SOUTH INDIA PILGRIMAGE TOUR
Places Covered
CHENNAI – TIRUPATI – CHENNAI – KANCHIPURAM – MAHABALIPURAM – PONDICHERRY – CHIDAMBARAM – THANJAVUR – TRICHY – MADURAI – KANYAKUMARI – TRIVANDRUM / DEPARTURE
Duration : 11 NIGHTS / 12 DAYS
Note :
Suggested tour itinerary is a flexible tour proposal and can be change as per the guest requirement. We provide tailor made itinerary as per the need of the guest if you want to add or remove any of the destination please advise us for modification so that you can enjoy best of your holidays in India.
Day 01: ARRIVE CHENNAI
Arrive at Chennai airport / railways station, meet and greet by ITM representative and transfer to hotel. Where our representative will assist you to check in at hotel and later explain the tour scheduled in detail and handover all the tour related documents to you. Rest of the day free for leisure activities.
Chennai, Chennai, on the Bay of Bengal in eastern India, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. The city is home to Fort St. George, built in 1644 and now a museum showcasing the city’s roots as a British military garrison and East India Company trading outpost, when it was called Madras. Religious sites include Kapaleeshwarar Temple, adorned with carved and painted gods, and St. Mary’s, a 17th-century Anglican church. Overnight Church.
Day 02: CHENNAI
After healthy breakfast, proceed for Chennai sightseeing with and Parthasarthy Temple. Later visit Fort st. George church, Kala Kshetra and National Art Gallery and Museum. Evening enjoy beach walk at Marina beach, Chennai. Overnight Chennai.
Day 03: CHENNAI – TIRUPATI – CHENNAI
After breakfast full day excursion to Tirupati famous for ancient temple of Lord Venkateshwara, evening return to Chennai. Overnight in Chennai.
Day 04: CHENNAI – KANCHIPURAM – MAHABALIPURAM
Morning after breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram , Enroute visit Kanchipuram the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. Kanchipuram was a major Placese of Tamil learning as well as an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus. Apart from temples, the city is also famous for its silk weavers.
After lunch drive to Mahabalipuram check into hotel after noon visit shore temple, Arjuna’s penance and Five Ratha’s. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
Day 05: MAHABALIPURAM – TIRUVANNAMALAI – PONDICHERRY
Morning after breakfast drive Tiruvannamalai on arrival visit to Arunachaleswar temple, Tiruvannamalai is one of the most ancient heritage sites of India and is a centre of the Saiva religion of Lord Shiva. Later continue drive to Pondicherry. On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day free for leisure activities. Overnight at Pondicherry.
Day 06: PONDICHERRY
Morning after breakfast full day visit to Pondicherry, Pondicherry, which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French colony on the east coast of South India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St. Agasthaya settled down. Visit Aurobindo Ashram near Pondicherry. After lunch, visit Auroville – a unique heaven for all; irrespective of caste,creed,colour and nationality. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: PONDICHERRY – CHIDAMBARAM – THANJAVUR
Morning after breakfast drive to Tanjore, Enroute visit Chidambaram famous for the Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden plates. In this temple postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Later drive to Thanjavur check-into the hotel overnight hotel.
Day 08: TIRUCHIRAPPALI – MADURAI
Morning explore the famous Chola Temple of Brideshwara listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, at Tanjore and later drive Trichy situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim center famous for Ranganatha Temple at Srirangam. On arrival check into the hotel Afternoon explore the temples of Trichy, Srirangam and Rock Fort Temple Overnight in Trichy
Day 09: TIRUCHIRAPPALI – MADURAI
After breakfast drive to Madurai some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the center. After lunch explore the famous Meenakshi Temple, a superb example of the Dravidian School of Architecture and is known for its profusely carved and gigantic gateways and visit Tirumalai Nayak Palace. Overnight in Madurai.
Day 10: MADURAI – KANYAKUMARI
After breakfast drive to Kanyakumari, Kanyakumari the name has been derived after the virgin of goddess – Kanyakumari Amman. Mythological stories depict that Goddess parvati under the disguise of Devi Kanya did a penance in one of the rocks in this area to reach the hand of Lord Shiva. The enthusiastic scenes of the sunset & sunrise are very enjoyable here, (especially on full moon days). Visit Visit Swami Vivekanand Rock Memorial. Visit the meditation hall and the smarak. Visit Kanyakumari mandir (One of the Fifty Two Shakti Peethas), Tri smudra milan & Gandhi mandapam. Evening visit Suchindram temple. (One of the Fifty Two Shakti Peethas). Enjoy sunset in the evening. Overnight Kanyakumari.
Day 11: KANYAKUMARI – TRIVANDRUM
After breakfast drive to Trivandrum. On arrival check in at hotel. After freshen up visit Padmanabha Swamy temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Exquisite carvings and age old murals adorn the walls of the temple also visit Napier Museum, This is a 19th century monument which comprises of a collection which is quite rare and unique. Considered to be an important destination amongst the tourist attractions of Thiruvananthapuram it reflects the features of Indo Saracenic architecture. Overnight Trivandrum.
Day 12: TRIVANDRUM / DEPARTURE
After breakfast transfer to airport to board on flight for onwards destination with the happy memories of your tour and our services.