Dravidian Temple Treasures

Welcomed upon arrival in Chennai airport and transfer to hotel. Relax and unwind. Chennai, formerly known as Madras and one of the largest cities in India has a population of about 10 million. It is located on the Coromandel coast along the Bay of Bengal. Chennai has been an important administrative, military and economic centre since the 1st-century. Throughout its long history, many South Indian kingdoms, the Pallava Dynasty, the Chola Dynasty, the Pandya Dynasty and Vijayanagara Empire, have ruled over the area. In 1522, the Portuguese first arrived in the area and built a port called São Tomé. Then, in 1612, the Dutch arrived and settled near Pulicat which is just north of Chennai. In 1639, Francis Day of the East India Company leased a strip of land in the small fishing village of Madraspatnam. A year later, the East India Company built, which was the first major English settlement in India. Overnight at Chennai hotel.

This morning drive to Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram used to be the capital of early Chola dynasty during the BC’s and later during the Pallava and Vijayanagara empires. This town is also one of Hinduism's seven most sacred cities and this "Golden City of a Thousand Temples" dates back to the early Cholas in the second century. Only around 70 temples of the original temple complex are still intact and the most famous is the Kailasanatha Temple built of sand stone in the early seventh century. Visit Vardharaja Perumal temple, Ekambareswarar temple, Kamakshi Amman temple, and Ulaganatha Perumal temple. Kanchipuram is famous for silk weaving and you can visit Weaving centre and learn quite a bit about Sarees. Therein, proceed to Mahabalipuram and check in to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is probably the most important historic town in the Coromondal coast. It has beautiful and magnificient temples built during the Pallava empire since the 7th C. The Pallava kings ruled Mahabalipuram from Kanchipuram, the capital of the Pallava dynasty from the 3rd century to 9th century CE, and used the port to launch trade and diplomatic missions to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Most of its monuments are monolithic as well. Go on a sightseeing trip of Mahabalipuram and visit the Sea Shore Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu, and then the Five Rathas, "Five Chariots", a monolithic structure representing an unique style built by the Pallavas. Therein visit the Arjuna's Penance, Varaha Cave and Krishna's Butter Ball. Also have a walk in the artisan's streets who makes stone sculptures. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Mahabalipuram hotel.

This morning drive to Pondicherry, quite an impressive city lined with colonial structure, seafront promenades, spiritual havens, tree-lined boulevards and some beaches.Then there is the French connection. French is still popularly spoken and understood by many local people. Pondicherry is also known as “la Côte d'Azur de l'Est”, translating to the French Riviera of the East. Some heritage structures in Puducherry date back to the 18th century, from the times when it was a French colony. The French connect is evident while taking a stroll in the old quarter, chiefly from the buildings that display a strong French architectural influence. Afternoon at leisure at Pondicherry. You may enjoy some strolls in the so called White town or French side of old quarters. Overnight at Pondicherry hotel.

Morning drive to Tanjore. Tanjore has such an important place in the history of South  India. An early capital of the Chola empire from the 9th to the 11th century, it kept its importance during the Vijayanagar, Maratha, and British periods.  The city is also known for a distinctive painting style—in which such materials as gold foil, lace, and semiprecious stones are used to embellish the painting—and for a style of embossed metal plates. Tanjore is also called the Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu. Overnight at Tanjore hotel.

Morning, visit the Brihadeeshwara temple, one among the finest temples to visit in India. , One of the main attractions of the temple is a big statue of Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, 13 ft high and 16 ft wide, the statue is sculpted out of a single rock. Fortified walls rich in elaborate rock art works surround the temple and give a grand look to the entire complex. The main temple tower is 216 ft high and the tallest of its kind in the world. The complete structure of the temple is made out of granite. The main ‘Gopurams’ or gateways to the temple are splendid structures with detailed sculptures.

Next visit the Thanjavur Maratha Palace Complex, known locally as Aranmanai, is the official residence of the Bhonsle family who ruled over the Tanjore region from 1674 to 1855. Another attraction is Saraswathi Mahal Library which has on display a rare collection of Palm leaf manuscripts and papers written in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Marathi English and a few other languages indigenous to India. The collection comprises well over 60,000 volumes.

Then visit the home of a local artisan who is engaged in making the famed musical instrument of Veena, a very prominent instrument in South Indian music. Afternoon, drive to the city of Trichy, which has it known history since 3C BC. The Srirangam temple complex here, situated in an ethereal setting on the island of Srirangam that is bounded by the two rivers of Cauvery and Kollidam, is considered among one of the largest functioning Temple (together with Angkor Vat etc) complex in the world. More importantly, it is ideally a temple town spread over 156 acres and has 21 very colourfully decorated gopurams or towers, 9 ponds and beautiful frescoes. You would even find a painting of the most intriguing Muslim consort of the god – Tulukka Nachiyar. Drive back to Tanjore. Overnight at Tanjore hotel.

Morning, drive to Madurai. The city of Madurai, which is immersed in Tamil culture, is described as vibrant, magical, chaotic, and spiritual. Locals refer to Madurai as “Thoonga Nagaram” or “the city that never sleeps“, and it is quite incredible. While Madurai’s history traces back to the third century B.C., it is mentioned in the works of Arab, Roman, and Greek travellers such as Megasthenses. Expect vivid colors and the thrill of temple bells to overwhelm your visual and auditory senses. The old structures of the city’s many temples and other architecture are enough to make the city’s modern skyscrapers fade away. Upon arrival, check in to hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Evening, you would visit the temple for a very special night ceremony. Overnight at Madurai hotel

Morning, visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple which is nearly synonymous with Madurai and is a magnificent piece of Dravidian architecture. It is encircled by four gopurams and houses almost 33,000 statues. The Thousand Pillars Hall is another stunning edifice. Also visit the Thirumalai Naykkar palace. Visit the Madurai flower market. The Jasmine market here is probably the largest in India. Madurai is world famous for its Jasmine flowers. Perfume makers from all over the world procure it from this temple town. Later in the afternoon, drive out of the city and visit the Thiruppurakundram temple, which is a charming visit. The temple is situated atop a rocky hill and one has to climb steps to get to the temple, but the effort is worth it as this temple and premises has a genuine kind of life which is very charming. Overnight at Madurai hotel.

Morning, drive to Chettinad and check in to the hotel. Chettinad comprises of 76 villages in the heart of Tamil Nadu and is famous for its architecture and unique cuisine. The community here, called as Chettiars, were traditionally traders of salt, gems, textiles and jewellery and controlled a large part of banking economy in India in the 19th C. They built palatial homes in their villages with hundreds of rooms and used Teak wood from Burma in abundance. Afternoon, visit the Palace in Kaanadu Kathan Village which gives you a wonderful example of their opulence and architecture from the inside. A walk in this village is more than interesting. Chettinad is also famous for its tile making and you will visit one such centre in the village of Athangudi. Overnight at Chettinad hotel

Morning, drive to Kovalam visiting the Sree Padmabhapuram Palace complex enroute. This is a magnificient palace complex, which will give you a clear insight into traditional Keralan architecture. The palace is set in a beautiful village and we recommend you take a walk outside in the village around the complex. Proceed to Kovalam and check into your hotel. Overnights at Kovalam hotel

Days at leisure on the beach. Overnights at Kovalam hotel

In time, transfer to Trivandrum airport for departure flight.