Offers

Holiday Overview

Chottanikkara Temple
Ettumanoor Shiva temple (photo courtesy: Rklystron)
Janardana Swami Temple Entrance (Photo Courtesy: Raji.srinivas)
Thanumalayan temple Suchindram
Vivekananda Memorial
Srivaikundam Temple Photo Courtesy Sowrirajan S
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Ramanathaswamy Temple (Nivalink Trip Dated - 15 July 2018)
Palani Temple Views (Nivalink Trip Dated - 14 April 2008)
Guruvayoor Temple Entrance

South India Hindu Pilgrimage itinerary is one of the most comprehensive pilgrimage itineraries that covers some of the most significant temples in Tamilnadu and Kerala.

Route

Guruvayoor(1) - Palani(1) - Rameswaram(1) - Madurai(1) - Kanyakumari(2) - Varkala(1) - Kottayam(1) - Cochin (Ernakulam)(1)

Summarised Itinerary
  • Day-1 Arrival at Guruvayoor
  • Day-2 Travel to Palani. Visit Lord Murugan Temple
  • Day-3 Travel to Rameswaram. Visit Jyotirlinga Temple. Possible visit to Dhanushkodi.
  • Day-4 Proceed to Madurai. Visit Madurai Meenakshi Temple.
  • Day-5 Proceed to Kanyakumari via Tirunelveli.
  • Day-6 In and around Kanyakumari
  • Day-7 Proceed to Varkala via Trivandrum
  • Day-8 Proceed to Kottayam via Alleppey area temples.
  • Day-9 Visit Temples in the Kottayam region and then proceed to Cochin. Late evening visit to the Bhagvathy Temple.
  • Day-10 Departure
Sightseeing Summary

Cochin (Ernakulam) - Chottanikkara Temple (17.00 kms), Guruvayur Temple (95.00 kms)

Guruvayoor - Guruvayur Temple (0.50 kms), Vadakkunnathan Temple (25.00 kms)

Kanyakumari - Vivekananda Memorial (1.00 kms), Guganatha Swamy Temple (1.00 kms), Thanumalayan temple Suchindram (13.00 kms)

Kottayam - Ettumanoor Shiva temple (9.00 kms), Thrikodithanam Temple (21.00 kms), Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple (24.00 kms), Vaikom Mahadevar Temple (32.00 kms)

Madurai - Meenakshi Amman Temple (1.00 kms), Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple (8.00 kms), Ramanathaswamy Temple (160.00 kms)

Palani - Palani Murugan Temple (2.50 kms)

Rameswaram - Ramanathaswamy Temple (0.50 kms), Dhanushkodi (11.00 kms)

Varkala - Janardana Swami Temple (1.50 kms)

Preferred Arrival /Departure Destination
Arrival - Cochin (Ernakulam) Departure - Cochin (Ernakulam)
Best Season to Travel
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Popular Extensions to the Itinerary

Guests may spend a night enroute to take a breather and enjoy other aspects of the destinations presented. e.g. A night in Alleppey would allow guests to explore backwater character of the area.

Distances
  • Cochin (Ernakulam) to Guruvayoor -105 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Guruvayoor to Palani -188 kms (5 hrs)
  • Palani to Rameswaram -285 kms (6 hrs)
  • Rameswaram to Madurai -160 kms (3 hrs)
  • Madurai to Kanyakumari -245 kms (6 hrs)
  • Kanyakumari to Varkala -137 kms (3.5 hrs)
  • Varkala to Kottayam -132 kms (3.5 hrs)
  • Kottayam to Cochin (Ernakulam) -72 kms (2 hrs)
Route

Cochin (Ernakulam) - Guruvayoor(1) - Palani(1) - Rameswaram(1) - Madurai(1) - Kanyakumari(2) - Varkala(1) - Kottayam(1) - Cochin (Ernakulam)(1)

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1 Arrival at Guruvayoor Arrive at Cochin and Travel to Guruvayoor (100 kms). Guruvayoor is one of the most renowned and significant Lord Krishna temples in India. Evening Darshan at Lord Krishna temple. If time permits guests can visit other temples in the area like Thriprayar Temple (dedicated to Lord Rama), Vadakkumnathan Temple (Lord Shiva shrine).

