Tamil Nadu the land of the temples

Chennai – Mahabalipuram
Arrival in Chennai (Madras), transfer to Mahabalipuram for some rest in Hotel. visit Dakshinachitra, a center for the living traditions of arts, crafts and architectures of South India. Two hours guided tour visiting all the heritage houses exploring their nooks and corners. Possibility of direct experience of arts and crafts. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Mahabalipuram
After breakfast full day for the discovery Mahabalipuram. Mamallapuram dates back to the Tamil Pallava dynasty in the 7th-9th century. The structures here, mostly carved straight out of granite, are among the oldest existing examples of Dravidian (South Indian) architecture. In the morning you will have a guided visit of sea Shore temple, five rathas and Thirukadalmallai temple. The Shore temple is the oldest structure in the area, build c. 700 AD. However, unlike Mamallapuram’s other monuments, the Shore Temple is a building (not carved from rock) and the bulk of the current structure is a reconstruction after it was struck by a cyclone. The Five Rathas (Pancha Pandava Rathas), literally chariots, dating from the 7th century are sculptures complemented by some enormous stone animals, including a large elephant. Thirukadalmallai, the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, was also built by Pallava King in order to safeguard the sculptures from the ocean. Afternoon transfer to Thiruvannamalai (around 3 hrs). On arrival, check in the hotel and free time to rest in the swimming pool of the resort Overnight in Thiruvannamalai (B, D).

Mamallapuram – Thiruvannamalai
After breakfast , transfer to Thiruvannamalai. this is a place outside the classic tourist itineraries but of great interest. Thiruvannamalai (literally: “the red mountain”) is one of the 5 most important sacred cities of Tamil Nadu and is consecrated to the cult of fire (element representing Lord Shiva), it rises not by chance at the base of the ancient volcano Arunchala. You will visit the main temple of Arunachaleshvara, which dominates the city (every December, on the night of the peninsula, a suggestive Hindu festival is celebrated during which the slopes of the Arunachala volcano are illuminated with great bonfires). The most evocative view of this enormous complex is to go up to the meditation caves of Shri Ramana Maharishi, a great teacher and saint who lived in this place until 1922. Overnight in Thiruvannamalai. (B, D)

Thiruvannamalai – Auroville – Pondicherry
Early morning transfer to Auroville. During the day you will have an introduction to life in Auroville, exploring a variety of sites and the soul of Auroville – Matrimandir. Lunch at visitor centre. After you will visit another project, a women’s empowerment initiative called WELL paper (Women’s Empowerment through Local Livelihood). The project was initiated in 2005 in South India as a tsunami relief effort, to provide alternative livelihood to affected families from the local areas. It gradually developed into a social enterprise model for women from neighbouring villages of Auroville and Pondicherry. The two main goals of WELL Paper are to provide self-empowerment and livelihood for women and to develop and promote products made of recycled materials.
Overnight in Hotel Pondicherry (B/L).

Pondicherry
With the waterfront, wide streets, the obvious French cultural and architectural legacy and the popular Ashram, Puducherry (its original name) is a unique Indian city. The previous French colony was founded in the early 18th century as a colonial enclave, and over time the French style was superimposed on the characteristic Indian style. Thanks to this there is a great cultural and architectural richness. A guided tour will show you the major tourist attractions such as the Ashram founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926 and then entrusted to his disciple ‘La Madre’; the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Bharti and Bharthidasan memorial museum. The district of Pondicherry is also the birthplace of some notable personalities such as the poet Subramanya Bharathy and the director M. Night Shyamalan. You will also have free time to visit the city, the beaches and the promenade, which is always kept clean so as not to spoil its fascinating beauty. Overnight in Pondicherry. (C)
Overnight Pondicherry (B).

Pondicherry – Chidambaram- Kumbakonam
Departure to Chidambaram. (Only for groups, we will visit an interesting development project of a local NGO called EKTA. The NGO promotes campaigns to end violence against women, facilitates networks for experiential sharing and collective action. It advocates and lobbies for gender sensitive policy changes to further the interest of women and address gender based violence in particular. In particular you will visit the Nambikkai Centre, which host 30 girls, providing them with maximum opportunity to explore their creative skills in different disciplines, sports, dance, music, etc. This Centre also acts as a drop-in centre for women and children in need. Lunch will be prepared by women of a local village). In the afternoon you will visit Chidambaram temple, famous to be the only Indian temple of Shiva Nataraj. After the temple visit to Kumbakonam. On the way visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple. The name Gangaikonda Cholapuram means the city of the Chola King who captured the Ganges. This religious village, which served as the capital for nearly 250 years, still holds the remains of the Chola Kingdom and the structures of architectural values. Overnight in Kumbakonam (B).

