11 Days / 10 Nights South India Religious
On arrival at Chennai Railway Station/ Airport, you’ll be picked up by our representative who will transfer you to hotel and assist you in this religious tour. Check in at hotel for overnight stay.
After early morning breakfast at the hotel, get ready for tour to Tirupati. Upon reaching, head towards Holy Tirupati Temple which holds its prominence since Vedic times.
Temple to be seen around Tirupati:
Sri Padmavathi Devi temple (Tiruchanoor) - Temple dedicated to Goddess Padmavathi or Alamelumanga, the consort of Lord Venkateswara.
Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple (Srinivasa Mangapuram) - this temple carries significance for newlywed couples. Newlyweds offer prayers first in this temple as this is the place where Lord Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy with Goddess Padmavathi Devi stayed for six months, just after their wedding.
Govindaraja Swamy Temple - Govindaraja Temple was consecrated in the year 1130 AD by saint Ramanuja. Before Govindaraja was consecrated as the presiding deity, another form of Vishnu - Parthasarathy enjoyed that honour.
Kapila Theertham – It is a famous Saivite Temple and Theertham. The idol is believed to be installed by Kapila Muni and hence Lord Siva here is referred to as Kapileswara.
Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple - The temple was built during the reign of Chola and Vijayanagara kings around the 16th century. Bammera Potana who lived in Vontimitta wrote his magnum opus Maha Bhagavatham in Telugu language and dedicated it to Rama.
Sri Kalahasteeswara Temple (Srikalahasti) – This temple is famous for its Vayu Lingam (Wind Lingam), one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams, representing the wind.
Sri Kalyana venkateswara Swamy Temple (Narayanavanam) - is an ancient Hindu temple at Srinivasamangapuram in Tirupati. The temple is dedicated to the god Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu and is referred to as Kalyana Venkateswara.
In the evening, return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and proceed towards Mamallapura. During the travel you will come across Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram “The City of Thousand Temples” - Also named as “The City of Thousand Temples”. In earlier times, Kanchipuram was a one of the major sports of Tamil accompanied by the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus as important place of religious practices. This place is also famous for its silk weaving, which made it famous for handcrafts all around the globe.
Upon arrival in Mamallapuram, check-in to your hotel, take some rest and proceed towards next place
Mamallapuram – It is famous for its sculptures believed to have been made Pallavas which includes temples, caves, raths (chariots) and others. Afterwards proceed towards Krishna Mandapam
Krishna Mandapam - (largest bas relief in the world measuring 27m X 9m) and among the oldest Shore Temple constructed in Dravidian style. Five raths that you will come across are the different monolithic temples having unique architectural styles.
Shore Temple
In the evening, return to hotel for overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, checkout and proceed towards Pondicherry. On the way you will be taken to Tiruvannamalai. The temples here are among the oldest heritage sites and is of utter importance to Tiruvannamalai & Arunachaala hill and temple.
Tiruvannamalai - It is one of the holiest towns in the state of Tamil Nadu with an extinct volcano in the back. This has resulted in second name known as “Red Mountain”.
Arunachala Hill & Arunachala Temple - Arunachaala hill and temple have their own place in heats of Tamils since ages having a rich cultural and architectural history complimented by the festivals. The Arunachala temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva made during the reign of Cholas around 9th century.
After a day full of activities head towards hotel for overnight stay.
Today will be a long day full of activities. After breakfast at the get ready to explore Pudducherry (earlier know as Pondicherry).
Places to visit:
Sri Aurobindo Ashram (near Rue De La Marine Beach) - The Ashram is a place for quiet reflection with the enormous "Service Tree" providing shade over the white marble Samadhi (tomb) of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
Rai Niwas - The place of work and residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry
Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Closed on Mondays and National Holidays)
Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Devasthanam (Dedicated to Lord Ganesha)
In the evening return to hotel for overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and start your journey towards Thanjavur, a new name for Tanjore. During the travel you will come across the godly
Town of Chidambaram, dedicated to Lord Nataraja. It is famous because it is one of the few places that house Shiva and Vishnu under the same roof.
Later on the way you can visit
Brihadeeshwara Temple (A recognised UNESCO world heritage site) – It is believed to be the oldest Shiva temple in India. Most of the temples around Thanjavur are of the Cholas reign located in the centre of this city also known as “Rice Bowl of India” due to its agricultural abilities.
After full day excursion, leave for Trichy. On reaching, check-in to the hotel for overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed towards Madurai,
In transit you’ll visit
Sri Ranganathaswamy temple - Considered as the first among the 108 Divya Desams, a group of Vishnu temples, it is famous for the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, the largest temple complex in India and the biggest functioning Hindu temple in the world. Srirangam is also home to a significant population of Sri Vaishnavas (followers of Vishnu).
Rock Fort - The fort played an important part during the Carnatic wars, helping lay the foundations of the British Empire in India. The Rockfort is the most prominent landmark of the city. There are three Hindu temples inside the Rockfort, the Ucchi Pillaiyar Temple, Thayumanavar Temple, and the Manikka Vinayakar Temple
After seeing all places check into hotel in Madurai for overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, get ready to explore Madurai city. This is place is stated to be of around 2500 years’ age. It is also known as the Lotus city due to its design.
Places to visit:
Immaiyil Nanmai Tharuvar Temple (Dedicated to Lord Shiva) - Some experts suggest that this temple has been around since almost the 2nd century CE, before the Pandyas were (temporarily) wiped out by the Kalabhras. Subsequently, significant refurbishments were carried out under the Pandya rule between the 6th and 9th century.
Meenakshin Temple - Madurai Meenakshi Temple, located in the city of Madurai, is one of the most iconic temples in South India. The temple is a magnificent example of Dravidian architecture and is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi and her consort Lord Shiva.
In the evening, return to hotel for overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, check-out from hotel and start your journey towards Kanyakumari. Today we will drive to the shore of Kanyakumari. Upon arrival check into the hotel. After taking same rest get ready to explore in and around Kanyakumari
Places to visit:
Swami Vivekanand’s Memorial - As its name implies, it is essentially a sacred monument, built by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee to commemorate the visit of Swamy Vivekananda to “Shripada Parai” during 24th, 25th and 26th December 1892 for deep meditation and enlightenment.
Kumari Amman Temple - According to Hindu mythology, there are many legends associated with this place. It is said that Kanya Devi was the sister of Lord Krishna, and she is said to remove the rigidity of the mind and is the goddess to pray to when girls want to get married.
Thiruvalluvar Statue - The total height of the statue and the pedestal combined is 133 feet (41 metres). It denotes the 133 chapters of the Tirukkural. The sculpture of Thiruvalluvar is 95 feet (29 metres) and it stands on a 38 feet (12 metres) pedestal that represents the 38 chapters of virtue, the first of three books of the Kural text.
In the evening, return to hotel for overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and start your journey towards Trivendrum. On reaching there, check-in to the hotel and take some rest and get ready to explore the town.
Places to visit:
• Padmanabha Swamy temple (dedicated to Lord Vishnu) – It is renowned for its beauty and grandeur. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is one of the 108 sacred Vishnu temples or 'Divya Deshams' in India. The great King of Travancore, Marthanda Varma is said to have done the renovation work that we see today.
• Visit Napier Museum (made in 19th century having Indo Saracenic architecture) - It contains a host of historical artefacts including bronze idols, ancient mammals, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The museum has been named after the former Madras Governor-General John Napier.
In the evening, return to hotel for overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and our representative will drop you at the nearest airport/railway station.