Day 1
Arrive at Chennai International airport.
Meet & Assist: Our representative meets you at the arrival hall of airport and escort you to your hotel.
Chennai is the cultural heartland & gateway to the South India. Here on the east coast , ancient traditions of classical dance, music arts, handicrafts, literature, philosophy and religion have taken root and spread over India and to many parts of the world. In exchange, global influences flowed and were integrated.
The Dravadians who have had the greatest influence on the life style of the people of Chennai were originally a Mediterranean race of same stock as the people of create, the pre Hellenic Aegeans of Greece, and even the Pharaonic race of ancient Egypt. After they had migrated to India many millennia ago they absorbed some of the folkways and love of the earlier. Negroids and Austrics who had laid the foundation of Indian civilization. Later when Indo -Iranians, or Aryans percolated into Southern India, their social systems also had a significant and lasting impact on established customs and rituals.
Overnight at Hotel
Day 2
Morning half day tour of Chennai.
Visit Fort St. George, completed in 1653 and today filled with reminders of the past, including St. Mary’s, the first church consecrated on Indian soil. The National Art Gallery has many excellent bronzes including the famous Chola period bronze Nataraja, the God Shiva, in the cosmic dance pose. The Government Museum (closed on Fridays), which contains sculpture and architecture produced by the Dravidian dynasties. Drive along the Marina, an elegant promenade and proceed to the old Indian section of Mylapore. Visit San Thome Basilica – St Thomas, the Apostle, is said to be buried h6re. He came here to spread the gospel, legend holds, barely a years after Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.
Also visit the Arulmigu, Iskcon, Ashtalashmi. Other temples as well if time permits.
Overnight at Hotel
Day 3
After breakfast, leave for Mamallapuram enroute visit Kanchipuram.
Kanchipuram – known as the Golden City of a Thousand Temples, it is one of the oldest towns in India. It is famous for both its temples and its hand-woven silks. Most of the temples are well preserved till date, which were built during 7th and 8th century AD. The prominent temples of Kanchipuram are Ekambareshwar Temple, Kamakshi Temple etc. Also visit the local homes of the weavers and watch them create magic out of silk thread into saris. Kanchipuram silk is famous all over the world.
After visit drive to Mahabalipuram.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4
Morning visit to Mamallapuram temple complex. A small seaside village, it was once the main port of the Pallava Dynasty from 5th to 9th century. Today it is the site of several antique sculptural marvels. Declared as the world heritage site by UNESCO, Mahabalipuram boasts of some of India’s most sublime rock-cut art. Arjuna’s penance here is the world’s largest bas relief measuring 27 meters by 9 meters. End the tour with a visit to the Shore temple which is the spectacular two-spired shrine that houses both Vishnu and Shiva in its sanctum. A very unique site!
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5
Breakfast at hotel
Later drive along the coast to Pondicherry covering a distance of 120kms in approx. 2 ½ hours. The former French Colony visiting Auroville on the way.
Pondicherry – The French ruled this territory for 300 years, and today, it stands as a living monument of the French culture in India. It was also the site of many a battle between the British and the French, and was the capital of French India, before it attained its independence. This restored, attractive, former French colony exudes a Mediterranean aura with its chic streets, elegant houses and ornamental gardens. Being a small and quiet enclave of Tamil Nadu, it has imbibed the Tamilian culture.
Auroville or the ‘City of Dawn’ which was conceived as a place of research into the ideal of human unity by the Mother, the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo.
Arrive Pondicherry; check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Afternoon visit to Aurobindo Ashram. Although the Ashram is secluded from the world it forms a vibrant centre of life in a modern urban setting. Continue to the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, noted for its Gothic architecture and stained glass panels which depict the entire life of Jesus Christ.
Also enjoy a Cycle Rickshaw ride around the French city. The local Rickshaw driver will take you around town and show you his city from his perspective. This is a program that has been initiated by the rickshaw drivers themselves and all we did was to check out the safety and duration of the tour.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 6
This morning drive to Tanjore covering a distance of 185 kms in approx. 4 hours & 30 minutes. En route visit the 9th century Shiva Temple at Chidambaram. The ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his form of the cosmic Dancer. It is said to be the
birthplace of Shiva as the dancer (Nataraja) and therefore one of the most important temples in India. The place where the temple is located is the center point of world’s magnetic equator and thus considered to be the center of the world. It is a great experience to witness one of the many rituals held daily in the temple.