Day-2 Travel to Palani. Visit Lord Murugan Temple Drive to Palani (188 kms - 4.5 hrs). Palani is a renowned pilgrim centre visited for its Lord Murugan Temple set on a Hill. The Hill Temple of Palani is one of the most visited Lord Murugan temples in India and one of the six Arupadaiveedu temples.

Day-3 Travel to Rameswaram. Visit Jyotirlinga Temple. Possible visit to Dhanushkodi. Proceed to Rameshwaram (290 kms - 6 hrs). Rameshwaram is home to a Lord Shiva Temple which is considered one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples and therefore one of the most significant pilgrimage for Shiva devotees. Late afternoon Darshan of the Temple. Guests have option to travel to Dhanushkodi beach (12 kms), an area with Lord Rama significance dated back to Ramayana.

Day-4 Proceed to Madurai. Visit Madurai Meenakshi Temple.  Proceed to Madurai (160 kms - 3 hrs). Madurai is a prime Hindu pilgrimage centre and visited for Meenakshi Temple which is considered a Shaktipeetha and a must visit for any heritage traveller. Visit Madurai Meenakshi Temple in the afternoon. Madurai is also home to two Arupadaiveedu Temples of Lord Murugan (within 15 kms radius). Guests have an option to visit these in the evening.

Day-5 Proceed to Kanyakumari via Tirunelveli. Proceed to Kanyakumari (250 kms - 4.5 hrs) via Thirunelveli Lord Shiva Temple. Lord Murugan devotees may also take a 46 km detour to visit Tiruchendur Lord Murugan Temple (One of the Six Arupadaiveedu). Reach Kanyakumari by evening. Kanyakumari is a prime heritage and pilgrimage destinations and is home to a Shaktipeetha Temple and where one can see both sunrise and sunset from the same point.

Day-6 In and around Kanyakumari Watch Sunrise and visit to the Kanyakumari temple, Vivekanand rock memorial (Take a boat ride for that), day visit Suchidram Temple and other temples in the area. Return to enjoy the Sunset.

Day-7 Proceed to Varkala via Trivandrum Proceed to Varkala (137 kms - 3.5 hrs). Varkala is a beach destination and also visited for its Janardana Swamy Temple. Enroute visit Guganatha Swamy Temple, Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Trivandrum) and reach Varkala by evening. Visit Janardana Swamy Temple.

Day-8 Proceed to Kottayam via Alleppey area temples.  Proceed to Kottayam (160 kms - 4 hrs). Enroute visit temples in South Alleppey area such as Ambalapuzha Krishna Temple, Karumadikuttan (Buddha Statue at 3 kms from Ambalapuzha Temple), Aranmula temple (One of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu), Mannarsala Nagraja Temple and Chettikulangara Bhagawati Temple. Kottayam is base town for Rubber plantations in the area and renowned for its ancient Lord Shiva Temples.

Day-9 Visit Temples in the Kottayam region and then proceed to Cochin. Late evening visit to the Bhagvathy Temple. Visit Thrikodithanam Temple (21 kms South of Kottayam and one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu), Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple (11 kms North of Kottayam and home to a popular Shiva Temple) and Vaikom Shiva temple (37 kms from Kotayam. The Vaikom Mahadeva temple is one of the few temples which is held in reverence by both Shaivaites and the Vaishnavaites) and Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple (24 kms from Kottayam).Visit to Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple, Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple is a popular and powerful trisome A visit to three temples on the same day is believed to be very auspicious. Proceed to Cochin (Ernakulam) and visit Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, a renowned temple 17 kms from Ernakulam.

Day-10 Departure Depart for onward Journey.

Detailed Sightseeing

Cochin (Ernakulam) :

  • Chottanikkara Temple - Chottanikkara Temple is a renowned pilgrim centre of Hindu goddess Bhagawati near Ernakulam.

