TOUR NO: PKG 5020

SOUTH INDIA - 5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS

FIVE ELEMENTS OF UNIVERSE / ARUPADAIVEEDU MURUGAN TEMPLE AND NAVAGRAHA TEMPLE

DETAILED PROGRAMME WITH TRAVELLING TIME

DAY 01 THIRUTHANI (MURUGAN TEMPLE) / KALAHASTI (KALAHASTI NATHAR TEMPLE) THIRUCHANOOR (PADMAVATHI AMMAN) / THIRUPATHI (VENKATESWARA TEMPLE) OVERNIGHT STAY AT THIRUPATHI Meet and greet on arrival and transferred to city centre. Based on arrival time, the guest can enjoy the below tour if not possible, the guest can check into hotel and rest, and the sightseeing tour can be organized on some other day with the below scheduled programme according to feasibility. Thiruthani (MURUGAN TEMLE) Places to See : Lord Murugan Temple Tourists Highlight : Tiruthani : Lord Murugan temple, one of the Arupadai veedu (6 abode) of Lord Muruga.-Situated on a hillock, the temple is accessed by a winding flight of 365 steps, each symbolically representing one day of the year. Here, Lord Muruga is in resplendent splendour with his consort Valli whom he married after bringing her form nearby Vallimalai. The Thiruthani temple is known for its celebration of Karthikai festival in December every year. KALAHASTI (KALAHASTI NATHAR TEMPLE) Dept: THIRUTHANI Arrival: KALAHASTI Travelling time: 2 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Kalahasti temple is a famous Siva temple, and is said to be the site where Kannappa, one of the 63 Saivite Nayanars, was ready to offer his last remaining eye to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Lord stopped him and granted mukti. Additionally, the temple is said to be the place where an elephant and a snake were fighting over their offerings to the Siva linga. The elephant had poured water over the Siva Linga while the snake offered jewels. A fight ensued between them over the nature of their offerings to the Lord. Siva, pleased with the their worship, stopped both of them and granted mukti or salvation to both. Kalahasti is one of the Panchabhoota Stalams signifying the 5 elements, 1) wind (Kalahasti), 2) water (truchy Tiruvanaikka), 3) fire (Tiruvannamalai), 4) earth (Kanchipuram) and 5) space (Chidambaram) that Siva embodies.This temple is also associated with Rahu and Ketu, (of the nine grahams or celestial bodies in the Indian astrological scheme). TIRUCHANOOR (PADMAVATHI AMMAN TEMPLE) Dept : KALAHASTI Arrival : TIRUCHANOOR Travelling time : 2 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to See : Tiruchanoor : Sri Padmavathi Amma vari Temple. Tourists Highlight : Tiruchanoor : Sri Padmavathi Amma vari Temple : Down the hill from the main temple is one to the deity’s consort, Lakshmi

THIRUPATHI (VENKATESWARA) Dept : TIRUCHANOOR Arrival : THIRUPATHI Travelling time : 1 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to See : Lord Venkateswara temple Tourists Highlight : Thirupathi : The beautiful temple of lord Venkateswara, located in the cool of the Tirumalai hills, close to the town of Tirupati, is an important place of pilgrimage. The temple a masterpiece of dravidian architecture has a gilded vimana over the sanctum. The holy hill of Thirumala in the extreme south of Andra Pradesh is one of the most important pilgrimage centres in India, and is claimed to be the busiest in the world - eclipsing Jerusalem, Rome and Mecca in the sheer number of pilgrims. Pilgrims flock to Tirumala to visit the ancient temple of Venkateshwara, an avatar of Vishnu. Among the powers attributed to Venkateswara is the granting of any wish that is made in front of the idol at Tirumala. The image is said to be self - created and immortal. Such popularity makes the temple one of the richest in India, with an annual income of a staggering one billion rupees. Sri Padmavathi Amman Temple : At Tiruchanur (10 Kms.) Down the hill from the main temple is one to the deity’s consort, Lakshmi. it Is The Shrine To The Goddess Alamelumanga, The Consort Of Lord Venkateswara. Overnight stay - thirupathi

