Tamil Nadu- literally, the Land of the Tamils, is home to one of the oldest continuous civilisations in the world. The Tamil language is also one of the oldest still spoken anywhere.
The written history of Tamil dates back to more than 2000 years. The culture of the Tamil speaking people is quite distinct from that of the rest of the Indian subcontinent. Dress-codes, cuisine, their methods of worship, even their general attitude to life, reflects this ancient culture of which the Tamil people are very proud. Indigenous architecture, poetry and music are all unique as well. Tamil Nadu has been ruled by many kingdoms over the past, however the most prominent of them were the Cholas who left their legacy in form of some spectacular temples clustered throughout the state.
Detailed Itineary
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Day 1 : Arrival in Chennai - Mahabalipuram
On arrival in Chennai you'll be met and introduced to your driver. Depart immediately and drive 90 minutes south to the quiet seaside town of Mahabalipuram. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
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Day 2 : Mahabalipuram
Relax and acclimatize in the morning, before meeting a local guide in the afternoon and taking a sightseeing tour of the ancient temples and rock carvings of Mahabalipuram. Although many of these temples are no longer used for regular worship or pilgrimage, all sacred sites in India retain their importance to local people and you will often see small offerings at even the oldest and most obscure temples. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
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Day 3 : Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
A day excursion to the sacred temple city of Kanchipuram, home to several important places of pilgrimage including the intricate and beautiful Kailasanatha Temple, dedicated to Shiva and dating back to the 7th century CE and the massive Sri Ekambaranathar which boasts a 59 - metre high gopuram (temple gateway) Tour the main temples with a local guide. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
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Day 4 : Mahabalipuram - Tiruvannamalai
Depart Mahabalipuram and drive 3 hours to Tiruvannamalai, a major pilgrimage centre and home to the ashram of Sri Ramana Maharshi. At most of the major Temples in Tamilnadu, it is not possible for non - Hindus to enter the innermost sanctum - this is not the case at Arunachaleswar Temple, allowing you a chance to see the entirety of a major temple (this is also possible at Tanjore's Brihadisvara Temple). Spend time at the temple and in Ramana's ashram. Overnight in Tiruvannamalai.
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Day 5 : Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry
While the Annamalaiyar Temple is an important place of pilgrimage, so too is the sacred mountain of Arunachala itself - many hundreds of thousands of people come to Tiruvannamalai every month to complete the 14 km circuit of the mountain. You may wish to rise early and complete your own Pradakshina (the term for a circuit of the mountain - traditionally undertaken barefoot, but this is far from compulsory) before departing for Pondicherry later in the morning. At Pondicherry you can visit Aurobindo Ashram and explore the heritage quarter with its French Colonial buildings, on foot. Overnight in Pondicherry.
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Day 6 : Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore
An early start to drive to Chidambaram and witness the special puja at the Nataraja Temple here. Continue with the UNESCO World Heritage listed temples at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and Darasuram, and reach Tanjore on time to visit the epic Brihadisvara Temple at sunset. Viewed by many as the crowning achievement of Dravidian temple building, the Tanjore 'Big Temple' as it is commonly known, is both a place of intense spiritual devotion, and a jaw-dropping accomplishment of engineering. Overnight in Tanjore.
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Day 7 : Tanjore - Trichy
In the morning revisit the Big Temple and tour this extensive complex with a local guide. Later, drive up the Cauvery River to Trichy and in the evening explore the bazaars around the Rock Fort Temple. Then climb up the 400-plus steps to the top of Rock Fort affords fabulous views across the city of Trichy and towards Srirangam temple on an island between two branches of the river. Overnight in Trichy.
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Day 8 : Trichy - Madurai
Explore Trichy and visit Srirangam Vishnu Temple - one of the largest temple complexes in Asia, covering over 60 hectares and encompassing a sizeable permanent population as well as being an important place of pilgrimage and devotion. After lunch, depart Trichy and drive to Madurai. Each evening the deities which are housed within Meenakshi temple are processed through the complex and the temple closed for the night- this is a spectacular event, complete with drumming, chanting and lots of colour and well worth seeing on one of your evenings in the city. Overnight in Madurai.
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Day 9 : Madurai Sightseeing
Meenakshi temple is worth spending half a day at - there is so much to see and for your guide here to explain, while later in the day you may choose to visit some of the interesting markets in the city or the Nayak Palace- the last surviving remnant of the 17th century Nayak dynasty which held sway in central Tamil Nadu. Overnight in Madurai.
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Day 10 : Madurai - Chennai
Morning at leisure before you are transferred to the airport for your onward connection flight to Chennai.
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