Tamil Nadu Spiritual Circuit - 12 Nights / 13 Days

On the second day in Chennai, you can experience the rich cultural heritage of the city. You can explore Fort St. George, the first English fort in India. You can spend a relaxing evening at the popular Marina Beach and Elliot's Beach in the city. 

On the third day of the tour, you can move towards Kanchipuram, which is situated about 70 kilometres from Chennai, and takes roughly 2 hours to reach. In Kanchipuram, you can offer your prayers at the Ekambareswarar Temple, a significant temple and one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple represents the Earth element and displays a stunning Pallava and Chola blend of architecture. You can also visit the Kailasanathar Temple, a historic temple in the city, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which features intricate carvings. 

You can explore the rich culture and vibrant streets of the city on the second day in Kanchipuram. You can visit the Kachapeshwarar Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is depicted in his tortoise form, worshipping Lord Shiva. You can also visit the renowned Kanchipuram silk weaving units, offering a deep insight into the weaving culture of the city. 

From Kanchipuram, you can visit Chidambaram, which is situated about 190 kilometres away, and takes roughly 3.5 hours to reach. In Chidambaram, you can visit the Thillai Nataraja Temple. Dedicated to Lord Nataraja (Shiva). Situated in the heart of the city, the temple features a golden-roofed sanctum. You can also explore the Thillai Kali Amman Temple, another significant temple in the town, which houses the Goddess Kali. 

On the sixth day of your tour, you can move towards the temple town of Darasuram, which lies about 75 kilometres south of Chidambaram. The town is renowned for the Airavatesvara Temple, which is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Airavatesvara Temple displays the intricate 12th-century Chola style of architecture and includes detailed sculpture along with unique miniature arts. After exploring the ancient temple, you can move towards Thanjavur for a comfortable stay. 

You can visit the renowned Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, displays a stunning Dravidian architecture and is a part of the UNESCO Great Living Chola Temples. The temple features massive towers, along with intricate carvings. You can also explore the Punnainallur Mariamman Temple, which is believed to grant miraculous cures for various diseases. 

On the eleventh day of the tour, you can spend a relaxing day exploring the cultural heritage of the city. You can visit the sprawling Thanjavur Royal Palace & Art Gallery, which features scenic courtyards, Durbar Hall, and museums, showcasing paintings, sculptures, and artefacts related to the region. You can also explore the Thanjavur Fort, which is also known as the Vijayanagar Fort. The fort features key attractions, like the Sangeetha Mahal, Saraswathi Mahal Library, Thanjavur Palace, and Shiva Ganga Garden. 

On the morning of the ninth day, you can move towards the holy city of Rameswaram, which is situated about 250 kilometres from Thanjavur, and takes roughly 4 hours to reach. In Rameswaram, you can witness the engineering marvel, in the form of the Pamban Bridge, which is the nation's first sea bridge. You can explore the Gandhamadhana Parvatham, a hill situated in the city, which is believed to hold the footprints of Lord Rama. 

On the second day in Rameswaram, offer your prayer at the iconic Ramanathaswamy Temple. Before visiting the temple, it is recommended to visit the sacred sea bath spot, Agni Theertham, which is located near the Ramanathaswamy Temple. The temples, which are one of the 12 Jyotirlinga, feature stunning architecture, along with vast corridors and sacred bathing wells. 

After exploring Rameswaram, you can move towards Kanyakumari, which is located about 310 kilometres away. The city of Kanyakumari houses the iconic Kumari Amman Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to the virgin Goddess Devi Kanyakumari. The temple is a part of the powerful Shakti Peetha and includes a vast history of over 3000 years. In Kanyakumari, you can also explore the renowned Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which honours the memory of Swami Vivekananda. 

On the twelfth day of the tour, you can move towards the ancient city of Madurai. Madurai is situated about 240 kilometres away from Kanyakumari, and takes about 4 hours to reach. In Madurai, you can visit the Koodal Azhagar Temple, one of the most significant temples in the city. The temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, features unique architecture and has three steps, representing three stages of life.

On the last day of your tour, you can explore the iconic Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, the most prominent temple in the city. Located in the heart of the city, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar. The temple displays a unique Dravidian architecture and acts as the symbol of the Tamil culture. 

Departure from Madurai