South India Temple Tour Package

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/Madras, {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.

In the afternoon, drive 2.5 hours to Kanchipuram, one of Hinduism's seven most sacred cities. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 : Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram

On the morning of Day 3, you will visit numerous temples in Kanchipuram, 3,500 year-old mango tree still bears fruit of four different flavors on its four major branches, representing the four Vedas. In the afternoon, after performing any necessary karma cleansing rituals, enjoy the three-hour scenic drive to Mahabalipuram. Evening walk on the beaches of Mahabalipuram. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 : Mahabalipuram

Day free in Mahabalipuram

Day 05 : Mahabalipuram - Tiruvannamalai (2-3 hour drive time)

Morning drive to Tiruvannamalai, here Shiva-Parvati Temple is the largest in India, and is constructed in traditional South Indian style with massive gopurams representing the feet of the divine being, said to be a continual source of blessings. Here you will stay overnight

Day 06 : Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry/Auroville (3 hours drive time)

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: Expore the town and stay 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, On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09 : In Swamimalai

Day to explore city/ town. 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. On arrival check in at hotel. Ovenright 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. It was in Rameswaram that Rama (from the epic play Ramayana). On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 : Rameshwaram / Overnight train

Overnight on first class train sleeping compartment from Rameswaram to Chennai, 1550/0740.

Day 13 : Chennai - Puttaparthi {Satya Sai Baba Ashram}

On the morning of Day 13, arrive in Chennai's Egmore Station at 0740 and briefly check into a hotel for breakfast and wash up. Later transfer to Chennai Airport for one-hour flight to Bangalore, then three-hour scenic countryside ride to Puttaparthi. Arrive at Satya Sai Baba's Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram by afternoon.

Satya Sai Baba is India's most famous living saint, whose followers believe him to be the new incarnation of God. Satya Sai Baba's message is one of universal love: "Love All. Serve All."

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.