A sacred journey through the greatest stone-carved temples of Tamil Nadu, seaside monolithic carvings of Mahabalipuram, and the French colonial boulevards of Puducherry.
This 8-day journey is an architectural and spiritual pilgrimage across the historic Chola and Pallava kingdoms. From standing beneath the towering monolithic granite dome of Thanjavur to witnessing the night procession ceremony of Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi in Madurai.
Travel seamlessly in your private air-conditioned vehicle with a courteous chauffeur, staying in boutique heritage hotels and tasting authentic South Indian culinary dishes.
Welcome to South India! Meet our representative at Chennai International Airport (MAA). Check in to your hotel. Afternoon visit to the 7th-century Dravidian Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore and an evening stroll on Marina Beach.
Drive to the ancient temple city of Kanchipuram. Visit the 8th-century sandstone Kailasanathar Temple and Ekambareswarar Temple. See traditional handloom weavers creating famous Kanchipuram silk sarees. Continue to the coastal UNESCO town of Mahabalipuram.
Guided tour of Mahabalipuram's seaside Shore Temple, the colossal bas-relief carving of Arjuna's Penance, the Five Rathas (monolithic stone chariots), and Krishna's Butterball. Drive along the scenic East Coast Road to French colonial Puducherry.
Morning visit to the experimental universal township of Auroville and the golden sphere Matrimandir viewing point. Afternoon heritage walk through the mustard-hued French Quarter (White Town), visiting Sri Aurobindo Ashram and seaside Goubert Avenue.
Drive to the historic Chola capital of Thanjavur. Tour the 1000-year-old Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple), an unparalleled granite engineering triumph of King Raja Raja Chola I. Visit the Thanjavur Royal Palace and Bronze Art Gallery.
Drive to Madurai with a stop in the Chettinad region. Explore lavish 19th-century merchant mansions with Burma teak woodwork and Italian marble tiles. Enjoy an authentic Chettinad lunch. Arrive in the ancient temple city of Madurai by evening.
Explore the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple with its 14 towering Gopurams and Hall of Thousand Pillars. Visit the 17th-century Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace. In the evening, attend the mystical closing ceremony where the deity is carried in a silver palanquin with temple trumpets and drums.
Morning stroll through Madurai's famous fragrant Jasmine Flower Market. Transfer to Madurai Airport (IXM) or return transfer to Chennai for your onward flight, carrying spiritual memories of South India.
