TAMIL NADU PROGRAMME

Day 1 : Arrival Chennai.

Arrival Chennai.
After completion of arrival formalities and collection of baggage, please proceed to the Exit Gate of the Terminal Building where you will be met and assisted by our representative.
Our representatives will transfer you to your Hotel.
Transfer to hotel. Check in on arrival.

14:00 Hrs – Half day Chennai tour – sightseeing in Chennai
(Guide service)

Chennai, the city situated at the Coromondal coast of Bay of Bengal is often recognized as the ‘Detroit of India’ and the ‘Gateway of South’. The fourth largest and one of the prosperous cities of the country, Chennai is an attraction in itself.

Fort St. George

located on the banks of Bay of Bengal, was built by the British East India Company in 1640 AD. The fort is believed to be the first establishment of the British in India. The military architecture marvel, it was erected as a trading post.

Freemasons Hall

Situated at the Egmore area of Chennai, Freemasons Hall is the living example of the cultural and traditional heritage of the people who inhabited the ancient city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras.

Thousand Lights Mosque

The 'Thousand Lights Mosque' is a well-known holy place for Muslims in Chennai. The Mosque attracts number of non-Muslims as well and is primarily popular for a number of reasons, such as its name, its architecture and its historical and religious importance.
 

San Thome Cathedral Basilica

A sacred shrine of utmost faith among Catholic Christians, San Thome Cathedral Basilica was built during the Portuguese settlement in the region in 1600s. Embraced with Neo-Gothic style of architecture the church is a peaceful pious place.
 

Covelong Beach

Covelong Beach is one of the finest beaches on the coast of Coromandel, located at a distance of 40 km from Chennai.
Return back to your Hotel.
Overnight at Chennai

Day 02 : CHENNAI – KANCHIPURAM – MAHABALLIPURAM.

Breakfast at Hotel.
0930 Hrs – Transfer by road from Chennai – Kanchipuram (1 Hr).
Sightseeing at Kanchipuram Temples (Guide service )
Kanchipuram (75 kms from Chennai) is one of the seven holy cities in the country, and a visit is believed to bestow salvation. Kanchipuram once had over a thousand temples. Today, there are more than a hundred extant, and all are worth a visit. Kanchipuram also has some notable churches and mosques.
Continue onward by road to Mahaballipuram (1 Hr).
Check into your hotel and the evening is at leisure.
Though it is no longer a port, Mahaballipuram has retained its fame in stone, thanks to the great contribution of Pallava artisans. It is among the most outstanding examples of Dravidian art and architecture and a jewel in the crown of Tamil Nadu. In a land that is liberally strewn with some of the best in temple art.
Overnight at Mahaballipuram.

Day 03 : MAHABALLIPURAM – PONDICHERRY (Puducherry)

Breakfast at Hotel.
0900 Hrs. Transfer by road from Mahaballipuram – Pondicherry (3 Hrs).

En-route sightseeing halt at Auroville – the model city of world peace and universal Harmony.
Auroville – or the ‘City of Dawn ’ – was conceived as a place of research into the ideal of human unity by the Mother, the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo. The idea is to build a futuristic city where people of goodwill can live together in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. Auroville came into existence in 1968.
Its Charter says, “To live in Auroville one must be a willing servitor of the Divine Consciousness”, and describes it as “belonging to nobody in particular, but to humanity as a whole”; as a place “of constant progress”; and as “a bridge between the past and the future.”Located around 8 kms north-west of Puducherry, Auroville was designed by the French architect Roger Anger. Around 2,000 people live there in settlements with names like Grace, Fraternity, Fertile, Certitude and Transformation. Nearly two-thirds of the residents are non-Indians.
Transfer onward by road to Pondicherry ( 30 Min ).
Check in at your hotel and the rest of the evening is at leisure.
Dinner at Hotel.
Overnight at Pondicherry –

Day 04 : PONDICHERRY (Puducherry)

Breakfast at Hotel.
0930 Hrs – Sightseeing in Pondicherry (Guide service )
Away from the hustle and bustle of big city, Puducherry is a quiet little town on the southern coast. The unmistakable French connection,the tree lined boulevards, the quaint colonial heritage buildings, the spiritual scene, the endless stretches of un spoilt virgin beaches, backwater, a surprising choice of restaurants serving a melange of cuisines, provide a heady mix that draw travellers from near and far. It is the perfect place to come to if you wants to take the pace of life down a few notches.
Visit the Aurobindo Ashram, Museum, Gardens, Temples, Churches and the Beaches.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

The Sri Aurobindo Ashram located on rue de la Marine, is one of the most well known and wealthiest ashrams in India, with devotees from India and all over the world flocking to it for spiritual salvation. Its spiritual tenets represent a synthesis of yoga and modern science.

