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Suggested Itinerary
(This is an indicative itinerary, Sequence
of the activities may vary and depend on prevailing weather condition and guest
preferences) Day
1 Arrive at Chennai and proceed to Mahabalipuram (60 kms). Visit Shore Temple
in the evening.
Day 2 : After Breakfast Proceed to Pondicherry (100
kms - 2 hours) - Enjoy a walk on the heritage area of Pondicherry and the Seaface
in the evening.
Day 3 : After Breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing around
Pondicherry based on the list below.
Day 4: After Breakfast proceed
to Kumbakonam/Thanjavur (160 kms). Local sightseeing in the evening (based on
the list below).
Day 5: After Breakfast Visit Temples around Kumkonam / Thanjavur.
Day 6: From Kumbakonam/Thanjavur Proceed to Madurai (160 kms). In the evening
do a tour of the Meenakshi Temple
Day 7: Proceed to Thekkady(150 kms). Evening
Cruise in the Lake Periyar
Day 8 : Day Trekking and visit to Spice Plantations
Day 9 and 10: Proceed to Alleppey and proceed for a backwater cruise in Ketuvallam
(Riceboat) for two nights and visit Kumarakom Bird sanctuary, backwater canals
of Kuttanad and Vembanad Lake.
Day 11 and 12: Proceed to Fort Kochi from Alleppey
(75 kms). Explore heritage areas of Fort Kochi.
Extension : Spend
a couple of days at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
at just 50 kms from Kochi. Accommodation
Options - Chennai - Mahabalipuram/Thanjavur/Madurai
- Pondicherry - Periyar
- Houseboat - Alleppey/Kumarakom
- Fort Cochin Distances
|
Chennai
- Mahabalipuram |
60
kms | |
Mahabalipuram
- Pondicherry
|
100
kms | |
Pondicherry
-
Thanjavur |
170
kms | |
Thanjavur
- Madurai
|
160
kms |
|
Madurai
-
Thekkady |
150
kms |
| Thekkady
- Kumarakom | 110
kms | | Alleppey
- Kochi | 75
kms |
Mahabalipuram:
Mahabalipuram is located at 60 kms from Chennai and is known for beautiful beaches
and shore temples.
Sightseeing
in Mahabalipuram comprise:
- Arjuna's
Penance
- Rathas
-
Krishna Mandapam
-
Shore
Temple
- Kanchipuram
- Vedanthangal
- Covelong
- Crocodile
Bank
- Muttukadu
Dakshinachitra:
On the road to Mamallapuram (earlier Mahabalipuram),
21 km from Chennai, ensconced amidst the sway of the palm trees and the twists
of the backwaters of the legendary Coromandel Coast, DakshinaChitra is a fascinating
open-air, real-time museum and cultural centre which showcases the wondrous antiquity
and the unique character of South India providing also the particular arts
and crafts, lifestyle, music and dance of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and
Tamil Nadu.
Opened to the public in 1996, DakshinaChitra, the cultural
village, stirs the soul with the rich heritage and antiquity of the four South
Indian states. Strategically placed to capture the verdant and the oceanic vistas
of Chennai and Mamallapuram respectively, the atmosphere at DakshinaChitra represents
an amalgam of one of the oldest cultures of the world.
Pondicherry (State:
UT of Pondicherry
, Category : Heritage):
At 100 kms from Mahabalipuram and 160 kms from Chennai,
Pondicherry
is the erstwhile French colony now a
union territory and world of its own.
Sightseeing
Around Pondicherry comprise:
|
Shri Aurobindo
Ashram |
Shri Aurobindo,
the great seer, poet and prophet of the twentieth century, made
Pondicherry
his home from 1910 till his
death in 1950. His vision and ideals continue to draw people from all over the
world. | |
Auroville
|
Located
10 kms north of Pondicherry
town, Auroville is envisioned
as a Universal
Town
, where people from different
nationalities, faiths and beliefs, can live in peace and harmony.
| |
Pondicherry
Museum
|
On display
are the findings of Arikamedu, the Chola bronzes and sculptures, glimpses of French
heritage, specimens of modern and traditional handicraft, paintings, armouries,
carvings and many other things of historical interest. |
|
Chunnambar
Resort - Water Sports Centre |
Known
for its virgin beaches and backwaters, |
|
Botanical
Garden |
Established
by C.S. Perrotet in 1826, it preserves a large variety of exotic species of plants
from all over India
and abroad.
| |
Villiayanur
|
Sri
Gokilambal
Thirukameswarar
Temple
, architecturally the finest in
Pondicherry
, is located 9.5 kms away.