Kumbakonam – Dharasuram – Kumbakonam
Today you will visit Kumbakonam and Dharasuram village. The village, located 3 km from Kumbakonam, is known for the Airavateswara temple constructed by the Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century A and is an exquisite symbol of the supremacy of Chola architectural style D. The temple is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage monument. Airavat is the holy White Elephant and the temple is dedicated to the Lord of Airavat. (Only for groups, in the evening performance of Bharathanatyam with traditional vegetarian dinner). Overnight at Kumbakonam (B).

Kumbakonam – Thanjavur- Madurai
Departure to Thanjavur, visit to Brihadishvara Temple. Thanjavur, otherwise known as Tanjore, is a city of Chola rulers and it gained popularity during the Chola period between 11th and 14th centuries. According to a local legend, Thanjavur derives its name from Tanjan, an asura ruler, who was killed by Lord Vishnu and Sri Anandavalli Amman for devastating the neighbourhood and was granted his last request that the city be named after him. The Great Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola built this famous Brahadeshwara temple or the Big Temple. This temple showcases the Indian architectural brilliance and is a favourite pilgrimage spot for many visitors visiting Tanjore.
After lunch transfer to Madurai. Afternoon visit and sightseeing Madurai: Sri Meenakshi Temple. Palace, Alagar Koil. Madurai is a temple town of India which attracts people from several different part of the country for religious purposes. The enormous temple complex is dedicated to Shiva, known here as Sundareshvara and his consort Parvati or Meenakshi.
Overnight in Madurai (B).

Madurai- Rameswaram
If you wish you can have an early morning visit to Meenakshi temple. After breakfast transfer to Rameswaram, a small island in the Gulf of Mannar, known as one of the major pilgrim centres. Rameswaram is a holy place because Sri Rama, on his return from Sri Lanka, offered his thanks to Lord Shiva and performed pooja to wash away his sin in killing the Demon King, Ravana.
You will visit the Ramanathaswamy temple, renowned for its magnificent corridors and massive sculptured pillars. The third corridor of Ramanathaswamy temple is the longest one in the world. Possibility of Agni Thirtam, bathing in the holy sea.
Overnight in Rameswaram. (B).

Rameswaram
Rameswaram is also known for its beautiful and uncontaminated beaches such as Olaikuda, Dhanushkodi and Pamban. The Olaikuda beach is 1 km from the main temple and s engulfed by coral reefs, which makes bathing in the sea safe and enjoyable. In the morning you will visit the ancient fishing village of Dhanushkodi. This place is known of one of the main Tirthas of the island and it is located at the eastern most tip of Rameswaram. Rama used his bow’s (Dhanush) end (Kodi) to break the bridge – Adam’s Bridge (hence the name). This bridge was used for his army to cross over to Lanka for the victorious war against Ravana. Interaction with fisherman. Possibility of bathing in the beautiful see near Adam’s bridge. You will have a traditional lunch prepared in the village of Daneshkoodi by fishermen community.
Overnight in Rameswaram. (B/L).

Rameswaram – Kanyakumari
Morning transfer to Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari, formerly known as Cape Comorin and located at the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula, lies at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian ocean and the Arabian Sea. Kanyakumari derives its name from the Goddess Kumari Amman who has a temple dedicated to her on the seashore. According to Hindu legend, Kanya Devi, an avatar of Goddess Parvati, was to marry Lord Shiva, but as he failed to show up on his wedding day, the rice and other grain meant for the wedding feast remained uncooked. As the legend goes, the uncooked grain turned into stones as time went by. It is believed that the small stones on the seashore today, are indeed grains of the wedding that was never solemnized. Visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and other important places.
Overnight in Kanyakumari (B).

Kanyakumari-Kovalam beach
After breakfast transfer to Kovalam beach in Kerala (2,5 hours drive). Free day to relax on the beach and do some shopping in the typical Indian craftshops.

Kovalam beach-Trivandrum airport
Transfer to Trivandrum for your international flight.