Destination : Channai- Mahabalipuram - Pondichery
- Swamimalai -
DURATION : 7 Nightys / 8 Days
DAY 01 CHENNAI
Arrive Chennai from your home country by midnight.
Garland welcome, assistance and transfer to hotel.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 02 CHENNAI TO KANCHEEPURAM TO MAHABALIPURAM
Morning after breakfast we drive to Kancheepuram (about
72kms/02hrs), the city of thousand temples, is one
of the seven most sacred pilgrim centre for the Hindus.
Visit the Ekambareswarar & Kailasanath Temple.
Proceed to Mahabalipuram (about 60kms/02hrs), check
into the hotel. Afternoon visit the Arjuna's Penance
is a bas relief sculpted on the face of two enormous
adjacent rocks, 29 metres long and seven metres high,
the Mandapas - are fairly shallow pillared halls or
porticos excavated out of the rocky hillside, The
Rathas - these mid seventh century monolithic temples
were influenced by Buddhist architecture as they resemble
the monastery. Also enjoy the walk through this small
seaside village where carving in stone is still a
living art; stone masons can be heard chipping away
from dawn to dusk along the roadsides. Back to hotel
and relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 03 MAHABALIPURAM TO PONDICHERY
Morning after breakfast visit the Shore Temple by
the sea is surrounded by gardens designed according
to descriptions of the original layout from ancient
texts. The temple was built at the end of the seventh
century by King Rajasimha, is unusual for its shrines
to both Siva and Vishnu. Drive to Pondichery (about
140kms/03hrs), with its distinct French colonial atmosphere.
Check into the hotel. With well-laid out streets and
avenues, the city is amongst the easiest to move around
in. The city presents an unusual combination of European
culture and the Indian traditions. Visit Aurobindo
Ashram which draws devotees from all over the world.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 04 PONDICHERY TO SWAMIMALAI
Morning after breakfast drive to Swamimalai (about
165kms/ 04hrs). Enroute visit Chidambaram, the Nataraj
temple dedicated to the dancing God and the temples
in Gangaikondacholapuram. Proceed and check into the
100 year old heritage home with period interiors is
located in a beautiful coconut grove on the banks
of River Cauvery. The house radiates harmony and depicts
South Indian life style. Rest of the day free to relax
in this resort. O/n Resort.
DAY 05 SWAMIMALAI TO THANJAVUR
Morning after a leisurely breakfast we make a short
drive to Thanjavur (about 36kms/half an hour). Check
into the hotel. Afternoon visit the Art Gallery and
Saraswathy Mahal Library. The Art Gallery contains
granite and bronze statues from the 9th to 12th centuries
and the Saraswathy Mahal library contains 30,000 volumes
in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telegu, Marathi and some European
languages on a variety of subjects such as Science,
Medicine, Engineering, Astronomy, Painting & Dancing.
Lateron we visit magnificent Brihadisvara Temple,
known as the 'Big Temple'. The main temple has a 62
metres high vimana (the tallest in India), topped
by a dome carved from an 80 ton block of granite.
We can see an enormous Nandi, carved out of a single
block of granite six metres long. O/n Hotel.
DAY 06 THANJAVUR TO PUDUKKOTTAI TO
TRICHY
Morning after breakfast drive to Pudukkottai (about
60kms/02hrs), is one of the most ancient regions in
the country. Proof of its antiquity are the pre and
proto-historic dolmens, stone circles and megalithic
burial sites which have been discovered around the
area. The archeological excavations carried out also
reveal that Pudukkottai had a rich cultural heritage
which found mention in the Sangam literature. In the
17th century, it became a princely state and a number
of palaces, (the collectorate of the district is now
functioning in one of these palaces), tanks and canals
were constructed by its rulers. After visiting this
small town, proceed to Tirukornam (about 05kms) to
visit a rock-cut cave temple built by Mahendravarman
Pallava and an interesting museum which has some rare
exhibits in its geology, zoology, anthroplogy, epigraphy,
history and art sections. Afternoon drive to visit
Karaikkudi (about 45kms), this small town is known
for its magnificent mansions constructed by the Chettiars
- a caste known as much for their prosperity as their
hospitality. Though the owners of these palatial wonders
have long scattered having left for distant shores,
the beautifully carved woodwork as well as the stone
and mortar work of these houses can still be appreciated.
Take the lunch from the heritage hotel Bangla. Aftersightseeing,
return to Trichy and check into the hotel. Rest of
the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 07 TRICHY TO MADURAI
Morning after breakfast sightseeing of Trichy. Visit
Rock Fort Temple, which can be seen from miles around,
stands on top of a massive outcrop of rock. The view
from the temple is superb. Proceed to Srirangam, surrounded
by the waters of river Kaveri on one side and its
tributary Kollidam on the other, is a 600 acre island
- town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic
Sri Ranganathaswami Temple. There are 21 gopurams,
among which the Rajagopuram is one of the largest
in South India.
Late afternoon drive to Madurai (about 130kms/03hrs),
check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 08 MADURAI TO CHENNAI
Morning after breakfast visit the Meenakshi temple
- an outstanding example of the 14th century Vijaynagar
architecture The temple dedicated to Minakshi, the
'fish-eyed goddess'. The temple's nine towering stucco
images of gods, goddesses and animals are superb.
Afterthat visit Thirumalai Naikar Palace, built in
1636 in the Indo-Mughal style. Afternoo free to relax
or stroll around the avenues of this Temple town.
Evening transfer to airport to board flight to Chennai
and further connecting flight to your onward destination.