During May-June, a ten-day annual festival (Brahmothsavam) is held here which
attracts hundreds of devotees. |
|
Mansion
of Ananda
Rangapillai
|
Built
in 1773, this mansion is a fine specimen of Indo-French architecture.
| |
Eglise
De Sacre Coeur De Jesus |
Dedicated
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this church is noted for its gothic architecture
and stained glass panels which depict the entire life of Jesus Christ.
| |
Anglo-French
Textile Mills |
Established
over a century ago, a visit to the Anglo-French Textile Mills is an education
in itself. The mill gives a ten percent rebate on purchases made by tourists who
go on guided tours. The acclaimed fabrics and products of this mill make ideal
mementoes and gifts. |
Thanjavur
( State: Tamilnadu, Category : Religious/Heritage) Places
of interest
|
Sri
Brihadeeswara |
Built
by the great Chola King, Raja Raja 1 in the 10th century AD is an outstanding
example of the Chola architecture. |
|
The
Palace |
The
palace near the temple is a vast building of masonry built partly by the Nayaks
around 1550 AD and party by the Marathas. |
|
Art
Gallery |
In
the Palace there are a number of granite and bronze statues of the Chola period.
Timings 9.00 - 13.00 hrs. Wednesday Holiday. |
|
Hall
of Music |
Also
in the Palace is an acoustically perfect ancient music hall.
| |
Schwartz
Church
|
(
In the Palace garden ) Built in 1779 AD by Rajah Serfoji in token of his affection
for the Rev. C.V Schwartz of the Danish mission. |
|
Sivaganga
Tank |
Situated
near the palace this tank is known for its sweet water. |
|
Tamil
University
(7 kms)
|
Established
in 1981, is engaged in research and advanced studies in Tamil.
| Excursions
|
Thirukandiyur
(10 Kms ) |
Temples
of Brahmasirekandeswarar
and Harshavimochana Perumal. | |
Kumbakonam
(36 Kms) |
Famous
for Sarangapani, Kumbeswarar, Nageswarar, and the Ramaswamy temples. Mahamagam
congregation takes place once in 12 years; last held in 1992. Major water bird
sanctuaries in India
.
The birds migrate here every year from November to February, from all over the
world. | |
Swamimalai
(32 Kms) |
One
of the six Abodes (Arupadaiveedu ) dedicated to Lord Subramanya.
| |
Darasuram
(34 Kms) |
This
temple dedicated to Lord Siva, was built by Rajendra Chola. Daraswaram is also
a silk weaving centre. | |
Thirubuvanam
(45 Kms) |
13th
Centuary Chola temple dedicated to Lord Siva. |
|
Thiruvaiyaru
(13 Kms ) |
Where
the famous Saint Thyagaraja lived and attained Samadhi. Music festival is held
here every January in honour of the saint composer. |
|
Manora
(65 Kms ) |
The
8-Storey victory tower was built by Rajah Serfoji in 1814 to commemorate the victory
of the British over Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo
.
| |
Tiruvarur
( 55 Kms ) |
The
Thyagarajaswami
Temple
here has the
biggest temple chariot in Tamil Nadu. This is the birth place of Saint Thyagaraja
- one of the musical Trinity. Arulmigu Thyagarajaswamy Car Festival is celebrated
in March -April .Boating at Kamalalayam Temple Tank is organised by Tamilnadu
Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. from April 1997. |
Madurai :
(State: Tamilnadu, Category : Religious)
Madurai
is known for the Meenakshi Temple and access point of Hill stations of South India
such as Munnar (150 kms), Kodaikanal(120 kms) and
Places
of interest
|
Meenakshi
Temple
|
Located
at the heart of the city, the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple has long been the
focus of both Indian and international tourist attraction as well as one of the
most important places of Hindu pilgrimage. |
|
Koodal
Alagar
Temple
|
This
ancient shrine has Vishnu in sitting, standing and reclining postures one above
the other. | |
Vandiyur
Mariamman Teppakulam |
This
enormous temple tank is fed by the water brought from the Vaigai through an ingenious
system of underground channels. The tank has a mandapam at the centre enshrining
Lord Vigneshwara. | |
Gandhi
Museum
|
The
institution housed in a 300-year old palace is dedicated to Gandhiji and promotes
study and appreciation of the Mahatma's teachings. |
|
Thirupparankunram
|
Located
8 Kms south of Madurai
junction, the
temple here is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. Its innermost shrine
is cut out of a solid rock. |
|
Alagar
Koil |
Located
21 kms northwest of Madurai
is a
Vishnu
Temple
on a picturesque
wooded hill. Here Vishnu presides as Meenakshi's brother "Azhagar'.
