South India Spiritual Tour

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.

Days 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 20th 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.