GTS Pilgrimage South India Tour Details

Day 01: Chennai

Welcome to South India, your Temple Tour of South India begins with your arrival at chennai Airport / Raiway station. You will be received by our tour representative and transferred to hotel. A day has been left free to rest and to recoup your energy before you start on your Temple tour of South India.

Day 02: Chennai – Kanchipuram –Mahabalipuram (70km/1.5hrs & 70km/1.5hrs)

After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples, it still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its rich silks and silk saris. Afternoon drive to Mahabalipuram and check in at hotel.

Afternoon visit the city of Mahabalipuram - built in the 7th century and earlier called Mahabalipooram, this ancient Pallava Port, is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town, shrines And huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen.

Day 03: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (100km/1.45km)

After Breakfast drive to Pondicherry, check in to the hotel. Day free at leisure & shopping. Overnight stay at Pondicherry.

Day 04: Pondicherry - Full day sightseeing of Sri Aurobindo Ashram

After breakfast drive to visit Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, to unite the spirit and matter. Afternoon visit Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony. Stay overnight at Pondicherry.

Day 05: Pondicherry – Thanjavur via Chidambaram (170km/4hrs)

After breakfast drive to Chidambaram also called as Thillai, which has the famous Nataraja temple. In this temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer. Afternoon drive to Thanjavu. Tanjore once the capital of Chola Kings, has the Brahadeswara temple. The temple tower rises to a height of 15mts from a square base of 29 mts and then tapers off, making a total of 66m. Overnight stay at Thanjavur.

Day 06: Thanjavur – Trichy (60km/1.5hrs)

After breakfast leave for Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli, situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim centre, it is famous for Ranganath temple at Srirangam. Check in at hotel. Afternoon city tour visiting Rock fort and its temple at a height of over 23m. Also visit Srirangam and Jambukeshwar Temple. Stay overnight at Trichy

Day 07: Trichy – Madurai (140km/3hrs)

After breakfast proceed to Madurai and check in at hotel. The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the centre. Afternoon visit – Meenakshi temple, King Tirumala's Palace, Mariamman Tepakkulam and AlagarKovil. Stay overnight at Madurai.

Day 08: Madurai – Rameshwaram– Madurai (170km/4hrs)

After breakfast, proceed to Rameshwaram- the most sacred temple town of India is an island hallowed by the epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama is said to have visited before going into battle of Lanka. Legend has it that Lord Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring a Lingam for worship when he set foot after defeating Ravana. As Hanuman did not return when the auspicious hour was approaching, Sita made a sand Lingam so that worship could be performed in time, which is where the present day RamanathaSwamy Temple stands close to sea on the eastern side of the island. One of the twelve Jyotirlingam shrines is also well known for its magnificent corridors and the massive sculptured pillars lining them. Late afternoon drive back to Madurai. Stay overnight at Madurai.

Day 09: Madurai –Kanyakumari (250km/5hrs)

After breakfast, proceed to Kanyakumari . At kanyakumari the waters of the Arabian Sea , the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. kanyakumari is an important pilgrim centre of India, it is famous for the Amman Temples - a symbol of unity and sanctity - dedicated to the virgin Goddess, KanyaKumari to its South - East lies the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial, dedicated to Indian Saint Vivekananda, who meditated on this very rock before he proceeded to West to propagate Hinduism Also is a recently erected memorial of Thiruvalluvar, a Tamil saint. Stay Overnight at Kanyakumari.

Day 10: Kanyakumari–Kovalam (100km/2hrs)

After breakfast travel by road from Kanyakumari to Kovalam, Check in to the hotel. Visit the world famous Kovalam Beach and have your day full of the sun, sand and water. You can either laze around on the beach for the entire day or visit Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Overnight at Kovalam.

Day 11: Kovalam drop off:

After breakfast you will be provided your departure transfer to Trivandrum Airport / Railway station.