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Day 01 Arrive Chennai
On
arrival you will be met and transferred to hotel. Later proceed for the
sightseeing of Chennai, “the gateway of South India”.
Visit
National Art Gallery and Museum (closed on Fridays) which has a
selection of ancient paintings of almost all schools as well as section
devoted to modern art, Fort St. George, St. Mary’s Church, Drive along
Marina Beach (the second longest in the world), San Thome Cathedral,
Mylapore Shiva Temple and shopping.
Day 02 Chennai / Mahabalipuram
Breakfast at
Hotel.
Today you will be doing a full day excursion to Kancheepuram and
Mahabalipuram.
KANCHIPURAM,
The Golden city 75 km. west of Chennai,
is the ancient capital of the Pallavas 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. Lunch at
local restaurant and later drive to Mamallapuram and check in at hotel.
MAHABALIPURAM
the only surviving shore temple (a heritage monument) of India is 65
KM south of Chennai, popularly known as the seven Pagodas, is an
ancient rock hewn monument, monolithic temples and figures with
carvings and sculptures of the 6thand 7th century A.D. 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.
Day 03
Mahabalipuram / Pondicherry
After breakfast drive to Pondicherry. Visit
Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, Gandhi Museum, etc.
SHRI AUROBINDO ASHRAM,
The main ashram building is on Rue De La Marine and is surrounded by
other buildings given over to the various educational and cultural
activities of the aurobindo
Society.
AUROVILE,
The brainchild of The Mother and designed by French Architect Roger
Anger, Aurovile was conceived as an experiment in international
living where men and women could live in peace and progressive
harmony with each other above all creeds.
Day 04
Pondicherry / Swamimalai
After breakfast drive to Swamimalai.
Swamimalai is a sylvan village, located about five kilometers west of
Kumbakonam on the banks of a tributary of river Cauvery. The temple has
three 'gopuram' with three 'praharam'. The 'gopuram' on the south side
of the temple is decorated with statues and contains five storeys while
the other two entrances have no towers above them. Swamimalai is fourth
among the six padai veedu or sacred shrines built to offer reverence to
Lord Muruga. The presiding deity here expounded the inference of the
Pranava mantra OM to his own Father Lord Siva Himself.
Day 05 Swamimalai
/ Tanjore / Karaikudi
After breakfast drive to Karaikudi enroute
visit Tanjore.
TANJORE
The Big Temple of Brahadeeshwara is a World Heritage Monument and is a
remarkable architectural feat similar to Egyptian Pyramids. The temple
tower rises to a height of 15 mts from a square base of 29 mts and then
tapers off, making a total of 66 mts. Many of the treasures of Tanjore
and the surrounding area are housed in Art Gallery and Saraswati Mahal
Library within the Palace.
KARAIKUDI Chettinadu or the land of Nattukkottai Chettiars, is famous
for its fortress like homes and temples that are architectural marvels
and lip smacking food. It is a hidden treasure. The palaces and
mansions reflect a conglomeration of architecture an building styles.
Burma teak motif, handmade tiles, stained glass windows, elaborate
chandeliers and intricate carpentry are all unique ingredients of
Chettinadu Mansion. Every home is an architectural splendour.
Day 06 Karaikudi
/ Rameshwaram
After breakfast proceed to Rameshwaram- the most sacred temple town of
India is an island hallowed by the epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama is
said to have visited before going into battle of Srilanka. Legend has it
that Lord Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring a Lingam for
worship when he set foot after defeating Ravana. As Hanuman did not
return when the auspicious hour was approaching, Sita made a sand Lingam
so that worship could be performed in time, which is where the present
day Ramanatha Swamy Temple stands close to sea on the eastern side of
the island. One of the twelve Jyotirlingam shrines is also well known
for its magnificent corridors and the massive sculptured pillars lining
them. Lunch at local restaurant. Return to Madurai for dinner.
Day 07
Rameshwaram / Kanyakumari
After breakfast drive to Kanyakumari.
Once known as the "Alexandaria of the East", Kanyakumari is an abode for
art, culture, civilization and pilgrimage for years. It was a popular
centre for commerce and trade.
Visit the
temple, Vivekananda Rock, Valluvar Statue and witness the sunset and
sunrise.
Day 08
Kanyakumari / Madurai
After breakfast drive to Madurai.
Madurai is one of the oldest cities of south India and had originally
been designed in a lotus motif. It is an extremely sacred city and here
lies the renowned Meenakshi Temple. The vast walled complex of the
temple with its shadowy chambers, tank, carved columns, shrines and
courtyards built between twelve towering gopurams is considered south
India's finest example of Dravidian architecture.
In the evening visit Nayatkar Temple for the light and sound show.
Day 09 Madurai /
Kodaikanal
Drive to Kodaikanal and check-in
to the hotel to relax. Well laid out walking path through picturesque
prospects, tumultuous water falls and steep rock out drops are the
attractions of Kodai. Later proceed for the sightseeing of Kodaikanal,
one of the India’s most beautiful hillstation. Visit Bryants Park –
famous for its flowers, hybrids and grafts which is housed in a glass
house, Green Valley view (earlier known as Suicide Point) Coakers Walk,
Silver Cascade Waterfalls, Silent valley. Kodai Lake is a beautiful
lake with 24 hectares and a boat ride provides a beautiful view.
Day 10 Kodaikanal
/ Ooty
Drive to Ooty.
Drive to Ooty, the queen of hillstations.
The beautiful hill statio n established by the British in the early part
of the 19th century. A fine retreat from the heat of the
plains. Ooty offers scenic beauty and relaxed ambience. The Beautiful
Ooty Lake, Set Among Groves Of Eucalyptus Trees Is A Popular Spot With
Its Facilities For Boating. Nilgiris is India’s first biosphere. It
has been declared has one of the 14 ”Hotspots” of the world because of
its unique bio-diversity.
Day 11 Ooty
Full day excursion to Ooty and Coonoor. Visit Botanical Gardens, the
Lake, Dodabetta peak, which provides beautiful views of the surrounding
hills and plains at Ooty.
Located at a lower altitude, with a warmer climate, Coonoor is a popular
hill resort in its own way. You can take a Optional toy train to
Coonoor to enjoy the scenic beauties. The well laid-out Sim’s park here
is a beautiful botanical garden, with many rare flowers, shrubs and
trees. Lambs rock and Dolphin’s Nose are some of the viewpoints and
picnic spots around Coonoor.
Day 12 Departure
Transfer
Breakfast at Hotel. By noon check-out
of the hotel and transfer to Coimbatore Station / Airport to connect to
onward destination.
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