South Indian Religious Tour

Day 1: Chennai (Madras)

Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel. Chennai is a gateway to South India. This city, founded in 1639 by the East India Company, is one of the oldest in the country.

Day 2: Chennai (Madras) / Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram

After breakfast, head to Kanchipuram (76 km, 1.5 hours drive) to explore a fabulous collection of temples built in the 7th and 8th centuries. With a weaving tradition dating back to the Pallava period (when silk was the royal fabric), Kanchipuram is also renowned for its refined saris, adorned with sublime patterns. Once in Mahabalipuram, you will check into your hotel. After that, you will visit this World Heritage listed city which has some of the finest examples of Indian rock carving art. Other remarkable sites on the program: the Temple du Rivage, which belonged to a set of seven pagodas and is located at the edge of the water; and the Panch Rathas (or five chariots), a group of monuments and animals carved out of monoliths and constituting the earliest known examples of Dravidian architecture. They were built in the space of a century in a fabulous burst of creativity. After that, you will return to Mahabalipuram.

Day 3: Mamallapuram- Tiruvannamalai; 03:00

Depart for Tiruvannamalai. An important center dedicated to Shiva, Tiruvannamalai is a small marvel dating from the 11th century with more than 100 temples, including that of Arunachaleswara, which is said to be the largest and one of the most fascinating in India. The main Gopuram is 66m high. The temple also houses one of the lingams of the 5 elements, that of fire. Because according to legend, Shiva appeared at the top of the hill in the form of a pillar of fire, thus creating the symbol of the lingam. Meditate and climb the sacred mount. Visit 2 the Sacred Asharam. Overnight stay at Sparsa Thiruvannamalai Hotel

Day 4: and Day 05: Tiruvannamalai – Pondicherry; 03h00

Free visit of Pondicherry. In the 18th century, a French soldier bought a village called Poudouchery from the Sultan of Bijapur on behalf of the French East India Company. Thus began the epic of France in the “Indies”. It was only returned to India in 1954. The French influence is still visible in the streets down to the police uniforms. Pondicherry is also famous for the ashram of Sri Aurobindo founded in 1928 and that of Auroville or “city of the dawn” created in 1968 by a French architect Roger Anger. Discovery of the city, its alleys, its old French quarter, and its market. Night in Pondicherry (Executive Inn hotel) Visit the school of Orpelien, local market, the village of artists, the temple of Ganesha with the elephant Lakshmi. Shenbaga Hotel & Convention Center Pondicherry

Day 6: Pondicherry–Tanjore 4h:00

With its 74 temples, Tanjore bears witness to the marvelous talent of the Chola builders. After breakfast, you will visit the most famous of them, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Brihadeeswarar Temple. You will stop at an art gallery to admire an extraordinary collection of ancient bronze statues. The afternoon will be free. Luxeprience: For dinner, you will taste typical dishes of Marathi cuisine, which developed in the royal kitchens of Tanjore. If these recipes have a unique flavor, it is because they incorporate local spices and ingredients that arrived in the region when the Maratha warriors settled there. Night in Tanjore. The Gannam hotel).

Day 7: TANJORE / CHETTINAD / MADURAI (180 km / 4h)

departure by road for Madurai, the cultural capital of the Tamil country. Along the way, stop at Chettinad, a small museum town with “palace houses” built in the 19th century by wealthy families of merchants or bankers and both well and poorly maintained since. In Madurai, transfer by “tuk-tuk” in the evening to the Minakshi temple, a monumental sanctuary to attend the Shiva sunset ceremony. Overnight in Madurai. The Astoria Hotel

Day 8: Madurai- Palani- Trichy- 03h00

Called “City of the Rock”, Trichy served as a fortress even before the advent of the Christian era. It is today a city full of charm endowed with two extraordinary temples of which the Rock Fort Temple perched on a formidable rocky peak of 90m dominates the full. We accessed by a staircase carved into the rock. At the top, the panorama opening on the city is breathtaking, we then discover the temple of Sri Ranganathaswamy buried in a forest of coconut palms. Visit of the temples and the city and its surroundings. Visit Shiva temple, Kali temple too. The Hotel de Trichy. Great Gardenia.

Day 9: Trichy – Coimbatore: 04h30

Visit the land of peace and the status of Adi Yogi in Coimbatore. Surrounded by verdant green farms at the foot of the Velliangiri Mountains in the Western Ghats, the Adiyogi Shiva Statue is the largest bust statue in the world dedicated to the famous Hindu deity Shiva, which is carved from 500 tons of steel. Located in the Isha Yoga Complex in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, the sculpture stands at the height of 112 feet. The Guinness Book of Records recognized the statue as the “largest bust sculpture” which is 34.3 meters high excluding the plinth, 45 meters long and 7.62 meters wide. Designed by Isha- Sadhguru Foundation founder Jaggi Vasudev, the statue was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24, 2017. The sculpture was built with the idea of inspiring and promoting yoga, and the statue is called “Adiyoga” meaning “the first yogi” as Lord Shiva is known to be the originator of yoga. 1 night there. Ibis Coimbatore City Center hotel

Day 10: Coimbatore – Mysore 04h30

Mysore and its region offer many historical, cultural and architectural riches. A pleasant city with a human dimension, Mysore is renowned both for its royal palace and its manufacture of incense made from sandalwood. On the program is a visit to the Bazaar and an artisanal workshop for the manufacture of incense. 2 Night in Samudra Hotel in Mysore or Hotel Sandesh The Prince.

