Temple Treasures of Tamil Nadu

Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Kumbakonam - Madurai - Rameswaram - Madurai

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Kanchipuram

Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram

Explore Auroville's unique community and Matrimandir

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

Rameshwaram

Meenakshi Madurai

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08 Nights / 09 Days

Package Includes

Hotel
Sightseeing
Transfer
Meal

Overview
Tour Highlights
Day wise Itinerary
Inclusion/Exclusions
Additional Info

Overview: 08 Nights / 09 Days Temple Treasures of Tamil Nadu

The Temple Treasures of Tamil Nadu tour is an 08 Nights / 09 Days spiritual and cultural tour in the land of ancient Dravidian architecture, sacred legends, and ancient traditions. The trip begins in Chennai, which is the entrance to South India. Then it leads to Kanchipuram, known as the City of 1000 Temples, where the architecture of Ekambareeswarar and Kamakshi Amman Temple offers the splendor of the Tamil culture. Visit the Mahabalipuram, which has UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the grand Shore Temple and carved rock-cut monuments.

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Tour Highlights

Explore the sacred temples of Kanchipuram.
Visit UNESCO monuments at Mahabalipuram.
Experience spiritual serenity at Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry.
Admire the unique Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram.
Explore the Chola artistry of the Discover Airavatesvara Temple in Kumbakonam.
Wonder at Tanjore in Brihadeeswara and Trichy in Ranganathaswamy Temple.
See the splendor of the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai.
See Ramanathaswamy Temple and Rameshwaram sacred places.

Day wise Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival Chennai

Stay overnight in hotel

On your arrival at Chennai International Airport you will be greeted by our local staff member and transferred to your booked hotel. Overnight at hotel in Chennai.

Day 2: Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (By road 140 Kms. / Approx. 3 ½ Hrs. drive)

Breakfast
Sightseeing
Stay overnight in hotel

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Kanchipuram. KANCHIPURAM is known as the 'City of 1000 temples' and one of India's Seven Sacred cities. Kanchipuram has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. We will visit Varadaraja temple noted for its exquisite sculptures and 1000 pillared hall, Ekambareeswarar temple known for its tallest gopuram (towers), Kamakshi Amman Temple - where Goddess Kamakshi is worshipped in the form of a Chakra placed in front of the idol with a golden gopuram in the centre. After the visit continue your drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit MAHABALIPURAM also known as Mamallapuram, is situated on the shore of Bay of Bengal is an ancient sea-side town. The art at this place emphasizes robust earthly beauty, imbibed with life. The Pallavas have created many marvelous monuments sculptural panels, caves, monolithic Rathas and sculptural Temples. Visit the World’s heritage monument the shore Temple in Mahabalipuram. Also visit Five Rathas, Arjuna’s penance. Overnight stay at hotel in Mahabalipuram.

Day 3: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (By Road 100 Kms. / Approx. 3 Hrs. drive)

Breakfast
Sightseeing
Stay overnight in hotel

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Pondicherry. On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon proceed for a sightseeing of Aurobindo Ashram. Sri Aurobindo Ashram, founded in 1920, is the residence where the Sri Aurobindo and revered Mother Mirra Richard, popularly known as Maa, spent the most part of their life. This place attracts many thousands of people each year. This is the saddle of peace; Aurobindo preached his ideas of a peaceful community from this ashram. The ashram is comprised of many buildings and the inmates are a diversified community of around 1,200 members with 400 students of the Centre of Education. Also visit Auroville: is conceived as a ‘Universal Town’. This is a place where people with different nationalities, beliefs and culture live in harmony. This amazing city of community living was started in 1968 by the Maa, renowned disciple of Shri Aurobindo, and now the development is going on. The main attraction here is Matrimandir, a modern architectural marvel, with a globe as high as 30 meters and have lotus-shaped foundation urn. Overnight stay at hotel in Pondicherry.

Day 4: Pondicherry – Chidambaram – Kumbakonam (By Road 140 Kms / Approx. 3 hrs. drive)

Breakfast
Sightseeing
Stay overnight in hotel

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Kumbakonam en-route visiting Chidambaram - a city in Tamil Nadu, one of the most sacred places in India, constantly visited by pilgrims. It is associated with the names of popular South Indian saints as Manikkavasagar and Tirumular. Chidambaram is famous for the temple dedicated to Lord Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer (Lord Shiva). We will visit Nataraja Temple - The Nataraja temple is dedicated exclusively to the art of Bharatanatyam. It is among the rare temples where Shiva is depicted in the idol form instead of the usual lingam (phallus) form. Built during the later Chola era, the temple spreads over 40 acres. After the visit continue your drive to Kumbakonam. On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit the temple at Darasuram, is Airvatesvara Temple, constructed by Rajaraja Chola II (1146-63), is a superb example of 12 Century Chola architecture. Many statues were removed to the art gallery in the Thanjavur Palace, but have since been returned. The remarkable structures depict, among other things, Shiva as Kankala-murti – the mendicant. Stories from epics and Hindu mythology are depicted. Overnight stay at hotel in Kumbakonam.

