The Temple Trail

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The Temple Trail

Mamallapuram, Thanjavur & Madurai

Tamil Nadu, in south India, is a fascinating state full of ancient Dravidian architecture. Intricately crafted temples, rock carvings, and classical dance are some of the attractions. Starting at the beach side retreat of Mamallapuram, you relax in the historic `French' town of Pondicherry before exploring the main temple cities of Thanjavur and Madurai.



Day 1 - Mamallapuram
On arrival at Chennai airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel near the beach of Mamallapuram. In the afternoon you will meet your guide and begin your tour of Mamallapuram. The famous shore temple of Mamallapuram stands on the seashore with its paved forecourts. Early rock-cut temples excavated from the hillside near the centre of the village have large carved panels depicting stories from Indian mythology. Several man-made caves are scattered through the area. Then there are the rathas, "chariots", carved in situ from single boulders, to resemble temples or the chariots used in temple processions.

Day 2 - Pondicherry
Today you drive from Mamallapuram along a beautiful coastal express way to the former French colony of Pondicherry, a small town of multi-coloured villas, quiet, tree shaded lanes and a long boulevard along the sea. Pondicherry has a unique ambience, unlike any place else in India. It is a blend of spiritual aura, French colonial heritage, Tamil culture, and the cosmopolitan flair of hosting many nationalities in a small but varied town. Pondicherry is best explored on foot. You can experience the colonial charm of the town, by walking through its old quarter which houses a varied collection of buildings, churches, homes and markets and thoroughfares with French names.

Day 3 - Thanjavur
From Pondicherry an inland road puts you back on the temple trail, leading to Chidambaram, Kumbakonam and Darasuram. The best bronzes and paintings can be found in Thanjavur, a city which boasts of almost a hundred temples including the monumental Brihadeshwari Temple, built entirely from granite. The temple dominates the skyline of the town, with a 13 storey tower and colonnaded walkways around a central courtyard. Graceful bronzes are housed in the 17th century Nayak Royal Palace and are an astonishing display of South Indian mediaeval metallurgical skills at their height. Nearby, the Bell Tower is worth the climb for the views right across Thanjavur and over the palace itself.

Day 4 - Madurai
Today, you first drive from Thanjavur to Karaikudi, a village in Chettinad, the home of a prosperous banking community who ventured overseas in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their legacies are the fascinating houses of Chettinad they built. Karaikudi has numerous craftsmen working with wood and metal, silversmiths and goldsmiths, antique shops, attractive textiles and most important the exciting Chettinad Cuisine. You will be able to enjoy a genuine Chettinad lunch in a small hotel in Karaikudi. After lunch, you continue to Madurai. Here you find the magnificent Meenakshi Temple complex whose soaring temple towers are covered with stucco figures of deities, mythical animals and monsters, painted in vivid colours. The Meenakshi temple is one of the finest and the largest example of Dravidian architecture.

Day 5 - Madurai
This morning, after breakfast, meet your guide and begin your morning tour of Madurai. Full of colourful bazaars, street tailors, throngs of pilgrims and joyful religious processions, Madurai is a bustling city which attracts thousands of visitors from outside each day. Madurai's main attraction is the famous temple dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi. Goddess Meenakshi rules the town with absolute power and panache, welcoming the town's residents into the temple complex that spreads over a staggering 6 hectares! The most fascinating feature of the temple is its musical pillars, each of which is carved out of a single block of granite and when tapped produces a unique musical note. The hall of a Thousand Pillars has been converted into a museum filled with sculptures and antique treasures. Your guide will collect you again in the evening to witness the closing ceremony accompanied by chanting priests, drummers and torchbearers in which an image of Shiva is carried in procession to Parvati's bedroom.

Day 6 - Madurai
Your tour ends today. We can arrange a transfer for you to Madurai airport to board the flight to Chennai. Alternatively you can continue to Thekkady to explore the Jungles & Backwaters of Kerala.

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Price Guide

  • From EUR 589 per person based on two people sharing.

Inclusions

    • Accommodation on twin share basis at selected hotels.
    • Stay on bed & breakfast basis.
    • English-speaking local guide for tour of Mamallapuram and Madurai.
    • Transport by private chauffeur-driven airconditioned car.
    • All transfers as per the itinerary.

    Tour price excludes

    • Tips and gratuities.
    • Services, Meals and Drinks other than those mentioned in the itinerary.
    • Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature.
    • Entrance fees (unless specifically mentioned in the inclusions) and extra charges for camera and video.
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Tweakable Holidays

This is just one of our holiday suggestions for you. If it's perfect as it is, great! If not, let us tweak it for you, or we could tailor-make your ideal trip including:

  • Where you would like to stay
  • Dates that best suit you
  • Experiences or activities that you fancy
  • As long as you want in each place

Just get in touch and we will start advising and planning with you.

Email us at info@travellers-palm.com or use our online form to get in touch.

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Mamallapuram Famous for its shore temples and fine beach

At Mamallapuram, barely an hour's drive from Chennai, the 7th-century complex of monolithic rock-cut shrines and legendary Shore Temple are now a World Heritage Site. The stunning archaeological remains co-exist with a long white-sand beach, making Mamallapuram a favourite destination for travellers.

Pondicherry A former French colony

Pondicherry is best explored on foot. One can experience the colonial charm of the town, by walking through its old quarter which houses a varied collection of buildings, churches, homes and markets and thoroughfares with French names. You can also visit the nearby Auroville, an interesting experiment in alternative living. At the Visitor's Center you'll be able to watch a video about Auroville, view the informational exhibits, eat at the cafeteria, and buy high quality products made by the community.

Thanjavur Site of "the big temple"

The chief attraction of Thanjavur is the extraordinary Brihadishwara Temple. Built in 1010 by the Chola dynasty whose empire covered much of Southern India for more than 400 years, the temple is now a World Heritage monument. The immense main temple is more than 60 meters high and hewn from a single piece of granite estimated to weigh 80 tonnes. This temple is an astonishing sight and a visit is one of the highlights of a trip to South India.

Madurai South India's most exotic and colourful city

Full of colourful bazaars, street tailors, throngs of pilgrims and joyful religious processions, Madurai is a bustling city which attracts thousands of visitors from outside each day. Madurai's main attraction is the famous temple dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi. Each evening, there is a closing ceremony is accompanied by chanting priests, drummers and torchbearers in which an image of Shiva is carried in procession to Parvati's bedroom.

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Tweakable Holidays

This is just one of our holiday suggestions for you. If it's perfect as it is, great! If not, let us tweak it for you, or we could tailor-make your ideal trip including:

  • Where you would like to stay
  • Dates that best suit you
  • Experiences or activities that you fancy
  • As long as you want in each place

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