South India Temples- KA033

Day 1 : Arrive Chennai
Arrive Chennai and meet our representative at the arrival hall and transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Chennai including Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world. The St. George Fort, built in 1653, is currently used as the state government’s secretariat. Santhome Cathedral was built around 14th/15th century and is another colonial structure worth visiting. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kapaleeshwar Temple is the oldest temple in Chennai. Another important temple in the city dedicated to Lord Krishna is Parthsarthy Temple. The Snake Park has a large collection of snakes and many other reptiles.

Day 2 : Mysore
Intime transfer to Railway Station to board train for Mysore. Arrive Mysore and transfer to hotel. Later visit Chamundi Hill. On the top of the hill stands the temple dedicated to the Goddess Chamundeshwari, the royal family’s patron deity.

Day 3 : Mysore
Morning city tour including Maharaja’s Palace built as recently as 1897, which is one of the biggest in India; St Philomena’s Church etc; Sri Jauyachamarajendra Art Gallery housed in the Jagmohan Palace, which has a collection of exquisite paintings, and in the evening visit Brindavan Gardens, which are illuminated 3 days a week.

Day 4 : Hassan
Morning drive to Hasssan, a calm and peaceful town. Arrive Hgassan and check – in at hotel. Later visit Belur, known for its exquisite temples and Chennakeshava Temple is a fine example. Also visit to Halebid, where Hoysaleswara Temple has a wealth of sculptural detail, the walls covered with gods, goddesses, animals and dancing girls.

Day 5 : Bangalore
Morning drive to Bangalore visiting Sravanbelagola enroute, which is one of most important Jain Pilgrim centers. Arrive Bangalore and check – in at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bangalore visiting Tipu Sultan’s Palace, originally built in mud in 1537 and rebuilt by Haider Ali a couple of centuries later; Bull Temple enshrining a massive bull carved out of a single piece of Grey granite; Lalbagh gardens laid out by Haider Ali in the 18th century; Cubbon Park laid out by the British in the 19th century. Vidhan Soudha built in granite incorporates features of traditional Indian architecture.

Day 6 : Kovalam
Intime transfer to airport to board flight for Trivandrum. Arrive Trivandrum and straight away proceed to Kovalam. Arrive Kovalam and check – in at hotel.

Day 7 : Kovalam
Day free for independent activities or free to stroll along the beach.

Day 8 : Periyar
Morning drive to Periyar. Arrive Periyar and check – in at hotel. Later walk around in the peaceful town known for various Spice and coffee plantations.

Day 9 : Madurai
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to see Wild Elephants. Later drive to Madurai. Arrive Madurai and check – in at hotel.

Day 10 : Madurai
Morning visit Meenakshi Temple, where the 1,000-pillared hall has stone figures carved on the pillars, some of which sound like metal when hit with an object. Also visit Tirumalai Nayaka Temple and the Temple Art Museum.

Day 11 : Trichy
Morning drive to Trichy. Arrive Trichy and check – in at hotel. Later sightseeing tour of Trichy including the Rock Fort, 434 steps cut into the rock side and interspersed with shrines lead up to the top. Also visit Srirangam Temple sprawling over a large area on an island as the Cauvery flows on both sides. It houses the image of the sleeping Vishnu along the mortal remains of Sri Ramanuja Acharya.

Day 12 : Pondicherry
Morning drive to Pondicherry. Arrive Pondicherry and check – in at hotel. Later visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the final resting place of the founder of the Ashram, Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Also visit Church Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus is the place to visit for seeing stained glass windows, built in Gothic style.

Day 13 : Mahabalipuram
Morning drive to Mahabalipuram. Arrive Mahabalipuram and check – in at hotel. Later visit Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Five Rathas and Shore Temples.

Day 14 : Leave Chennai
Morning drive to Chennai airport to board flight for onward destination. End of our services.