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 South
India is home to some of the most magnificent temples of the
world. The southern part of the nation is a hub of temples
so much so that some of the towns in the region are referred
to as 'Temple Towns' because of the glorious and fabulous
temples built in that area. The Vimana and the Gopurams characterize
the architectural style of these temples. The ancient sacred
temple of Shri Venkateshwara located on Venkatachala peak
of Tirupati Hill, the Mukteswara temple of Lord Shiva, the
much-famed Sri Meenakshi Sundareswara temple in Madurai city,
the fourth biggest temple in India the Guruvayoor Temple dedicated
to Lord Krishna and the Jagannath Temple of Puri in Orissa
together make South India rich and vibrant with its wondrous
temples attracting numerous people to the place every year.
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Duration:
11 Nights / 12 Days
Places to Visit:
Chennai - Chennai - Tirupati - kanchipuram - Mamallapooram
- Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore
- Trichy - Madurai - Trivamdrum
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Day 01: Arrive Chennai
On arrival at the airport you would be welcome by the Indian
Horizons representative and transfer to the hotel. Overnight
at Chennai.
Day 02: In Chennai
After breakfast Indian Horizons guide would escort you to
the full day excursion to Mahabalipuram famous as a major
seaport of the great Pallava Kings between 08 and 10th century
AD and noted for its rock carvings and the shore temple. On
your way back to Chennai visit the Gandhi Memorial, Kala Kshetra,
Mylapore temple. Overnight at Chennai.
Day 03: Chennai - Tirupati
- Chennai
Morning after breakfast full day excursion to Tirupati famous
for ancient temple of Lord Venkateswara. Overnight at Chennai.
Day 04: Chennai - Kanchipuram
- Mamallapooram
Morning after breakfast on your drive to Mamallapooram enroute
visit Kanchipuram the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous
as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. On arrivalcheck-into
the hotel. Afternoon with Indian Horizons guide visit several
antique sculptural marvels of shrines and huge sculptures
cut-out of rocks that dates back to 1200 years during the
reign of Pallava Kings. The rock carvings depicting mythological
episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others
- are truly poems in stone. The only shore temple that remains
here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because
it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum
sanctorum. Overnight at Mamallapooram
Day 05: Mamallaporam -
Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry
Morning after breakfast drive to Pondicherry enroute visit to
Tiruvannamallai a pilgrim center with an ancient temple of Lord
Shiva After lunch proceed to Pondicherry, which carries a strong
whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French
colony on the east coast of South India merged with the rest
of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the
place where St.Agasthaya settled down. Overnight at Pondicherry.
Day 06: In Pondicherry
After breakfast visit Aurbindo Ashram the city of dawn, which
is 10kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo's
ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science
to unite the spirit and matter. After lunch visit Auroville
a unique experiment in international living and in creating
a new environment where men and women of all nationalities
live together in harmony. Overnight at Pondicherry.
Day 07: Pondicherry -
Chidambaram - Tanjore
Morning after breakfast drive to Tanjore enroute visit Chidambaram
famous for the Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum
covered with golden plates. In this temple postures from the
Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Later
drive to Thanjavur visiting the Brass factory at Kumbakonam.
On arrival check-into the hotel. Overnight at Tanjore.
Day 08: Tanjore - Trichy
Morning explore the famous Chola Temple of Brideshwar at Tanjore
and later drive Trichy situated on the banks of Kaveri River
is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim center
famous for Ranganath Temple at Srirangam. On arrival check-into
the hotel. Afternoon explore the temples of Trichy with Indian
Horizons guide. The prominent temple is the Rock Fort Temple
and Srirangam Temple. Overnight at Trichy.
Day 09: Trichy - Madurai
After breakfast drive to Madurai some 2600 years old is laid
out in the banks of river  Vaigai
as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the center. After
lunch explore the famous Meenakshi Temple with Indian Horizons
guide, a superb example of the Dravida School of Architecture
and is known for its profusely carved and gigantic gateways.
Overnight at Madurai.
Day 10: Madurai - Trivandrum
After breakfast drive to Trivandrum and check in at hotel.
Overnight at Trivandrum
Day 11: In Trivandrum
After breakfast proceed for full day excursion to Kanyakumari
where the water of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and
the Indian Ocean meet. An important pilgrim center of India
famous for the Amman Temples a symbol of unity and sanctity
dedicated to the virgin Goddess, Kanya Kumari. Visit the Vivekananda
Rock Memorial, a blend of all the architectural styles of
India. Evening enjoy the beautiful sunset. Overnight at Trivandrum.
Day 12: Trivandrum - Flight Back
Home
Morning after breakfast transfer
to airport to connect flight for onward journey.
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in India
- Representative of STA Travel in India