TAMIL NADU TOUR PACKAGE

Arrival at Chennai airport. Meeting & assistance on arrival and transfer straight to Mahabalipuram. The day at leisure.
Overnight stay.

After breakfast visit Mahabalipuram, a beautiful beach destination which consists of a tiny village by the sea in which all else is dwarfed by a dream world of awesome Tamil art, an open air museum of sculpture in living rock. The piece de resistance is Arjuna’s Penance or the Descent of the Ganga, the world’s largest bas-relief, 764 ft. by 288 ft. (27m by 9m). It is a beautiful composition of hundreds of celestial beings, human and animals all hurrying to a natural rock cleft that divides the giant stone. The best known landmark of Mahabalipuram, is the Shore Temple which has stood by the sea for 12 centuries. Its twin spires are pure poetry in granite.
Overnight stay.

After breakfast drive to Pondicherry via Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram is one of Hinduism”s seven most sacred cities and this “Golden City of a Thousand Temples” dates back to the early Cholas in the second century. Only around 70 temples of the original temple complex are still intact and the most famous is the Kailasanatha Temple built of sandstone in the early seventh century. Kanchipuram is where the famous Kanchipuram (also known as Kanchivaram) silk saris come from. Kanchipuram is also known for two other major textiles – the Angavastram weaves (shoulder cloths) and the Konrad Sari, both typically seen draped on deities in the Temples. The glamour of the Kanchipuram silk sarees in its colour contrasts. Temple borders, checks, stripes and floral “buttas” are traditional designs you will find in a Kanchipuram saree. Visit one of the handloom centers to see skilled weavers weaving sarees out of silk yarns.
Post sightseeing, continue the drive to Pondicherry.
Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Overnight stay.

Today sightseeing of Pondicherry.
The former capital of the French territories in India Landmarks include the Raj Niwas, the residence of the Lt. Governor of Pondicherry – a handsome 200-year-old building which faces Government Park (French Place) with its well laid out paths and lawns, a few fountains and a number of sculptures. The Romain Rolland Library has over 60,000 Volumes on its shelves. The Pondicherry Museum has an outstanding collection of artefacts relating to all aspects of the French Indian past. Its prize exhibits the bed that Dupleix slept on when he was Governor of Pondicherry. The church of Notre Dame des Anges was built around 1865. It has a rare oil painting of Our Lady of the Assumption, a gift from Napoleon III. Visit Aurobindo Ashram, the best known landmark of Pondicherry. The Ashram, in addition to practicing yoga, also provides scope for practical activity for its followers who come from all over the world. These include construction, farming, shoe-making and laundering. Auroville is an extension of the Aurobindo Ashram. It is a voluntary commune, 6 miles (10 kms) northwest of Pondicherry where around 800 people from 28 nations live. It looks like a city of the future as its architecture is the result of diverse experiments in building materials, techniques and styles.
Overnight stay.

Today morning drive to Tanjore. On arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing of Tanjore.
Post breakfast, leave to visit the Brahadeeswarar temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The great Chola king Raja Raja Chola I built this temple. It is an outstanding example of the Chola architecture. Its unique architectural excellence has made the UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage Monument. The 64.8 meters tall tower over the sanctum is a testimony to the engineering skill of the Cholas. The beautiful Chola Fresco paintings on the inner walls of the temple are no way less than Ajanta paintings. The Palace Just 1 km.away from Brahadeeswarar Temple, is the magnificent palace. This palace is surrounded with huge fort walls. It dates 14th century A.D and was partly built by the Nayaks and partly by Marathas. Even now the royal family of the Marathas resides in this palace. It measures 110 acres in size. It is a grand pile of fascinating building with huge corridors, spacious halls decorated rooms, tall observation towers, beautiful stucco works, wonderful fresco painted walls and ceilings.
Dinner & overnight stay.

Today morning drive to Madurai.
En-route you will visit Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam in Trichy. Srirangam is the foremost of the eight self-manifested shrines (Swayam Vyakta Kshetras) of Lord Vishnu .The temple is enormous in size. The temple complex is 156 acres in extent. It has seven prakaras or enclosures. These enclosures are formed by thick and huge rampart walls which run round the sanctum. There are 21 magnificent towers in all prakaras providing a unique sight to any visitor. This temple lies on an islet formed by the Twin Rivers Cauvery and Coleroon.
Continue journey to Madurai. On arrival check in at hotel.
Evening visit Meenakshi temple to see the temple closing ceremony in which the idol of Lord Shiva is shifted in temple of Goddess Parvati. Non Hindus are not allowed in sanctum of temple.
Overnight stay at Hotel.

Morning: Sightseeing of Madurai visiting Great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering Gopurams, rising high above the surrounding township. Later visit the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal – a gracious building in the Indo-Saracenic style, famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches. Early risers can also have the opportunity to visit the local flower market which is at its peak in the morning hours.
Afternoon excursion to a Potters Village near Madurai. Walk through the streets of village where the entire population is involved in making Navratri Golu dolls and paper mache dolls. Interact with the potters, their families and if interested try your hands on the potters wheel to shape the toy of your choice.
Overnight stay at Hotel.

In the morning you will be transferred to Madurai Airport to board Chennai Flight.
Upon arrival Chennai you will transferred to hotel.
Overnight at Chennai.

Morning transfer to Chennai Airport, then proceed to your onward destination.