| Temple Tour of South India |
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| Duration : |
15 Days |
| Validity : |
01 October 2007 - 30 April 2008 |
| Destinations : |
Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Kovalam - Kanyakumari – Trivandrum |
| Holiday Theme : |
Religious Tours |
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| Itinerary |
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DAY 01:
Pick up from the airport and drive to Mahabalipuram. Check in at the hotel. Day free. Overnight stay at hotel in Mahabalipuram.
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DAY 02:
Today you will be doing an excursion to Chennai. Chennai is the fourth largest city of India with a population of 5,5 million people. Also called as Hollywood of India it is the center for making South Indian films.Visit Fort St. George a British trading post and powerful bastion and entrance to South India. The 16th century Portuguese old Cathedral of St. Thomas Church in which the remnants of St. Thomas is buried who came to India in 52 AD. Pass by the University built in Indo-Sarscenic style, as well as 5 km long Marina Beach, a lovely esplanade by the sea, and National Museum with sculptures from Pallava, Pandava and Chola time which houses archaeology, art, exceptionally beautiful bronzes statues, with exhibits of stone and iron age. Return and overnight stay at hotel in Mahabalipuram
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DAY 03:
Morning full day sightseeing of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. In Kanchipuram visit the Kailashnath Temple, one of the oldest temples, built in 7th century AD. It is built of sand stone and houses some of the most elegant sculptures of Nataraja (Shiva in Cosmic dance). After this visit Ekambareshwara- Temple, the biggest temple in the city. There are large complexes with mandapas, tanks and sculptured halls with devotees who still flock here. It has an ancient mango tree, and its believed that its branches represent the four Vedas and its fruits are said to have a different taste.
In Mahabalipuram, visit the magnificent rock temples and carvings. Five Rathas (chariots) ceremonial chariots, rock-cut monoliths, named after the 5 Pandavas - heroes of the Mahabharata epic and Draupadi their wife. The Shore Temple by the sea surrounded by gardens designed according to descriptions of the original layout from ancient times. Built in sandstone in the 7th century. Bhagirathas Penance is a bas- relief (27 to 9m) sculptured on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, depicts, the penance of Arjuna, myriad characters from the Mahabharata, realistic life-size figures of animals, gods and saints watching the descent of the river goddess Ganga to earth. Return back to the hotel and overnight stay at hotel in Mahabalipuram.
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DAY 04:
Today you will be visiting the Kapaleswarar Temple in Mylapore dedicated to Shiva. During the annual procession a 5metre high wooden chariot
, decorated with colorful flowers and bronze statues of Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati proceeds through the streets accompanied by thousands of Hindu
devotees. Return and overnight stay at hotel in Mahabalipuram
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AY 05:
After breakfast drive to Tanjore. En-route visit temples in Chidambram and Gangaikondacholaporam. Proceed to Tanjore. In Tanjore visit Brihadisvara Temple in Tanjore. This Jewel of South India was built in 9th century. The magnificent main temple has a 62-meter high Vimana (the tallest in India), which is topped by dome carved from an 80-ton lock of granite. A 6.5 km long wooden ramp was built to climb it. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Tanjore.
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DAY 06:
Morning drive to Trichy. On arrival check in to hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Trichy.
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Day 07:
Today during sight seeing you will be visiting Srirangam, the big temple city, which lies on an island on the Kaveri. Visit Ranganathasvami Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of the largest temple in South India, is famous for its superb sculpture the 21 impressive gopurams and its rich collection of temple jewellery. There is a huge statue of Lord Vishnu. Not to forget the hall with 1000 pillars and horse sculptures. Finally visit the Jambukeshwara-Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the oldest and largest temples of Tamil Nadu, has five walls and seven gopurams. Here the unusual lingam under the Jambu tree always remains under water.
Afternoon visit Rock Fort. In the centre of town is built on a 84 m high rock, from where you can have a memorable view of the surroundings, although you need to climb 437 rock cut steps.