  • Guruvayur Temple - Guruvayur is renowned pilgrim destination visited for the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, a renowned Lord Krishna pilgrimage and the fourth biggest temple in India in terms of the number of devotees per day.

Guruvayoor :

  • Guruvayur Temple - Guruvayur is renowned pilgrim destination visited for the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, a renowned Lord Krishna pilgrimage and the fourth biggest temple in India in terms of the number of devotees per day.

  • Vadakkunnathan Temple - Vadakkunnathan Temple is an ancient Lord Shiva temple at Thrissur. This temple is a classic example of Kerala style temple architecture. Mural paintings depicting various episodes from Mahabharata can be seen inside the temple.

Kanyakumari :

  • Vivekananda Memorial - Vivekananda Rock Memorial is where Swami Vivekananda, great philosopher is believed to have meditated. The memorial stands on one of two rocks located about 500 meters off mainland accessible by a boat. There is also a 133 feet tall statue of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar right next to it.

  • Guganatha Swamy Temple - 11th Century Chola Style architecture temple hear Kanyakumari railway station. The temple is a local tourist attraction.

  • Thanumalayan temple Suchindram - Thanumalayan temple is a unique temple built in 17th century representing trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The temple has a 7 story 40 meters tall gopuram and is impressive in its architecture and well visited all round the year.

Kottayam :

  • Ettumanoor Shiva temple - Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple is an ancient Lord Shiva temple dated mid-16th century. Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is one among the 108 Shivalayas created by Lord Parasurama.

  • Thrikodithanam Temple - Thrikodithanam Temple is said to be one of the five temples where the idol of Lord Vishnu, worshipped by the Pandavas is kept. Deepam (lamp) festival held every November/December. This temple is also counted among the 108 Temples & Celestial Abodes of Vishnu, which make a Vaishnavites pilgrimage itinerary, in India.

  • Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple - Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple is a Lord Shiva Temple and one among the 108 Lord Shiva temples created by Lord Parasurama. Kaduthuruthy is a renowned pilgrim center of Kottayam area on the Kottayam-Vaikom road.

  • Vaikom Mahadevar Temple - The Vaikom Mahadevar temple is one of the most celebrated Shiva temples in Kerala and is one among the 108 Sivalayas created by Lord Parasurama

Madurai :

  • Meenakshi Amman Temple - Meenakshi Amman Temple is a 17th century temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati known as Meenakshi and her consort, Lord Shiva as Sundareswarar. It is most prominent landmark of the city. The complex houses 14 gopurams, highest being about 52 meters. Meenakshi Amman Temple is one of the most visited temples of Tamilnadu and must visit for any traveller.

  • Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple - Tirupparamkunram is renowned for Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple on outskirts of Madurai. This temple is regarded as an Arupadaiveedu, one of the six abodes of the Lord Muruga.

  • Ramanathaswamy Temple - Ramanathaswamy Temple is a renowned Lord Shiva temple at Rameswaram. It is one of 12 Jyotirlinga temple. The temple was built during the 12th century. The temple has the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India.

Palani :

  • Palani Murugan Temple - The Dhandayudhapani Temple at Palani is a one of the six Arupadai Veedu Lord Murugan Temples. The temple is a major pilgrimage centre and received millions of visitors every year.

Rameswaram :

  • Ramanathaswamy Temple - Ramanathaswamy Temple is a renowned Lord Shiva temple at Rameswaram. It is one of 12 Jyotirlinga temple. The temple was built during the 12th century. The temple has the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India.

  • Dhanushkodi - Dhanushkodi is a 15 km stretch where one can see the deep and rough Indian Ocean meeting the shallow and calm Bay of Bengal. Here one can walk into Bay of Bengal and witness the colourful corals, fishes, seaweeds, star fishes and sea cucumber etc. Dhanushkodi once was a Lord Rama pilgrimage with many temples linked to Ramanaya. Dhanushkodi is from where Lord Rama and his troops built a bridge over to cross over to Srilanka which is 31 kms across the ocean.

