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The famous temples of South India have become ashining example of the cultural heritage and diversity ofIndia. Of all the existing ones, take a look at some of thefinest architectural creations made over a period ofthousands of years by historic dynasties for the creatorsand preservers of this beautiful planet.

In India, for hundreds of years, the only form of tourismthat existed was purely religious and devotional. Even tothis day, millions of devotees flock to these incrediblefamous temples in South India every year in a quest formoksha and inner peace. Many of the famous temples inSouth India have often been considered by historiansand architects as the finest devotional constructionsever to be made. What made these temples not losetheir charm with the passage of time was the strong anddedicated devotional purpose for which they were built.

India  |   9 Days

Highlights

Starting from the metropolis ofChennai, explore the templecities of South India – visit theshore temple ofMahabalipuram, the FrenchQuarters of Puducherry, theancient temples of Thanjavurand Madurai built by theancient dynasties that ruled India.

ITINERARY SCHEDULE

Day 1 :- Arrive Chennai Airport

transfer toMahabalipuram enroute visit Kanchipuram.
On arrival at Chennai Airport, you shall begreeted by the Wanderers representative.Transfer to Mahabalipuram. Depending on theflight timings if time permits, visit Kanchipuram(approx.70 kms/1.5hrs). Known as the GoldenCity of a Thousand Temples, Kanchipuram is oneof India’s sacred cities and the ancient capital ofthe Pallavas, known for its 1000 temples, manyof them are still used to this day. theEkambareshwar Temple, Kailashnath Templeand Kamakshi Amman Temple. The most famousbeing the Sri Kamakshi temple. The city is alsowell known for the silks it produces. Have lunchat a local restaurant at own cost and thencontinue driving to Mahabalipuram (approx. 75kms, 2hrs drive). On arrival at Mahabalipuramcheck into the hotel. Evening is at leisure.Overnight at Mahabalipuram.

Day 2 :- Mahabalipuram Local Tour

Post breakfast, at 09.30hrs proceed for a local tour of Mahabalipuram. The temple town of Mahabalipuram – A UNESCO HERITAGE SITE has numerous spellbound stone carvings, most beautiful rock-cut art temples and miles of serene beaches with glittering sands. Visit the ancient temples mostly built during the reign of  the Pallavas which dates to 7th century though frozen in time. View the Five Rathas – a group of Monolithic Monuments and Animal Figures carved out of Solid Rock; the Shore Temple lashed by the waves of the Sea that is unique because Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are housed in the same sanctum sanctorum; and the huge Frescoe; “The Penance of Bhagirath”.
Overnight at Mahabalipuram.

Day 3 :- Mahabalipuram to Puducherry (approx.110 kms, 2.5hrs drive)

After a leisurely breakfast at 11.00hrs drive toPuducherry. This town has a strong Frenchinfluence, as it was an erstwhile French colony.Check in at the hotel. The French Quarter isdistinguished by the Goubert Avenue which runsalong the Promenade Beach. The manicured layoutof the avenue is lined with heritage villas, buildings,and statues – the most significant part ofPuducherry’s history. Across the canal lies theTamil Quarter which has its own architecturalheritage and bustles with activity all day longdisplaying the Indian side of Puducherry. The dualcharacter of Puducherry is a standing tribute todiversity. Historic buildings jostle against charmingsidewalk cafes, trendy designer wear boutiquesstand next to native sari shops and other upmarketcommercial addresses share humble space withroadside bangle sellers and temple pilgrims in abustling bazaar-like environment. Day is free toexplore on own.

Overnight stay at Puducherry.

Day 4 :- Puducherry sightseeing

Post breakfast visit Auroville visitor centre. TheUniversal town of Auroville is located 10 kms northof Pondicherry town, where people from differentnationalities, faiths, and beliefs, can live in peaceand harmony. The construction of this ‘universal’town was started in 1968 under the guidance ofThe Mother, a Paris-born painter-musician whobecame Sri Aurobindo’s disciple and closecompanion from 1924 till his death in 1950. Thedevelopment of the utopia is still in progress. Avisit to Auroville is an experience by itself. Eveningis free at leisure.

Overnight at Puducherry.

