South India Temples and Spiritual Tour

01 Day: Arrival Trichy

Asissance on arrival at Trichy Airport our representative will assist and escort you by a/c car and transfer you to the pre-booked hotel. During your check in, all the required documents related to the tour, will be given to you and all your queries in concern to the tour and services will be explained. Evening is free for individual activities. Overnight stay 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.

02 Day: Trichy

After Breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Trichy city visiting: The Sri Ranganathanswami 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 covers a staggering 2.5 sq km followed by a visit to Jambukeshwara temple. Visit of Rockford most famed landmark is an 83 m high rock which is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city. The most amazing fact about the rock is that it is one of the oldest in the world approximately 3,800 million years, which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland & older than the Himalayas. Evening is free for shopping. Overnight stay at the hotel in Trichy.

03 Day: Trichy – Vellore (270 kms: 5 - 6 hrs)

After breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Vellore, on arrival transfer to the hotel. After refreshment, visit The Golden Temple of 'Sripuram' is a spiritual park situated at the foot of a small range of green hills in a place known as "Malaikodi" in the city of Vellore, the significance characteristics of Sripuram are temple of Mahalakshmi or temple of Lakshmi Narayan who is Ardha Mandapam and Vimanam is coated with pure gold including both interior as well as exterior, this is a temple covering 100 acres, every inch of land reminding the beauty of nature and the grace of Almighty and a spiritual environment. After sightseeing back to hotel for overnight stay.

Vellore a beautiful semi-rural town located around 145 km from Chennai is a great getaway for the travelers coming to Tamilnadu. As most of the tourists come here to see the magnificent Vijayanagar fort and its temples that are really worth visiting. In Tamil, the word vel means spear that is seen as the weapon of Hindu god Murugan and oor means place. As per Hindu legend, Murugan is seen as a tribal hunter who appeared in a lotus pond with his weapon to attack the enemies. Thus "Vellore" is seen as the place where Murugan appeared.

04 Day: Vellore – Tirupati (90 kms: 2 hrs)

After breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Tirupati, you may visit Vellore Fort, before leaving to Tirupati. Vellore Fort is the most prominent landmark in the city, after visit proceed to Tirupati, on arrival transfer to the hotel, Tirupati temple and pilgrim town located at the foot of the Tirumala Hills where the ancient and beautiful temple of Lord Venkateswara stands tall. 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. Early evening proceed for Darshan of Lord Balaji and Alamelu Mangapuram. Other temples you opt to visit Sri Varahaswami Temple, Sri Bedi Anjaneyaswami Temple, Sri Anjaneyaswami Temple, Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple. Drive back to Tirupati hotel for overnight stay.

Tirupati: The presiding deity, Lord Venkateswara, is famous all over the world as the giver of boons, and is paid homage’s 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.

05 Day: Tirupati – Srikalahasti (Excursion 35 kms: 1 hr) – Chennai (120 kms: 2 - 3 hrs)

Today morning after breakfast take an excursion to Kalahasti, visit Shiva Temple (One of the Pancha pootha sthalam represent the element Wind). After visit drive to Chennai, on arriver transfer to the hotel, evening is free for shopping: Chennai is popular all over the world for its Silk. For shopping ethnic items and craftworks, the Government Emporiums in Chennai are the best place to search for. Victoria Technical Institute at Anna Salaai is one such place where one can get handicrafts from all parts of India. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Srikalahasti Temple: This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Siva is one of the panchabhootha stalams (temples celebrating Lord Siva as the embodiment of the primary elements), air being the element in case here, the other five temples being Tiruvannamalai (fire), Chidambaram (space), Thiruvanikkaval (water) and Kanchipuram (earth) respectively. Sri Kalahasthi is located near the pilgrimage town of Tirupathi and is visited by thousands of pilgrims.

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 fulcrums of society and even today art forms that have their origin in religious worship continue to colour daily life.

06 Day: Chennai

After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Chennai; visit The St. George Fort, built in 1653 & is currently used as the state government’s secretariat. Santhome Cathedral was built around 14th - 15th centuries and is another colonial structure. Visit Kapaleeswara Temple; the oldest temple in Chennai dedicated to lord Shiva. Another important temple in the city is Parthasarthy Temple; dedicated to Lord Krishna. The Snake Park has a large collection of snakes and many other reptiles. In the evening, optionally you can visit the flower and fruit market, and then explore Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world. Overnight stay at the hotel.

07 Day: Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (140 kms: 4 hrs)

After breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Kanchipuram – is the ancient capital of the Pallava 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; you may opt for shopping over here. After visit drive to Mahabalipuram (65 kms) on arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon visit the city - built in 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipuram, 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 stay 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.

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.

