Duration: 9 Days

Group size: Minimum: 1, Maximum 10.

This South India Tour focuses on the great temples of Tamil Nadu. The region of Tamil Nadu in modern India has been under continuous human habitation since prehistoric times.The four ancient Tamil empires of Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallava were of very vancient origins. Together they ruled over this land with a unique culture and language, contributing to the growth of some of the oldest extant literature in the world. They had extensive maritime trade contacts with the Roman empire. These three dynasties were in constant struggle with each other vying for hegemony over the land. The Cholas, who re-emerged from obscurity in the 9th century by defeating the Pallavas and the Pandyas, rose to become a great power and extended their empire over the entire southern peninsula. At its height the Chola empire spanned almost 3,600,000 km² (1,389,968 sq mi) straddling the Bay of Bengal. With the decline of the three ancient dynasties during the 14th century, the Tamil country became part of the Vijayanagara Empire. Under this empire the Telugu speaking Nayak governors ruled the Tamil land. The brief appearance of the Marathas gave way to the European trading companies, who began to appear during the 17th century and eventually assumed greater sway over the indigenous rulers of the land.

Tamil Nadu is the host of many of India’s greatest temples and we will visit some of the most ancient, monumental and most important temples of South India.

Questions? Contact us on info@indianexpeditions.in

Day 1 & 2: Chennai

We will visit Fort St George, the first fort built in India and explore Chennai’s colonial past. We will take a walk through Chennai’s busy gold and saree market and learn how to bargain the Indian way. We visit some of Chennai’s most prominent temples, some of which date back to many centuries ago. You will be mesmerized with the Chennai Egmore museums exquisite collection of bronze sculptures from as early on as the 5th century. We will attend an Indian Classical music concert and explore the trail of the Apostle Doubting Thomas and visit the St Thomas Basilica, where the apostle is said to have been originally buried.

Lecture: Orientation, Art history of South India. Performing Art: Classical Concert. (depending on tour dates, please check with travel manager.) Accommodation: Luxury, Air coinditioned rooms in an International hotel chain as per your selection. Meals Included: As per your plan.

Day 3: Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)

We will explore the ancient 5th century port, Mahabalipuram and be amazed by ancient, exquisite rock sculptures. Here we will relax in an exquisite beach resort, and dine on some fine sea food.

Lecture: Pallava and Chola art.  Accommodation: As per your plan. Meals Included: As per your plan.

Day 4: Chidambaram

One of the most ancient and most important temples in South India, the Tillai Nataraja Temple  has influenced worship, architecture, sculpture and performance art for over two millennium. The temple has 9 gateways, and four of these have gateway towers or gopurams each with 7 storeys facing the East, South, West and North. We will spend the afternoon exploring this fascinating structure that is steeped in legend and folklore.

Lecture: Influence of the Chidambaram Temple  Accommodation: As per your plan. Meals Included: As per your plan.

Day 5 and 6: Kumbakonam

Kumbakonam dates back to the Sangam period and was ruled by the Early Cholas, Pallavas, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks and the Thanjavur Marathas. It rose to be a prominent city between the 7th and 9th centuries AD, when it served as a capital of the Medieval Cholas. The town reached the zenith of its prosperity during the British Raj when it was a prominent centre of European education and Hindu culture; and it acquired the cultural name, the “Cambridge of South India”.  We spend 2 days exploring Kumbakonam and sites nearby.

Day 7 and 8: Tanjavur

We arrive post lunch and take a stroll through some of Thanjavur’s streets. Here, we will enjoy a 10th century Chola theme dinner, recipes of which have been taken from ancient rock inscriptions and manuscripts. We will visit the “Big Temple,” the magnificent Brahadeswhara Temple built in the 11th century, regarded as one of India’s most magnificient ancient structures. We will go on an orientation drive and visit a Vedic and Sanskrit school and commune, and interact with professors and students. We will view age old methods of bronze casting and attend a classical dance program, where you will have a chance to interact with traditional dancers and musicians

Lecture: Orientation, Art history of South India. Performing Art: Classical Concert. (depending on tour dates, please check with travel manager.) Accommodation: Luxury, Air coinditioned rooms in an International hotel chain as per your selection. Meals Included: As per your plan.

Day 9: Madurai

Madurai is one of the worlds oldest cities. We will explore the bi lanes of this ancient city and witness vibrant and mysterious rituals in the awe-inspiring Madurai Meenakshi Temple. You can catch a Tamil movie and attend a talk on Tamil cinema and its influence on everyday life.

Lecture: Madurai.  Accommodation: As per your plan. Meals Included: As per your plan.

We can recommend excellent hotels to fit your budget. From Luxury to Budget accommodation, South India has some of the finest hotels and resorts in South Asia.  We choose the most sustainable lodges and resorts to work with. You can book directly or we can book hotels for you.

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V.N Seetharam is considered by many as one of the best South India tour guides they have met. Acknowledged by academicians from across the globe  as one of the worlds leading experts in Indian Architecture, Sculpture, Indology and culture, Seetharam makes for a fantastic travel partner. It is his bookseller roots that have made Seetharam a cultural historian of our times, much appreciated for his insights on prose, poetry, literature and scriptures alike. For decades together and all of the 90′s Seetharam dominated the book business in India with his exclusive and rich treasure, popularly known as “The Bookshop” in Chennai. The press adored his niche motley of books and tagged it as one of the best collections in India.

Today Seetharam has hundreds of fans who once visited his bookshop, admired his passion and are coming back for South India Tours with him as the trip lead.