Temples of South India

On arrival at Chennai airport, you will be met by our representative who will escort you to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel and rest of the day to relax. In the evening you may explore nearby places on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After an early breakfast, drive to Tirupati. Upon arrival, proceed for visit to Tirupati Temple and temples located around Tirupati - Sri Padmavathi Devi temple at Tiruchanoor and Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram. After the visit, return to Chennai for a night's stay.

After breakfast drive to Mamallapuram, earlier known as Mahabalipuram. En route visit Kanchipuram, known as the city of thousand temples. It is one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus and was the capital of the early Cholas as far back as the 2nd century BC.
Later continue the drive to Mamallapuram. Upon arrival check into the hotel. After fresh-n-up we will proceed sightseeing around Mamallapuram, the ancient port of Pallavas. Shore Temple is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in the Dravidian style. The Five Rathas are a group of five monolithic temples, each created in a different style. After the visit, check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

Today we will have an excursion to Tiruvannamalai. One of the holiest towns of Tamil Nadu, its name meaning the "red mountain" derives from the spectacular extinct volcano behind it. The temple town of Tiruvannamalai is one of the most ancient heritage sites of India and is a center of the Saiva religion. The Arunachala hill and its environs have been held in great regard by the Tamils for centuries. The temple is grand in conception and architecture and is rich in tradition, history, and festivals. After the visit, commence the drive to Pondicherry. Upon arrival check into the hotel for an overnight stay.

Today we will start our day with a visit to Sri Aurobindo Ashram: The Sri Aurobindo Ashram located on rue de la Marine is one of the most well-known ashrams in India. The ashram was set up in 1926 by one of India’s famous sons Sri Aurobindo,
Our next stop will be the Pondicherry Museum, located in the former residence of the French Administrator. The museum has a collection of rare bronzes and stone sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties. Later, proceed to visit the church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus -a neo-gothic church built by French missionaries in the 1700s. Our last stop of the day is 300 years old Manakula Vinayagar Koil Temple dedicated to Ganesha. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, leave for Thanjavur, earlier known as Tanjore. En route, we will visit the Divine land of Chidambaram. It is one of the few temples where Siva and Vishnu are enshrined under one roof. Devoted solely to the art of Bharatanatyam it is one of the rare temples where Shiva is represented by an idol rather than the customary Lingam. After the visit, drive to Thanjavur. Upon arrival check into the hotel for an overnight stay.

Today we will go for a temple tour of Thanjavur visiting Brihadeeswara Temple, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Thanjavur is also the home of the Tanjore painting, a painting style unique to the region. The city is an important agricultural center located at the heart of the region, known as the "Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu". In the afternoon leave for Trichy. Upon arrival check into the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit Srirangam - located on an island which is surrounded by the Kaveri water a 600-acre island town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswamy temple. Also visit the Rock Fort: Trichy's most famous landmark is 83 mt high rock which is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat inland of the city. Later in the afternoon drive to Madurai. Upon arrival check into the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, proceed for a temple tour of Madurai. The city is more than 2500 years old and constructed in the form of a lotus as a lotus city too. Visit Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace - a classic fusion of Italian and Rajput styles. In the evening witness, the Prayer Ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple dedicated to Lord Sundareswar and Meenakshi. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Rameshwaram the most popular sacred center in Hinduism. On arrival check-in at the hotel. Later proceed to visit Ramanathan Swami temple, which is believed to be the shrine where Lord Rama carried out the poojas and rituals to escape from the ill effects of having killed the demon king Ravana as referred to in the famous Hindu Epic Ramayana. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, we will explore Dhanush Kodi - an abandoned port town of Rameswaram. After the visit, we will drive to the shore of Kanyakumari. Upon arrival check into the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will explore the city. We will take a short ferry ride to visit will be Swami Vivekananda’s Memorial built on a small island and dedicated to the great Indian Philosopher Swami Vivekananda. Later, visit Kumari Amman Temple located near the sea shore and it is a beautiful scene for visitors who visit this site. After the visit, drive to Trivandrum. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, proceed to visit Padmanabha Swamy temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Exquisite carvings and age-old murals adorn the walls of the temple also visit the Napier Museum, a 19th-century monument that comprises a collection that is quite rare and unique. After the visit, you will be provided a departure transfer to Trivandrum airport to connect the flight for the onward journey.