Varkala :

  • Janardana Swami Temple - Varkala is also famous for the 2,000-year old Janardana Swami Temple which is an important Vaishnavaite shrine in India and is often referred to as Dakshin Kashi

Destination Overview

Guruvayoor - Guruvayoor is a 16th Century temple and a renowned pilgrim centre at 100 kms north of Cochin.

Palani - Palani or Pazhani is home to one of the most sacred temples of Lord Muruga and is the third Aarupadai Veedu

Rameswaram - Rameshwaram is home to Ramanathaswamy Shiva temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples in India

Madurai - Madurai today is one of the busiest towns in Tamilnadu. The Meenakshi temple is awe-inspiring and is a must visit for any South India itinerary for both Indian as well as Overseas guests

Kanyakumari - Kanyakumari is a pilgrimage and spiritual destination. Kanyakumari is a popular 1-night destination for overseas groups to Tamilnadu.

Varkala - Varkala is a beach destination at 60 kms north of Kovalam and home to ancient Janardhana Swamy temple.

Kottayam - Kottayam, is a base town for Rubber Plantations around the area and one of the largest rubber trading centers. 15 km from Kottayam is Kumarakom, which is on the banks of Vembanad Lake where a lot of luxury resorts are situated.

Cochin (Ernakulam) - Ernakulam, part of Cochin area is business hub of Cochin and also commercial capital of Kerala.

Access
Prefered Arrival : No ImageCochin (Ernakulam)No ImageCochin (Ernakulam)
Prefered Departure : No ImageCochin (Ernakulam)No ImageCochin (Ernakulam)
Distances
  • Cochin (Ernakulam) to Guruvayoor -105 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Guruvayoor to Palani -188 kms (5 hrs)
  • Palani to Rameswaram -285 kms (6 hrs)
  • Rameswaram to Madurai -160 kms (3 hrs)
  • Madurai to Kanyakumari -245 kms (6 hrs)
  • Kanyakumari to Varkala -137 kms (3.5 hrs)
  • Varkala to Kottayam -132 kms (3.5 hrs)
  • Kottayam to Cochin (Ernakulam) -72 kms (2 hrs)

Ready Cost estimate for this itinerary is not available.

However Nivalink would be able to readily offer a cost estimate or customise the itinerary as per specific requirements.

All Nivalink packages offer a Quality Assurance for superior recommendations and hassle free travel experience.

Call 022-6150 6363 to speak to our travel planner or email ke-06@nivalink.co.in to connect with our travel planner for details on the itinerary: South India Hindu Pilgrimage Itinerary.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

Travel Ideas incorporated in the itinerary

Madurai Pilgrimage

Meenakshi temple complex in Madurai is nothing short of an experience. Meenakshi Temple today is a more

Varkala Pilgrimage

Varkala is home to Samadhi of Kerala's saint Sree Narayana Guru and 2000-year-old Sree Janardhana more

Lines indicate the best available driving routes.
Arrows indicate connectivity other than Road (e.g. Waterways or Air).
Please click on the markers for more detailed Information.

Distances
  • Cochin (Ernakulam) to Guruvayoor -105 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Guruvayoor to Palani -188 kms (5 hrs)
  • Palani to Rameswaram -285 kms (6 hrs)
  • Rameswaram to Madurai -160 kms (3 hrs)
  • Madurai to Kanyakumari -245 kms (6 hrs)
  • Kanyakumari to Varkala -137 kms (3.5 hrs)
  • Varkala to Kottayam -132 kms (3.5 hrs)
  • Kottayam to Cochin (Ernakulam) -72 kms (2 hrs)

Expert Speak

This is one of the ultimate Hindu pilgrimages that covers Jyotirlinga, Arupadaiveedu, Divya Desams and many significant temples in South India.

Expert Connect

Nivalink has taken over 300 trips across India and select destinations overseas over last 10 years to verify hotels, evaluate destinations and understand its suitability with different profiles of customers across different seasons.

At Nivalink you are able to connect directly with experts who have travelled to these destinations and are able to offer novel ideas, honest perspectives and help you narrow down choices.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

All Holidays /Kerala - Tamil Nadu/ Holidays for Kerala - Tamil Nadu/South India Hindu Pilgrimage Itinerary