Overview
South Religious India Tour – Chennai | Tirupati | Kanchipuram | Mamallapuram | Tiruvannamalai | Pondicherry | Chidambaram | Tanjore | Trichy | Madurai | Rameshwaram | Trivandrum | Kanyakumari
The South Religious India Tour is a spiritually enriching 11-night/12-day pilgrimage journey through some of South India's most sacred temples, ancient pilgrimage towns, spiritual centers, and cultural landmarks. Beginning in Chennai, the journey introduces travelers to the city's historic and religious heritage through visits to Fort St. George, San Thome Cathedral, Marina Beach, and important museums. The tour then takes you on an excursion to Tirupati, one of India's most revered pilgrimage destinations and home to the magnificent Sri Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala, where millions of devotees seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. Continue to Kanchipuram, the ancient Pallava capital and one of the most important temple cities of Tamil Nadu, renowned for magnificent temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu as well as its famous silk traditions. Proceed to Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), where ancient Pallava monuments, rock-cut temples, magnificent sculptures, and the famous Shore Temple showcase the remarkable artistic heritage of South India. The spiritual journey continues to Tiruvannamalai, an important Shiva pilgrimage center famous for the sacred Arunachaleswarar Temple and the spiritual presence of Arunachala Hill. Continue to Pondicherry, where the peaceful atmosphere of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville provides an opportunity for meditation, reflection, and spiritual exploration. The tour then proceeds to Chidambaram, home to the famous Nataraja Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer, followed by Kumbakonam, known for its ancient temples and traditional craftsmanship, before reaching Tanjore (Thanjavur), where the magnificent Brihadeeswarar Temple stands as a masterpiece of Chola architecture and devotion. Continue to Trichy, visiting the sacred Srirangam Temple and Rock Fort Temple, before proceeding to Madurai, one of the oldest living cities of South India and home to the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple, Tirumala Nayak Palace, Gandhi Museum, and sacred temple traditions. An important excursion takes you to Rameshwaram, one of India's holiest pilgrimage destinations and one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, where the spectacular Ramanathaswamy Temple is renowned for its enormous corridors and intricately carved pillars. The journey then continues to Trivandrum, followed by an excursion to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of mainland India where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean meet. Visit the sacred Kumari Amman Temple and the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial while experiencing the spectacular coastal scenery and sunset. Finally, return to Trivandrum for your onward journey. This tour beautifully combines devotion, ancient temples, sacred legends, spiritual centers, Dravidian architecture, cultural heritage, and peaceful landscapes, making it an ideal pilgrimage for devotees and travelers seeking a deeper spiritual experience across South India.
Itinerary
* Arrive into Madras. Welcome to South Religious India Tour'.
* On arrival in Madras, assistance at airport and transfer to hotel.
* Afternoon city sightseeing of Madras.
* Visit Fort St. George, San Thome Cathedral and the museum to see the Art and Bronze Gallery. (Closed on Fridays and Public holidays).
* High court, Marina Beach, San Thome Cathedral and Snake Park.
* Overnight : Hotel
* The temple of Lord Venkateswara is not only believed to be amongst the oldest temples in the country, but also the richest of them all .
* Legend has it that Lord Venkateswara borrowed money from the divine treasurer Kubera for his wedding expenses.
* He is still paying back this debt which is why the pilgrims donate generously to the temple funds.
* In the evening return to Chennai to stay overnight in your hotel.
* Overnight : Hotel
* The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara , Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest.
* Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks. Later drive to Mamallapuram.
* Afternoon visit the city - built in 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipooram, this ancient Pallava port, is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels.
* In this ancient seaside town , shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen.
* The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone.
* The only shore temple which remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum.
* Overnight : Hotel
* After lunch at local restaurant, proceed to Pondicherry (131kms/ 3.5hrs), 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.
* Overnight : Hotel
* This ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter.
* After lunch at hotel, 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 : Hotel
* It has the famous Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden plates is located in the centre of the town covering an area of 40 acres.
* In this temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer.
* After lunch at local restaurant, drive to Thanjavur (104kms/03hrs) enroute visiting the Brass factory at Kumbakonam.
* Upon arrival, check into the hotel.
* Overnight : Hotel
* This temple, dating back to more than a thousand years, was built during the reign of the Chola king, Parantaka II, also known as Sundara Chola (956-973 A.D.), father of Rajaraja Chola I, who constructed the famous Brihadeeswara temple in Thanjavur.
* This temple was probably rebuilt of stone during the reign of Kulottunga Chola I.
* After visiting Tanjore drive to Trichy.
* Afternoon visit Srirangam and Rock Fort temple.
* Overnight : Hotel
* The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the centre.
* After breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Madurai.
* Meenakshi temple, King Tirumala's Palace, Great tank and Gandhi museum.
* Dinner and overnite at hotel.
* Overnight : Hotel
* Legend has it that Lord Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring a Lingam for worship when he set foot after defeating Ravana.
* As Hanuman did not return when the auspicious hour was approaching, Sita made a sand Lingam so that worship could be performed in time, which is where the present day Ramanatha Swamy Temple stands close to sea on the eastern side of the island.
* One of the twelve Jyotirlingam shrines is also well known for its magnificent corridors and the massive sculptured pillars lining them.
* In the evening return to Madurai
* Overnight : Hotel
* Rest of the day free at leisure
* Overnight : Hotel
* After breakfast proceed for Kanyakumari - is the land's end of India where the water of the Arabian Sea , the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet.
* An important pilgrim centre of India , it is famous for the Amman Temples - a symbol of unity and sanctity - deidicated to the virgin Goddess , Kanya Kumari.
* To its South - East lies the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial , a blend of all the architectural styles of India.
* Evening enjoy the beautiful sun set and later return to Trivandrum to stay overnight in your hotel.
* Overnight : Hotel
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
Accommodation as pe itinerary | Airfare / Train |
Daily Breakfast | Lunch & Dinner |
Sightseeing as per the itinerary. | Temple darshan/seva/priority darshan charges. |
Private AC Vehicle for Transfers & Sightseeing. | adventure Activities & Personal Expenses. |
Pickup & Drop from Delhi | Anything Not Mentioned Under Inclusions. |
Driver Allowance, Toll Tax & Parking. | Guide Charges. |
All Applicable Hotel Taxes. |
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Policy
- Neelam Holidays Journeys shall not be responsible for any delays or alterations in the program or indirectly incurred expenses in cases such as natural hazards, accidents, breakdown of machinery, weather conditions, landslides, political closure, or any untoward incidents.
- We do not provide any insurance policy to cover the expenditure on sickness or accidents or losses incurred due to theft or other reasons.
- Numerous factors such as weather and road conditions the physical ability of participants etc. may bring alteration in the itinerary. We reserve the right to make necessary changes in the schedule in the interest of safety, comfort, and general well-being!