Temple Trail of Tamil Nadu

Upon arrival at Madurai International Airport, meet our representative, followed by a transfer to the hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, visit the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. The temple complex now houses 14 gopurams (gateway towers), ranging from 45 to 50 meters in height, with the southern gopuram being the tallest at 51.9 meters (170 ft). The complex contains numerous sculpted pillared halls, such as Ayirakkal (the 1,000-pillared hall). Late at night, attend the night ceremony, during which the temple’s bronze idol of Lord Shiva is carried to the bedchamber of Parvati. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, proceed to Chettinad and check in to the hotel. In the evening, visit the Ayyanar Temple (Horse Temple), where rows of grinning and colorful terracotta horses greet visitors upon entering the temple complex. Ayyanar is an ancient regional manifestation of the Hindu god Shiva. These smiling horses are offerings from villagers as an expression of thanksgiving for answered prayers. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, embark on a sightseeing tour of Chettinad, including a heritage tour to explore its elaborately decorated and unique features. Visit Soorakudi Temple, one of the nine clan temples of the Chettiars. The nine clan temples, granted by the Pandya kings, had villages and townships clustered around them, forming the great Chettinad region. Continue the drive to Athangudi and visit the tile factory there. Athangudi tiles are cement tiles similar to mosaic; however, unlike machine-pressed tiles, they are handmade on glass surfaces. Later, visit the Athangudi Periya Veedu, built for the royal Nagappa Chettiar in 1907. Stained glass, teak, tiles, granite, and wrought ironwork truly make the house a work of art. After lunch, go around the village to visit some of the centers that produce a local snack called murukku, as well as a small-scale weaving center. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, head to Trichy and visit Srirangam Temple, dedicated to Ranganatha, a form of the Supreme God, Maha Vishnu. The temple, constructed in the Dravidian architectural style, holds the unique distinction of being the foremost among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to the Supreme God, Vishnu. Continue the drive to Tanjore and check in to the hotel. In the evening, visit the world heritage-listed Brihadeeswara Temple, built in the 11th century by Raja Raja I ("King of Kings"). Enter through the Nayak Gate, followed by two original gopurams adorned with elaborate stucco sculptures. Inside, discover several shrines, including one of India’s largest statues of Nandi, Shiva’s sacred bull. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit Thanjavur's Royal Palace, which preserves memories of powerful dynasties from later centuries. Here, explore the Saraswati Mahal Library Museum, which houses over 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts, and the Art Gallery, which contains a superb collection of Chola bronzes and stone carvings.It is time for your next enlightenment. Sneak into a small house and witness the Tanjore veena-making process, where an entire instrument is carved from a single block of jackwood. Carnatic music played on these veenas has won the hearts of millions of music lovers. Continue the drive to Kumbakonam and check in to the hotel. In the evening, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Darasuram Temple, and see its famous Airavatesvara Chola Temple, adorned with vivid carvings of elephants and horses pulling chariots, dating back to the 12th century. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry. En route, visit the Gaṅgaikoṇḍa Chōḻapuram Temple, which features sculptures of exceptional quality. Then, visit Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Nataraja—Shiva as the Lord of Dance. Continue the drive to Pondicherry and check in to the hotel. Pondicherry, settled by the French in the 18th century, retains a quiet colonial atmosphere with wide, shady streets lined with colorful stucco houses. This evening, take a stroll through the streets of Pondicherry, passing through the French, Tamil, and Ashram quarters. The rich mix of cultures has created a unique fusion in the atmosphere of Pondicherry, rooted deeply in its stories, fine architecture, and friendly people. The culinary landscape of Pondicherry is highly colorful, tasty, and eclectic, yet it still retains traces of tradition. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, head to Auroville, situated on the outskirts of the town.This spiritual community was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and a French-born woman known as The Mother.You will be taken through the Visitors' Center and a few of the Auroville units, which innovatively work with paper, textiles, bamboo, and stone.Pass by the Matrimandir (the meditation center) and learn from those who choose to join, build, and live this unique lifestyle. Enjoy lunch at Solar Kitchen—the community kitchen for the residents—and gain insight into their unique way of life, based on universal harmony.In the evening, stroll through the town on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed to the seaside town of Mahabalipuram, a port of the Pallava kings from the 5th to the 8th centuries. Along the shore lies a stunning series of temples and sculptures, carved from living rock over 1,200 years ago. Unlike many Hindu temples, the carvings depict scenes of everyday life. Check in to your hotel. In the late afternoon, visit the magnificent Shore Temple with your guide, symbolizing the heights of Pallava architecture and the maritime ambitions of its kings. Explore the masterpieces of Mahabalipuram’s rock-cut caves, which depict scenes from Hindu mythology, and conclude at the site of the Five Rathas. Each temple is named after one of the Pandavas, the five heroic brothers of the epic Mahabharata. Return to the hotel. Spend the evening at the beach. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to Chennai Airport for your onward journey.