Experience Southern Temples

Arrive Bangalore by flight. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Bangalore for 02 nights. Bangalore is famous for its Botanical Gardens or Lal Bagh. Laid out by Hyder Ali and Tipu, his son, in the 18th century, this garden extending in terraces over several hectares with centuries old trees, lakes, lotus-padded pools and Deer Park, contains one of the largest collections of rare and exotic tropical and sub- tropical plants in India. Also visit the Government buildings.

After breakfast full day sight seeing tour of Bangalore city. Start the morning tour of Bangalore by visiting the Lalbagh Botanical Garden. Laid out in 1760, the gardens have a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces and an assortment of tropical and sub-tropical herbs. The Glass House, inspired by Crystal Palace in London is a favorite spot in Lalbagh. Continue on to the Palace of Tipu Sultan, completed in 1791 as a summer retreat, it is now converted into a museum. The Palace is a two-storied ornate wooden structure with pillars, arches and balconies, flanked by gardens on either side. The next stop of your visit is the Vidhana Soudha; this magnificent granite structure is the State Legislative and Secretariat House and was built in 1956. Bangalore Palace, inspired by the Windsor Castle, was built in 1887 AD by Chamaraja Wodeyar in Tudor-style. Standing in the heart of the city, the palace was earlier surrounded by beautiful gardens in the midst of a vast open area.

After breakfast depart by road from Bangalore to Tirupati a journey of about 06 hrs. Rest of the day is free for independent activities. Overnight stay in Tirupati for 02 nights. Tirupati is famed for the shrine on the Seven Hills of Tirumala dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage spots in India. The hill near the temple is called ‘Tirumala’ or the “sacred hill.”

Day free to visit local temples. Car is booked for local use with in city limits.

After breakfast depart by road from Tirupati to Chennai a journey of about 03 hrs. Afternoon half day city sightseeing tour of Chennai. Overnight stay in Chennai for 01 night. At the southern tip of India in the state of Tamil Nadu lies the states capital city Chennai or Madras as it was known earlier. It is also the third largest metropolis in India. Chennai will put you in touch with a different face of India classical, ancient & gentle. Definitely touched by colonialism but not ravaged by wars and intensely aware of its roots and traditions. Chennai was the site of the first settlement of the East India Company. It was founded in 1639, on a piece of land given by the Raja of Chandragiri, the last representative of the Vijayanagar rulers of Hampi. Take an afternoon city tour of Chennai. Visit the Government Museum and Art Gallery, which has an interesting archaeological section and a bronze gallery (Closed on public holidays). Drive through the Flower & Fruit Market; visit the Fort St. George, which once served as the very first bastion of the East India Company, Now it houses the Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly. The 46 meter high flagstaff, that adorns the front of the structure, is actually a mast salvaged from a 17th century shipwreck. The Fort Museum has a remarkable collection of rare exhibits of weapons, uniforms, coins, costumes, medals and some other artifacts dating back to the days of the Raj. Within the Fort complex, is also the oldest Anglican Church in India, St Marys Church, built in 1678-1680. It also happens to be the oldest surviving British construction.

After breakfast depart by road from Chennai to Mahabalipuram a journey of about 04 hrs. Rest of the day is free to visit local temples. Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram for 01 night. Mahabalipuram lies on the Coromandel Coast which faces the Bay of Bengal. This is an elegant place to watch which a well established sea port was during the 7th and 10th centuries of the Pallava dynasty. This was the second capital of the Pallavas who ruled Kanchipuram. Formerly, mahabalipuram was known and called as Mahabalipuram. The former name of this place ‘Mahabalipuram’ has a history. A very rude cruel king Mahabali reined this place and in a fierce battle king Mahabali was killed by Lord Vishnu and the place was named after the dead, arrogant kind Mahabali. It was during the reign of King Narasimha Varman I, the name Mahabalipuram was changed. It was renamed mahabalipuram which is called till now. There is a story behind. The name Mamallpuram king Narasimha Varman I was a great and valiant warrior. He was given the title Mamalla which means ‘the great wrestler’ so the name was converted from Mahabalipuram to mahabalipuram considering the great king and his achievements.

