South India
Pilgrimage Tour
South India Pilgrimage Tour Duration:
13 Days / 12 Nights
Destinations Covered:
Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Podicherry,
Auroville, Thanjavur, Chidambaram, Madurai, Trichy,
Kanyakumari, Trivandrum and Kovalam
Day 1:Chennai
You are welcomed and assisted by the executives at the
Chennai Airport on the first day of your Pilgrimage Tour
of South India. After that you are dispatched to the
hotel.
Overnight stay is in the hotel.
Day 2: Chennai and Mahabalipuram (1
hour/ 60 kilometers)
Have your breakfast and leave for sight seeing of
Chennai for the first half of day. Places to visit are San
Thomas Cathedral, Saint George Fort and the museums. These
museums have the most impressive and complete collection
of Chola sculptures made of bronze and stone and are from
Deccan and the South of India. Later drive to
Mahabalipuram.
Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.
Day 3: Kanchipuram (1 hour/ 65
kilometers)
Post breakfast drive to Kanchipuram at 1000 hours. It is
one of the seven sacred cities of the India. Visit the
Kailasanatha Temple, the oldest temple of Kanchipuram.
Built by Pallav king Rajasimha in the 7th century it is
built upon early Dravidian Architecture. Sri
Ekambaranathar Temple is lord Shiva’s temple. One of
the largest temples in the city it was constructed by the
Pallavas. It is said that there is a 3500 year old Mango
Tree here. The temple derives its name from the tree.
Kamakshi Amman Temple is that of goddess Parvathi in her
role of goddess Kamakshi. The Vaikuntha Temple is for God
Vishnu.
Overnight stay is in the hotel.
Day 04: Mahabalipuram
Post breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram at 1000 hours. In
the half day excursion you see the Shore Temple, built by
the Pallavas. Next is the five rathas. These temples have
been carved out of solid rock in the shape of rathas. Also
pay a visit to Arjuna’s Penance, a huge canvas of
rock upon which have been chiseled out some fine
sculptures of Gods, nymphs, nagas, Demi-gods, humans,
animals and birds.
Overnight stay is in the hotel.
Day 05: Mahabalipuram, Auroville and
Pondicherry
At 9000 hours post breakfast drive to Auroville. Upon
arrival visit Matrimandir. It was designed to be the
physical and spiritual center of Auroville. Made with
white marble the chamber boasts of housing the largest
crystal (70 mm) in the world. Later drive to Pondicherry.
Check in after arrival.
Overnight stay is in the hotel.
Day 06: Podicherry, Chidambaram,
Thanjavur (6 hours/ 250 kilometers)
Post breakfast drive to Chidambaram at 0800 hours. The
Chidambaram Temple is located in the Cuddalore district.
One of the most ancient temples in India it is of great
religious importance. The Cosmic Golden Hall and the Hall
of consciousness (Chit Sabha) are related to Lord Shiva.
Later proceed to Thanjavur and check in the hotel upon
arrival.
Overnight stay is in the hotel.
Day 07: Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai (200
kilometers/ 1 hour)
Post breakfast at 0800 hours go to visit Brihadeshawara
Temple, also known as Big Temple. It was built by a Chola
king Raja Raja 1 and is an example of Dravidian art. It is
an architectural wonder because the shadow of the huge
Cupola on it never falls on the ground. Next visit the
museum and the Palace in Thanjavur. At 1300 hours leave
for Trichy.
Visit the Rockfort, a temple on a rock and the Srirangam
Temple, a vaishnav temple. It is situated on an island.
The gateway (gopuram) of the tower is huge. The temple has
21 gopurams and was built by the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas
and some other rulers. Drive to Madurai and check in your
hotel.
Overnight stay is in the hotel.
Day 08: Madurai
‘The city of nectar’, Madurai is one of the
oldest cities of India. At 1500 hours you leave to visit
the Meenakshi Sundereshwar Temple. It was built in the
15th and 16th Century by the Pandyan Rulers. An example of
Dravidian Architecture the temple has one shrine each of
Sundereshwar (Shiva) and Meenakshi (Parvati). The most
striking feature of the temple is the hall of 1000
pillars. It has around 33 million sculptures in it.
Overnight stay is in the hotel.
Day 09: Madurai and Kanyakumari (5
hours/ 225 kilometers)
Post breakfast leave for Kanyakumari. Visit the Temple
of Virgin Goddesses and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
Watch the Beautiful sunset with the simultaneous rise of
the moon. Overnight stay is in the hotel.
Day 10: Kanyakumari and Kovalam (2
hours/ 100 kilometers)
Move towards Kovalam, one of the best beaches of India.
It is famous for its tranquility and water sports. Explore
the beaches and soothe your senses.
Overnight stay is in the hotel.
Day 11: Kovalam
Spend the 11th day of your Pilgrimage Tour of
South India at leisure.
Overnight stay is in the hotel.
Day12: Kovalam and Trivandrum
Leave for Trivandrum. Places to visit are Padmanabha
Swamy temple, Shri Chitra Museum and Art Gallery.
Overnight stay is in the hotel.
Day 13: Trivandrum |
