Spiritaul & Pilgrimage Tours Of South India

Spiritaul & Pilgrimage Tours of South IndiaPlaces: Chennai-Tirupathi -Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Trichy - Madurai - Rameswaram - Kanyakumari - Trivandrum.Day 01: Arrive ChennaiMet on arrival at Chennai airport by our Company representative and transfer to the hotel.Overnight at hotel.Day 02: In ChennaiBreakfast at hotel. AM sightseeing tour of Chennai visiting -- the national art gallery & museum, Fort St George, a drive along the marina beach, St. Mary's church and Mylapore temple. Overnight at hotel.Day 03: Chennai - Tirupathi (150 kms/ 03 hrs)Breakfast at hotel. AM proceed to Tirupathi. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Tirupathi. The temple town of Tirupathi is a major Hindu pilgrimage center famous for its Lord Venkateswara Temple. The temple, said to be the richest in India, has a history dating back to the 9th Century A.D, when Pallavas, the rulers of Kancheepuram, patronized the temple. The temple attained the zenith of its glory in the 15th century AD under the royal patronage of the Vijayanagara Emperors. Overnight at hotel.Day 04: Tirupathi - Mahabalipuram (210 kms/ 04 hrs)Breakfast at hotel. AM proceed to Mahabalipuram, en-route visit to Kanchipuram well known for their rock hewn temples, sculptures and the worlds largest stone bas relief. Kanchipuram, where the Tour includes visits to Kamakshi Amman dedicated to Goddess Parvati ; the Kailashanatha Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Ekambareshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the largest temples of city. Later continue proceed to Mahabalipuram. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Overnight in Mahabalipuram. Day 05: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (150 kms/03 hrs)Breakfast at hotel. AM sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram The town, famous for its stone carvings. Once a thriving port city under the Pallava Empire this UNESCO world heritage site has many rock-cut monuments dating from 7th - 9th century AD. Places of tourist interest include the Shore Temples, ArjunasTM Penance, Krishnamandapam, Mandapams, Rathas, Crocodile Farm, Covelong beach, and Thirukkazhukundram. Upon arrival in Pondicherry, check into the hotel. Pondicherry -- known as The French Riviera of the EastTM, was a French colony until it was integrated into India as a Union territory in 1954. The town still remarkably preserves its French heritage in its many colonial monuments, cuisines, language, customs and traditions. Places of tourist interest include the Sree Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, The French Institute and the Raj Nivas. Overnight at hotel.Day 06: Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Thanjavur (110 kms/ 03 hrs)Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Thanjavur. En-route visit to Chidambaram (65 kms/ 02 hrs) -  famous Natraja Temple & Kali Temple.Later continue proceed to Thanjavur. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Tanjore or Thanjavur as it is now called, is an ancient Chola dynasty town renowned for the Brahadeeswara temple, now a World Heritage monument.  Overnight at hotel.Day 07: Thanjavur - Trichy (56 kms/ 01 hrs)Breakfast at hotel. AM proceed to Trichy. Once the Chola citadel was also briefly ruled by the Pallavas and the Pandyas, is another famous temple town of Tamil Nadu. Upon arrival in Trichy, check into the hotel.Afternoon sightseeing tour of Trichy visiting the rock fort temple, and the island of Srirangam. Overnight at hotel.Day 08: Trichy - Madurai (142 kms/ 03 hrs)Breakfast at hotel. Morning proceed to Madurai. The city is known for its rich heritage, culture and historical background and is most famous for the Meenakshi Temple. Upon arrival in Madurai, check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel.Day 09:  Madurai - Rameswaram (170 kms/ 03 hrs)Breakfast at hotel. AM proceed to Rameswaram. Upon arrival in Rameshwaram, check into the hotel. Morning proceed to Rameswaram. You must be feeling some changes in your inner concious after visiting this great piligrimage. That is the reason , scholars of ancient time said that to attain Moksha (Salvation) visiting Rameshwaram is mandatory in Hindu religion. Overnight at hotel.Day 10: In RameswaramBreakfast at hotel. Day at leisure to explore the city by your own. Overnight at hotel.Day 11 : Rameswaram - KanyakumariBreakfast at hotel. AM  proceed to Kanyakumari, Upon arrival, check into the hotel. AM proceed to Kanyakumari, Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Afternoon visitng -- Kumari Amman Temple, Dedicated to goddess Parvathi to mark the spot where the Goddess won Lord Shiva with her penance..Vivekananda Rock Memorial., where Swami Vivekananda meditated and evolved his philosophy. Close to the memorial is Sripada Parai where the footprints of goddess Kanyakumari are believed to be imprinted. Gandhi Memorial, built over the spot where the urn containing the ashes of Gandhi was kept for public viewing before it was immersed in the water around in accordance to his wishes. Overnight at hotel.Day 12: Kanyakumari - Trivandrum (90 kms/ 02 hrs)Breakfast at hotel. Morning proceed to Trivandrum. Upon arrival check into the hotel.Rest of the day at leisure to explore the beaches. Overnight at hotel.Day 13: In TrivandrumBreakfast at hotel. This city tour of Trivandrum includes a visit to Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple - dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidan styles of architecture and is known for its mural paintings and stone carvings.Kuthirarnalika Palace Museum - built by the King of Travancore, who was a great poet, musician, social reformer and statesman. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style of architecture also has exquisite woodcarvings and displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family.Napier Museum - built in the 19th century, the Indo - Saracenic structure boasts a "natural" air conditioning system and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artefacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. Day at leisure to relax and enjoy the sandy beaches of Trivandrum. Overnight at hotel..Day 14: Trivandrum DepartBreakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport in time to board flight for onward destination. End of the tour.