Later visit to temples of Gangaikondacholapuram which is architectural work of genius. In the early 11th century, the temple got built by Rajendra Chola, who was the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola. According to legends, King Rajendra Chola on one of his expeditions, brought the water from the Ganges in a golden pot and consecrated the reservoir ‘Ponneri or Cholaganga’. That’s the reason behind the name “Ganagai kondan” meaning te one who brought the Ganges. The temple was erected to extol the accomplishments of a combatant king. Gangaikondacholapuram is a tribute to the architects and artisans, who created this spectacular testament.
Proceed to Darasuram Temple. The temple is dedicated to Shiva is here known as Airavateshvara, because he was worshipped at this temple by Airavata, the white elephant of the king of the gods, Indra. Legend has it that Airavata, while suffering from a change of colour curse from Sage Durvasa, had its colours restored by bathing in the sacred waters of this temple.
Arrive in Thanjavur and check into the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7
Morning visit to the world famous Brihadeshwar Temple.The Brihadeshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was built by King Rajaraja I in the 11th century. This architectural masterpiece has been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Afternoon at leisure
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 8
Post breakfast drive to Madurai reroute visit Trichy.
Trichy is a historical town and was for a period the capital of the Chola rulers. Visit the Rock Fort, 300 ft. (90 m) high, which dominates the landscape. A fine view of the city can be had from the fort. Visit the island of Srirangam across the River Kaveri – 3 miles (5 km) away. The temple here is practically a town in itself with several residential streets within its 1 sq. mile together with a number of shopping streets
After visit continue drive to Madurai.
Madurai: As per the Hindu mythology and the Hindu legends, drops of nectar had fallen from Shiva’s locks on to the earth; this spot where the nectar had fallen named against Madhuram or Madurai also known as the nectar city or the city of festivals. This city was famous for its writers and poets. In 1364, the Hindu Vijayanagar kings captured the town of Madurai. For those who are into spirituality, The Meenakshi Temple that dominates Madurai is appropriately named a “city within a city”.
Arrive Madurai and check in to the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9
Morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of Madurai city. Visit the beautiful Meenakshi Temple. Its enormous domes covered with gaily-colored statues dominate the landscape and are visible from all over Madurai. This temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and Goddess Meenakshi. Meenakshi, is known as the fish-eyed goddess and has her temple to the south and Sundareswarar, (Shiva) has its temple to the west. Continue to visit the Palace of Tirumalai Nayak, an Indo-Saracenic building constructed in 1523.
Afternoon cycle rickshaw ride in the city. The tour in rickshaw gets you a thrill out of riding into the streets of Madurai, the magical journey makes you as an astute traveller to unravel the open mysteries of this ancient city.
Evening witness Aarti Ceremony.
Evening witness the “Aarti” a must see for all visitors. The Consort of Goddess Durga – Shiva, is brought to her chamber in procession. This procession goes around the temple, and has various short ceremonies at different shrines, before the final prayer at the entrance of her chamber. The entire procession takes 45 mins.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10
Morning transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai
On arrival in Mumbai transfer to the hotel for check in
Mumbai (formerly Bombay), situated on the western coast of India, is the city of glamour and megastars, of industrialists and business houses, of a futuristic lifestyle and an amalgamation of the West with the traditional Maharashtrian culture. Apart from being the financial capital of India, it is also the capital of India’s most progressive state, Maharashtra. Mumbai is the gateway of India, the point of arrival for most of the visitors who travel to Mumbai on business or holiday. Today Mumbai stands tall as India’s commercial capital and the country’s most cosmopolitan city.
Check-in at hotel and stay for 2 nights.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11
Morning proceed for half day sightseeing tour of Mumbai.
Visit Start with a stop at the Gateway of India –a Indo – Sarcenic style of architecture (1927), designed by George Wittet to commemorate the visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911, drive, past the Victoria Terminus the most remarkable example of Victorian Gothic architecture in India opened during Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Year, Marine Drive and visit the Hanging Gardens so named since they are located on top of a series of tanks that supply water to Bombay. And last but not the least, make a brief photo stop at “Dhobi Ghat” the Indian laundry system! End the tour with visit to Sidhivinayak temple.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12
In time transfer to international terminal to connect flight for onward destination.
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