Day 5: Kumbakonam – Tanjore – Madurai (By Road 240 Kms / Approx. 4 Hrs. drive)

Breakfast
Sightseeing
Stay overnight in hotel

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Madurai, en-route visiting Brihadeeswara Temple in Tanjore, The Brihadeeswara Temple is the main attraction of Tanjore. The massive temple built by Rajaraja Chola reflects the Cholas’ contribution to the development of arts in this area. It is also regarded as the Chola dynasty's finest contribution to the Dravidian temple architecture. The temple also has a spacious ground, number of pillared halls, shrines and 250 lingams. After the visit drive to Madurai. En-route visit Trichy, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam is the first and foremost among the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu, and also considered as one among the eight Svayam Vyakta Ksetras (self-manifested shrines) of Lord Vishnu. After the visit continue your drive to Madurai. On arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Madurai.

Day 6: Madurai

Breakfast
Sightseeing
Stay overnight in hotel

After breakfast proceed for a city tour visiting the palace of Thirumalai Nayak, ruler of Madurai's Nayaka dynasty. The original palace complex was four times larger than the site is today (in its heyday it was considered one of the wonders of the south), but it is still worth a visit. The architectural style of the palace combines Dravidian, Italian (owing to the Italian architect who supervised the project) as well as Islamic. Later visit the extremely famous Meenakshi Temple that is situated in the very heart of the Madurai city. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati, here known as Sundareshvara and Meenakshi. The Meenakshi Temple, was built during the reign of Chadayavarman Sundara Pandyan in the 12th century. The imposing 9-storey tower was built between the 13th and 16th century. During the 200-year reign of Nayakka rulers, many Mandapams (covered structure with pillars) were constructed in the temple premises, like the Hall of Thousand Pillars, Puthu Mandapam, Ashta Sakthi Mnadapam, Vandiyoor Theppakulam, and Nayakkar Mahal. The Temple, as it stands today, was built between 12th and 18th century. Many majestic towers (gopurams), small and big, beckon one and all to this historic temple. As it is a common practice to worship Devi Meenakshi first and then Lord Sundareswarar, devotees enter the temple through the Ashta Sakthi Mandapam on the eastern street, named after the figures of eight sakthis represented on the pillars on two sides. Evening witness a special sleeping Aarti ceremony inside the temple complex, where the Idol of Goddess Meenakshi is taken to the chamber of Lord Shiva after sleeping Aarti rituals are completed. Overnight stay at Hotel in Madurai.

Day 7:Madurai – Rameswaram (By Road 175 Kms. / Approx. 4 Hrs. drive)

Breakfast
Sightseeing
Stay overnight in hotel

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Rameshwaram, one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in India, located on Pamban Island. On arrival, check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Rameshwaram.

Day 8: Rameswaram

Breakfast
Flight
Stay overnight in hotel

After breakfast, proceed for a full day of sightseeing in Rameshwaram, one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India.

Ramanathaswamy Temple – Begin your day with a visit to this sacred shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples in the country and holds immense spiritual significance for Hindus. The temple is also famed for its massive corridors, considered the longest among all Hindu temples, and intricately carved stone pillars.
Agnitheertham – Located just east of the temple on the seashore, this is a sacred bathing spot where pilgrims traditionally take a ritual dip before entering the temple premises.
Rama Setu (Adam’s Bridge) Viewpoint – Visit the area believed to be near the remnants of the mythical bridge constructed by Lord Rama’s army to reach Lanka, as described in the epic Ramayana. The location offers spiritual and historical intrigue, along with scenic coastal views.
Dhanushkodi (optional) – If time permits, take an excursion to the ghost town of Dhanushkodi, situated at the southeastern tip of Pamban Island. Abandoned after a devastating cyclone in 1964, the area is now a hauntingly beautiful stretch of land with ruins, clear waters, and mythological importance. Overnight stay at hotel in Rameshwaram.

Day 9: Rameswaram – Madurai – Depart.

Breakfast
Departure

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Madurai to board your flight to onward destination.

Inclusion/Exclusions:

Inclusion

Hotel accommodation in Double / Twin sharing basis.
Daily Breakfast.
Airport transfers with staff assistance.
Monument Entrance Fee as per the Itinerary.
01 Mineral Water bottle per person on arrival.
All Transportation and sightseeing by Air-conditioned private vehicle depending on group size. Services of local English speaking Guide as per the Itinerary.
All currently applicable taxes.

Exclusions

Visa Fee.
International/Domestic airfare.
Useful Tips.
Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, telephone, laundry bills etc.
Tips and porter charges.
Any additional expenses incurred due to any flight delay or cancellation, weather conditions, political closures, technical faults etc.
Any other service/s not specified above.

Additional Info:

Things to Carry:

ID Proof – Valid id Card issued by Government
Clothing for summers – T-shirts & shorts, hat, cotton shirts and trousers and other comfortable clothes
Clothing for winters – Warm clothes (jackets/woolen sweater, lower, woolen socks, thermal wear) and other comfortable clothes
Toiletries – Lip balm, wet wipes, sunscreen, moisturizer, perfume and any other personal care you use
Health Related - Personal Medicines( if any), prescription & medicine for high altitude sickness, dehydration salt atc.
Others support you during trip – Sun glasses, sipper, candy, dust mask, power bank etc.

Why Indian Dharmik Tours for Pilgrimage Tours?

Well Experienced and Trained Staff

We have experienced and enthusiastic staff of travel experts, and we can try our best for a comfortable Tour.
Certifications

We hold certifications from respected Tour and Travel organizations in India like-IATA, IATO, TAAI, and Reserve Bank of India. also we are Recognized by Department of Tourism (Government of India)..
Branch Offices

We have local office in major Cities of India to ensure smooth handling of Tours.