The Puducherry Museum

The Puducherry Museum is located on Saint Louis street and is open on all days except Mondays and national holidays between 1000-1700 hrs. The museum is located in the former Law Building. The museum has a collection of rare bronzes and stone sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties and artifacts excavated from Arikamedu (an ancient port just 7 kms. from city that had trade links with the Roman empires).
Return back to your Hotel.
The evening is al leisure to explore the city on your own.
Dinner at Hotel.
Overnight at Pondicherry –

Day 05 : PONDICHERRY – MADURAI

Breakfast at Hotel.
0900 Hrs. Transfer by road from Pondicherry – Madurai (5 Hrs).PM.
Night Aarti Ceremony at Meenakshi Temple. (Guide service )
Synonymous with Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareswarar twin Temple, the pivot around which the city has evolved. The Meenakshi Temple complex is literally a city – one of the largest of its kind in India and undoubtedly one of the oldest too. The temple grew with the contribution of each dynasty and victorious monarchs, into an enormous complex extending over an area of 65000 Sq m. The temple first came in to being 2000 years ago and was substantially expanded during the regime of Thirumalai Nayak(1623-55 AD).A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure know as “Ayiramkaal Mandapam” or the Hall of Thousand Pillars and each pillar features high, ornate, bold sculptures that look life like. View from any angle these pillars appear to be in a straight line, an architectural masterpiece indeed In the outermost corridors are situated the matchless musical pillars carved out of stones. When it is tapped, each pillar produces different musical note.
Witness that evening Puja at 1930 Hrs at the Temple before returning back to your hotel.
Dinner at Hotel.
Overnight at Madurai

Day 06 : MADURAI

Breakfast at Hotel.
1000 Hrs. – Full day sightseeing in Madurai (Guide service)
Madurai is Known as Athens of the East, Madurai is a place of great historical and cultural importance. It is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu and Madurai lies on the banks of the River Vaigai. Madurai is one of the liveliest cities in South India it was originally known as Kadambavanam or the “forest of Kadamba” or the Nauclea Kadamba.
Some of the suggested sightseeing places are as mentioned below.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace

Thirumalai Nayak Palace is a 17th century palace was built by King Thirumalai Nayak, one of the Madurai Nayak rulers in 1636 AD in the city of Madurai, India. This Palace was built with the help of an Italian Architect and is a classic fusion of Dravidian, Islamic and European styles.Tirumalai Nayak’s Palace at Madurai was considered to be one of the wonders of the South. Thirumalai Palace was declared as a national monument and is now under the protection of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.

Rani Mangamma’s Palace

Rani Mangamma’s Palace has been renewed and converted to Gandhi Museum. The museum displays information about Mahatma Gandhi, and most importantly it showcases the original blood-stained garment of Gandhi when he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse.

St. Mary’s Church

St. Mary’s Church in Madurai, was first constructed in 1840. An imposing building with two tall (42 meters) Bell towers, the church has been elevated to the status of a Cathedral in 1969. St. Mary’s Church is located on East Veli Street in Madurai; St. Mary’s Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madurai. It is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in India, situated about 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) south-east of Madurai Railway Station. Its two elegant Roman style bell towers, about 42-meter-high (140 feet), are visible from a distance. The façade of the church is an amalgamation of various forms of European and Continental styles. The new church, the one we see today, was constructed during 1916.

Azhagar temple

Azhagar temple This ancient and acclaimed Vaishnavite temple is noted for its remarkable architectural and sculptural magnificence. The Lord here is in the sitting or asana, standing or sthanaka and reclining or sayana postures, all enshrined in one vertical plane.
Madurai is famous for its Saris, Cotton & Handloom Fabrics, you may use the vehicle for the rest of the day incase some shopping interest you.
Return back to your Hotels, the evening is at leisure.Dinner at Hotel.
Overnight at Madurai –

Day 07 : MADURAI – GOA

Breakfast at Hotel.Our representative will transfer you to the Airport.