| Excursions
|
Vaigai
Dam (70kms) |
This
is famous picnic spot. Man-made gardens on one side of the dam contrast with the
rugged terrain on the mountains. On sundays the dam is illuminated.
| |
Megamalai
|
Megamalai,
130kms from Madurai
, lies 1500
m above sea level. One has to climb up from Chinnamanur side. There are many caradamon
estates and tea plantations in the hills. Wild animals like Sambhar, Elephant,
Tiger, Cheetah, Gaur and Spotted Deer are found amidst thick vegetation.
| |
Vedanthangal
(85 kms.) |
Vedanthangal
is one of the largest bird sancturies in
India
.
It is a marshy, 30 hectare park with lake visited by over 1,00,000 migratory birds
every year. The majority of these birds can be seen between November and February.
The variety of birds include Herons, Darters, Spoonbills, Pelicans, Sandpipers,
White Ibis, Cormorants,Blue winged teals and Swans. |
|
Suruli
Falls
|
Suruli
waterfalls lies 123 kms from Madurai
on the way
to Thekkadi via Uthamapalayam. The location of the falls, in a salubrious setting
makes it a good picnic spot for domestic tourists. |
|
Viraganur
Dam |
Viraganur
Dam with a picturesque garden lies 8 km from Madurai
adn far from
Vandiyur Mariamman tank. This is a nice picnic spot. |
|
Kumbakkarai
Water
Falls
|
It
is 105 kms from Madurai
and 6 kms from
Periyakulam, Kumbakkarai water falls is an ideal picnic spot.
| Periyar
: (State: Kerala, Category : Nature Retreat)
Around
Periyar / Thekkady
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Entry : 0600 to
1800 hrs)
Kumily (4 km from Thekkady)
- Plantation town
Murikkady (5 km from Thekkady) - cardamom, coffee
and pepper plantations.
Pandikuzhi (5 km from Kumily) - This picturesque place
is cradled between Chellarkovil and the Tamil Nadu State border is a popular picnic
spot. Mangala Devi Temple (15 km from Thekkady)
Chellarkovil (15 km from Kumily)
- This sleepy little village with its spectacular view of the plains
Vandiperiyar (18 km from Thekkady) - The river Periyar flowing through the centre
of this town nourishes its vast tea, coffee and pepper plantations. Vandanmedu
(25 km from Kumily) - This is one of the world's largest auction centres for Cardamom.
Vagamon (50 kms) - Natural Meadows Formation at 3300 ft above sea level.
Alleppey (State : Kerala Category - Backwaters) Attractions
of Alleppey
-
Krishnapuram
Palace - This 18th century palace of the
Travancore kings (47 kms)
-
Ambalapuzha
- Sri Krishna temple (14 kms)
-
Aranmula : Aranmula
is famous for its Kannadi, hand-made mirrors made of polished metal.
-
Aruthunkal : The
ancient St.Sebastian Church was built by the Portuguese and is a popular centre
of pilgrimage for the Christians(22 kms)
-
Chettikulangara
Bhagawati Temple - This temple of Bhadrakali
(form of Parvati) possess miraculous powers. The festival is celebrated
during February/ March every year and the festivity 'Kettukazhcha' is a procession
of tall decorated structures in chariots in which effigies of horses, bullock
and epic heroes, the Pandavas and various scenes from the puranas are displayed.
-
Mannarsala : One
of the most important centres of serpent worship in Kerala. (32 kms)
-
Kuttanad - Below Sea Level
Farming / Paddies and Extensive Backwater Canal Network.
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