Tour overview

The state of Tamil Nadu located in the southern part of India boasts of a rich history and culture  spanning across centuries. Besides its rich language, dance and culinary delights, Tamil Nadu is known for its numerous  temples and churches  that are spread across the length and breadth of the state.

This 9D/8N Temples and Churches Tour of Tamil Nadu will give a chance  to visit some popular cities of Tamil Nadu that are associated with temples, churches, beaches and French and Danish colonial past. In this  temple and churches tour of Tamil Nadu you will be visiting 7 cities – Kanyakumari, Madurai, Thanjavur, Tharanagambadi,Velankani , Pondicherry and Chennai. This Cultural and Pilgrimage Tour of Tamil Nadu is best suited for families and those with a keen interest in history and architecture,

TOURIST PLACES COVERED IN THE TEMPLES AND CHURCHES TOUR OF TAMIL NADU

  1. Vivekananda Memorial and Sunset Point at Kanyakumari.
  2. Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai.
  3. Brihadeeshwara Temple – a UNESCO World Heritage Site at  Thanjavur,
  4. The Danish Port City of Tharanagambadi (Tranquebar)
  5. The ‘Lourdes of the East’- Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health Church at Velankanni
  6. The French town of Pondicherry
  7.  The temples of Mahabalipuram
  8. City Tour of Chennai.

There is more to see and experience in Tamil Nadu in addition to those cover in the 9D/8N Temples and Churches Tour.  To know more, send us your requirements, and we will be happy to plan out an incredible India tour of Tamil Nadu for You.

 

Day 1: Arrive at Kanyakumari

Reach Kanyakumari Station from Chennai. Proceed to the hotel. Free Time for leisure.

Day 2: Kanyakumari Day Tour

Visit Swami Vivekanand Rock Memorial, meditation hall and the Smarak. Later visit Kanyakumari Mandir, Tri Samudra Milan and Gandhi Mandapam.Evening spend some time at the Sunset point

Day 3: Kanyakumari – Madurai

Proceed to Madurai after breakfast. Reach hotel in the afternoon and rest. After Lunch visit the 6th century Meenakshi Amman Temple and Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal light & Sound Show

Day 4: Madurai – Thanjavur

After breakfast ,head for Thanjavur to visit the Brihadeeshwara Temple - a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is known for its 198ft tower, said to be the largest in the world. Also visit the Thanjavur Maratha Palace associated with the Maratha ruler Shivaji.

Day 5: Thanjavur – Tharanagambadi – Velankani

Proceed to Tharangambadi- a Danish trading post known previously as Tranquebar,  Known as 'place of the singing waves', Tharanagambadi is known for the Fort Dansborg - the second largest Danish fort after Kronborg.  Built by the Danish Admiral Ove Gjedde in 1620 as per the Danish style, it continued to be the Danish base till it was sold to the British in 1845. In recent times the fort had been renovated twice.  Besides the fort , there is at Tranquebar the Zion Church -the oldest Protestant church in India. Located within the premises of the fort it was consecrated in 1701. Also visit the Tranquebar Museum which houses the relics and artifacts of the rich  Vijayanagara empire and Thanjavur Nayak kingdom and New Jerusalem Church that was  built in 1718 by   Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg-a Royal Danish missionary . This was was re consecrated in 2006 following its renovateion after the 2004 Tsunami.
Evening , visit the beautifully constructed Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health Church at Velankani. Known as the "Lourdes of the East", it is one of India's biggest Catholic pilgrimage centers. Dating back to the 16th century , here the Virgin Mary is depicted wearing a Sari. 

Day 6: Velankani-Pondicherry

Today, we will visit the popular French Colonial Town of Pondicherry. Unlike the Danish port of Tranquebar. Pondicherry still retains quite a few remnants of its French past. You will visit Mahatma Gandhi War Memorial, French War Memorial,the  Immaculate Conception Cathedral and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Auroville. Evening spend time at the town's famous Promonade Beach. Overnight at Puducherry.

Day 7: Pondicherry – Chennai

After Breakfast, proceed to Chennai  en-route visit  the famous Mahabalipuram Temple (100Km). After Lunch, visit Valluvar Kottam. Evening free.

Day 8: Chennai City Tour

After breakfast, embark on a full day Chennai city tour that will cover sights like Fort St. George, Kapaleeshwar Temple, Saint Thomas Church, Parthasarathy Temple, Government Museum, and  Vadapalani Murugan Temple . In the evening relax at Marina Beach and light house.

Day 9: Departue from Chennai

Your 9D/8N Temples and Churches Tour of Tamil Nadu ends. You will be dropped at the designated railway station/airport for your onward journey.