaint enclave in Tamil Nadu, 120 km from Chennai is Pondicherry, once a possession of the French. It joined the Republic of India in 1960. The town, which Rose phoenix - like after the British literally razed it to the ground in the 18th century, is home to the much-acclaimed philosopher Shri Aurobindo. His Ashram is in Pondichery. (Over Night in Pondicherry: Hotel Annamalai / Similar)

DAY 6

Pondicherry / Auroville / Pondicherry (30 km 01hrs) — Auroville wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity. It proposes to realise this unity in diversity and not in uniformity. It will bring together those who believe in a progressive universal harmony and want to work for it. In fact, the first condition for living in Auroville is to be convinced of the essential unity of mankind and the will to collaborate in the material realisation of that unity. Named after Sri Aurobindo, Auroville literally means the 'City of Dawn'. (Over Night in Pondicherry: Hotel Annamalai / Similar)

DAY 7

Pondicherry / Chidambaram (90 km 2.5 hrs) /  Kumbhakonam (80 km 2 hrs) Chidambaram — The Land of Wisdom the city of Chidambaram is located in the east central part of Tamil Nadu and is the most important pilgrim spot for the devotees of Lord Shiva. The word Chidambaram comes from words 'Chit' and 'Ambaram', which literally means the sky infused with an atmosphere of intelligence and wisdom. Spread over an area of 5 sq. km Chidambaram has a population of around 60 thousand most of them speaking Tamil and English. It totally has a plain topography with the highest point just 6m above sea level. So don't expect a very adventurous trip in this city. Chidambaram had been the northern frontier of the ancient Chola kingdom. Now Chidambaram is famous for its cluster of temples and their Dravidian style of temple architecture, with few of them being absolute gems in the architectural domain. Visit the temple town and find out by yourself why they are so renowned and talked about. The most known of all is the Natraja temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temples in the city are generally Dravidian style.

Natraja Temple
Natraja temple is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. It is exclusive not only due to its tremendous structural excellence, but also its unique concept. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, also known as the 'The Cosmic Dancer'. This is one of those rare temples that represent Lord Shiva in an idol form rather than a Lingam. The Nataraja temple is said to be the venue of a divine dance competition between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. It is built of granite and was constructed during the rule of the Chola King Bira in the 10th century. The temple of Nataraja, blends piety, tradition, history and art to an outstanding level. The temple sees devotion by millions of Hindus not only in India but also in Sri Lanka where its influence is very prominent. The art and architectural lavished on the temple is just remarkable. The temple located in the center of the town covers an area of around 40 acres and has a gopuram on all sides.

Kumbhakonam
The temple city of Kumbhakonam is on the shores of River Kauvery on the North, and River Arasalar on the South. The Kumbhakonam temples are specially noted for their semi-erotic sculptures. The mythological origin of the Kumbhakonam town gives a totally varied story apart from the tales related to the birth of other places. A Kumbh (pitcher) that contained the “seeds of creation” was reached here on the occasion of a great flood. When Lord Siva broken the pot, its contents sprouted out into “lingas” all along the countryside. It is widely believed that the reason of the presence of large number of temples in this region is the sprouted lingas. It is stated that Kumbhakonam was the Capital of Chola dynasty in the early centuries. The British government also confirmed the view and stationed a New Zilla Judge here from 1806 to 1863 for further studies on its historical details.

(Over Night in Kumbhakonam: Hotel Paradise Resort /Similar)

DAY 8

Kumbhakonam / Tanjore (40 km 1hrs) — Thanjavur, the pride of the Chola dynasty, was the capital of the powerful Chola Empire. Rajaraja Cholan, the Great Chola king built The Bragatheeswarar (Peruvudaiyar) Temple, also known as Big Temple. "In the twenty-fifth year of Rajaraja Cholan (A.D 1009-10) on the 257th day of the year the king handed over the copper pot for the finial at the top of the Vimana". It weighed about 235 lbs., and was overlaid with gold plate of weight of 292.5 Kalanju or nearly 35 lbs.

Rajarajeswaram, as the temple was named by its founder, fills a large portion of the small fort (Sivaganga Fort), encircled by moat on the east and west, the Grand Anaicut Channel(Putharu) on the south and by the Sivaganga Garden on the north. The temple entrance has an imposing gateway on the east, on either sides of which stand two small shrines dedicated to Ganapathi and Murugan and further through there is another Gopuram 90 feet high. This way leads into an outer court. A second and magnificent Gopuram further leads into the main court in which the temple is built. The inner court is about 500 feet long and 250 feet broad, is well paved with brick and stone. The court is surrounded on all sides by a cloister. The western and northern wings have Sivalingams consecrated therein and there are paintings over these walls depicting sixty-four Nayanmars, sacred sport of Siva. The outer measurement of the temple is 793 feet by 397 feet. (Over Night in Tanjore: Hotel Sangam / Similar)

