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.