Chennai - Kanyakumari

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Chennai/Mahabalipuram/Pondichery/Tanjore/ Madurai/Rameshwaram/Kanyakumari

Itinerary

Day 01 : Chennai

Upon arrival our representative will greet you at Chennai Airport/ Railway Station and then transfer to the hotel. Check-in and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. Chennai-the gateway to southern India, established in 1639 by the East India Company, is one of the oldest cities of the country. The major tourist attractions are Marina Beach which is one of the largest beach in India. This stretch is filled with statues of remembrance from Tamil culture. Fort St. George which was built by the British East India Company in 1653, houses St Mary's Church, the first British Church in Chen-nai and has a museum with a collection of British and French historical artifacts. San Thome Cathe-dral is the final resting place of the apostle St. Tho-mas who was killed just outside the city in 78 AD. This cathedral has been built by the Portuguese in a typical neo Gothic style between 14th and 15th century A.D. Snake Park houses a variety of rare reptiles, different species, including deadly king co-bras, vipers, pythons, adders, kraits, giant turtles and monitor lizards. Overnight stay at the Hotel/Resort.
Day 02 : Chennai – Mahabalipuram

Enjoy the sumptuous breakfast. Later proceed to Mahabalipuram. Reach & Check-in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. Mahabalipuram is globally renowned for the Shore Temples. The main tourist attraction of the town is the Varaha Cave, a small rock-cut mandapam (hall). Explore the rest of the day at your own leisure.Overnight stay at the Hotel/Resort.
Day 03 : Mahabalipuram

Post breakfast; proceed for the sightseeing of Ma-habalipuram. The major attractions are Arjuna's Penance which is carved in relief on the face of a huge rock. Arjuna's Penance is the mythical story of the river Ganges, issuing from its source, high in the Himalayas. The surface of the rock has detailed carvings showing the most endearing and natural renditions of animals. Mandapams (low rise, rock cut halls), Krishna Mandapam adorn massive rocks near the centre of the village. The beautiful Shore Temple towers over the waves, behind a protective breakwater. Sixteen man - made caves in different stages of completion are also seen. Shore Temples -These beautiful temples, ravaged by wind and sea, were given the World Heritage listing, a few years ago. The two spires of the temples contain a shrine for Lord Vishnu and for Lord Shiva.
Day 04 : Mahabalipuram – Pondicherr

Morning drive to Pondicherry & check-in at the ho-tel. Later proceed to take a stroll around the beauti-ful neighbourhood. Pondicherry offers a versatile choice ranging from historic buildings, museums, art galleries, meditation centers, scenic beauty to sunkissed beaches. The trip to this magnificent destination is never complete without indulging in the culinary delights, indigenous to the region. The cuisines offer a unique blend of the traditions of the Orient and the French. Overnight stay at the Hotel/Resort.
Day 05 : Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry

After breakfast head for the sightseeing of Aaayi-Mandappam which is also known as the park Monu-ment, an attractive monument of Pondicherry gov-ernment park (Bharathi Park). Sri Aurobindo Ashram exhudes a spiritual aura and is one of the major attractions. Sacred Heart Church which is built by French Missionaries in the 1700’s in a contrast-ing Neo-Gothic style building with towers. Chun-nambar Beach & Backwater - the tropical paradise is flanked by a quiet flowing creek on one side. MatriMandir is another attraction, though not a temple its a place for individual silent medita-tion. Overnight stay at the Hotel/Resort
Day 06 : Pondicherry – Tanjore

After breakfast, proceed to Thanjavur/Tanjore which is like Rome in Europe or Egypt in Africa. Reach & check-in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. The major at-tractions of Tanjore are Sri Brihadeswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva with its architectural excel-lence. The Palace is a fascinating building with huge corridors, spacious halls, decorated rooms, having the amazing stucco work with wonderful fresco painted walls & ceilings, underground tunnel and intricate carvings. Art Gallery here is the place where you can find fabulous collection of bronze icons, stone sculpture and pieces of art. Saraswati-Mahal Library is one among the most remarkable libraries in India. Royal Museum displays rare an-tiques belonging to the once Maratha Royal Family. Overnight stay at the Hotel/Resort.
Day 07 : Pondicherry – Madurai

Drive to Madurai which is called the `Athens of the East' because of the way myth meets life here.Reach & check-in at the hotel and relax for a while.Madurai is almost synonymous with the famed Meenakshi Temple the nucleus of the temple is older than the Madurai city. The Meenakshi temple complex at Madurai is not only an architectural marvel but also the epitome of Indian culture and civilization. Later proceed to see the other attractions of Madurai. Thirumalai Nayak Palace, the main Palace where the king lived. Tirupparankunram,one of the six houses of Lord Subramanya, the sec-ond son of Lord Siva, is located here. Subramanya is said to have married Indra's daughter, Deivanai on this hill. The rock-cut temple of Subramanya here is thronged with pilgrims on all days of special worship. Overnight stay at the Hotel/Resort
Day 08 : Madurai-Rameshwaram

Drive to Rameshwaram, the temple town where Lord Ram struggled for Sita. This is the spiritual place from where Lord Rama built a bridge across the sea to rescue his wife Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. Other interesting places are Agnitheertham which is located a few meters away from the Rama-nathaswamy temple. It is believed to be located at the same spot where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva. Dhanushkodi is another interesting place where Vibishana, brother of Ravana of the Ramayanam, surrendered before Lord Rama at this spot. Overnight stay at the Hotel/Resort.
Day 09 : Rameshwaram – Kanyakumari

Proceed for the sightseeing of Kanyakumari. Mahatma Gandhi Memorial resembling the central In-dia Hindu temples in form, the memorial was so designed that on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday (02nd October), the first rays of the sun fall on the exact place where the ashes were kept. Thiruvalluvar Statue the memorial statue of Thiruvalluvar is in Kanyakumari. Explore the rest of the day at your own leisure. Overnight stay at the Hotel/Resort.
Day 10 : Kanyakumari – Trivandrum

Morning after breakfast proceed to Trivandrum airport / railway station for onward journey.