Duration : 04 Nights / 05 Days
Destinations Covered : Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry
Day 01 – Arrive Chennai airport
Meeting on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Check-in time is 14:00 hours.
Day 02 - Chennai
Morning sightseeing tour.
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, popularly regarded as the ‘Gateway to the South. The places of interest are Kalakshetra, a school of art and music that encourages exponents of Bharatnatyam, Carnatic music, and traditional arts; Fort St. George built in 1653 during British reign in India, now houses the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu; St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India; Sri Parthasarathy Temple dating back to 8th century AD; Kapaliswara Temple, Mylapore - also an eighth century Pallava Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; San Thomas Cathedral Basilica rebuilt in 1606 as a cathedral and in 1896 it was made a basilica; and World’s headquarters of the Theosophical Society formed to encourage the study of comparative religion philosophy and science.
Afternoon at leisure
Day 03 – Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram, 140 km
Morning leave for Kanchipuram, 75 km south of Chennai.
Kanchipuram, one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus, it was the capital of the early Cholas as far back as the 2nd century BC. Also known as city of 1000 temples, it was a major seat of Tamil learning as well as an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus. Apart from temples, the city is also famous for its silk weavers, settled here some 400 years ago and have given it an enviable reputation.
Afterwards, leave for Mahablipuram, 70 km east of Kanchipuram.
Mahabalipuram, or Mamallapuram was once the ancient port of Pallavas. The Pallavas have created many marvelous monuments with sculptural panels, caves, Monolithic Rathas and Temples at this site. Krishna Mandapam, has a big bas relief, notable for its realistic representation. The world’s largest bas relief measuring 27m x 9m, whale back shaped rock contains figures of gods, demi-gods, men, beasts, birds and representation of the entire creation. Some of the temples submerged in water are not traceable. The Shore Temple, one of the oldest in south dating back to 8th century AD is a fine example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. The Five Rathas, a group of five monolithic temples, each created in different style are also worth watching.
Overnight at the hotel in Mahabalipuram
Day 04 – Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry drive, 135 km
After breakfast, leave for Pondicherry.
On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing tour.
Pondicherry was invaded and ruled by several countries from time to time. The major influence of the colonies who stayed longer were French. Pondicherry’s main sights are the Rai Nivas, the Sacred Heart Church and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram retreat was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo after whose death the spiritual authority passed to one of his disciples, a French woman known as the Mother. The Mother was also instrumental in founding the city of Dawn Auroville, 10 km from Pondicherry. Its original charter aimed at creating a city of the future where people from India and abroad could live and work together in a spiritual environment.
Day 05 : Pondicherry-Chennai drive, 175 km
Morning or at your convenient time, leave for Chennai. On arrival, transfer to international airport for onward flight.
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