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South India Temple Tour
Temples in South India attract a large number of tourists every year from all parts of the world. Be it Khajuraho Southern temples, Meenakshi temple, or Rameshwaram, the pilgrim destination, the South india temple tours certainly will make you feel pious and saintly. Travel to Kanchipuram, Cochin, Pondicherry, Belur or Hampi to explore some of the finest Southern temples. The most amazing aspect about the south india temple tour is that along with devoting gods, you will be able to discover the amazing architecture of the temple of South India. It can take minutes to hours to look satisfactorily at the temples of South India, which will allow you to connect directly with the god.
Duration : 25 Days / 24 Nights
Destinations Covered : Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Trichy, Narthamalai, Sittanavasal , Karaikudi , Madurai , Kanyakumari , Kovalam, Cochin , Calicut , Vythiri , Mysore , Belur , Halebid , Hassan , Hospet , Hampi , Hospet , Bangalore
Day 1: Chennai - Mahabalipuram (60 kms/1.5 hr)
On arrival at Chennai airport/ railway station you will be met by our representative
and will drive you to Mahabalipuram (60 kms, 1.5hr.). Check in to the hotel
& Overnight at Mahabalipuram where you'll find a kaleidoscope of history,
culture, tradition, religion and piety. Overnight stay in hotel. Day 2: Mahabalipuram
AM 0900 Hrs After breakfast we take you for a full day sightseeing in Mahabalipuram, the world heritage site which is famous for its monolith temples that are centuries old, the shore temple, Arjuna's Penance (i.e. it consists of two large boulders with a natural fissure that has a serpent god and a serpent goddess engaged in the act of worship), Krishna Mandapam (ages old temple dedicated to lord Krishna) , the Five Rathas ( the famous rock cut temples ) and the surf lapping beach .There over hundred images of Gods, holy sages, divine and semi divine gods and numerous other images of animals of mythological importance.
Day 3: Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (58 kms/1.5 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs In the morning drive to Kanchipuram for a full day excursion to Kanchipuram, the one time capital of the Pallavas, Cholas and Rajas of Vijaynagar, and also one of the most sacred sites famous for its temples. Of the many temples the most famous is the Kailasanath Temple (dedicated to lord Shiva), the Ekambaranatha temple, Vaikuntha Perumal temple, Varadaraja temple, the Kamakshi Amman temple and the many 'gopurams' (pyramid shaped tower gateways to the Dravidian age temples). These provide varied hues to the sight. Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.
Day 4: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (134kms/2.5 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs check out from the hotel & we drive you to Pondicherry.On arrival check into the hotel. Later we drive you to Gingee Fort and on to Pondicherry where we take you to a sightseeing tour of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram founded by the philosopher in 1920 and later led by Mira Alfassa his French companion; the Pondicherry museum, Promenade beach, Bharti & Bhartisadan memorial museum, Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Auroville (the city of dawn), the botanical garden, Villaiayanur temple and the Mansion of Amanda. Overnight at Pondicherry.
Day 5: Pondicherry - Tanjore (175kms/5 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs check out from the hotel after breakfast and we drive to Chidambaram to see the Nataraja temple, the 9th century Shiva temple and the exquisite emerald lingam statue. Gangaikondacholapuram imperial chola temple and Darasuram where you can see the Airavatesvara temple built in typical chola style in dedication of lord Shiva. Overnight stay in Tanjore.
Day 6: Tanjore - Trichy (60 kms/2 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take you for a full day sightseeing in Tanjore
where we take you to view the beautiful Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple, The Palace,
the Art Gallery, Saraswathi Mahal Library, Hall of Music, Schwartz Church,
Sivaganga Tank, Thirukandiyur, Thiruvaiyaru and in the evening drive to
Trichy. On arrival check into the hotel. Overnight stay in Trichy.Day 7: Trichy - Narthamalai - Sittanavasal - Trichy (37 kms/1 hr; 58kms/2 hrs.)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take you for an excursion to Narthamalai, Sittanavasal, - famous Jain cave temples with paintings dating back to 6th - 9th century. Narthamalai - has some very old temples remarkable for its architecture. The most famous being the Narthamalai temple that has skillfully carved statues of lord Vishnu. Another fine example of structural stone temple is the Vijayalaya Choliswaran temple one of the first stone structural temple of India. There is also a cave temple, which is a sight you cannot miss. Sittanavasal - The monastery includes some exquisite fresco paintings in rock caves. The Ardhamandapam has fine fresco work from 7th century on its ceiling. Overnight at Trichy.
Day 8: Trichy - Karaikudi - Madurai (150kms/3 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast check out from the hotel and we drive you to Karaikudi to visit Chettinad Palace, Kamban Mani Mandapam Kaviarsar Kannadhasan Mani Mandapam, Pillaiyar Patti lord Ganesha temple, Chettinad museum, Athangudi, Devakottai, Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwara temple and then drive to Madurai. On arrival check into the hotel. Overnight stay in Madurai.
Day 9: Madurai
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take for a full day sightseeing of Madurai one of the ancient cities of south India dating back to 4th century BC as recorded in the Greek documents stating its existence. It has been a center of learning and pilgrimage over the centuries. The lotus shaped city is famous for the Meenakshi temple situated in the center of the vast city. The highest point of the temple is the hall of 1000 pillars built around 1560 BC .the temple occupies a sprawling area of 6 hectares with about 12 towers varying from 45m to 50.We then take you to the Tirumalai Nayak Palace, the Mari Amman Tepakkulam Tank and the Temple art museum. Overnight stay in Madurai.