DAY 02 KANCHEEPURAM (EKAMBARASWARAR TEMPLE) / THIRUVANNAMALAI (ARUNACHALESWAR TEMPLE) OVERNIGHT STAY AT THIRUVANNAMALAI KANCHEEPURAM (EKAMBARESWARAR TEMPLE) Dept : THIRUPATHI Arrival : KANCHEEPURAM Travelling time : 4 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to Visit : Kancheepuram : Vardharaja Perumal temple, Ekambreeswarar temple, Kamatchi amman temple, Ulaganatha Perumal temple. Tourists Highlight : Kancheepuram : Is Famous For Its Temples. There Are 1008 Temple Been Built By The Ancient Rulers And It Is Known As Temple City Of India. We Will Be Visiting few Important Temple Of The City For The Art, Architecture and Religious. Kanchipuram is One of the seven sacred cities of India. While the other cities are dedicated to either Shiva or Vishnu, Kancheepuram is a unique in that and it is dedicated to both. The pallava dynasity established Kancheepuram as its capital and under its rule Kancheepuram was to witness a prospering of the arts, especially in the fields of literature, music and dance. The first South Indian stone temples were constructed in Kanchipuram. Kailasanatha Temple : reflects the freshness and simplicity of early Dravidian architecture. Ekambreeswarar temple : One of the largest temples in Kancheepuram, covering 9 hectares. Kamatchi Amman temple : Dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, the temple has a Golden Gopuram in the center.

THIRUVANNAMALAI (ARUNACHALESWAR TEMPLE) Dept : KANCHEEPURAM Arrival : THIURVANNAMALAI Travelling time : 5 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to visit : Thiruvannamalai : Arunachaleeswarar temple, Sri Ramanasramam. Tourists Highlights : The small town of Thiruvannamalai, sits at the base of Arunachala Hill. In this temple Shiva is revered as Arunachaleswar, an aspect of fire - the light, which destroys the darkness of ignorance. One of the largest temple in India. Sri Ramanasramam Ashram : Sri Ramana Maharishi, a Guru who died in 1950 after nearly 50 years in peaceful and often silent contemplation (including 20 years in caves on the slopes of Arunachala.

DAY 03 PALANI (MURUGAN TEMPLE) / MADURAI (MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE) OVERNIGHT STAY AT MADURAI Dept : THIRUVANNAMALAI Arrival : PALANI Travelling time : 7 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to See @ PALANI: Lord Murugan Temple. Tourists Highlight : Palani : Lord Murugan Temple : One of the six abode of lord murugan. Lord murugan temple and one of the arupadaiveedu temple -The temple at Palani is one of the six abodes of lord subramaniya. Dedicated to sri dandayutahpani, the temple is built atop a 140m high hill and can be reached by either using the steps or the electrically operated winch. During the festivals of Panguni Utthiram (March – April) and adi krithikkai (July – August) kavadi dancers dance and walk their way from far and near as they flock to the temple in hundreds, often in a state of trance. MADURAI (MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE) Dept : PALANI Arrival : MADURAI Travelling time : 3 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to See : Meenakshi Amman Temple, Thirumalay Nayakkar Mahal, Palamuthir Solai, Thiruparamkundram, Rakhee Amman temple, Kalalakar temple Tourists Highlight : Madurai - Madurai Is Another one Of the Tamil Nadu’s Ancient Cities, Situated On The Vaigai River. Two Thousand Years Ago, Madurai Was The Great Capital Of The Pandya Kings And A Center Of Tamil Culture And Learning. Today, It Is A Lively Bustling City And A Commercial Center. Tamil and Greek documents record its existence from the 4th Century BC. Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple: In the heart of the old town, a riotously baroque example of Dravidian architecture with Gopuram covered from top to bottom in a breathtaking profusion of multicoloured images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. This Temple Has Numerous Mandapas, Immense Gopuram Crowded With Painted Figures, And A Set Of Pillars That Emit Musical Notes When Tapped. Tirumalai Nayak Palace: A gracious building in the Indo saracenic style, famous for the stude work on its domes and arches.

