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Thanumalayan temple Suchindram
Entrance to the Temple
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Ramanathaswamy Temple (Nivalink Trip Dated - 15 July 2018)
Airavatesvara Temple
Chidambaram Shiva Temple (Nivalink Trip Dated - 2 May 2009)
Ekambareswarar Temple - Photo Courtesy Mohan Krishnan
Chidambaram Shiva Temple (Nivalink Trip Dated - 2 May 2009)
Govindaraja Perumal Temple (Photo Courtesy: Raghavendran)
Nataraja Temple (Nivalink Trip Dated - 25 July 2016)

Temple Heritage of Tamilnadu is a pilgrimage itinerary that looks to visit most significant temples of Tamilnadu such as Kanchipuram, Thiruvannamalai, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Trichy, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Thirunelveli, Tiruchendur and Kanyakumari.

Route

Kanchipuram(1) - Chidambaram(1) - Kumbakonam(2) - Trichy(1) - Rameswaram(1) - Madurai(1) - Kanyakumari(1) - Trivandrum(1)

Summarised Itinerary
  • Day-1 Arrival at Kanchipuram
  • Day-2 Kanchipuram - Thiruvanmalai - Chidambaram
  • Day-3 Chidambaram - Kumbakonam
  • Day-4 Temples in and around Kumbakonam
  • Day-5 Kumbakonam - UNESCO heritage Temple Thanjavur - Trichy temples
  • Day-6 Trichy - Rameswaram. Visit Jyotirlinga Shiva temple
  • Day-7 Rameshwaram - Madurai. Visit Meenakshi temple and Aarupadaiveedu temples
  • Day-8 Madurai - Kanyakumari via Sankarankovil, Thirunelveli and Suchindram
  • Day-9 Visit Kumari Amman temple in morning and Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Evening.
  • Day-10 Departure
Sightseeing Summary

Chidambaram - Chidambaram Shiva Temple (Nataraja Temple) (0.50 kms)

Kanchipuram - Kamakshi Temple Kanchipuram (1.00 kms), Ekambareswarar Temple (2.00 kms), Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple (2.00 kms)

Kanyakumari - Kumari Amman Temple (1.00 kms), Vivekananda Memorial (1.00 kms), Thanumalayan temple Suchindram (13.00 kms)

Kumbakonam - Brihadeeswarar Temple (40.00 kms)

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

Rameswaram - Ramanathaswamy Temple (0.50 kms)

Trichy - Rockfort (6.00 kms), Srirangam Temple (12.00 kms), Brihadeeswarar Temple (57.00 kms)

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

Guests looking to do Navathirupathi temples around Tuticorin may plan an additional night stay at Tuticorin.

Distances
  • Chennai to Kanchipuram -62 kms (1.5 hrs)
  • Kanchipuram to Chidambaram -182 kms (4 hrs)
  • Chidambaram to Kumbakonam -74 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Kumbakonam to Trichy -90 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Trichy to Rameswaram -230 kms (5.5 hrs)
  • Rameswaram to Madurai -160 kms (3 hrs)
  • Madurai to Kanyakumari -245 kms (6 hrs)
  • Kanyakumari to Trivandrum -85 kms (2.5 hrs)
Route

Chennai - Kanchipuram(1) - Chidambaram(1) - Kumbakonam(2) - Trichy(1) - Rameswaram(1) - Madurai(1) - Kanyakumari(1) - Trivandrum(1)

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1 Arrival at Kanchipuram Arrival to Kanchipuram. Visit Ekambareshwar Temple (Siva temple with 180-foot high gopuram one of the tallest in South India), 7th Century Kailasanatha Temple, 14th Century Kamakshi Amman Temple (a Shakti Peetha) and the hundred-pillared Varadharaja Perumal Temple.

Day-2 Kanchipuram - Thiruvanmalai - Chidambaram Proceed towards Thiruvanamalai. Visit Arunachaleshwar temple & Annamalaiyar Temple, Later proceed to Chidambaram. Ram Linga Temple and reach Chidambaram by late evening. Total distance covered 270 kms (6 hrs).