08 Day: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (100 kms: 2 - 3 hrs)

After an early breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Pondicherry, on arrival transfer to the hotel, afterwards take a sightseeing tour of Pondicherry, visiting the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the Ecole Françoise d’Extreme Orient, which is nearly 100 years old and offers 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’ 16941-1765), 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. Also visit Auroville, the planned city of Dawn of the new world. In the evening take a walk at the promenade by the beach. You will find here some of the most significant landmarks like the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Jeanne d'Arc, Duplex, the elegant War Memorial raised by the French, the heritage building "Mairie", the 27m tall old Lighthouse. After sightseeing return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Pondicherry: This attractive, former French colony exudes a Mediterranean aura with its sophisticated streets, elegant houses, ornamental gardens and the Hotel de Ville. Located along the Bay of Bengal the city 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.

09 Day: Pondicherry – Kumbakonam (130 kms: 3 hrs)

After an early breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Kumbakonam, on arrival transfer to the hotel, after refreshment visit Adi Kumbeshwara Temple, believed to have been constructed in the 7th century A.D by the Cholas, Adi Kumbeshwara Temple is one of the grandest and the oldest Shiva temple in the town. The Nageswaran temple is an important Shaivite temple. Mahamaham Tank, is a place of great reverence and religious importance for the people of South India. One of the three major shrines of Lord Vishnu and one of the Divya Desams, the Sarangapani temple is a giant temple with twelve storey high tower was constructed in its present form by the Nayak Kings in the 15th century. Kashi Viswanath Temple is an important temple and is linked with the origins of the Mahamaham Festival. Evening is free for individual activities, overnight stay at the hotel.

Kumbakonam is the city of divine strife of South India situated in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. It is a fertile area situated on the banks of river Cauvery and one of its tributaries Arasalaru. The district has an ethos that is representative of the rural aesthetic tradition that, on the whole, still marks the life there. This is the picturesque location and the lush green valleys will take you to another world of serenity.

10 Day: Kumbakonam – Pudukkottai (105 kms: 2 - 3 hrs)

After an early breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Pudukkottai, on arrival transfer to the hotel, after refreshment take a sightseeing tour of Pudukottai, visiting Sri Kokaraneswara Temple, the rock cut cave temple of Sri Kokaraneswara and Brahadambal at Thirukokarnam is of Mahendravarma Pallava's period. Viralimalai Sanctuary, viralimalai is a small town situated at a distance of 30-km from Tiruchirappalli and 40-km from Pudukkottai. Thirupunavasal, it is 70 kms from Pudukkottai and 30 kms from Avudaiyar koil. The Shiva temple here is called Viruthapuraswarar Koil, it has huge lingam in the sanctum sanctorum. The Shaivite saints Thirunavukarasar and Thirugnana Samandar sang hymns in praise of the Lord here, Kunnandar Koil. Kunnandarkoil is an interesting monument for archaeological studies. The Kalyana Mandapam in the Vijayanagar style in the form of a chariot drawn by horses is an interesting piece of art. The portrait sculptures in the cave are admirable. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Pudukkottai is the administrative headquarters of Pudukkottai District in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the banks of River Vellar, it has been ruled, at different times, by the Early Pandyas, Thondaimans, and the British. The city also has an abundance of temples, tanks and canals constructed by the various dynasties that ruled Pudukkottai.The cultural and religious heritage of the city is visible from the monumental structures and the holy temples that abound the Pudukkottai region.

11 Day: Pudukkottai

After breakfast, visit Kodumbalur is 35 Kms from Puthukottai, it is a place of archaeological importance, Kodumbalur is mentioned in silapathikaram, the Sangam Tamil Classic. The muvarkovil, Muchukundeswarar temple are the early chola temples located here. The muvarkovil built by Bhuti viramakesari in the 10th century A.D., is a fine example of Tamilian art and architecture. The sculptures in the temple are charming. Kodumbalur presents a series of archeological treasures in the district. Thirumayam Fort, the Fort, the Siva and Vishnu temples are here. The fort played an important role in the history of Tondaiman rulers of Pudukkottai and the British. Avur, it is 28 kms from Pudukkottai and 20 kms from Thiruchi. The beautiful church here is the oldest in the district. Father Joseph Beschi locally known as Veeramamunivar began his missionary life at Avur. After visit return to the hotel for overnight stay.

12 Day: Pudukkottai – Trichy ( 55 kms 1 hr)

Today morning you may opt to visit the Rock-cut cave temple of Sri Gokarneswara - Brahadambal at Thirugokarnam (5 kms from the city) is a Pandya art and belongs to 9th century A.D. It is the tutelary deity of Thondaiman rulers of Pudukkottai, also visiting Pudukkottai Museum: rare collections in Geology, Zoology, Paintings, Anthropology, Archaeology, Numismatics, Economics, Botany and Philately. The Fine Sculptures and bronzes of various periods are the, attractive items of the Museum. Afterwards you may opt to visit Kudumianmalai (20 kms) to visit Sikhagiriswarar temple. The temple is noted for numerous inscriptions. Remarkable among them is the one relating to a musical treatise, here you can also visit at The Anna Agricultural Farm and Agriculture Research Institute. After visit transfer to the Trichy, on arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

13 Day: Trichy – Hometown (By Air)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport to board the scheduled flight for hometown, tour concludes here with happy memories.