DAY 04 PALAMUDHIR CHOLAI / THIRUPPARMKUNDRAM / TRICHY / THIRUVANAIKAVAL / TANJORE / THINGALOOR / ALANGUDI / THIRUNAGESWARAM / KUMBAKONAM. OVERNIGHT STAY AT KUMBAKONAM PALAMUTHIR CHOLAI By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Tourists Highlight : Lord murugan temple and one of the arupadaiveedu temple - Palamuthir Cholai : Located close to Madurai, this is yet another temple whose origins date back several hundred years. Nakkirar, Arunagirinathar and Avvaiyar are among the several Tamil saints who have made references to this shrine. Legend has it that Lord Muruga appeared before Avvaiyar in a playful form as a young boy, to test her. THIRUPPARANKUNDRAM (MURUGAN TEMPLE) By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Tourists Highlight : Lord murugan temple and one of the arupadaiveedu temple -Thirupparankundram : This abode of lord Muruga is noted for its inner sanctum which is cut out of hard rock. Lord Muruga gazes benevolently at his devotees together with his consort, Deivayanai. The main temple itself is an early cave shrine, but the rest of the structure dates back to the naik period. TRICHY Dept : THIRUPPARAMKUNDRAM Arrival : TRICHY Travelling time : 3 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to See : Trichy : Sri Rangam Ranganatha Samy Temple, Uchipillayar Temple/ Rock fort, Samayapuram Mariamman temple, Thiruvanaikaval Tourists Highlight: Trichy: Dominating The City Of Thiruchirapalli, Is The Magnificent Fort, Built On An Immense Rock Formation Over 84m High. Trichy, An Ancient Town In The Cauvery Delta, Was A Chola Citadel In 2bc. Rock fort ; A spectacular monument perched 83 m high was first hewn by the pallavas who cut small cave temples into the southern face, but it was the nayaks who made use of its naturally fortified position. Sri Ranganthahtswamy temple : The superb temple complex at Srirangam about 3 km north of the Rock fort is situated on an island formed by two arms of the Cauvery River. Sri Jambukeshwara Temple : Temple has five concentric walls and seven Gopuram, with the customary decrease unsize towards the sanctum sanctorium. THIRUVANAIKAVAL (AGILANDESWARI TEMPLE) Shopping and Sight Seeing. Free & Leisure tour as desired by the Quest, for shopping, sight seeing, Entertainment Programmes (Dance, Music, Cinema), Culture Tour, (Village Town), Meeting friends and relatives, trekking, etc., (The vehicle is provided for the whole day to do anything the quest desire) Over Night Stay – Thiruvanaikkaval

TANJORE Dept : Trichy Arrival : Tanjore Travelling time : 1 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to See : Big Temple, Saraswathi Mahal Library. Tourists Highlight : Tanjore - The Big temple is big in all aspects. Here the Sculptor himself has played with Art. Nobody can even imagine to build such a massive structure even today.Thanjavur was once the great capital of the cholas. It was Raja raja chola, the empire builder, who erected the most spectacular Thanjavur temples. Whole structure is a tribute to the genius of Chola architects and builders. Brihadishware Temple is the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture. The superb and fascinating monument is one of the world Heritage listing and is worth a couple of visits. Saraswathi Mahal Library : Established around 170 AD, the library contains a collection of over 30,000 palm leaf, and paper manuscripts in Indian and European languages. THINGALOOR Dept : Tanjore Arrival : Thingaloor Travelling time : 1 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group Places to visit : THINGALOOR : CHANDRA (MOON) NAVAGRAHA TEMPLE Tourists High lights : THINGALOOR: Though there is ambiguity about when this temple was built, historians agree that it must have been in existence since before the beginning of the Bhakti period (well before the seventh century AD). Dedicated to the Moon (Chandra in Sanskrit and Thingal in Tamil), a visit to this temple is said to grant a comfortable and long life. In astrology, Chandra is the planet that removes stress and sorrow. ALANGUDI Dept : Thingaloor Arrival : Alangudi Travelling time : 1 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to visit : ALANGUDI : GURU (JUPITER) NAVAGRAHA TEMPLE Tourists High lights: ALANGUDI: This is regarded as a ‘Gurustalam’ (Abode of Jupiter) where Lord Dakshinamurthy is held in great reverence. The shrine attracts a large number of devotees when Jupiter transits between zodiac signs. Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, is said to have been reborn on the banks of Amrita Pushkarini within the temple precincts before being reunited with Shiva. THIRUNAGESWARAM Dept : Alangudi Arrival : Thirunageswaram Travelling time : 1 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to visit : THIRUNAGESWARAM : RAHU (NAVAGRAHA TEMPLE) Tourists Highlights: THIRUNAGESWARAM: This is a vast temple known for its shrine to Raahu, one of the nine celestial bodies of Navagrahas. Legend has it that the mythological serpents Aadi seshan, Dakshan abhund Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here. Legend also has it that King Nala worshipped Shiva here as in Tirunallar. KUMBAKONAM Dept : Thirunageswaram Arrival : Kumbakonam Travelling time : 1/2 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to visit : KUMBAKONAM Tourists High lights: Kumbakonam: Kumbheswara Temple, Nageshwara Temple, Ramaswami Temple, Sarangapani Temple, Mahamagham Tank and Swamimalai Murugan Temple. Kumbakonam Is One Of The Holiest Places In South India, Held Sacred By Both The Vaishnavites And The Saivites. Has About Eighteen Temples. The Mahamagam Tank Is Wel known For The Maha Maham Festival Which Takes Place Once In 12 Year. Kumbheswara Temple : The Town Of Kumbakonam Derives Its Name From Its Presiding Deity-Lord Kumbheswara. Nageshwara Temple : This Shiva Temple Contains A Separate Shrine For The Sun, Who Is Said To Have Worshipped Lord Shiva At This Place. Ramaswami Temple : The `Mahamandapa’ In Front Of The Temple Has Several Fine Sculptures Of Vamana-Trivikrama, Vishnu With His Consorts Sridevi And Bhudevi And Of The Marriage Of Parvati. Sarangapani Temple : The main sanctum is constructed in the style of a Charriot or Ratha. Mahamagham Tank : This Tank Is The Venue For The Famous Mahamagham Festival Which Takes Place Once In 12 Years When Jupiter Passes The Constellation Of Leo. Overnight stay – kumbakonam

