Marvelous Tamil Nadu Temple Tour

01 Day: Arrival Chennai

Welcome to Chennai Airport, our representative will assist and escort you by a/c car and transfer 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. After refreshment, if time permits, you can take a short sightseeing tour of the city, visiting the market and the Marina beach. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Chennai (Madras): the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu is the most convenient point of entry for the state. Chennai has an international airport, a seaport, 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.

02 Day: Arrival 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.

03 Day: Chennai – Tirupati (135 kms: 3 hrs)

After breakfast, check out the hotel and drive to Tirupati, a temple and pilgrim town located at the foot of the Tirumala Hills where the ancient and beautiful temple of Lord Venkateshwara 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. Afterwards return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Tirupati: The presiding deity, Lord Venkateswara, is famous all over the world as the giver of boons, and is paid homages 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. You will be awe-struck by the sparkle of the exquisitely carved Golden gopurams of this ancient Dravidian temple of Lord Venkateswara, giver of boons, the richest of all deities.

04 Day: Tirupati – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (190 kms: 5 hrs)

After breakfast, drive to Kanchipuram to explore the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous for its 1000 temples, of which 124 shrines still remain. Visit the most famous temple: Kailasnathar; built during 685 A.D. to 705 A.D, also visit other temples like Vaikuntaperumal, Ekambareshwara, Kamakshiamma and Sakiswarar. Go shopping at the world famous silk cloth markets. Afterwards drive to Mahabalipuram and check in to the hotel. In the afternoon, take a sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram; a sculptor's delight boasting of some of India's most sublime rock-cut art falling under the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the seven pagoda-style Shore temples, Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, Krishna Mandapa, Shore Temple, Mahishasurmardini Cave, Varaha Mandapa and Mandapams. Afterwards return to the hotel for overnight stay.

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.

05 Day: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (100 kms: 3 hrs)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Pondicherry. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Later 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.

06 Day: Pondicherry – Chidambaram – Nalladai – Nagapattinam (155 kms: 4 - 5 hrs)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Nagapattinam. En route visit Chidambaram– one of the major Hindu pilgrimage places famous for the Nataraja Temple. It is one of the oldest temples of Tamil Nadu. Also visit, Nalladai village, Sri Agneeswarar temple, Lord Agneeswara graces facing west against the traditional direction of east. There is slope like formation around the Shivalinga filled with water to calm down the Agni feature (heat) of the Lord. After visit drive to Nagapattinam, on arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Chidambaram (also Thillai) literally means the sky permeated by an atmosphere of intelligence and wisdom. According to legend, it was once a forest of tillai, a mangrove species of trees. There was once a small shrine on the banks of a tank. The saints Vyagrapada and Patanjali are said to have worshipped at this shrine, now called Thirumoolanathar. It is believed that their penance attained fruition with the revelation of Shiva's cosmic dance by Lord Nataraja on the auspicious Thai Poosam day.

Nalladai is a Village in Sembanar Koil Block in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu State, SundaraNayaki Sametha Sri Agneeswarar Temple in a place called Nalladai is the one that is considered auspicious for the Bharani starers. Nalladai is a place in Tharangambadi Taluk in Nagapattinam District. This is the place that wove clothes to the Lord Himself.

07 Day: Nagapattinam

After breakfast, takes a sightseeing tour of the city visiting Nellukadai Mariamman Koil, This temple is one of the popular temples present in Tamil Nadu. Dutch Fort, this is the most popular, not religious attraction of the town. Archaeological Museum, this museum lies within a 17th century Dutch Fort - a marvelous example of Dutch architecture. The Archaeological Museum displays many valuable archaeological materials and ancient old artifacts. Kayarohanaswamy Temple, also known as the Neelayatakshi, this is one of the seven temples of the Thyagraja cult. Also visit Kodikkarai beach located in Nagapattinam is flanked by Palk Straits to the south and Bay of Bengal to the east. Also known as Point Calimere, Kodikkarai beach boasts of a natural splendour that leaves the visitors spell bound. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Nagapattinam is derived from Nagar referring to people from Sri Lanka who settled here and pattinam referring to town. It was also called Cholakula Vallipattinam during the Chola period, when it was one of the important ports. Ptolemy refers to Nagapattinam as Nikam and mentions it as one of the most important trade centres of the ancient Tamil country.

08 Day: Nagapattinam – Tanjore (90 kms: 2 hrs)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Tanjore, on arrival transfer to the hotel, after refreshment, take a sightseeing tour of the city visiting Brihadeshwara temple built by Raja and is termed as the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture and falls under the World Heritage sites. Also visit the Thanjavur Palace, which was constructed in 1550 with huge corridors, spacious halls, observation and arsenal towers, visit the Saraswati Mahal Library - housing some of the most important oriental manuscripts collections in India. Established around 1700 AD, the library contains a collection of over 44,000 palm leaves, and paper manuscripts in Indian and European languages, evening is free for rest and relaxation. Overnight at the hotel.

Tanjore or Thanjavur as it was earlier called was the capital of the Chola Empire from the 10th century to the 14th century A.D. and later became a part of the Vijaynagar kingdom. It is the literary and religious centre of the South. The celebrated temple Brihadeshra built by the Chola King during the 11th century is its major attraction. The Saraswati Mahal library, dating back from the time of the Marathas, contains a rare collection of books and manuscripts on paper and palm leaves.

09 Day: Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai (190 kms: 5 hrs)

After breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Madurai, en route visit Trichy; the most famous landmark of this bustling town is the Rock Fort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky outcrop. 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. Afterwards proceed to Madurai, on arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Trichy is a city surrounded by the rock fort. 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.

10 Day: Madurai

After breakfast, visit the Meenakshi Sundareshwar, one of the largest temple complexes in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures there, the temple is absolutely absorbing with the endless rounds of ceremonies, prostration of countless devotees and glittering market stalls, visit Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple, Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple, also visit the Tirumal Nayak’s Palace; a highly decorative monument. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 – foot high stone pillar, still stands, visit the Koodal Alagar Temple and Vandiyur Mariamman Teepakulam where annual boat festival takes place. In the evening visit the famous Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple to attend the Aarti (Prayers) witnessing interesting rituals and ceremonies. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Madurai with its 2500 year old history is the oldest city in Tamilnadu both historically and as per mythology. Legend says that Madurai was originally called a forest Kadambavanam. Once a merchant saw Indra - the king of Devas, worshipping a Swayambhulingam under a kadamba tree in the forest. This incident was reported by Dhananjayan (the merchant) to the king KulasekaraPandian. The king immediately cleared the forest and built a temple around the lingam. And a city was planned around the temple.

11 Day: Madurai – Chennai (By Air) – Hometown

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