Temple Tour - South India
Day 1: Arrival in Chennai
Upon arrival in Chennai, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and unwind at your leisure.
Overnight stay in Chennai.
Day 2: Chennai – Tirupati – Chennai
After an early breakfast, embark on an excursion to Tirupati, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India. Located in Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is home to the ancient and sacred Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. Nestled atop the Tirumala hills, this temple attracts over 100,000 devotees daily.
In addition to the main temple, visit the Sri Padmavathi Devi Temple at Tiruchanoor, and the Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram. Both temples are steeped in legend and are integral parts of Tirupati’s spiritual landscape. After darshan, return to Chennai for the night.
Overnight stay in Chennai.
Day 3: Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mamallapuram
Today, depart for Mamallapuram, with a stop in Kanchipuram, the “City of a Thousand Temples.” As one of the seven sacred cities of India, Kanchipuram boasts a rich history dating back to the 2nd century BC. Explore its ancient temples, which are not only places of worship but also important centers of Tamil learning and pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. Kanchipuram is also famous for its exquisite silk sarees, woven by skilled artisans for over 400 years.
Continue your journey to Mamallapuram, an ancient port city known for its remarkable rock-cut temples and sculptures created by the Pallavas. Visit the Shore Temple, one of the oldest structural temples in South India, and marvel at the Five Rathas, a group of monolithic temples each carved in a unique style.
Overnight stay in Mamallapuram.
Day 4: Mamallapuram – Tiruvannamalai – Puducherry
Depart for an excursion to Tiruvannamalai, one of Tamil Nadu’s holiest towns, renowned for its Arunachala Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This ancient temple, with its towering gopurams, was built by the Chola kings and stands at the foot of the Arunachala hill, a site of great spiritual significance. After exploring the temple, continue your journey to Puducherry, where you’ll check into your hotel upon arrival.
Overnight stay in Puducherry.
Day 5: Exploring Puducherry
Spend the day exploring the colonial charm of Puducherry, a city that still retains traces of its French heritage. Visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual community founded by the Indian philosopher and yogi Sri Aurobindo. Discover the Pondicherry Museum, home to an impressive collection of artifacts from the Pallava and Chola dynasties, as well as remnants from the Roman Empire. Also, visit the neo-Gothic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the historic Manakula Vinayagar Koil Temple.
Overnight stay in Puducherry.
Day 6: Puducherry – Chidambaram – Thanjavur
Depart for Thanjavur, stopping en route at the sacred town of Chidambaram, home to the revered Nataraja Temple. This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer, is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and a significant site for the art of Bharatanatyam. Continue to Thanjavur, a city rich in South Indian art and architecture, and check into your hotel upon arrival.
Overnight stay in Thanjavur.
Day 7: Thanjavur – Tiruchirappalli (Trichy)
Explore the architectural marvels of Thanjavur, starting with the UNESCO-listed Brihadeeswara Temple, one of the most significant temples in South India. Thanjavur is also renowned for its Carnatic music, traditional handicrafts, and the distinctive Tanjore painting style. In the afternoon, travel to Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) and check into your hotel.
Overnight stay in Tiruchirappalli.
Day 8: Trichy – Madurai
Begin your day with a visit to the sprawling Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, an island town near Trichy. This massive temple complex is encircled by seven concentric walls and boasts 22 gopurams, including the tallest in India. Also, visit the Rock Fort Temple, perched atop an 83-meter-high rock, offering panoramic views of the city. In the afternoon, drive to Madurai and check into your hotel.
Overnight stay in Madurai.
Day 9: Madurai
Discover the sacred city of Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Visit the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple, a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva. The temple is renowned for its striking gopurams and intricate sculptures. In the evening, witness the enchanting prayer ceremony at the temple.
Overnight stay in Madurai.
Day 10: Madurai – Kanyakumari
Travel to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of mainland India, known for its stunning sunrises and sunsets over the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Explore the heritage sites of the town, including the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Kumari Amman Temple, dedicated to the virgin goddess Kanya.
Overnight stay in Kanyakumari.
Day 11: Kanyakumari – Trivandrum
Drive to Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala. In the afternoon, visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the richest temples in the world, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Also, explore the Napier Museum, a 19th-century architectural marvel that houses an eclectic collection of historical artifacts.
Overnight stay in Trivandrum.
Day 12: Departure from Trivandrum
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Trivandrum International Airport for your onward journey.