India Spiritual Tour

HIGHLIGHTS TOURS
This coastal journey includes the garden city of Bangalore, the outstanding Hosala temples at Beluer and Halebid, the Nilgiri hills and the wildlife sanctuary, this tour provides and insight into both the colonial and princely lifestyle of South India, the sandalwood city of Mysore, and the magnificent decent spice estates of coastal hills Day 01 – ARRIVAL CHENNAI AND TRANSFER TO HOTEL
Upon arrival at Chennai, our Executive will meet you at the Airport followed by transfer from Airport to Hotel. (Overnight at Hotel in Chennai)

Day 02 – CHENNAI TO KANCHIPURAM (65 KMS / 1.5 HRS)
After early breakfast checkout from the hotel at 08.00am and we proceed for a colonial tour of Chennai. Located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai offers several sights and sounds to savour. The St. George Fort, built in 1653, is currently used as the state government’s secretariat and is a famous landmark. Another colonial structure worth visiting in the city of Chennai is Santhome Cathedral was built around 14th/15th century. In addition to above, the Kapaleeshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the oldest temple in Chennai and the Parthasarathy temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is another important temple worth visiting. After sight seeing of Chennai around 12.00noon proceed to reach the temple town of Kanchipuram. On arrival check into the hotel, later in the day proceed for a sight seeing of kanchipuram visiting famous temples and silk factory. (Overnight at Hotel in Kanchipuram)

Day 03 - KANCHIPURAM TO MAMALLAPURAM (65KMS – 1.5HRS)
After early breakfast checkout from the hotel at 09.00am and we proceed to Mamallapuram. On Arrial check into the hotel after quick refreshment we proceed for the sight seeing of Mamallapuram visiting – ‘The Arjuna`s Penance’ (Bass Relief), ‘Five rathas’ (symbolises equality of men & women) & the famous ‘Shore temple’. Apart from the above said monuments we also visit many other cave temples. As a special visit, we will take you to a Sculpture studio and rest of the day at leisure on the beach. (Overnight at hotel in Mamallapuram)

Day 04 - MAMALLAPURAM TO THIRUVANAMALAI (190KMS – 4.0 HRS)
Departing from the hotel after early breakfast, we drive to Thirivanamalai, on arrival check into the hotel. After lunch proceed for the sight seeing of Thiruvanalamai. (Overnight at Hotel in Thiruvanamalai)

Day 05 - THIRUVANAMALAI TO PONDICHERRY (160 KMS – 3.0 HRS)
After breakfast drive to Pondicherry, on arrival check into the hotel. After lunch proceed for a sight seeing of Auroville(International village), Shri aribindo Ashram and Vinayaka Temple. (Overnight at hotel in Pondicherry)

Day 06 - PONDICHERRY TO TANJORE via Kumbakonam (290KMS – 6.0HRS)
After breakfast drive to Tanjore via sight seeing Temple town Kumbaklonam. After lunch drive to Tanjore followed by check into the hotel. Evening proceed to Tanjore – the chola citadel. Tanjore is also known as the rice bowl of India, as a major part of Rice is been cultivated & distributed from here to other parts of the country. On arrival Check-in to the hotel and after quick refreshment we proceed for the sightseeing of Tanjore visit - the world famous Brihadeshwar temple (houses one of Asia’s biggest nandi –the bull). The temple built by the cholas is very special for its architecture. The most exiting is that the temple does not have a shadow falling on ground at any time of day but falls on its own body. ( Overnight at Hotel in Tanjore)

Day 07 - TANJORE TO MADURAI / VIA.TRICHY (195KMS – 4.0HRS)
Check out from hotel after early breakfast at 07.30am and drive to Trichy – a town situated on the banks of river Cauvery. A Journey of 1.15hrs will bring you to Trichy and on arrival visit the famous “ Sriranganathaswami temple” at Srirangam - The most revered of the 108 pilgrimage shrines of Vishnu, and the largest temple complex in all India, it is surrounded by seven concentric walls (the outermost wall having a perimeter of over 3 kilometers) and 21 towers called “Gopurams”. The most attractive among the Gopuras is the one at the entrance with lot of colors and stands one of the tallest amongst many other temple tower in Tamilnadu. Srirangam enshrines a statue of Vishnu reclining on a great serpent. Then on visit the local market (Gandhi Market) at the main town. Break for lunch at a nice city hotel and onward drive for less than 03hrs to reach the old city of Tamilnadu – Madurai. On arrival check in to hotel and rest. (Overnight at Hotel in Madurai)

Day 08 – MADURAI SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast we proceed for the sightseeing of Madurai Visiting - Sri Meenakshi Temple, where thousands of priests and worshippers come daily, people are blessed by temple elephant and astrologists read the stars and your hand. All the believers bathe themselves in the temple baths. The temple in-houses a thousand pillared hall and is one of the major attractions of the temple. Madurai is also a great place to look for bronze statues, carpets or other souvenirs. Apart from the temple The palace of King Thirumalai nayak & The Gandhi museum are worth visiting. in the evening visit to Meenakshi temple for the night ceremony where God Shiva (Meenakshi`s husband) is taken in a palanquin to the bedroom of Meenakshi. This is a daily procession and next day early morning before sunrise God Shiva is brought back to his shrine with in the temple complex. God Shiva here is known as Sundareshwar. The temple has its full name as “ Meenakshy Sundareshwar “ temple. (Overnight at Hotel in Madurai)

Day 09 – MADURAI TO CHENNAI
Morning leisure and check out of hotel and board the flight to Chennai and on arrival at Chennai connect the onward flight. Tour ends today with an departure to airport