Rest of the day is free to pursue independent activities. Suggested, discover the old city on foot, particularly Big Bazaar Street and China Street. Overnight stay at hotel in Trichy. |
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Day 08:
Early morning drive to Madurai, it is the cultural capital of Tamilnadu. Here, the Dravidian culture reached its zenith in art, architecture, palaces and temple buildings. Once the capital of powerful Nayaka kings, a bustling city packed with pilgrims, businessmen, bullock carts and legions of rickshaw pullers. Its narrow overcrowded streets seem to be bursting at the seams with activity. Southern India’s oldest center for pilgrimage and learning. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. In the evening enjoy the night ceremony in the Meenakshi temple. The temple is a hive of activity, colorfully decorated temple elephant, flower sellers and performances by musicians. At 21:30 hours, the image of Shiva is carried in a procession accompanied by musicians, temple singers and priests from his shrine. Enroute Shiva visits the other deities before entering Parvatis (Meenakshi) temple to sleep with her for the night. Overnight stay at hotel in Madurai.
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Day 09:
After breakfast, again visit Meenakshi Temple an outstanding example of the Dravidian temple architecture from the Vijaynagar kingdom. Meenakshi, the fish eyed goddess and the consort of Shiva has a temple to the south and Sundareswarar (Shiva) a temple to the west. One of the biggest temples of India. Its nine Gopuram-Temple towers (23-30m) have wonderful stucco images of gods, goddesses and animals from the Hindu mythology. Later visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a palace in Indo-Saracenic style built in 1636, with huge domes and 240 columns rising to 12 m, a beautiful garden and a attached museum. The celestial Pavilion, an arcaded octagonal structure is curiously constructed in brick and mortar without any supporting rafters. Afternoon free. Back to the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Madurai.
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Day 10:
Full day excursion to Rameshwaram. Rameshwaram is a place where Rama is believed to have worshiped Shiva, and so, a pilgrim to Varanasi is expected to visit Rameshwaram next. Visit Ramalingesvara (or Ramanathasvami) temple founded by the Cholas. The most remarkable feature of the temple is its pillared mandapas. After sightseeing drive back to Madurai. Overnight stay at hotel in Madurai.
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Day 11:
After breakfast drive to Thekkady. Periyar unique wildlife sanctuary, is about 780 sq. km centered around an artificial lake fed by the Periyar River. This afternoon the game viewing is on board the boats, which carry you through the jungle along convoluted waterways that afford sights of elephant, bison, deer and occasionally, tiger. Small animals include black Nilgiri langur, bonnet and lion tailed macaque, Giant and Flying squirrel. There are some 246 species of birds and 112 species of butterfly. There are trees more than 100 years old and over 50 m high. Overnight stay at hotel in Periyar
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Day 12:
Morning after breakfast drive to Kovalam best known for its Beach, 12 km away. A perfect place for a seaside holiday. Overnight stay at hotel in Kovalam
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Day 13:
Free for independent activities. Overnight stay at hotel in Kovalam.
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Day 14:
Full day excursion to Kanyakumari, the Lands end of India where the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal meet. This is the only spot in India where it is possibleto enjoy the unique experience of seeing the sunset and the moonrise over the ocean. It is also a popular pilgrimage destination and has great spiritual significance to the Hindus. Back to Kovalam. Overnight stay at hotel in Kovalam
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Day 15:
Departure Transfer to airport in Trivandrum to connect flight back home. |
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Includes |
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Accommodation for 14 nights / 15 days in the above mentioned hotels.
All the transfers and sightseeing by AC Car.
Daily breakfast at the hotel.
English speaking guide as per the itinerary.
All current applicable taxes. |
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Expenses of personal nature such as meals other then specified, soft/hard drinks, mineral water, camera/video fee, film rolls.
Any air/train fare (as per actual).
Entrance fees of monuments.
Any tips, travel insurance fee.
Any other item not specifically mentioned above. |
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| Validity |
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Rates are valid from 01 October 2007 - 30th April 2008
Rates are not valid from 22 DEC 2007- 05 JAN 2008 |
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Since 1981