DAY 9

Thanjavur / Tiruchirapalli (54 km 1n half hrs) — After breakfast leave for Tiruchirapalli. This ancient citadel, situated on the banks of the Cauvery River, provides a perfect blend of history, tradition and religion. The Rock Fort dominates Trichy’s landscape. The Pallavas and then the Pandyas also ruled once the citadel of the early Cholas, this city. The present fort was built by the Nayak rulers of Madurai in late 17th centurySrirangam (5kms) is an important temple town, close to Trichy. Built on the banks of the river Cauvery, the temple is dedicated to Sri Ranganatha (Vishnu). (Over Night in Tiruchirapalli: Hotel Sangam / Similar)

DAY 10

Tiruchirapalli  / Madurai (128 km 3hrs) — After breakfast leave for Madurai. Madurai, in southern Tamil Nadu is the second largest city in the state and an important cultural and commercial centre. Over 2500 years old, Madurai was a seat of learning in the Sangam period 3500 years ago. Legend has it that when the Pandyan king was about to name his new city, Lord Shiva appeared and the drops of nectar falling from his locks gave the city its name - Madhurapuri - city of nectar. Today, Madurai is noted for its splendid temple to the goddess Meenakshi and its imposing gopurams The Thirumalai Nayak Palace, was built in the Indo-Saracenic style by the Nayak rulers of Madurai in 1636 AD. Traditional crafts are still created here in age-old fashion and Madurai is noted for its fine handloom fabrics and beautiful brass lamps. (Over Night in Madurai: Hotel GRT Regency/ Similar)

DAY 11

Madurai — Continued exploration and relaxation... (Over Night in Madurai: Hotel GRT Regency/Similar) 

DAY 12

Madurai / Kanyakumari (170 km 06hrs) — India, the sub-continental country is known for its richness in culture and tradition. Speaking of the topography of India, the Northern side is covered by the wide range of the huge snow clad Himalayas. The west is covered by the Arabian Sea. The East is covered by the Bay of Bengal. The southern side is very unique as both these seas mingle with the Indian Ocean. The Land that is located in the tip of the country, where the three seas get united is none other than cape comerin or Kanyakumari. The name of this place has been christened after the virgin goddess – Kanyakumari Amman. Mythological stories depict that Goddess parvati under the disguise of Devi Kanniya did a penance in one of the rocks in this area to reach the hand of Lord Shiva. This place is also a popular pilgrimage. The tourists who visit this southern most tip of India would certainly enjoy the exuberant scenes of the sunsets, the sunrises especially on full moon days. The nature of the sand in the beaches of Kanyakumari is unique as it is multicolored. (Over Night in Kanyakumari: Hotel Sparsha / Similar)

DAY 13

Kanyakumari  / Poovar Village bank on the sea (100 km 3hrs) — (Overnight in Poovar: Hotel Isola di Cooco Beach Resorts / Similar)

DAY 14

Poovar — Continued exploration and relaxation. (Overnight in Poovar: Hotel Isola di Cooco Beach Resorts / Similar)

DAY 15

Poovar / Koavalam (30 km I hrs) — lunch at Koavalam / Trivantpuram (20 km 1 hrs) — (Evening Train Ananthapuri  6124 Departs @ 16:20 arrive @ 08.40 am).

Beach town on the Arabian Sea in southern India, Kovalam features three spectacular crescent beaches. The most popular and largest beach is Lighthouse Beach, aptly named for its 30-meter lighthouse, which features a stunning site - the Vizhinjam mosque.

Trivantpuram — The capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum city is known as the gateway of one of the most beautiful states in India. Located on the south west coast of India, this tropical paradise is known as "God's own country" and for the right reasons. Lush green landscapes interspersed with crystal clear backwaters make this state the most visited tourist destination. The state maintains its traditional heritage even in the modern century and Trivandrum tourism industry is increasing by the moment. Also known as Thiruvananthapuram, your travel to Trivandrum will be one experience that you wouldn't forget for the rest of your lives. Trivandrum has a rich tradition that dates back to almost 1000 B.C. Even today, the past and present are found to exist in perfect harmony in Kerala. Trivandrum has a lot of tourist attractions that are worth visiting and the clean and serene environment makes the whole experience a truly memorable one. The city of Trivandrum is different from other large Indian cities and is a welcome break from the bustling commercial city life. Here, time moves slowly and offers plenty of opportunities to explore this beautiful city, which used to form a part of the ancient capital city of Travancore. (Overnight train to Chennai)

DAY 16

Chennai / Depart Home — On arrival in Chennai railway station transfer to Hotel for refreshment (rooms for wash & change) & Breakfast. After visit the city Museum & after lunch time for shopping & after farewell Dinner transfer to International airport for departure to home. (Tour Ends)