South India Temple Tour (9 Days / 8 Nights)
Explore India in its rich cultural heritage, the temples speak of the glory of the ruling dynasty. Temples, symbolizing the religious fervour of the people of India, are strewn all over the place. Thousands of temples with lofty towers dot the skyline of all the states of South India. The Tamils have been the greatest of temple builders. Successive Tamil rulers, patrons of art and architecture belonging to the Pallava, Chola and Pandya Dynasties have contributed greatly in the architecture and building of these temples. Some of the prominent Pallava temples are the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram, The Kailashnatha Temple at Kanchipuram, the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple at Kanchipuram, and the Talagiriswara Temple at Kanchipuram. Some of the prominent Chola temple is the Brihadishwara temple at Thanjavur.
Day 1: Chennai - Tirupati
Monday, April 29, 2024 - Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Arrive at Chennai and after breakfast proceed to Tirupathi. Arrive and check-in at hotel.Afternoon visit the famous Venkateshwara temple situated at Tirumala is known as Balaji in the North and Srinivasa Perumal in the South. Tirumala has seven magnificent hills and hence the God is called "Edukondalavadu", the God of seven hills. It is one of the oldest pilgrim centres in India with an average of 40-50 thousand pilgrims visiting daily and one of the richest deity in the world! Dotted with natural waterfalls and endowed with divine beauty, the place has well-laid gardens. The Varahaswamy temple, situated near the Venkateswara temple on the banks of Pushkarani Tank is said to be even more ancient. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Varahaswamy. Other famous shrines in Tirupati town include the shrine of Govinda - raja Swamy temple and the sacred Kapila Teertham. Overnight stay in Tirupathi.
Morning after breakfast proceed for Kanchipuram - THE City of Temples. Once the capital of the Pallavas, Cholas and Vijayanagar rulers, it is considered as the second holiest place in India, next only to Varanasi. Visit the Kailasanatha temple, Ekambaranatha temple, Sri Kamakshi temple,Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, Talagiriswara Temple etc.Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram.
Day 3: Mamallapuram - Thanjavur
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Thursday, May 2, 2024
After breakfast proceed to Thanjavur. Enroute visiting Arujna's Penance and
Shore Temple and Five Raths at Mahabalipuram.Arrive and check-in at hotel at Thanjavur for overnight stay
Day 4: Thanjavur - Madurai
Thursday, May 2, 2024 - Friday, May 3, 2024
After breakfast proceed to visit the magnificent Brihadishwara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which bears witness to the glory of Chola architecture, sculpture and painting. The Thanjavur Art Gallery has a priceless collection of bronze icons and granite sculptures dating from the 9th century AD. Proceed to Madurai.Arrive and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 5: Madurai
Friday, May 3, 2024 - Saturday, May 4, 2024
Morning after breakfast visit Meenakshi Temple, the huge temple complex with its beautiful carvings is quite overwhelming. The complex with its magniflcient stone carvings was built in the 17th century by the Nayaks of Madurai. See the thousand pillar hall. Also see the Thirumalai Nayak Palace built in the Indo Saracenic style in 1636.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 6: Madurai - Tiruchirappalli
Saturday, May 4, 2024 - Sunday, May 5, 2024
Morning Proceed to Tiruchirappalli. Arrive and stay at Hotel.Afternoon half day city tour visiting Rock Fort, with the Vinayaka temple at the top reached by climbing 437 steps,
Government Museum and Tiruvanaikkaval.Overnight stay at Tiruchirappalli.
Day 7: Tiruchirappalli - Chennai
Sunday, May 5, 2024 - Monday, May 6, 2024
Morning proceed to Chennai. Enroute visit Vardaraja Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple at Kanchipuram.Arrive and stay at Hotel.Overnight at Chennai.
Day 8: Chennai
Monday, May 6, 2024 - Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Morning after breakfast visit to Kapileshwara temple in Chennai.Afternoon visit the Museum or free to visit emporium to buy the souvenirs.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 9: Chennai
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 - Wednesday, May 8, 2024
After breakfast transfer to airport to for onward destination.
