Activities

Duration: 10 Nights & 11 Days

Major Attractions: Ancient Temples, Dravidian architecture, Tamil Culture, Heritage Sites

Destination Covered: Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Tiruvannamalai, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Trichy & Madurai

Tamilnadu Temple Tour is a great opportunity to explore some of the best temples of Tamilnadu & South India. This is India’s southernmost state and full of art, culture, and architecture. Tamil is the main language of the state and is a classical one at par with Sanskrit. Chola, Pallava, Nayaka and Pandya dynasties enriched the architecture with some of the grandest temples.

One cannot take the eyes off from the magnificent Gopurams – the gateway towers in all four directions. The Dravidian architecture of the sculptures on Cave temples in Mahabalipuram blows the mind that is why UNESCO has rightly classified the group of monuments as world heritage sites. Brihadeshwara Temple of Thanjavur has already completed 1000 years in 2010 and know as “Great Living Chola Temple”.

The engineering and architecture of one of the biggest temples of India are unparalleled. It is a father figure of all craftsmanship in India. Meenakshi Temple of Madurai houses 15 gigantic gateway towers each ranging in height from 45-50 meters. There are 33,000 sculptures in this temple, thus it was included in the list of New Seven Wonders of the World.

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrive Chennai

Upon arrival at Chennai Airport, you are meet & greet by our company representative later transferred to your pre-booked hotel. Check-in to the hotel and take rest.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 2: Chennai – Kanchipuram (02 hours drive) Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (02 hours drive)

After breakfast driveMahabalipuram en route visiting Kanchipuram, the ancient city which is one of the holy cities of Tamil Nadu. Also referred to as ‘city of temples’ Kanchipuram houses numerous temples that depict Dravidian style architecture. Kanchipuram Temples were built during various dynasties such as Cholas, Pallava, and Chalukyas, etc.

Upon arrival at Mahabalipuram, check-in to your pre-booked hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 3: Mahabalipuram

After breakfast begin your day guided city tour of Mahabalipuram by visiting Krishna Mandapam, the biggest cave-cut Hindu temple which is linked to Lord Indra and Lord Krishna. The temple is a great exemplar of realistic art and architecture. Later, get an insight of Pallava architecture by visiting Pancha Rathas, an excellent architectural edifice.

The five structures in the temples are made in the shape of chariots (rathas) that are named after Pandavas and their wife Draupadi from Indian epic ‘Mahabharata’. Also visit nearby attractions – Shore Temple (a structural temple, which is constructed with blocks of granite) and Arjuna’s Penance (The great 43 feet tall bas air relief monument that depicts how Arjuna executed stern austerities to get Shiva’s weapon).

Day 4: Mahabalipuram – Tiruvannamalai ( 152 kms, 03 hours drive)

After breakfast leave by surface for Tiruvannamalai, the important significant pilgrim in Tamilnadu. Upon arrival check-in to your pre-booked hotel and get ready to visit Arunachaleswar Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (also known as Annamalayar or Arunachaleswarar by the devotees).

It seized special position during Saivite Empire and is also considered one amongst the Pancha Bhoota Stalams. Afterward, visit Ramana Maharishi Ashram, which is dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi.
Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 5: Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry (106 kms, 02 Hours drive)

After breakfast drive to Pondicherry. Also known as “French Colony of India”, Pondicherry is a must-visit attraction. The place is occupied with calm, clean streets and bougainvillea- wrapped colonial-style houses. En route see the beautiful scenic views to make your south India temple tour more memorable. On arrival check-in to the hotel for comfortable overnight stay.

Day 6: Pondicherry

After breakfast full day guided city tour of Pondicherry visiting Aurobindo Ashram. The Ashram was established by a noted freedom fighter, Sri Aurobindo Ghose in 1926. It is a vivacious center of life in a contemporary urban setting where Yoga is performed as an offering to the divine.

Later visit Auroville, Pondicherry Beach, and Ganesh Temple. Auroville is a small town near Pondicherry. The community of Auroville is destined to be a worldwide town where both men and women of every nation can reside in harmony and progressive accord, above all beliefs, politics, and nationalities.
At last visit amazing Ganesh Temple is also known as Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple is a lively Hindu temple acknowledged for its elaborately carved stone walls, elephant blessings as well as the golden chariot.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 7: Pondicherry – Chidambaram (65 kms, 1½ hrs drive) Chidambaram – Kumbakonam (80 kms, 02 hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to Kumbakonam en route visiting Chidambaram to witness the magnificence of Natraj Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Nataraja (one of the forms of Lord Shiva). The temple is also known as Chidambaram Nataraja temple and it depicts the architectural style of the 12th and 13th centuries. Annually Natyanjali dance festival is celebrated in the temple on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri. The temple is also well-known for its beautiful paintings.

On your arrival at Kumbakonam visit Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Airavatesvara Temple. Built by Rajendra Chola 1. The Brihadisvara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and also a Unesco World Heritage Site. Airavatesvara Temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that depicts Vaishnavism as well as Shaktism customs of Hinduism.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 8: Kumbakonam – Thanjavur (45 kms, 1 hrs drive) Thanjavur – Trichy (65 kms, 1½ hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to Trichy, en-route visit Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Brahadeeswarar Temple is main attraction of south India.Built by Raja Chola I in 1010 AD the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple features a spectacular architecture representing the superiority achieved by the Cholas in fresco painting sculptures and metallurgy. The temple houses a giant Shivaling in its chamber.

Arrive Trichy, Check In to Hotel. Evening at leisure.

Overnight stay at hotel

Day 9: Trichy to Madurai (140 kms, 2½ hours drive)

After breakfast visit, Rock Fort, located on Kaveri River’s bank the fort is one of the oldest structures in the world. The fort complex houses two main temples the Thayumanaswami Temple and the Ucchi Pillayar Temple. The fort compound had witnessed various fierce battles during different dynasties.

To know more about the ancient architectural art of the place visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple of Srirangam Temple which is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha (one of the forms of Lord Vishnu). The architecture of the temple exhibits about the early medieval South Indian culture and society.

Later drive to the cultural capital of Tamilnadu, Madurai. Upon arrival check In to your pre-booked hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10: Madurai

After breakfast Full day guide city tour Madurai visiting the historical and magnificently built monuments in the city. First of all, take a guided tour of Meenakshi Temple – a magnificent temple, which is listed as one of the modern wonders in the world. The temple holds great historical and mythological significance.

It is assumed that Lord Shiva (in the form of Sundareswarar) married Goddess Parvati (in the form of Meenakshi) in this temple. Afterward visit Tirumalai Nayaka Palace, built-in 1635 the palace once served as a residence to King Thirumalai Nayak. The palace is an exceptional blend of Islamic and Dravidian architectural styles. The interior of this palace is filled with beautiful intricate paintings and carvings.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 11: Madurai – Chennai (By Flight)
After breakfast, you are transferred to board flight to Chennai airport to board flight for home.