Day-3 Chidambaram - Kumbakonam Early darshan of Nataraja Temple (Chidambaram Shiva Temple)(historical temple with a golden roof and a thousand pillared hall exhibiting the Chola architecture) and then proceed to Kumbakonam (100 kms - 2.5 hrs) via Karikal - Thiruvarur. Visit Sani temple at Karikal & Sri Tyagaraja temple at Thiruvarur (Annual chariot festival held here in the month of April) enroute.

Day-4 Temples in and around Kumbakonam This is the heart of Navagraha temples. There is a Navagraha circuit one can do in a day. There are at least 50 temples that can be visited in the area. Adi Kumbeswarar Temple and Darasuram temple are well known and most visited.

Day-5 Kumbakonam - UNESCO heritage Temple Thanjavur - Trichy temples Proceed to Thanjavur (40 kms - 1 hour). Thanjavur is home to the famous Brihadeeswara Temple, one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From Thanjavur to Trichy (55 kms - 1.5 hours). Trichy is a city home to Rockford Temple and Srirangam Island (Jambukaeswarar Temple and Ranganathaswamy temple).

Day-6 Trichy - Rameswaram. Visit Jyotirlinga Shiva temple Travel from Trichy to Rameshwaram (210 kms - 5 hours). Visit Jyotirlinga Shiva Temple (Ramanathaswamy Temple). Time permitting visit Dhanushkodi beach, renowned for temples that are linked to Lord Rama and Ramayana mythology.

Day-7 Rameshwaram - Madurai. Visit Meenakshi temple and Aarupadaiveedu temples Travel to Madurai (160 kms - 3.5 hours). Visit Meenakshi Temple complex. The complex is massive and renowned for its architecture. Visit Lord Muruga Aarupadaiveedu temples around Madurai (two temples Viz. Pazhamudircholai and Thiruparamkunram within 10 kms radius).

Day-8 Madurai - Kanyakumari via Sankarankovil, Thirunelveli and Suchindram Proceed to Kanyakumari (250 kms - 5 hours). Enroute visit three significant pilgrimages of Tamil Nadu i.e. Sankaranayinar Temple at SankaranKovil, Nellaiappar Shiva Temple at Thirunelvelli and Thanumalayan Temple at Suchindaram. Reach Kanyakumari by evening.

Day-9 Visit Kumari Amman temple in morning and Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Evening. Experience Sunrise in Kanyakumari and therafter take a boat ride to Visit Kumari Amman temple (A Shaktipeetha temple). After lunch proceed to Trivandrum (100 kms - 2.5 hours). In the evening visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

Day-10 Departure Depart for onward journey.

Detailed Sightseeing

Chidambaram :

  • Chidambaram Shiva Temple (Nataraja Temple) - Chidambaram is one of the five Pancha Bootha Sthalams and one of the most significant and visited temples of Shiva. Temple is spread over 40 acres and built around 10-11th century representing Chola period architecture. Chidambaram is the only known temple where Shiva is depicted performing Cosmic activities. The architecture of the temple is imposing and therefore visited by heritage traveller and those interested in temple architecture.

Kanchipuram :

  • Kamakshi Temple Kanchipuram - The Kamakshi Temple is a renowned temple dedicated to Kamakshi, one of the forms of the goddess Parvati. This is one of the four most revered Goddess Parvati temples. It is one of the most visited temples of Kanchipuram

  • Ekambareswarar Temple - Ekambaranathar Temple is a Lord Shiva temple at Kanchipuram. It is one of the largest temples around having a mammoth 59 meter gopuram, one of the tallest in India. It is one of the five Pancha Bootha Shiva temples.

  • Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple - The Kailasanath temple is a Lord Shiva temple in Kanchipuram and one of the oldest in Kanchipuram having a Dravidan architecture. It is visited alongwith other significant temples in the area,

Kanyakumari :

  • Kumari Amman Temple - The Kumari Amman Temple in Kanyakumari is a Devi temple located on the shore and is considered one of the Shakti Peetha temples. The temple and the adjoining ghat, situated overlooking the shore, attract tourists from all over the world.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Kumbakonam :

  • Brihadeeswarar Temple - Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur is an ancient Lord Shiva temple Shiva and is considered Landmark in South Indian temple architecture. It has a massive 66 meter temple tower and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a must visit for any heritage traveller.

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.

  • 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.

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.

Trichy :

  • Rockfort - The Rockfort is a hill fort in trichy, constructed on a 273-foot high rock. There are two temples inside the Rockfort, the Uchchi Pillaiyar Koil and the Siva Temple. The rock is considered pre-historic.

  • Srirangam Temple - Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam near Trichy is a Lord Vishnu temple. Here Lord Vshnu is depicted as a reclining form. Temple is constructed in in the Dravidian style of architecture more than 1000 years ago having an incredibly tall 72 meter gouram. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples dedicated to Vishnu.

  • Brihadeeswarar Temple - Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur is an ancient Lord Shiva temple Shiva and is considered Landmark in South Indian temple architecture. It has a massive 66 meter temple tower and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a must visit for any heritage traveller.

Destination Overview

Chennai - Located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, Chennai is a metro city of India and the largest in South India. Chennai is starting point for many itineraries of Taminadu and South India.

Kanchipuram - Kanchipuram is known for its hand woven silk sarees. It is also home to 7th Century Kailasanatha Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple with a 180-foot high gopuram; one of the tallest in South India, the 14th Century Kamakshi Amman Temple and the hundred-pillared Varadharaja Perumal Temple.

Chidambaram - Chidambaram is a major pilgrimage site for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu Devotees; Nataraja temple is a stopover on the heritage circuit and here is where one finds deity of Lord Shiva in his form of the Cosmic Dancer (Nataraja).

Kumbakonam - Kumbakonam is where guests get a feel of a typical Tamilnadu village. It is called the temple town on account of the large number of temples in and around the area including Navagraha temples. The town is also known for its brass vessels units.

Trichy - Trichy is one of the 4 most important business towns in Tamilnadu. It is generally visited along with Thanjavur and Madurai as a part of the itinerary or a transit stay as an alternative to Thanjavur.

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.

Trivandrum - Trivandrum is a state capital of Kerala and access point to visit Beach Resorts of Kovalam / Varkala and plantation highlands around Ponmudi.

Access
Prefered Arrival : No ImageChennaiNo ImageChennai
Prefered Departure : No ImageTrivandrumNo ImageTrivandrum
Distances
  • Chennai to Kanchipuram -62 kms (1.5 hrs)
  • Kanchipuram to Chidambaram -182 kms (4 hrs)
  • Chidambaram to Kumbakonam -74 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Kumbakonam to Trichy -90 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Trichy to Rameswaram -230 kms (5.5 hrs)
  • Rameswaram to Madurai -160 kms (3 hrs)
  • Madurai to Kanyakumari -245 kms (6 hrs)
  • Kanyakumari to Trivandrum -85 kms (2.5 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.

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Call 022-6150 6363 to speak to our travel planner or email tn-02@nivalink.co.in to connect with our travel planner for details on the itinerary: Temple Heritage of Tamilnadu.

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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

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Distances
  • Chennai to Kanchipuram -62 kms (1.5 hrs)
  • Kanchipuram to Chidambaram -182 kms (4 hrs)
  • Chidambaram to Kumbakonam -74 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Kumbakonam to Trichy -90 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Trichy to Rameswaram -230 kms (5.5 hrs)
  • Rameswaram to Madurai -160 kms (3 hrs)
  • Madurai to Kanyakumari -245 kms (6 hrs)
  • Kanyakumari to Trivandrum -85 kms (2.5 hrs)

Expert Speak

Temple Heritage of Tamilnadu is a very popular all-season itinerary. The itinerary just skims through most visited and largest of temples. Pilgrim traveller with deeper interest in specific temples and / or looking for a comprehensive coverage could opt for a custom itinerary.

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.

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