Duration : 14 Nights / 15 Days
Destinations : Chennai – Kanchipuram - Mamallapuram –
Tiruvannamalai – Pondicherry – Auroville – Swamimalai –
Madurai – Rameshwaram – Puttaparthi -
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
India's South has a unique character. Hindu monuments of great antiquity
survive, where you can experience probably the world's most ancient living
faith.
You will explore some of these ancient soaring temples, dedicated to Shiva
or Vishnu, and stand shoulder to shoulder with their devotees and much more.
Day
01 : Chennai (Chennai) {City of Holy Serpent}
Arrive Chennai – Meet and transfer to hotel upon arrival
Overnight at hotel.
Chennai is India’s fourth-largest city, but maintains a comfortable
blend of foreign influence with traditional Tamil-Hindu culture. This
spacious, well-organized city is the site of the East India Company’s
first settlement and the gateway to South India.
Day 02 : Chennai / Kanchipuram "Golden City of 1000
Temples"
On the morning, enjoy an optional Chennai city tour, which can include
visits to various sights such as the Government Museum, Fort St. George and
temples. In the afternoon, drive to Kanchipuram, one of Hinduism’s
seven most sacred cities. On arrival check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 : Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
In the morning , you will visit numerous temples in Kanchipuram, including
the Ekambareshwarar Temple, in which a legendary 3,500 year-old mango tree
still bears fruit of four different flavors on its four major branches,
representing the four Vedas. In Kanchipuram is also known as a major
manufacturing center of some of India’s highest quality hand-woven silk
fabrics, and time will be allotted for shopping if desired. In the
afternoon, drive to Mahabalipuram, enjoy the three-hour scenic drive. This
quiet beach resort town is famous for its fresh and realistic 15,000
year-old Dravidian-age temples, the most famous of which is the Shore
Temple.
Overnight at hotel
Day 05 : Mahabalipuram - Tiruvannamalai (2 - 3 hour drive
time)
Tiruvannamalai Shiva-Parvati Temple is the largest in India, and is
constructed in traditional South Indian style. On arrival check in at hotel.
Ovenight
at hotel.
Day 06 : Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry / Auroville (3 hours
drive time)
Morning visit the temples, Depart in the afternoon for Pondicherry, a
former French colony and the home of the ashram and samadhi (tomb) of one
the late great saints, seers, poets and philosophers of the 20
th
Century: Sri Aurobindo, and his soul-mate and devotee originally from
France: The Mother.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 : In Pondicherry / Auroville
Day free to explore the Ashrams.
Day 08 : Pondicherry / Auroville - Swamimalai (5 hours drive
time)
On your drive south through the historic remains of the Chola Empire, we
will have opportunities to visit the fascinating temples at Chidambaram and
Kumbakonam. At Swamimalai, You will be immersed in a complete day of
experiential living in South Indian traditional culture. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 : In Swamimalai
Day to explore town and temples.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 : Swamimalai - Madurai "City of Nectar."
Along the route of our four-hour drive south to Madurai, make a stop at
Tanjavore’s Brihadishwara Temple, a World Heritage Monument with a
200-foot tall sanctuary tower, the tallest in India. Also visit an expert in
the field of homeo teletherapy in Tanjavore.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day
11 : Madurai - Rameswaram "Varanasi of the South." (Drive time
4.5 hours )
In
the afternoon, drive to Rameswaram. This small, sleepy fishing town
situated on an island in the Gulf of Mannar is one of India’s most
important pilgrimage centers for devotees of both Shiva and Vishnu.
Overnight at hotel
Day 12 : Madurai + Overnight Train
Day free to exlpore the town and temples.
Late afternoon - Evening transfer to station for Overnight train to
Chennai,
Day 13 : Chennai - Puttaparthi {Satya Sai Baba Ashram }
On the morning of Day 13, arrive in Chennai’s Station and transfer
to airport for a short flight to Bangalore, then three-hour scenic
countryside ride to Puttaparthi. Arrive at Satya Sai Baba’s
Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram by afternoon.
Day 14 : Puttaparthi
Arise for the early morning darshan (literally, "view of the
divine"), and then tour the peaceful ashram with its museum and
giftshop, schools, university, hospital and sports center. Overnight at
hotel
Day 15 : Puttaparthi – Bangalore - Chennai
Morning Drive from Puttaparthi to Bangalore, then fly back to Chennai.
Transfer directly to international terminal.
