South Religious India Tour
 Duration:
11 Nights / 12 Days
Places Covered: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mamallapuram
- Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore - Trichy
- Madurai - Trivandrum
Day 1: Chennai
Begin Your Tour
Arrive into Chennai- "Gateway to the South"
Welcome to Vardman's "South Religious India Tour".
On arrival in Chennai, you will be met and transferred by Vardhman's
representative to your hotel. Relax for some time. Later proceed
on a city tour of Chennai
Visit Fort St. George, San Thome Cathedral and the museum to
see the Art and Bronze Gallery. (Closed on Fridays and Public
holidays). High court, Marina Beach, San Thome Cathedral and
Snake Park..
Overnight :Hotel
Day 2: Chennai -Tirupathi-Chennai
Full day Excursion to Tirupathi. Tirupathi is a temple
town known for the famous ancient temple of Lord Venkateswara
(Lord of seven hills or Balaji, as he is affectionately known
) on the top of the 860mts high Tirumala hills. The temple
of Lord Venkateswara is not only believed to be amongst the
oldest temples in the country, but also the richest of them
all .Legend has it that Lord Venkateswara borrowed money from
the divine treasurer Kubera for his wedding expenses. He is
still paying back this debt which is why the pilgrims donate
generously to the temple funds. In the evening return to Chennai
to stay overnight in the hotel.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 3: Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mamallapuram
After breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram. Enoute visit Kanchipuram,
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. Temples of Ekambaswara , Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi
and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous
for its silks.
Continue drive to Mamallapuram and check in at hotel. Relax
for some time and later visit the city.
Vsit the city - built in 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipooram,
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. 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.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 4: Mamallapuram-Tiruvannamalai-Pondicherry
After breakfast drive to Pondicherry visiting enruote
Tiruvannamallai (112kms/03hrs)- a pilgrim centre with an ancient
temple of Lord Shiva. Continue drive to Pondicherry, 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. On arrival,
check in to your hotel.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 5: Pondicherry
After breakfast proceed on a city tour of Pondicherry.
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, so as to unite
the spirit and matter. After lunch at hotel, 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 :Hotel
Day 6: Pondicherry-Chidambaram-Tanjore
After breakfast drive Tanjore visiting enroute Chidambaram
also called as Thillai, which has the famous Nataraja temple
with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden
plates is located in the centre of the town covering an area
of 40 acres. In this temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam
form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva
as a cosmic dancer.
Continue drive to Thanjavur enroute visiting the Brass factory
at Kumbakonam. Tanjore once the capital of Chola Kings, has
the Brahadeswara temple(or the big temple of God).The temple
tower rises to a height of 15mts from a square base of 29
mts and then tapers off, making a total of 66mts. On arrival,
check in at the hotel.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 7: Tanjore-Trichy/Trichurapalli
After breakfast leave for Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli,
situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history
and tradition as well as pilgrim centre, it is famous for Ranganath
temple at Srirangam. On arrival, Check in at the hotel.
Later proceed on a city tour visiting Rock fort and its temple
at a height of over 23mts. Also visit Srirangam and Jambukeshwar
Temple.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 8: Trichy-Madurai
After breakfast proceed to Madurai and check in at the
hotel on arrival. Madurai-The ancient city some 2600 years
old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower
with the Meenakshi temple in the centre.
Proceed on a city tour visiting - Meenakshi temple, King Tirumala's
Palace, Great tank and Gandhi museum.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 9: Madurai
Full Day Excursion to Rameshwaram
After breakfast proceed to Rameshwaram- the most sacred temple
town of India is an island hallowed by the epic Ramayana, where
Lord Rama is said to have visited before going into battle of
Srilanka. Legend has it that Lord Rama sent Hanuman to Mount
Kailash to bring a Lingam for worship when he set foot after
defeating Ravana. As Hanuman did not return when the auspicious
hour was approaching, Sita made a sand Lingam so that worship
could be performed in time, which is where the present day Ramanatha
Swamy Temple stands close to sea on the eastern side of the
island. One of the twelve Jyotirlingam shrines is also well
known for its magnificent corridors and the massive sculptured
pillars lining them.
In the evening return to Madurai to stay overnight at hotel.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 10: Madurai-Trivandrum
Early morning drive to Trivandrum and check in at hotel
on arrival. Relax for rest of the day on the Golden Beach
or proceed on a city tour of Trivandrum.
Visit Museum complex, Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Science &
Technology museum, Veli Tourist village, Aakulam boat club,
Shangmugham Beach etc.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 11: Trivandrum
Full Day Excursion to Kanyakumari
After breakfast proceed for Kanyakumari - is the land's end
of India where the water of the Arabian Sea , the Bay of Bengal
and the Indian Ocean meet. An important pilgrim centre of India
, it is famous for the Amman Temples - a symbol of unity and
sanctity - deidicated to the virgin Goddess , Kanya Kumari.
To its South - East lies the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial
, a blend of all the architectural styles of India. Lunch at
local restaurant. Evening enjoy the beautiful sun set and later
return to Trivandrum to stay overnight in the hotel.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 12: Trivandrum
After breakfast transfer to Trivandrum airport to catch
flight for your onward journey to back home with pleasant memories
of "South Religious India Tour" escorted by Vardhman
Vacations
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