01 Day: Arrival Chennai
Welcome to India! Meeting and assistance on arrival at the Chennai International Airport, our representative welcomes and escorts you by a private car and transfer to the hotel, whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would hand over the documents and brief the tour programme to you. Chennai is the gateway of South India will put you in touch with a different phase of India - Classical, Ancient, Gentle. Chennai, the 4th largest city in India, spreads over 50 miles and features a large and beautiful waterfront on the Bay of Bengal. The British East India Company established its first trading post at Chennai, and in 1653 the company built Fort Saint George to protect its position. If time permits, visit Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world. Overnight at the hotel.
Chennai (Madras): the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu is the most convenient point of entry. Chennai has an international airport, a seaport and a rail and road network that links it to all major towns and cities of the region. Tamil Nadu is a bastion of Hinduism, whose past endures into the present. Temples with towering spires called gopurams are a common feature of this state, seldom seen anywhere else in the country. Temples in Tamil Nadu were the fulcrum of society and even today art forms that have their origin in religious worship continue to colour daily life. Notable among these are splendid bronzes of deities, painting on glass and Bharatnatyam, and an evocative dance form.
02 Day: Chennai – Tirupati (140 kms: 2½ - 3 hours)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Tirupati. A temple and pilgrim town located at the foot of the Tirumala Hills on which the ancient and beautiful temple of Lord Venkateshwara stands. Spread over seven hills, this township is the most picturesque pilgrimage centre in the south. One must see the favour with which the devotees stand in long queues for a glimpse of their Lord. Masses of coins, jewellery & hair are received as offerings. On arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon proceed for Darshan of Lord Balaji. Overnight at Tirupati.
Tirupati: The presiding deity, Lord Venkateswara, is famous all over the world as the giver of boons, and is paid homages by people from all religions and races. Nestled cozily among seven hills of the Eastern Ghats, Tirupati is the destination divine for the pilgrims in search of God. The sublime seven hills of Lord Venkateswara beckon you to a stimulating experience in the divine destination of Tirupati. Picturesque locations, gorgeous valleys, ancient temples, and enthralling historic places. You will be awe-struck by the sparkle of the exquisitely carved Golden gopurams of this ancient Dravidian temple of Lord Venkateswara, giver of boons, the richest of all deities. The premises of the temple and the sanctum sanctorum will lure you back again and again.
03 Day: Tirupati – Mahabalipuram (190 kms: 3½ hours)
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Later explore the city built in the 7th century, this ancient Pallava port, is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town, shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen .this ancient city is said to be a sculptor's delight, boasting of some of India's most sublime rock-cut art, for which it is now a World Heritage site, visit the seven pagoda-style Shore temples,Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, Krishna Mandapa, Shore Temple, Mahishasurmardini Cave, Varaha Mandapa and Mandapams, lashed by the waves of the sea and the seven Rathas or temple chariots, a group of monolithic monuments & animal figures carved out of solid rock, the earliest known examples of Dravidian architecture. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone. The only shore temple which remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum. After visit return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Mahabalipuram with its picturesque location on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon is a happy combination of history, good beaches, hassle-free tourism and fabulous fish and lobster! Despite the many visitors, drawn by the former Pallava dynasty town, the place is friendly, relaxed, and the villagers are remarkably unperturbed by their crowds of visitors. Mahabalipuram is renowned for its series of charming rathas and the spectacular carved relief depicting Arjuna's Penance. The magnificent Shore Temple, built by king Rajasimha in the seventh century, is a unique temple that houses the shrines of both Shiva and Vishnu while the Varaha Cave is one of the many rock-cut caves in Mahabalipuram. The Krishna Mandapam has a bas-relief of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill in his fingertips.
04 Day: Mahabalipuram – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (65 kms: 1½ hours one way)
After breakfast, take an excursion to Kanchipuram explore the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Visit the most famous temples: Kailasnathar, Vaikuntaperumal, Ekambareshwara, Kamakshiamma and Sakiswarar, you may opt to do visit to the silk cloth markets and wears fame, as Kanchipuram is world fame for silk cloth. Then drive back to Mahabalipuram. Overnight at the hotel.
Kanchipuram is known as one of India's Seven Sacred cities. Kanchipuram was, one of India's seven sacred cities. Kanchipuram was the historical capital of the Pallavas. It was under the Pallavas from 6th to 8th century A.D and later became the citadel of Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslim and the British. It has been a centre of Tamil learning, cultural and religious background for centuries. Kanchi is also known centre of the finest silk sarees made in the country. Kanchi has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. Adi Sankara established his episcopal seat (Kamakotipeetam). Kanchipuram is the birthplace of C.N. Annadurai, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu affectionately called as "Anna" by the people of Tamil Nadu.