Day 5 :- Puducherry to Thanjavur enroute visit Chidambaram and Kumbakonam

After early breakfast at 08.30hrs, drive to Chidambaram (approx. 80 kms/2 hrs drive) to visit the famous Nataraja Temple. Here at the Thillai Nataraja Temple, Lord Shiva as Nataraja [lord of dance] is at that state of supreme bliss or Ananta [immense joy] and is dancing the true cosmic dance of life, the Ananta Natanam. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is gold plated.

If time permits, drive further for another 80 kms to the temple town of Kumbakonam, home to around 188 temples, the most prominent of which is the Kumbeswarar Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is the oldest shrine in the area, built in the 7th century. Another attraction is the 12-storey-high Sarangapani Temple built by the Nayak kings. Raghunatha Nayak, who ruled the town in the 16th century, got scenes from Ramayana painted on the walls of the Ramaswamy Temple. Kumbakonam is also known to have a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, the Hindu god who is responsible for the creation of the universe and of life on earth. There are very few temples of Lord Brahma in the world and Kumbakonam has one of them. After lunch at a local restaurant at own cost, drive to Thanjavur (40kms/1hr drive). On arrival at Thanjavur, check into the resort. Thanjavur – the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu was the capital of the Chola dynasty and has the famous Brihadeeshwara Temple.

Overnight at Thanjavur.

Day 6 :- Thanjavur Sightseeing

At 09.00hrs after breakfast proceed for local tour of Thanjavur – the capital of the Chola dynasty, it is famous for the grandest temple in South India, the Brihadeeshwara Temple. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this great monument built by Raja raja Chola is one of the Great Living Chola Temples characterised by its unique structure Next visit the Thanjavur Palace which was the Nayaks started building in the mid-16th century, and then completed by the Marathas. The palace now functions as the Royal Museum, housing a collection of royal remains. Next visit the Art Gallery comprising of Saraswathi Mahal Library and the Sangeetha Sabha. The Saraswathi Mahal Library has a vast collection of 30,000 palm leaf and paper manuscripts written in Indian and European languages. Return to the hotel.

Overnight at Thanjavur.

Day 7 :- Thanjavur to Tiruchirappalli to Madurai

At 08.30hrs post breakfast depart for Madurai. Enroute visit Tiruchirappalli (approx. 60kms, 1.15 hrs drive) located on the banks of the river Kaveri. Tiruchirappalli is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. The Nayaks of Madurai built the spectacular fort on an 83m high massive rock.

Apart from the Rock Fort Temple, it is famous for the Ranganath temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in reclining form.

Drive further to Madurai (approx. 145 kms, 2.5 hrs drive). On arrival check into the hotel. Madurai was the capital city for the great Pandya king and is most famous for its Meenakshi Amman Temple. Dedicated to Meenakshi, the lovely consort of Lord Shiva, the original temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya who also created a lotus shaped city around the temple.

Overnight at Madurai.

Day 8 :- Madurai Sightseeing

At 08.30hrs after breakfast, you shall visit the famous awe inspiring Meenakshi Temple – a must visit in every South Indian Temple tour itinerary. The enormous temple complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Sundareshvara and his consort Parvati or Meenakshi. The temple complex is within a high-walled enclosure, at the core of which are the two sanctums for Meenakshi and Sundareshwara, surrounded by several smaller shrines and grand pillared halls with their highly impressive 12 gopuras.

Also visit the Palace of Nayak Tirumalai. The Palace was constructed as a residence for the then King Thirumalai Nayak. Designed by an Italian architect, this palace is a blend of Dravidian and Islamic architectural styles. The interior of this palace mesmerizes everyone with its intricate paintings and sculpting. Paintings on the roof of the palace are worth noticing.

Overnight at Madurai.

Day 9 :- Transfer to Madurai Airport

Post breakfast transfer to Madurai Airport to board flight to onward destination.

Package cost

₹Cost on Request

Note

Most of the temples in the itinerary are shut from 1200hrs to 1600hrs.

Mahabalipuram, situated about 60 km south of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, is an ancient port town known for its stone carvings and stone temples. It was built largely between the 7th and the 9th centuries. This port city of Pallavas is one of a kind tourist destination worth a visit.

There are bass reliefs (structures protruding from the base of the rock- above) of the descent of the Ganges that are very famous.

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