Day 11: Mysore

You will spend the day exploring the city, including the Maharajah’s Palace. This one artistically marries the Indo-Saracenic style with foreign elements such as Scottish steel and Victorian and Edwardian furniture. At the top of the Chamundi hill, in the Chamundeshwari temple, you will meet hundreds of joyful pilgrims. On the way back, you will visit Sri Nandi temple to receive the blessing of Lord Shiva’s faithful guardian, Nandi (the decorated bull). In the Raja Ravi Verma gallery of the famous Jagmohan Palace, you will admire refined works. You will then stroll quietly in the picturesque garden of Brindavan, built along a dam on the Cauvery. In the evening, you will attend a cooking demonstration followed by dinner with a local family. According to tradition, in South India, one eats sitting on the ground with the right hand, and the food is served on a banana leaf. After the meal, you will wash your hands and your easily degradable plate will be thrown away or given to the cattle. Here, the banana leaves are believed to impart a unique flavor to the dishes. You can judge for yourself, but know that you may not be convinced by this centuries-old tradition! Night at the hotel.

Day 12: Mysore- Bangalore via Srirangapatna

After breakfast, you will leave your hotel to reach Bangalore 150 km (about 3 hours) from Mysore. On the way, you will visit Srirangapatna, a very important city in religious, cultural and historical terms. You will discover in particular the temple of Sri Ranganathaswamy. You will first go to the Dodder Ganeshana Gundi (or Bull Temple), a 16th century building dedicated to the sacred bull Nandi and marked by the ages. You will then stop at the imposing Vidhana Soudha, a neo-Dravidian building that houses the legislative headquarters of the state. The main center of India’s IT sector, Bangalore is nicknamed the “Silicon Valley of India”. It also has the title of “garden city” because of its many public parks. Combining ancient history and architecture with modern technological developments, it perfectly combines past and innovation. The sites you will visit include:

Day 13: Banglore / Kabini 205 Km

After a trip by land, 25km / 30min, installation at your lodge.

Kabini takes its name from the Kabini River; the place is located on the southern edge of Nagarahole National Park (Rajiv Gandhi National Park), the former favorite hunting ground of the Maharaja.

The forests of Nagarahole National Park teem with herds of elephants, sambar and spotted deer, wild boar, sloth bears, gaurs and occasionally tigers and panthers.

Day 14: Kabini / Wayanad

You will start the day with an early morning expedition to Kabini Nature Reserve. The site is sometimes referred to as elephant country because several herds can be observed during a single visit. It is very popular with wildlife lovers and photography enthusiasts. You will be able to see tigers, leopards, axis deer, jackals, panthers and many other wild animals in their natural habitat. In addition to its unique creatures and lush forests, Kabini also has another tourist attraction: a dam. You will then take the direction of Wayanad, 150 km away (about 3 hours). When you arrive at your destination, you will settle into your hotel. You will then discover the caves of Edakkal in the Ambukuthy mountains, as well as the Jain temples of Sultan Bathery. Night at the hotel.

Day 15: Wayanad – Cochin

Departure in the morning to follow the Malabar coast of the Arabian Sea towards Cochin, to the south: 260km / 7h.

Cochin (Kochi), Rich in its historical past and superbly built on a group of islands and a narrow lagoon, the fascinating city of Kochi (or Cochin) perfectly reflects the eclecticism of Kerala. You will discover the oldest European church in India, narrow and winding streets lined with typical 500-year-old Portuguese houses, Kathakali shows….

Cochin is undoubtedly one of the most pleasant small towns to stroll around. Its old houses, its large spice warehouses that Arab and Phoenician merchants coveted and which still perfume its alleys, the spray from the Indian Ocean, the cheerfulness of its inhabitants and all its trinket shops at all prices, make this very attractive stage.

Day 16: Cochin/Kumarakom via Alappuzha

This morning you will explore Fort Cochin to see how Chinese fishing nets are used from the shore. After breakfast, you will reach Alappuzha, located 60 km away (about 2 hours). Arriving in this city, you will swap your vehicle for a barge to go sailing in the heart of the famous backwaters of Kerala. This network of beautiful and picturesque canals passes through small villages and green landscapes of rice fields and farms. The ship on which you will sail is locally called “kettuvallam”. These old renovated rice barges are equipped with modern equipment. All meals will be served on board and will allow you to experience authentic Kerala cuisine. Night on the barge. Sleep in the magnificent houseboat

Day 17: HAlappuzha – MARARI BEACH

Wellness at the Malabar Coast

Free day and without driver, why not dedicate it to total relaxation? Take advantage of the Indian heritage of well-being which combines Ayurveda techniques and ingredients. Massages or beauty treatments, they aim to harmonize the health of your body and your mind. These methods of energy rebalancing provide relaxation, flexibility and calm. Marari beach offers an ideal paradise beach setting for some well-deserved idleness. Reinvigorated and revitalized to perfection, your whole body will savor all the benefits of your stay in India!

Day 18: MARARI BEACH / KOCHI-CHENNAI; (The Domestic Flight)

Rest and visit shiva temple and Vishnu temple.

Day 19 Chennai

Go shopping and relax. Take the Mehandi course (heena).

Day 20: Drop off for your flight to Chennai

You take your breakfast in a package before your flight