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Tailor Made Holidays To India (Private Tour): Temples of Madurai + Tamil Nadu

Temples of Southern India - Chennai to Madurai

Tailor Made Holidays To India Private Tour Temples Madurai Thanjavur

12 NIGHTS FROM:

$2,149

Per person sharing

Scheduled flights quoted separately

IPU12C

• Tailor Made Holidays to India

• Chennai

• Fort St George

• Mahabalipuram Shore Temple

• Puducherry

• Thanjavur

• Great Living Chola Temples

• Madurai

• Aarti Ceremony

• Tamil Nadu

Our tailor made holidays to India include this fascinating private tour to view the spectacular temples of Southern India - travelling from Chennai on the Bay of Bengal to the pilgrimage city of Madurai, where you will experience an aarti ceremony. Also visit the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, the Great Chola Temples at Thanjavur, Trichy and Chettinad in Tamil Nadu.

Detailed itinerary ▶

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Day 1

You will be met at Chennai Airport by your driver and transferred to your hotel in the city, formerly called Madras and the state capital of Tamil Nadu.

Located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, Chennai is a major commercial, cultural, economic and educational centre, as well as being famous for its Madras curry.

Day 2

This morning enjoy a half day tour of the thriving city of Chennai.

We start with a visit to the Government Museum, which has some fascinating exhibits about ancient Chennai. We also visit Fort St George which dates back to the 17th century and is filled with memorabilia. Here you can see St. Mary’s Church, the first Christian church consecrated on Indian soil.

Our next stop is at the splendid St Thomas Cathedral Basilica, built in the 19th century by early Portuguese explorers over the tomb of Saint Thomas the apostle. It is one of the most sacred Christian sites in India and one of the world's few surviving apostolic burial sites.

Afterwards we drive along the marina to the ancient Kapaleeshwar Temple at Mylapore. This shrine to the Hindu god Shiva is over 2,000 years old and showcases the architectural splendour of the Dravidian period.

You afternoon is free for independent exploration or relaxation.

Note: All temples and museums are closed on Fridays.

Day 3

This morning your driver will introduce you to the beauty of Tamil Nadu state, as we leave Chennai and travel 1.5-hours to the ancient port of Mahabalipuram, with its huge casuarina trees and silvery sandy beaches. Here a group of temples were hewn out of rock along the Coromandel Coast during the 7th and 8th centuries by the Pallavas kings. These intricately carved structures, mostly in granite, are among the oldest surviving examples of South Indian architecture.

Now a World Heritage site, the Shore Temple is the oldest of these monuments but, unlike the other, it is built - not carved from rock - and contains a Vishnu Temple and two Shiva temples (a 3-in-1 abode of the gods). More than one hundred stone relief figures of people, animals and gods can be seen here. You can also admire the five Rathas (stone chariots) and the mythology associated with the 'Descent of the River Ganges' and the 'Penance of Arjuna' carved in stone.

Another curiosity in the town is Krishna's Butterball - a very large boulder balanced precariously on a small hill, that looks as if it could roll at any moment.

Day 4

Today we leave Mahabalipuram and travel 2.5-hours to the city of Puducherry, fondly called "Pondy".

Pondicherry was a market place in Roman times and has been controlled by many kings, emperors and sultans in its rich history. During the colonial era it was a French territory, with occasional interuption from the British and Dutch until it was incorporated into the Indian Union.

Day 5

This morning you will be taken on a tour of Puducherry.

We start with a visit to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram - a spiritual centre that is the home to more than 1,500 followers from around the world. Afterwards we take a walk through the French Quarter with its old buildings, visit the Sacred Heart Basilica and stroll along the Promenade with its monuments. You can also see Government Park, the Manakula Vinayagar Temple and the Roman Rolland Library.

Afternoon is at leisure to relax at your hotel and in the evening you can dine in a local restaurant.

Day 6

Today we travel 4.5-hours via Chidambaram, known for its famous Thillai Nataraja Temple, to Thanjavur (previously known as Tanjore), which is an important centre of southern Indian religion, art and architecture.

Thanjavur is home to one of the three exceptional Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

On arrival we visit the Thanjavur Royal Palace and Museum, with its fascinating collection of 19th century royal artefacts.

Note: Thanjavur Palace is closed on public holidays.

Day 7

We spend today exploring the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. These magnificent 11th and 12th century Hindu temples were contructed during the Chola dynasty, which stretched all over southern India and its neighbouring islands.

There are three great temples. The Brihadisvara Temple complex at Thanjavur, known locally as 'The Big Temple', is one of the largest Hindu temples in India. It is enclosed within two courtyards and has an exquisitely decorated shrine. Built using granite, the tower above the shrine is one of the tallest in South India.

The Brihadisvara Temple complex at Gangaikondacholisvaram has a 53-m vimana (sanctum tower) with recessed corners and a graceful upward curve, which contrasts sharply with the straight and severe tower at Thanjavur.

The Dharasuram Temple complex at Airavatesvara features a 24-m vimana and a stone image of Shiva. These temples showcase the brilliant achievements of the Chola dynasty in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting.

Day 8

This morning we drive 1.5-hours from Thanjavur to Tiruchirappalli (known locally as Trichy), an ancient city with many historic monuments and now an important industrial and educational hub in Tamil Nadu state.

After checking into your hotel enjoy a city tour of the museums and art galleries of Trichy, including the Rock Fort and Sri Jambukeshwara Temple - one of the five major Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu.

We also visit the 600-acre island town of Srirangam that is enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sriranganathaswami Temple.

Day 9

This morning we leave Trichy and drive 2-hours to Chettinad.

On arrival we view the majestic architecture of Chettinad Palace, which was constructed in 1912 with contributions from all around the world. We also visit Chettinad Museum, which showcases local history and culture.

Afterwards we check in to our hotel in this town that is also renowned for its spicy chicken curry.

Day 10

We leave Chettinad this morning and drive 2.5-hours to Madurai, the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of the Vaigai River.

As we leave Chettinad we visit the magnificent Vairavanpatti Temple, which was built in 19th century and is full of wonderful paintings from the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics. There is a natural spring behind the temple, which is believed to have miraculous healing properties.

We then continue to Madurai, which is the centre of the Tamil language and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The skyline of this ancient city is dominated by the 14 colourful gopurams (gateway towers) of the Meenakshi Temple. Covered in bright carvings of Hindu gods, the Dravidian-style temple is a major pilgrimage site, visited by millions of Hindus from around the world - particularly during the Chithirai Festival each April/May, which celebrates Meenakshi and Lord Vishna.

Later in the day we get a glimpse of Madurai's devout religious culture on a visit to the atmospheric Meenakshi Temple at prayer time, to observe an unforgettable aarti ceremony.

Day 11

This morning we explore the historic city of Madurai and the impressive Meenakshi Temple.

We also visit the the crumbling Tirumalai Nayak Palace and the Gandhi Memporial Museum, which presents a comprehensive account of the life of this great man.

The afternoon is free to explore the city further with your driver or relax at your hotel.

Day 12

Today is free to explore more of the city of Madurai with your guide.

Day 13

Transfer to Madurai Airport for your flight home.

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