DAY 05 SURIYANAR KOIL / KANCHANUR / THIRUNALLAR / THIRUVENKADU / KEEZHAPERUMPALLAM / VAITHEESWARAN KOIL OVERNIGHT STAY AT VAITHEESWARAN KOIL SURYANAR KOIL Dept : Kumbakonam Arrival : Suriyanar koil Travelling time : 1 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to visit: SURYANAR KOIL : SURYA (SUN ) NAVAGRAHA TEMPLE Tourists High lights : SURYANAR KOIL :Situated 21 kilometres from Swamimalai is the Suryanar Koil built by King Kulottunga Chola 1 . This temple is dedicated to Sun God – Surya. Surya is known as the giver of health, success and properity. Every year in mid January, the harvest festival is celebrated in thanksgiving and to honour Surya. KANCHANUR Dept : Suriyanar koil Arrival : Kanchanur Travelling time : 1 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to visit : KANCHANUR : SHUKRAN (VENUS) NAVAGRAHA TEMPLE Tourists High lights : KANCHANUR :This Shivastalam is associated with Sukran (Venus) and is maintained by the Madurai Ahinam. It is located in a quiet hamlet of Tiruvaavaduturai. This shrine is also referred to as Palaasavanam, Bhrammapuri and Agnistalam. Bhramma is said to have been blessed with a vision of Shiva’s marriage with Parvathi here. Men visit to pray for the well being of their wife. THIRUNALLARU Dept : Kanchanur Arrival : Thirunallaru Travelling time : 1 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to visit : Thirunallaru : Saneeswaran temple. (NAVAGRAHA TEMPLE) Tourists High lights : Thirunallaru: Saturn Occupies An Important Place. The “Sani Peyarchi” Festival, Held Once In Two And Half Years To Propitiate The Malefic Effect Of Saturn Is Largely Attended. According to legend the temple was surrounded by 13 theerthams (tanks), highly valued for their curative powers. This is the only temple that is dedicated to Lord Sani (Plant Saturn). When the planet Saturn transits between zodiac signs, literally millions throng his shrine. The legendary King Nala is said to have been relieved of his afflictions, which were due to the malefic influence of Saturn, after worshipping here. Of the mumerous tanks (teertams), the Nala teertam is the most important one. By bathing here, it is believed that one is washed away of all kinds of misfortune and afflictions. THIRUVENKADU Dept : Thirunallaru Arrival : Thiruvenkadu Travelling time : 1 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to visit : THIRUVENKADU : BUDHAN (MERCURY) NAVAGRAHA TEMPLE Tourists High lights : THIRUVENKADU : There is a reference to this temple in the Valmiki Ramayana. Therefore it is said that the oldest part of the temple is more than 3000 year old. Dedicated to Budhan (Mercury) this temple in Tiruvenkadu makes up the last of the Navagraha Temples. Bhudhan is said to bestow wisdom and intellect. KEEZHAPERUMPALLAM Dept : Thiruvenkadu Arrival : Keezhaperumpallam Travelling time : 1 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to visit : KEEZHAPERUMPALLAM : KETHU (NAVAGRAHA TEMPLE) Tourists High lights : KEEZHAPERUMPALLAM :This is an ancient saivite temple where legend has it that Kethu, the other planetary node of the nine celestial bodies worshipped Shiva. Rahu and Kethu are associated with the legend of the churning of the milky ocean by Lord Shiva. There is a shrine dedicated to Kethu in this temple. VAITHEESWARAN KOIL (SEVAI TEMPLE) Dept : Keezhaperumpallam Arrival : VAITHEESWARAN KOIL Travelling time : 1 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to visit : VAITHEESWARAN KOVIL : CHEVAAI (MARS) NAVAGRAHA TEMPLE Tourists High lights : VAITHEESWARAN KOVIL : With the Vaitheeswaran Koil, there is a special shrine dedicated to Ankarakan or Chevaai (Mars). The belief is that offering prayers to Ankarakan will bestow valour, victory and strength. Upon entering the temple, devotees first go the Siddhamrita tank. The water is said to have curative properties for various skin ailments. There is also a widespread belief that a visit here would remove obstacles which delay marriage.

