Panchasthala Tour

Panchasthala Tour

A trip to five Panchabootha Shiva Temples

Destinations Covered :Chennai – Kalahasthi – Chennai- Tiruvannamalai – Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) – Thanjavur (Tanjore) – Chidambaram- Rameswaram – Madurai.

TOUR INFORMATION

Pancha (Five) Bootham (Elements) Stalam (Place) dictates five temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, each representing the manifestation of the five prime elements of nature – land, air, water, sky, and fire. All of the five temples are located in southern part of India, four being in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh.

• Kanchipuram (Tamilnadu): Ekambareswarar temple (Earth -Prithvi Lingam)
• kalahasti (Andhra Pradesh): Srikalahasteeswara Temple (Air – Vayu Lingam)
• Tiruvannamalai (Tamilnadu): Arunachaleswarar Temple (Fire – Agni Lingam)
• Chidambaram (Tamilnadu): Natarajar Temple (Space – Akasa Lingam)
• Tiruvanaikoil (Tamilnadu): Jambukeswarar Temple (Water – Appu Lingam)

 

ARRIVE CHENNAI

Day 1 (23 Dec 2022)

You will be received by our representatives from the airport/railway station and transferred to the selected hotel in Chennai. On arrival, check-in and rest for a while and later go for sightseeing around places like Fort St. George,built during 1653, India’s oldest Anglican Church, St Mary’s Church; 8th century temples built by Pallavas, Kapaleeswarar Temple and Sri Parthasarathy Temple. Also, visit Marina Beach in the evening followed by an overnight stay in the hotel. Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels

(Address: 120, Sir Thyagaraya Rd, Drivers Colony, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017

Phone: 044 2815 0500).

Chennai – Kalahasthi – Chennai (3.5Hrs Drive 140 KM)

Day 2 (24 Dec 2022)

Afte the breakfast drive to Kalahasthi God Shiva temple (Air / Pancha Bhootha Shiva Temples)  and return overnight stay at hotel. Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels

(Address: 120, Sir Thyagaraya Rd, Drivers Colony, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017

Phone: 044 2815 0500).

Chennai – Kanchipuram (2 Hrs Drive 80 KM )

The temple city

Day 3 (25 Dec 2022)

Drive to the pilgrim city of Kanchipuram, also known as the town of a thousand temples. Here you’ll visit the temples of Ekambaranathar, Kailasanatha, Varadharaja Perumal, and Kamakshi Amman. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silk saris, and you’ll have a chance to visit the silk weavers and learn about the history of this colorful fabric, which is an essential part of a South Indian bride’s trousseau.. MM Legacy

(Address: 551/1, Bengaluru – Chennai Hwy, opposite Meenakshi Medical College Hospital And Research Institute, Meenakshi Nagar, Tamil Nadu 631561.Phone: 099438 81111)

Kanchipuram – Thiruvanamalai (2; 30 Hrs Drive 120 KM)

Thiruvannamalai – The Spiritual Centre of Tamil Nadu

Day 4 (26 Dec 2022)

Welcome by the temple Brahman and be the part of Hindu temple prayer. Thiruvannamalai-the Divine city for spiritual enlightenment. Thiruvannamalai is famous for Arunachaleshwar temple (Fire / Pancha Bhootha Shiva Temples), and Ramana Maharishi Ashram. Overnight stay in Thiruvannamalai Sparsa Thiruvannamalai

(Address: 34, Athiyanthal Village, Chengam Road, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu 606603

Phone: 04175 236 811)

Thiruvannamalai – The Town Of Peace and Harmony

Day 5 (27 Dec 2022)

Every full moon day people walk around the Annamalai hill and offer prayers to Arunachala temple called Girivalam.

Arunachaleswara Temple, Ramana Ashram, Virupaksha Cave and Seshadri Swamigal Ashram are some of the places that hold a lot of religious as well as spiritual significance for not only the Hindus of South India but for the world at large. One can spot a lot of foreigners who have traversed from far to realise the quintessence of Indian spiritualism. Padavedu Renugambal Temple and Nedungunam Ramar Temple are also temples which lure a lot of travellers who visit Thiruvannamalai. Sparsa Thiruvannamalai

(Address: 34, Athiyanthal Village, Chengam Road, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu 606603

Phone: 04175 236 811)

 

Thiruvanamalai – Chidambaram – Kumbakonam (6Hrs Drive 300 KM)

Day 6 (28 Dec 2022)

