The Temple Trails of Tamil Nadu

A cordial welcome at the Meenabakkam International Airport of Chennai. A representative of Indian Experience will help you to ride to your privately chauffeured coach to travel deep into the state of Tamil Nadu- a land of temples, festivals, and celebration of the arts. 

Your first destination in the state would be Mahabalipuram, known for being the UNESCO World Heritage Site of 7th- and 8th-century monuments, cave sanctuaries and sculptures
Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.

After breakfast, begin the peaceful journey to the Temples of the Mahabalipuram, where some are sitting on the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal. One amongst them is The Shore Temple
The rock craved temple has two shrines, one dedicated to God Shiva and the other to God Vishnu. The Arjuna's Penance or The Descent of Ganga is another enormous rock-cut relief, one of the largest in the whole world. 
Mahabalipuram is brimmed with Sculpture Workshops and Handicrafts shops. Take a leisurely stroll in the markets else, get allured by the setting sun on the long and beautiful seashore of the village.
Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.

After breakfast, continue your journey to “The Europe Of India”-  Pondicherry- one of the eight Union Territories of India, where you will breathe in the bohemian vibe - apparent from the remnants of an Ancient India to the stately colonial period. its French Quarters, bougainvillaea-lined bungalows talk themselves about the city’s glamour.
Explore the French bakeries, bohemian stores and cobble-stoned paths- Just perfect for a leisurely stroll or a bicycle ride.
Overnight stay in Pondicherry.

After breakfast, you will be taken for a private guided tour of Pondicherry. 
Aurobindo Ashram - The ashram was set up with the aim of helping people attain moksha (salvation) and inner peace by Sri Aurobindo Ghosh. People come here to seek spiritual enlightenment.
Drive to Auroville- “ An International Utopian Community”- an experimental township dedicated to human unity. with a population of around 3000 people hosting people from 55 countries. At the centre of the township is Matrimandir, a beautiful golden metallic structure dedicated to Mirra Alfassa, the spiritual collaborator to Sri Aurobindo.
In the evening, cafes are the perfect spot to pacify the hunger raises during a walk on Promenade Beach. You can relish on the world’s best seafood and pasta, gulp a few beers as you watch the majestic Bay of Bengal striking the waves against mossy rocks.

Continue the voyage to Samimalai en route Chidambaram, A small town nestled along the Bay of Bengal in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. The Thillai Nataraja Temple is one of the few temples in India that boasts the bejewelled idol of Shiva in his form of cosmic dancer ( ananda tandava mudra), rather than being represented by the lingam. 
Drive ahead to a sacred town located on the bank of a tributary of the river Cauvery.- Swamimalai. Watch the paddy fields stretched till the horizon crossing the windows panes of your car.
An amalgam of romantic, traditional, scenic, eco-friendly yet modernly equipped resort - The Indeco Hotel would be your next abode, where you can experience a traditional village of South India - as you can see the ladies making a rangoli/ kolam early in the morning, a priest conducting the morning pujas.
The evening is at leisure in the lap of the natural beauty of the resort.
Overnight stay in Swamimalai

After breakfast, begin the excursion to the next UNESCO World Heritage Site of the tour, Darasuram. The Airavateswara temple was built in the 12th century by the great Chola King Raja Raja II. Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, exemplifies that the later Chola kings were not only brave warriors and able administrators, but they achieved great heights in the field of art, sculpture, and architecture, during their reign.
In the evening, spend some leisure time in the resort- walk in a breezy garden, feed the deers and peacocks, check out their in-house museum, Else Surrender to unabashed relaxation with a very special spa treatment by the pool.
Overnight stay in Swamimalai

Drive ahead to Chettinad or Chettinadu- “The Land of Heritage and Devotion”.A land of wealthy and a powerful trading community of  India- Community of Chettiars, also called the Nattukottai Chettiars.
Chettinad is known for its unique art and architecture, Nagarathar temples, old mansions, and Aromatic and tasty local cuisine.
Your home for the next two days would be Chettinadu Mansion where you can experience the aura of a bygone era. It is a century old heritage Mansion, where you can take rejuvenation massage or can bask under the reading your favourite book. Else, take a relaxing dip in the pool.
Overnight stay in Chettinadu Mansion.

Chettinad lanes are lined with 18th- century mansions, unique and ornamented palatial houses, with wide courtyards and spacious rooms embellished with marble and teak. Beautiful front courtyard with wide and lengthy corridors on all four sides lined with ornamental pillars and antiques. 
Go for a Bullock Cart ride or grab a bicycle to enter the serpentine roads of the village.
Interact with native people, capture some beautiful faces and locations in your camera.
Satiate your palate with Chettinad’s popular cuisine that uses local spices generously. Start with authentic Chettinad seafood or the vegetarian counterpart murukku (a deep-fried round crunchy snack made with rice flour) and homemade coconut ice cream.
Overnight stay in Chettinadu Mansion.

Drive ahead to the Cultural Capital of Tamil Nadu- Madurai, famed for its Dravidian architectural temples built by Pandyan and Madurai Nayak kings. Madurai is one of India's most outstanding Hindu pilgrimage centres and is home to the most spectacular Meenakshi-Sundareswara Temple, the pivot around which the city has evolved. Lord Siva in his incarnation as Sundareswarar and his fish-eyed spouse, Meenakshi, is enshrined in this twin temple. 
The bustling streets of Madurai are crammed with exquisite colourful garlands, sarees, wooden artefacts and sculptures- discover the city on foot or by hiring a rickshaw.
Don’t forget to buy a souvenir as a return ticket.
Overnight stay in Madurai

Our representative will drop you at the Madurai Airport.
To Catch your next homebound flight.