Day 10: Madurai - Kanyakumari (240 kms/6 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs check out from the hotel after breakfast and we drive you to
Kanyakumari where you can enjoy the sunset and sunrise where the Arabian
Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean meet, and the different colours of the
sand would leave you spell bound. Visit Vivekenanda and Gandhi Memorials
along with the breathtaking statue of Tiruvallavur.Also visit the Vattakottai
fort just 6 km away. Overnight at Kanyakumari.Day 11: Kanyakumari - Kovalam (74 kms/2 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs check out from the hotel after breakfast and we drive you down to Padmanabhapuram Teak Palace, Napier museum, Kuthiramalika museum and then continue on to Kovalam. On arrival check into the hotel. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
Day 12: Kovalam
AM 0900 Hrs Full day rest and leisure at Kovalam Beach. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
Day 13: Kovalam - Cochin (235kms/6 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast check out from the hotel and we drive you down to Cochin, en route take 3 hour backwater trip by motor boat.(Option for overnight stay on a houseboat). Evening watch a breathtaking Kathakali dance performance. Overnight stay in Cochin.
Day 14: Cochin
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take you for a full day sightseeing around Cochin. Visit: The Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Jews Street, St.Francis church, Chinese fishing net & The indo-Portughese Museum.
Day 15: Cochin - Calicut (224 kms/6hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast check out from the hotel for a drive to Calicut enroute visit Kerala Kalamandalam,one of the most revered places for the traditional art forms of Kerala. The Kalamandalam is the cradle of Kathakali training in India which imparts training in Mohiniyattam, Panchvadyam, Kootiya- ttam, Thullal, etc. Visit Guruvayur Guruvayoor is one of the most sacred and important pilgrim centers of Kerala. Its main attraction is the Sree Krishna temple. According to belief, the temple is the creation of Guru, the preceptor of the Gods, and Vayu, the God of winds. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. Overnight stay in Calicut.
Day 16: Calicut - Vythiri (65 km/2 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast check out from the hotel and we drive to Vythiri a place unexploited by the city life and situated in the northern part of Kerala, abundant in natural landscape which is in perfect harmony with the flora and fauna. On arrival check into the hotel. Overnight in Vythiri.
Day 17: Vythiri
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast in Vythiri visit Lakkidi Ghat Pass -It is the
Gate Way of Wayanad above the Thamarassery Ghat Pass of western ghat, guests
can try a trek through the ghat pass which is long but not very tedious.
Afternoon visit Pookot Lake: which is a perennial fresh water lake, nestled
among wooded hills, is the only one of its kind in Kerala. Boating facilities,
a children's park, a handicrafts and spices emporium and a fresh water aquarium
are among the facilities available here. Overnight stay in Vythiri.Day 18: Vythiri - Mysore (145 kms/4 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs check out from the hotel after breakfast. Drive to Mysore. On arrival check in the hotel. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 19: Mysore
AM 0900 Hrs After breakfast we take you to Full day sightseeing around Mysore. Visit the Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, Lalitha Mahal, St.Philomena Church, Mysore Zoo, Sri Jayachmarajenda gallery, Srirangapatna fort (fort of Tiger of Mysore, Tipu Sultan), Ranganathittu, Brindavan Gardens, Bharachukki Cascade, Tirumakudl-a Narasipura. Overnight stay in Hotel at Mysore.
Day 20: Mysore - Belur - Halebid - Hassan (120 kms/3 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs check out from the hotel after breakfast for a drive to Belur (also known as dakshina varanasi) to see the temple of Chennakeshwara, and Halebid (also known as dwarasamudra) to visit the 10th century Hoysala Temples and the Keddashewara temple. On arrival in Hassan check into the hotel. Overnight stay in Hotel. Hassan.
Day 21: Hassan - Hospet (350 kms/8 hrs)
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast check out from the hotel and we drive you to Hospet. On arrival check into the hotel. Overnight stay in Hotel. Hospet.
Day 22: Hospet - Hampi - Hospet (13 km/45 min)
AM 0900 Hrs After breakfast we take you for full day visit to the extensive
UNESCO site of Hampi near Chandraumalueshvara temple on Richikun hill. Overnight
stay in Hotel. Hospet.Day 23: Hospet - Hampi - Hospet
AM 0900 Hrs after breakfast we take you for a full day visit to Hampi and Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy temple, Virupaksha temple, Vithala temple complex-stone chariot, Hazard Ramaswami temple, Nobleman's Palace, Mustard Ganesha, Mahanavami Dibba, Pushkarini tank, Elephant's stables, Lotus Mahal, King's balance, Queen's bath, House of Victory, etc. Overnight stay in Hotel. Hospet.
Day 24: Hospet - Bangalore, (594 kms/9 hrs)
AM 0900 after breakfast we will pick you from the hotel and drive you to Bangalore ,evenign Reach bangalore in the evenign . Overnight stay in Bangalore.
Day 25: Bangalore
Departure At Leisure later we will pick up from Hotel and transfer you to Bangalore airport / Railway station. End of Tour / services.