After breakfast depart by road from Mahabalipuram to Pondichery a journey of about 05 hrs. Afternoon city sightseeing tour of Pondichery. Overnight stay in Pondichery for 01 night. Puducheri), or the capital of one of the union territory of Pondicherry, means 'the new settlement' as thic city was made when the French settlement decided to settle in these parts of India. The town of Pondicherry, fondly called as Pondy and three other cities of theree different states namely Karaikal (Tamil Nadu), Mahe (Kerala), and Yanam (Andhra Pradesh), is what makes today's Union Territory of Pondicherry. On the way to Pondicherry, one can view th natural beauty of the scenic Deccan plateau. Striking red soil and deep green vegetation, consisting mainly of cashew, palm and neem, combining to form a stunning landscape.

After breakfast depart by road from Pondichery to Tanjore a journey of about 04 hrs. Rest of the day is free to visit local temples. Overnight stay in Tanjore for 01 night. Thanjavur - was once the great capital of the Chola Empire. It was Raja Raja Chola the empire builder, who built the most spectacular of the Tanjore Temples, the BRAHADEESWARAR TEMPLE. Built in the early Dravidian style, the Brahadeeswarar temple has an enormous Srivimana - a tower over its main sanctum that is 66.5 m high. The temple itself is decorated with carved panels depicting mythological events. Visit Palace of Nayak and Maratha Kings, is the famous Saraswati Mahal library with its immense collection of valuable books and palm leaf manuscripts. Within the Palace with its maze of halls and passages, is also the Art Gallery with an excellent collection of Chola bronzes and stone sculpture.

After breakfast depart by road from Tanjore to Madurai a journey of about 05 hrs. Rest of the day free to visit local temples. Overnight stay in Madurai for 02 nights Madurai or the "city of nectar" is the oldest and second largest city of Tamil Nadu. This city is located on Vaigai River and was the capital of Pandyan rulers till the 14th century. The Pandyan king, Kulasekhara had built a gorgeous temple around which he created a lotus shaped city. Mythology says when city was being named; Lord Shiva blessed the city and its people. On the auspicious occasion some Divine nectar ("Madhu") fell from the matted locks of Shiva and hence the city was named "Madhurapuri". This sacred town of south attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors from India as well as abroad.

Morning sightseeing tour of Madurai. Madurai, known as Athens of the East, is the second largest city on the banks of the River Vigai. The city is believed to be more than 2500 years old. The city got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva's lochs when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. Madurai where the people wake up at the chant of hymns is proud of the magnificent Meenakshi-Sundareswara Temple. Of its 12 gopurams, four of the tallest stand at the outer walls of the temple. The 48.8 m high southern gopuram is the most spectacular and have over 1500 sculptures. In the Ashta Shakti Mandapam inside the Meenakshi temple, the sculpted pillars tell the story of the beautiful princess of Madurai and her marriage to Lord Shiva

After breakfast depart by road from Madurai to Rameshwaram a journey of about 05 hrs. Rest of the day free to visit local temples. Overnight stay in Rameshwaram for 01 nights. It is situated in the Gulf of Mannar at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. According to legend, this is the place from where Lord Rama built a bridge Ram Setu(also known as Adam's Bridge) across the sea to Lanka to rescue his consort Sita from her abductor Ravana. This is also the place where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to be absolved of the sin of killing Ravana, who is believed to have been the greatest worshipper of Lord Shiva - reason why Ravana is also known as Ravaneeswara (Ravana God) in many parts of Southern India. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage centre which is known as the Varanasi of the south.

After breakfast depart by road from Rameshwaram to Kanyakumari a journey of about 07 hrs. Rest of the day is free to visit local temples. Overnight stay in Kanyakumari for 01 night. Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) The land's end of India or the point where the three seas meet is the enchanting Kanyakumari. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in the country. Part of the fascination is, of course, the fact that it is the very tip of the indian peninsula and the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian ocean. Places of interest at Kanyakumari: Tiruvalluvar statue, Gandhi memorial, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, & Padmanabhapuram Swami Temple which is en route to Kanyakumari from Thiruvananthapuram.

After breakfast depart by road from Kanyakumari to Kovalam a journey of about 02 & ½ hrs. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Kovalam for 02 nights. Kovalam, The internationally renowned beach, which is a strip of golden land lying side by side with the serene blue waters of Arabian sea and rich greenery of the coconut groves, has been developed into an integrated seaside resort. Kovalam consists of three consecutive crescent shaped beaches, a massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. There are numerous bars and cafes lined up on the shore side and you can enjoy a variety of fresh seafood or continental cuisine.

Day at leisure. No car is booked.

Depart by road from Kovalam to Trivandrum a journey of about ½ hr, on arrival you will be transferred to Trivandrum airport for your flight to onward destination.