05 Day: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (135 kms: 3 hours)
After breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Pondicherry. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. The capital of the French colonies in India since the 17th century. Later take a sightseeing tour of Pondicherry visiting the Aurobindo Ashram, which has been a seat of learning and Vedic cultures since ancient times proceed to Auroville, the planned city of Dawn of the new world. Then visit the Ecole Françoise d’Extreme Orient, which is nearly 100 years old, with programs in Sanskrit, Tamil and Archaeological studies. The French Catholic influence is evident in a number of churches, notably the Jesuit Cathedral (Notre Dame de la Conception’ 1691-1765), The Church of Our Lady of Angels (1855), famous for an oil painting of Our Lady of Assumption given to the Church by King Louis Napoleon III, and the 17th century Chapel of Our Sisters of Cluny. Overnight at the hotel.
Pondicherry: This attractive, former French colony exudes a Mediterranean aura with its sophisticated streets, elegant houses, ornamental gardens and the Hotel de Ville. History of Pondicherry: A former French colonial cit, located along the Bay of Bengal didn't come under Indian rule until 1954. You can still hear a fair bit of French being spoken as you stroll along its remaining seaside villas and cobblestone streets. The city is really two towns in one: La Ville Blanche, the colonials' former playground, and La Ville Noire, the crowded inland area where the native Indian population was forced to live.
06 Day: Pondicherry – Tanjore (170 kms: 4 hours)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Tanjore. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Later visit Brihadeshwara temple, which was built by Raja and is termed as the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture. This temple is one of the monuments in India with World Heritage listing. Also visit the Thanjavur Palace, which was constructed in 1550 and has huge corridors, spacious halls, observation and arsenal towers. Followed by a visit to visit Saraswati Mahal Library: This library has one of the most important oriental manuscripts collections, in India. Established around 1700 AD, the library contains a collection of over 44,000 palm leaf, and paper manuscripts in Indian and European languages. Overnight at the hotel.
Tanjore or Thanjavur as it was earlier called, was the capital of the chola empire from the 10th century to the 14th century A.D. later is become part of the Vijay nagar kingdom political. Literary and religious centre of the South. The celebrated temple Brihadeshra built by the Chola King during the 11th century is its major attraction. The saraswati Mahal library, dating back from the time of the Marathas, containing a rare collection of books and manuscripts on paper and palm leaves.
07 Day: Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai (158 kms: 3 hours)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Madurai. Enroute visit Trichy; visit most famous landmark of this bustling town - the Rock Fort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky outcrop, the Sri Ranganathanswami Temple. This temple is one of the largest and most interesting temple complexes in India, built on an island in the middle of the Cauvery River and covering a staggering 2.5 sq km and Jambukeshwara - Mysore Temples. Later drive towards Madurai. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Trichy: the rock fort surrounds the city. On the top of the rock there is a fort and a temple. After crossing 434 rocks cut steps, there is a temple called Mathrubhutewarar temple, which is dedicated to lord Siva. There is another temple called Ucchi Pillar temple, which is dedicated to lord Ganesha and located at the top of the rock. The entire city can be seen from this place. Srirangam temple and Sri Jambukeswarar temple are famous in Trichy.
08 Day: Madurai
After breakfast, visit to Meenakshi Sundareshwar, one of the largest temple complex in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures there, the temple is absolutely absorbing with the endless rounds of ceremonies, prostration of countless devotees and glittering market stalls, later visit Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple, Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple. Also visit the Tirumal Nayak’s Palace, which is in a highly decorative monument. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 – foot high stone pillar, still stands. In the evening visit the Meenakshi temple for the special evening Aarti. Overnight at the hotel.
Madurai with 2500 Years old history is the oldest city in Tamilnadu both historically and myth logically. Legend says, Madurai was originally called a forest Kadambavanam. Once a merchant saw INDRA the king of Devas worshipping a Swayambhulingam under a kadamba tree in the forest. This incident was informed by Dhananjayan (the merchant) to the king Kulasekara Pandian. The king immediately cleared the forest and built a temple around the lingam. And a city was planned around the temple. On the day the city built by the king was to be named Lord Shiva made his appearance. Drops of nectar from his hair fell on the town so the place was named Madurai, the nectar city – Mathuram means sweetness in Tamil.
09 Day: Madurai – Chennai (By Air)
After breakfast, visit the Koodal Alagar Temple and Vandiyur Mariamman Teepakulam where annual boat festival takes place. Later check out from the hotel and drive to the airport to board the afternoon flight for Madurai. Assistance on arrival at the Madurai airport and transfer to the hotel. After refreshment, take a sightseeing tour of Chennai visiting The St. George Fort, built in 1653, is currently used as the state government’s secretariat, Santhome Cathedral was built around 14th-15th century and is another colonial structure worth visiting. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kapaleeswara Temple is the oldest temple in Chennai. Another important temple in the city dedicated to Lord Krishna is Parthasarthy Temple. Evening optionally you can visit flower and fruit market or enjoy yourself at the Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world. Overnight at the hotel.
10 Day: Chennai – Hometown (By Air)
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to the International airport to board the scheduled flight for Hometown. Tour concludes here with happy memories.
