South
India is home to some of the most magnificent temples
of the world. The southern part of the nation is
a hub of temples so much so that some of the towns
in the region are referred to as 'Temple Towns'
because of the glorious and fabulous temples built
in that area. The Vimana and the Gopurams characterize
the architectural style of these temples. The ancient
sacred temple of Shri Venkateshwara located on Venkatachala
peak of Tirupati Hill, the Mukteswara temple of
Lord Shiva, the much-famed Sri Meenakshi Sundareswara
temple in Madurai city, the fourth biggest temple
in India the Guruvayoor Temple dedicated to Lord
Krishna and the Jagannath Temple of Puri in Orissa
together make South India rich and vibrant with
its wondrous temples attracting numerous people
to the place every year.
Duration:
11 Nights / 12 Days Places to Visit: Chennai - Chennai
- Tirupati - kanchipuram - Mamallapooram -
Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry - Chidambaram
- Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Trivamdrum
Day 01:
Arrive Chennai
On arrival at the airport you would be welcome by
the Indian Horizons representative and transfer
to the hotel. Overnight at Chennai. Day 02: In Chennai
After breakfast Indian Horizons guide would escort
you to the full day excursion to Mahabalipuram famous
as a major seaport of the great Pallava Kings between
08 and 10th century AD and noted for its rock carvings
and the shore temple. On your way back to Chennai
visit the Gandhi Memorial, Kala Kshetra, Mylapore
temple. Overnight at Chennai. Day 03: Chennai - Tirupati
- Chennai
Morning after breakfast full day excursion to Tirupati
famous for ancient temple of Lord Venkateswara.
Overnight at Chennai. Day 04: Chennai - Kanchipuram
- Mamallapooram
Morning after breakfast on your drive to Mamallapooram
enroute visit Kanchipuram the ancient capital of
the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and
still has 124 shrines. On arrivalcheck-into the
hotel. Afternoon with Indian Horizons guide visit
several antique sculptural marvels of shrines and
huge sculptures cut-out of rocks that dates back
to 1200 years during the reign of Pallava Kings.
The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes
- of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others
- are truly poems in stone. The only shore temple
that remains here is the spectacular two - spired
shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva
and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum sanctorum. Overnight
at Mamallapooram Day 05: Mamallaporam -
Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry
Morning after breakfast drive to Pondicherry enroute
visit to Tiruvannamallai a pilgrim center with an
ancient temple of Lord Shiva After lunch proceed
to Pondicherry, which carries a strongwhiff
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. Overnight at Pondicherry. Day 06: In Pondicherry
After breakfast 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 to unite
the spirit and matter. After lunch 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 Pondicherry. Day 07: Pondicherry - Chidambaram
- Tanjore
Morning after breakfast drive to Tanjore enroute
visit Chidambaram famous for the Nataraja temple
with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with
golden plates. In this temple postures from the
Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture.
Later drive to Thanjavur visiting the Brass factory
at Kumbakonam. On arrival check-into the hotel.
Overnight at Tanjore. Day 08: Tanjore - Trichy
Morning explore the famous Chola Temple of Brideshwar
at Tanjore and later drive Trichy situated on the
banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and
tradition as well as pilgrim center famous for Ranganath
Temple at Srirangam. On arrival check-into the hotel.
Afternoon explore the temples of Trichy with Indian
Horizons guide. The prominent temple is the Rock
Fort Temple and Srirangam Temple. Overnight at Trichy. Day 09: Trichy - Madurai
After breakfast drive to Madurai some 2600 years
old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai
as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the
center. After lunch explore the famous Meenakshi
Temple with Indian Horizons guide, a superb example
of the Dravida School of Architecture and is known
for its profusely carved and gigantic gateways.
Overnight at Madurai. Day 10: Madurai - Trivandrum
After breakfast drive to Trivandrum and check in
at hotel. Overnight at Trivandrum Day 11: In Trivandrum
After breakfast proceed for full day excursion to
Kanyakumari where the water of the Arabian Sea,
the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. An
important pilgrim center of India famous for the
Amman Temples a symbol of unity and sanctity dedicated
to the virgin Goddess, Kanya Kumari. Visit the Vivekananda
Rock Memorial, a blend of all the architectural
styles of India. Evening enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Overnight at Trivandrum. Day 12: Trivandrum - Flight
Back Home Morning after breakfast transfer
to airport to connect flight for onward journey.