The Temple Run: Tamil Nadu

Arrive at Chennai in the morning. Transfer to your hotel in Mahabalipuram in a private car from the Chennai airport. The beauty of Chennai is not only due to its magnificent ancient architecture but also because its vast casuarinas forests, silvery sandy beaches and classical handmade crafts combined to form a collective splendor.

After checking in to your hotel at noon, head out for Mahabalipuram sightseeing in the afternoon. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage monuments such as Shore Temple, the most famous monument of the town. It is a structural temple built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century CE.

Afterwards visit Pancha Ratha, a set of five different monuments. Each one is called a ratha and is named after the Pandavas and their family. Then head to the Cave Temples located on a hillock.

After breakfast take a day trip to Kanchipuram. The city was a religious center of advanced education for Jainism and Buddhism between the first and the fifth century. Out of the 108 holy temples of the Hindu god Vishnu, 14 are located in Kanchipuram. The city is also well known for its hand-woven silk sarees.

Later, visit Kailasanathar Temple, the oldest structure in the town dedicated to Lord Shiva. This Hindu temple was built during 685-705 CE in the Dravidian architectural style. The low-slung sandstone compound contains a large number of carvings, including many half-animal deities that were popular during the early Dravidian architectural period.

Afterwards, visit Varadharaja Perumal Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Spread across 23 acres of land, it is not just one temple but a complete temple complex with numerous temples, pillared halls & pavilions. Also head to Ekambareswarar Temple that covers 25 acres of land and is one of the largest in India. Return to Mahabalipuram by evening.

After breakfast check out from the hotel and head to Pondicherry. The union territory of Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) was under the French rule until 1954, and some people here still speak French

Check in to the hotel and head out in the noon for some sightseeing. First visit Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple, dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha. The interiors of the temple are carved with forty incarnations and forms of Lord Ganesha. Then visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an oriental specimen of Gothic architecture. It contains rare stained-glass panels depicting events from the life of Christ and saints of the Catholic Church.

Later take a heritage walk around the French Town. Relieve the history of the place by simply walking through the streets. End the day at the famous Promenade Beach.

After breakfast check out from the hotel and head to Thanjavur (or Tanjore), once the capital of the great Chola (Cola) king, Rajaraja I. Head to Thanjavur Royal Palace & Museum, one of the ancient museums in the town that holds ancient items, images, paintings, sculptures. The paintings, sculptures and statues of the Pallava and Chola dynasty enrich the place and make it significant.

In the evening head out for a pooja ceremony at The Brihadeeshwara Temple. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest South Indian temples, it is exemplary of the great heights achieved in the field of architecture by the Chola rulers. The temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu as well.

Reach to the hotel by late evening.

After breakfast check out from the hotel and head to Madurai. On the way take a short trip to Tiruchirapalli and visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple occupies an area of 155 acres with 81 shrines, 21 towers and 39 pavilions. This temple is the largest temple compound in India and one of the largest religious complexes in the world.

After the temple visit continue towards Chettinad, a village well known for its handmade terracotta tiles. The Chettinad region is well known for its 19th-century mansions, whose wide courtyards and spacious rooms are embellished with marble and teak.

Reach Madurai by evening. Check-in to your hotel.

Today, explore Madurai. Start with a visit to the Madurai Flower Market, one of the biggest in Tamil Nadu that transacts as much as 10 tons of flowers each day. Then head to the renowned Meenakshi Amman Temple. The temple forms the heart of the 2,500-year-old city of Madurai. It is one of the oldest and most important temples in India. It is believed that Lord Shiva married Parvati at the site of the temple. It was also nominated as one of the wonders of the world.

Afterwards visit Gandhi Museum, a memorial museum which was built in 1959 for Mahatma Gandhi. It is one of the five great Gandhi Museums in the country that depict the life of India’s Father of the Nation.

In the evening, enjoy a food tour that takes you through the bustling Madurai street food scene. Go to several popular local food stalls and savor delectable South Indian flavors. Later, head out for a pooja ceremony at Meenakshi temple.

All the good things come to an end. Bid farewell to Tamil Nadu with the memories of amazing fun-filled still fresh in your mind.

After breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to Madurai Airport. The private car will drop you at airport to catch your return flight home.