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Living temples of the south
Tamil Nadu is the mystical epicentre of India. You can find more temples here than anywhere else, with towers decorated with such vivid images that they seem to be moving and you might do a double take just to check. These temples weren't built for the tourist, though the garish, almost kitsch figures it's like wandering through a spiritual Disneyland. But these temples are living holy places where Brahmas perform sacred rites, pilgrims kneel before altars, swirls of incense cloud the air and temple elephants stand guard at the entrance. Almost all of the temples are open to western visitors, but a respectful attitude is very much appreciated. Our Tamil Nadu tour package begins among the awe-inspiring temples of Madurai and Trichy before travelling on to the serene sandstone temple of Tanjore and to 'little France' in India. The traces of the rich colonial past of Pondicherry are still visible in the French bakeries and historic French-style hotels. You'll end your Tamil Nadu tour package at the cave temples of the seaside town of Mamallapuram. |
| Duration |
6 days, 5 nights Departs daily from Chennai Best time to travel: December - June |
Accommodation |
Comfortable hotels. Comfort level 2/3 (see accommodation). |
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Price |
£298 per person - based on 2 people sharing (authentic) £459 per person - based on 2 people sharing (heritage) |
Includes |
Accommodation with breakfast, transport, excursions (including a rickshaw ride in Madurai). |
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Transport |
Air-conditioned private car |
Excludes |
Other meals and entry fees. |
Day 1: MaduraiOur Tamil Nadu tour package easily follows our Backwaters and Wildlife trip. In the morning you’ll travel from Periyar to Madurai, 3 hours to the east. In Madurai you’ll stay in a basic but comfortable hotel. The hotel has an excellent restaurant where you can fill up with a tasty lunch before heading out to explore the city. Mind what you order though, the curries of southern India are some of the hottest in the country! Luckily English is widely spoken so the cook can tone down the chilies for you if you ask nicely.In the afternoon you’ll take a rickshaw tour with an experienced rickshaw guide to the Tirumalai Nayak Palace, the Ghandi Museum and the temple lake. As you travel through by rickshaw will help you get your bearings for when you explore on your own. At dusk head up to the hotel roof terrace for an amazing view across the city and the Meenakshi temple, which you’ll be visiting on Day 2 of our Tamil Nadu tour package. |
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Day 2: MaduraiThe history of Madurai dates back over 2500 years. The city is without a doubt the most spectacular temple city in Tamil Nadu, but it's still surprisingly undiscovered by tourists. The Meenakshi Temple, from the 12th century has four towers each intricately decorated with thousands of coloured figures. You could spend hours examining each tower. The northern tower is more bare, so as not to tempt the demons. There are eight more towers and a hall with a thousand decorated pillars. The complex is dedicated to Shiva. His wife Meenakshi was a princess from Madurai and the sculptures in the temple depict her life story. |
Day 3: Madurai - Trichy - TanjoreToday you’ll travel from Madurai to Tanjore, stopping off at Trichy, otherwise known as Tiruchirappalli. The temple is surrounded by little stalls and people selling small offerings. The main temple itself (Srirangam Temple) is a more like a city than a temple complex. Enclosed by seven walls, the complex contains several towers, one of which made of pure gold. The main entrance is can be found at 90m.The sacred treasures in Tanjore are unlike any of the other major temple cities. Instead of the garishly coloured temples you’ll see elsewhere, Tanjore’s holy places are made of sober sandstone. You’ll visit the famous Brihadeshwar Temple, built by the Chola kings and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Slip into the crowd of pilgrims cramming to get to the altar in the centre of the temple and you’ll experience the sense of devotion and the serene rituals of worship that take place here. At the temple entrance you’ll pay your contribution and pay homage to the temple elephant as he deftly fishes the rupees form your hand with his holy trunk. After the temple, your Tamil Nadu tour package will take you to the Palace Museum where bronze statues and glass paintings are made. |
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Day 4: Tanjore - PondicherryPondicherry is a little slice of France with an Indian topping. The French street names, the croissants in the French bakeries and the colonial houses with their elegant balconies all point towards the traces of French colonial heritage in Pondicherry. From Tanjore it’s a 3½ hour drive to this charming coastal town where you’ll step into a completely different world. The French ruled this area for several centuries, until several years after India gained independence, in 1954. The French District in Pondicherry has a distinctly French feel with its little shops, wide boulevards, European churches and green parks. The best beaches are to the north of the city.Pondicherry is also the home of the spiritual community Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The community is still a major institution for yoga, meditation and several charitable benefits and was established by a French lady better known as The Mother. Today you’ll be visiting the Ashram, as well as the village of Auroville during your Tamil Nadu tour package. |
Day 5: Pondicherry - MamallapuramFrom Pondicherry you’ll make your way north to Mamallapuram, a friendly coastal town where you can spend a couple of days taking it slow at the end of your southern India tour. Mamallapuram is a quiet place and throughout the village you can see several workshops where craftsmen create the most amazing sculptures. Tonight you'll stay in a basic beach resort with a lovely pool.The countryside around the village is dotted with temples many of which are hidden in caves. The temples are visited mainly by the local cows and goats wandering around the temple buildings, but that’s actually quite fitting for a temple dedicated to Shiva and built by the Pallava kings. The temple directly on the beach (Shore Temple) is one of the oldest temples in India and decorated with many Nandi bulls - Shiva’s chosen mode of transport. Your guide will tell you all about the fascinating mythologies behind the decoration of the temple during your Tamil Nadu tour package. |
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Day 6: Mamallapuram - ChennaiYour Tamil Nadu tour package ends today, but before you begin your return journey to Chennai, you can take a final refreshing dip in the hotel pool. Towards the end of the day you'll see the local women wading into the sea in their brightly coloured saris to cool off in the water. If you'd like to go swimming in the sea, please be respectful and keep your clothes on as well. |
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