DAY 06 CHIDAMBARAM / CHENNAI CHIDAMBARAM Dept : Vaitheeswaran koil Arrival : Chidambaram Travelling time : 1/2 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to visit: Chidambaram: Nataraja temple. Tourists High lights : Chidambaram : Lord Nataraja Is Said To Have Performed His Cosmic Dance In This Place And There Is A Unique Temple Dedicated To This Form Of Shiva. The complex is said to be the oldest in Southern India. It covers 13 hectares and has four Gopuram. Two of the Gopuram are carved with the 108 classical postures of Nataraja, Shiva in his role as the cosmic dancer. Other notable features of the temple are the 1000 pillared hall, the Nritta Sabha- court carved out like a gigantic chariot. CHENNAI Dept : Chidambaram Arrival : Chennai Travelling time : 6 HRS By Road with deluxe tourists vehicle exclusively for your Group. Places to See: CHENNAI: Marina Beach, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Fort St. George, St mary church, Govt Museum, St. Thomas Church, santhome cathedral and St Thomas mount. Tourists Highlight: Chennai, The Largest City In Southern India Located On The Coromandel Coast Of The Bay Of Bengal, Developed After 1639 When The British East India Company Established Fort St. George: Built By The East India Company In 1639-1640, The Fort Marks The Beginning Of Chennai As A Modern City. The fort Presently houses the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly cabinet and chief minister’s office. Fort Museum: This Museum Contains Many Relics Pertaining To The Tenure Of The East India Company And British India. St. Mary’s Church: This Is The Oldest Anglican Church In Asia. The first English church in Chennai and is the oldest surviving British church in India National Art Gallery And Government Museum: Well worth to visit. The buildings originally belonged to a group of eminent British citizens, known as the Pantheon Committee. The main building has an excellent archaeological section also houses a good ethnology collection and Chola Bronze. The Marina Beach: This Is Supposed To Be The Second Longest beach in the world. St. Thomas Mount: The Small Hillock Is Believed To Be The Place Where The Apostle St. Thomas Was Killed By His Assassins. Kapaleeswarar temple an ancient shiva temple constructed in the Dravidian style and displays the architectural elements of cloured gopurams, huge tank and mandapams. It is Chennai most active temple. St Thomas cathedral is a soaring roman catholic church. It is said to house the remains of st Thomas the apostle – Donbting Thomas.

Transfer to airport / railway station. Based on the guest departure time the vehicle can be utilized for sight seeing, shopping, entertainment programme(dance, music, cinema) culture tour (village tour) meeting friends and relatives etc, etc.,