After breakfast you will proceed to Chidambaram where you can visit the famous Natarajar Temple Welcome by the temple Brahman and be the part of Hindu temple prayer. (Ether / Pancha Bhootha Shiva Temples), then drive to Kumbeshwarar Temple. Nageswaran, Adi Kumbeswarar, Brahma and Kasi Viswanathar. The holy metropolis is likewise famed for the Kumba Mahamaham held every 12 years. Pilgrims come from all around the international to take a sacred dip in the Mahamaham tank which is deemed to wipe away all of the sins committed inside the lifetime. Other than spiritual importance, the city is likewise eminent for silk merchandise, electrical items and prominent instructional institutions.  Overnight stay in Kumbakonam. Indeco Hotels Swamimalai

(Address: 6/30 B – Agraharam, Thimmakudy Village Post, Baburajapuram, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu 612302 Phone: 094444 10394)

 

Kumbakonam – Tanjore – Trichy (3Hrs Drive 150 KM)

Trichy – Where Tradition Meets Modernity

Day 7 (29 Dec 2022)

After breakfast you will proceed to Trichy via Tanjore visit Big temple (Brahatheeswarar temple), Palace and Art Gallery then drive to Trichy and visit the Rock Fort Temple, Trichy’s most famous landmark is 83-m high rock. The most amazing fact about the rock is that it is one of the oldest in the world. Later visit the Jambukeshwara Temple (Water / Pancha Bhootha Shiva Temples), situated 2 Kms east of Srirangam, this beautiful Siva temple steals the show due to its excellent architectural design. The temple is named after the elephant which is believed to have worshipped Lord Siva here. Installed under an ancient Jambu tree, the lingam is partially submerged in water and is meant to represent God incarnate as Water. Also visit the Srirangam Temple. Overnight stay at Trichy Grand Gardenia Hotel

(Address: 22-25, Chennai – Theni Hwy, Mannarpuram, Sangillyandapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620020 Phone: 0431 404 5000)

 

TIRUCHCHIRAPPALLI – RAMESHWARAM (4h drive 200 KM)

Rameshwaram – The Earth Abode Of Gods

Day 8 (30 Dec 2022)

Checkout form the hotel after early breakfast and drive to Rameswaram. An island with mythological significance, Rameswaram is one of the holiest cities of Hinduism and part of the Char Dham pilgrimage. Experience the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple and the footprints of the god Ram. Overnight at the hotel in Rameshwaram. Star Palace Hotel

(Address: N 0.14/69 NH-49, Madurai-Dhanuskodi, Highway, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526 Phone: 04573 221 111)

RAMESHWARAM LOCAL

Day 9 (31 Dec 2022)

Ramanathaswamy Temple dedicated to the god Shiva and one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples. This temple was expanded and renovated several times throughout its lifetime, making it very impressive and architecturally detailed. It features the longest corridor of all Hindu temples you will find in your trip to India. Its location at Rameswaram Island is an important site of pilgrimage for Shaivites, Vaishnavites and Smarthas alike.

Morning holy bath from all the 22 wells. The last objective for the day is something different – the abandoned city of Dhanushkodi. This once vibrant town was destroyed during a cyclone in 1964 and remains empty, being an eerie destination where you can visit the remains. Relax afterwards at your hotel, before continuing on to the next destinations on this spiritual tour of Tamil Nadu. Overnight at the hotel in Rameshwaram. Star Palace Hotel

(Address: N 0.14/69 NH-49, Madurai-Dhanuskodi, Highway, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526 Phone: 04573 221 111)

 

RAMESHWARAM  – MADURAI (4h drive 200 KM)

Day 10 (1 Jan 2023)

After breakfast, checkout from the hotel and proceed to one of the oldest Indian cities, Madurai. In Madurai we have lots to visit, as it is one of the oldest Tamil Nadu cities and considered the regions’ cultural capital. It was once called the Athens of the East thanks to the multitude of temples and objectives of architectural significance. Be the part of evening ceremony in the temple.

Meenakshi Amman temple, at the heart of the city and built by King Kulasekara Pandya in the 12th century. Afterwards, we see another one of the Six Abodes of Murugan, Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple.

Also in Madurai, the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal – the palace from the 17th century built by King Thirumalai Nayak in a fusion of Dravidian and Rajput styles. Today, we can visit the original main Palace building but the whole complex used to be four times bigger and considered one of the wonders of the South. Regency Madurai by GRT Hotels

 

Address: 38, Madakulam Main Rd, next to SARVA CENTER, Vinayai Nagar, Palanganatham, Signal Junction, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625003

Phone: 0452 237 1155

 

Madurai Drop

Day 11

After breakfast drive to Chennai You will be dropped at the airport 2 hours ahead of your departure timing for your flight back home