South India Temple Tour Packages

Duration : 12 Nights / 13 days

Destinations : Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Trivandrum

-: Day 01 - Chennai :-

Arrival at Chennai and transfer to the designated hotel for check-in. Known as the gateway to southern India, the city was established by the East India Company in 1639. It is regarded as one of the oldest cities of the country. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

-: Day 02: Chennai :-

Full day sightseeing tour of the city visiting Marina beach, Mylapore temple, Gandhi Memorial and Kala Skhetra. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

-: Day 03 - Chennai :-

Morning drive to the much awaited Tirupati temple and offer prayers to Lord Tirupati Tirumala Balaji.

Tirumala Balaji: A sacred heaven for the devotees, it is home to Lord Venketeshwara who is regarded as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Declared the richest and most frequented temple in the world, it is the holiest of holy pilgrimage destination in the country. After Darshan and prayer offerings, drive back to hotel for overnight stay.

-: Day 04: Chennai - Kancheepuram - Mahabalipuram :-

After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram (76kms) and upon arrival sightseeing tour of the city. The ancient capital of Pallavas, the site has more than 1000 Temples and 124 shrines. The temple dedicated to Shiva is the first to be built in the 7th and 8th century and depicts paintings on carvings on its walls. Other famous temples include Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy, Kailasanatha and Ekambaswara. Post lunch, proceed for a short shopping trip for the famous Kanchipuram silk.

Later, drive to Mahabalipuram and check-in at the hotel. The ancient Pallava port built in 7th century is today a famous tourist site displaying several antique sculptural marvels. 1200 years old sculptures made by cutting rocks by Pallava kings can be seen in the region about which it is said that if dreams can be weaved on stone, then it will resemble these sculptures. Visit the only temple remaining whose sanctum sanctorum houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

-: Day 05 : Mahabalipuram-Thiruvannamalai-Pondicherry :-

After breakfast drive to Tiruvannamallai(112kms-03hrs)- a pilgrim centre with an ancient temple of Lord Shiva. After lunch at local restaurant, proceed to Pondicherry (131kms- 3.5hrs), which carries a strong whiff 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. Check-in, dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

-: Day 06 : Pondicherry :-

After breakfast drive to Aurbindo Ashram also known as the city of dawn, located 10 kms north of Pondicherry. The Ashram Promotes Swami Aurbindo's ideas for bringing about a synthesis of modern science and Yoga resulting in the unification of the spirit and matter. Post lunch, visit Auroville - a unique experiment aimed at promoting international living where men and women of all countries live together in harmony. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

-: Day 07: Pondicherry-Chidambaram-Tanjore :-

After a leisurely breakfast drive to Chidambaram (65kms). Also known as Thillai, the place is famous for the Nataraja temple whose root is covered with golden plates. Covering an area of 40 acres, and located in the centre of the town, this temple has postures from the famous dance form of Bharatnatayam depicted in sculptural forms. Natraja is regarded as Lord Shiva incarnated as a cosmic dancer. Post lunch, drive to Thanjavur (104kms) en-route visiting the Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Tanjore once the capital of Chola Kings, has the Brahadeswara temple famous for its unique architecture style. On arrival dinner and overnight stay.

-: Day 08: Tanjore - Trichy :-

After breakfast leave for Trichy (54kms), also known as Trichurapalli situated on the banks of Kaveri River and on arrival check-in at the hotel. Displaying a fine blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim centre, the town is famous for Ranganath temple. Post lunch visit the famous Rock fort temples located at a height of over 23mts. later, visit the Srirangam and Jambukeshwar Temple followed by dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

-: Day 09: Trichy - Madurai :-

Morning drive to Madurai (133 km) and upon arrival transfer to hotel. This 2600 years old ancient city of Madurai is situated on the banks of river Vaigai with the Meenakshi temple at the centre. Post lunch, proceed on sightseeing tour of the city visiting King Tirumala's Palace, Meenakshi temple, Alagar Kovil and Mariamman Tepakkulam. Dinner & overnight stay at hotel.

-: Day 10: Madurai (Excursion-Rameshwaram, 154kms) :-

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Rameshwaram regarded as the most sacred temple town of South India. Legends have it that Lord Rama visited this shrine before going into battle with Ravana. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama after defeating Ravana, sent Hanuman to bring a Lingam to offer prayers. When Hanuman could not return before the auspicious hour, Sita made a sand Lingam for the worship, which is the present day Ramanatha swamy temple standing close to the eastern side of the sea.

Explore the huge sculptured Jyotirlingam shrines with artistically done corridors. After a typical South Indian lunch at a local restaurant, drive back to hotel for dinner & overnight stay.

-: Day 11: Madurai - Kanyakumari ( 258 kms) :-

Morning drive to Kanyakumari – the geographical end-point of India where the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal meet. A famous religious place, the town is known for the Amman Temples or the temples of Unity and peace dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanya Kumari. Located to its South-east is the memorial to the India Saint and philosopher Vivekananda- who meditated here before proceeding on his mission to propagate Hinduism in the west. Located nearby is a recently erected memorial pillar to Thiruvalluvar, a Tamil saint who wrote the scripture Thirukkural containing 1330 verses for a better way of life for humans.

In the evening, proceed for the scenic view of the sunset at the southern most point where all three seas meets. Overnight stay at the hotel.

-: Day 12: Kanyakumari - Trivandrum (87 kms) :-

Morning drive to Suchindram and proceed to Trivandrum, on the way visiting padmanabapuram Palace famous for its beautiful architecture. Upon arrival visit to Padmanabaswamy temple and the city palace museum. Later, drive to Kovalam and upon arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

-: Day 13: Tivandrum - Back Home :-

Day time free for leisure activities or just relaxing at the Kovalam beach. Post lunch, transfer to Trivandrum airport to board flight for your return/onward journey.