Spiritual Tamil Nadu

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Spiritual Tamil Nadu

This enchanting Tamil Nadu tour is perfect for anyone interested in history and culture and is looking for a south India temple tour. Amongst other treasures, you will discover the temple town of Madurai and explore the wonderful world heritage sites of the Great Living Chola Temples in Thanjavur & Darasuram, and the Ancient Group of Monuments at Mamallapuram.

Spiritual Tamil Nadu

During this tour visiting some of the world’s most impressive and intricately carved temples and taking in the natural views along the Bay of Bengal.

Tour Highlights

  1. Take in modern Chennai culture in the Mylapore Tank area.
  2. Mamallapuram UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  3. Walking tour of former French Colony of Pondicherry.
  4. Living Chola Temples world heritage sites including Airavatesvara Temple tour and a visit to Brihadisvara Temple with its 62-metre high tower.
  5. Follow the pilgrimage trail to Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi.
  6. Tour of the wonderful temple town of Madurai

Itinerary

Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Tanjore – Trichy– Rameshwaram – Madurai – Chennai

Day 01: Arrive in Chennai
The first stop on your South India tour is Chennai, the thriving capital of the Southern state of Tamil Nadu and a rich storehouse of Southern culture and tradition. On arrival at Chennai International Airport you will be met our driver and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you will embark upon a discovery tour of Chennai. Highlights of the tour include the ancient Shiva temple of Kapaleeshwarar, Fort St. George and Santhome Basilica, which is said to have been built over the tomb of Thomas the Apostle. End the day with a visit to Marina beach, a 13km stretch of sand and sea. It’s a popular hangout spot for the locals and is perfect for an evening promenade.
Day 02: Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (140 kms – 04 hrs)
Drive to the pilgrim city of Kanchipuram, also known as the town of a thousand temples. Here you'll visit the temples of Ekambaranathar, Kailasanatha, Varadharaja Perumal, and Kamakshi Amman. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silk saris, and you'll have a chance to visit the silk weavers and learn about the history of this colorful fabric, which is an essential part of a South Indian bride’s trousseau. Then continue to the nearby town of Mahabalipuram for the night.
Day 03: Mahabalipuram
This 7th-century erstwhile port city of Mahabalipuram is famous for its historical stone carvings and rock-cut shore temples. Stop at the Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna's Butterball, and the Five Rathas. Don't forget to leave time to enjoy the stunning views of the town and the sea from the lighthouse on the hill.
Day 04: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (110 kms – 02 hrs)
Enjoy the morning drive to the former French colony of Puducherry. This is a town brimming with unique experiences, from the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram to miles of beautiful sandy beaches. You can visit the striking Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple to meet their resident elephant, Lakshmi. Here you will earn a blessing in exchange for a donation of a few rupees or a banana, which she will accept with her trunk. Later we will visit a handmade paper-making unit and Puducherry museum, to learn about the city’s fascinating colonial history. Explore the historic French Quarter with its wide cobbled streets and some of the best restaurants in South India, offering a scintillating fusion of French and Indian cuisines.
Day 05: Pondicherry – Kumbakonam – Tanjore (140 kms – 02½ hrs)
Another town of temples, Kumbakonam is known for its silk saris and brass work. It's also famous for the Navagraha Temples, dedicated to the nine major celestial bodies of Hindu astronomy. You'll visit the beautiful Vaitheeswaran Koil temple, devoted to Mars. You'll also stop at the Airavateswara temple and the Mahalingeswarar temple on your way, then overnight in Tanjore.
Day 06: Tanjore – Excursion to Trichy
First half of the day visiting Tanjore, The ancient capital of the Chola empire, the town of Tanjore is known for the Brihadeeshwara Temple, an architectural masterpiece that you'll spend your day exploring. The temple is one of the tallest in the world and the world's first complete granite temple. Later drive 60 kms to for excursion to Trichy : Another ancient city, Tiruchirappalli (also known as Trichy) is famous for its ancient temples. Start by visiting the temples of Srirangam and Jambukeswarar. Then continue to another special place, the Rock Fort Temple complex, perched on a rock from where you can enjoy splendid views of the city and the Kaveri river.
Day 07: Tanjore – Rameshwaram (240 kms – 04½ hrs)
An island with mythological significance, Rameswaram is one of the holiest cities of Hinduism and part of the Char Dham pilgrimage. Experience the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple and the footprints of the god Ram.
Day 08: Rameshwaram – Excursion to Dhanushkodi
Set off on a jeep excursion to Dhanushkodi, where the confluence of the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal resemble a bow and arrow. Relax on the shore as you enjoy beautiful views of the ocean and bird life, then head back to Rameswaram for the evening.
Day 09: Rameshwaram – Madurai (175 kms – 03 hrs)
After breakfast, it's time to set off for the famous temple town of Madurai. This is a beautiful town set against the backdrop of the 14 colourful gopurams (gateway towers) of Meenakshi Amman Temple. You will have the chance to marvel at the multi-tiered, technicolour wonder covered in bright carvings of mythical figures. The Dravidian-style temple is a major pilgrimage site, and our guide will help you unravel its mysteries. In the evening you will visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple. Upon entering the temple, notice the colourful textile and crafts stalls around the Pudhu Mandapam with diligent tailors at their sewing machines.
Day 10: Madurai - Chennai - Departure
Today you will be picked up by your driver and transferred to Madurai International Airport to catch your flight home.
  • Best Season: September to April

The highlights of this trip

Pondicherry

Away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, Puducherry is a quiet little town on the southern coast of India. The unmistakable French connection, the tree lined boulevards, the quaint colonial heritage buildings, the spiritual sceneries, the endless stretches of unspoilt virgin beaches and a surprising choice of restaurants serving a melange of cuisines provide a heady mix of experience. 

Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi is strip of land 1 km wide and 18 km long on the eastern end of Rameswaram. This land piece is in between the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. These oceans were called as Ratnakaran and Mahodadhi. Their confluence looks like a bow and the strip of land looks like an arrow ready to be released. Hindus consider the Adi Sethu or the arrowhead as a sacred place to perform religious rites. It is an exotic beach stretch with abundant bird life. Tourists also enjoy surfing here.

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Meenakshi Temple

A superb example of Dravidian architecture and sculpture, the temple has two sanctorum, one dedicated to Shiva as Sundareswarar and the other to his consort Meenakshi. This is one of the largest temple complexes in the country. Of the many pieces of sculpture in the temple, the most striking is that of the divine marriage of goddess Meenakshi with Sundareswarar. The highlight of the temple is the ‘Hall of Thousand Pillars’. The hall has 985 pillars with a number of ornate and bold sculptures. Viewed from any angle, these pillars appear to be in a straight line, an architectural marvel indeed. In the outer most corridor is situated the matchless musical pillars carved out of stones; when tapped, they produce different musical notes.

  • Cultural 95% 95%
  • Architect 95% 95%
  • Local Experiences 85% 85%
  • Monuments 95% 95%

Spirituality & Religion.

“All of our trip was a real delight. Highlights were the temples at Mahabalipuram and Madurai, walking tour in former French colony and yoga class in Auroville. “

Isabel Reck, Oslo – Norway

Fascinating local people..

“Wonderful interactions with fascinating local people, including story-teller guides, a classical dancer, a maker of beautiful bronze statues of gods from a prestigious family of temple bronze makers.”

Elissa Carpo, Stcokholm – Sweden.

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