More About our Destinations |
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Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram is a very laid back place and perfect as our entry to India. It is famous for it’s magnificent 7th century shore temple as well as 6-8th century Pallave rock cut caves. In addition, Mahabalipuram is world famous for it’s soap stone workers in the market who design and made sculptures by chisel & hammer. This is a great place to pick up some souvenirs. |
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Kanchipuram
One of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus and the only one dedicated to both Shiva and Vishnu. Here, we’ll visit the Ekambareshvara Temple, housing one of the five elemental lingams (earth). In addition, Kachipuram is famous throughout india for it’s silks, so we'll be sure to allow some time for shopping. |
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Tiruvannamalai
This is one of the most sacred cities in Tamil Nadu, set in a striking setting at the foot of the holy Mt. Arunachala where Shiva is said to have appeared as a column of fire. The Arunachaleshvara Temple is one of the largest temple complexes in India and houses the elemental fire lingam. We will spend three nights here as there is much to do. |
| We jump into local India and take part in the Karithigai Deepam festival where an enormous lamp is lit on Mt. Arunachala. Each morning and evening the five deities, Shiva, the goddess Subrahmanya, Ganapati, and Chandikeshvara, go around the car-streets in procession and on the final day the procession lasts the whole day. |
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We will also visit the ashram and samadhi (burial tomb) of Ramana Maharshi as well as visit a cave on the mountain where he spent years in meditation. You can also wander on the mountain and visit the houses of saints and yogis or, if you are hearty, make the steep ascent to the summit.
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 Chidambaram
We'll spend a night in this sacred town where Shiva is believed to have performed his cosmic dance that brought forth creation. As our hotel is next to the Nataraja Temple, we'll be able to take part in the various evening and morning traditional ceremonies. This temple houses the elemental lingam of ether and men have access to a dark room where the lingam is said to reside.
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Trichy (Tiruchchirappalli).
This is a vibrant temple city dedicated to Ranganatha: Vishnu on the reclining serpent Anata. Located here is the Sri Ranaganathasvami Temple, the most revered of the 108 pilgrimage shrines of Vishnu, and the largest temple complex in all of India. We’ll also make excursions to Srirangam which is one of southern India’s most revered pilgrimage sites and houses the elemental lingam of water as well as a treasure house of art. We’ll also visit the ashram of Bede Griffiths, a 20th century Christian mystic who blended Hinduism with Catholicism. The old part of town is worth exploring on foot particularly the colorful fruit and vegetable market. |
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 Rameshwaram
A major pilgrimage site situated on a 35 mile long peninsula that juts out from mainland India toward Sri Lanka. Here the Ramanathaswamy Temple houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingams of India — jyotirlingams are symbols of creation and power and are said to be self-manifest. Ramanathaswamy Temple is considered one of India's most holiest temples and furthermore is famous for its 1200 gigantic granite columns as well as its 22 wells of water where pilgrims take ritual baths to purify themselves. At the southern most tip is a spectacular beach and Adam's Bridge, a series of boulders that extend into the horizon which Hanuman supposedly walked across in search of Sita.
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Madurai
One of Southern India’s great temple towns which houses the colorful Meenakshi Temple — dedicated to Shiva’s consort , Parvati (Meenakshi). The temple is famous for it's it's towers (gopuras) that are covered by thousands of vividly colored stucco figures of deities, mythical animals, and monsters.
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Periyar Tiger Reserve
Periyar is prime elephant country and large herds are often sighted by the lakeshore. Other animals include tigers, monkeys, deer, and 320 species of birds. We'll spend two relaxing nights here, visiting the reserve, taking boat rides on the lake which offer excellent opportunities to spot wildlife. |
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Kerala Backwaters. We'll take small houseboats on a leisurely and peaceful journey through the picturesque backwaters of Kerala passing local villages, fishing nets, rice paddles, mangrove forests, coconut groves, and swaying palms. After spending the night our houseboat, we’ll stop by Amma’s ashram the next morning then proceed to a relaxing final day at the beach side resort of Vakala.
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Vakala
We'll spend our last night at the laid back and idyllic beach town of Vakala which boasts of perfect beaches and a dramatic cliff-top setting overlooking the Arabian Sea. If we're lucky, we'll catch a performance of the traditional Kathakali dance performance. |
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Day 1. Mon Nov 27. CHENNAI
Rendezvous in Chennai.
Day 2. Tues Nov 28: MAHABALIPURAM
Group meets for breakfast followed by short tour of Chennai then drive to Mahabalipuram (50 km; 2 hours)
Day 3. Wed Nov 29: MAHABALIPURAM
Informal morning tour of Mahabalipuram including Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance, and ancient temples cut into rock. Remainder of day on own. Optional places to visit: sculpture shops, orphanage, Five Rathas.
Day 4. Thurs Nov 30: MAHABALIPURAM
Full day excursion to Kanchipuram (58 km; 2 hours). Visit Ekambareshvara Temple (housing elemental lingam) and Silk Factory. Free time to shop for silks.
Day 5. Fri Dec 1: TIRUVENNAMALAI
Drive to Tiruvennamalai to take part in Karthikal Deepam Festival. If possible, witness the procession of 63 deities (Nayanmars) at 1 pm. Remainder of day on own.
Day 6. Sat Dec 2: TIRUVENNAMALAI
Free Day. Suggested places to visit: Ramana Maharishi ashram; climb Mt Arunchala and visit Skandashrama where Ramana meditated; visit Arunachaleswar temple (housing elemental fire lingam).
Day 7. Sun Dec 3: TIRUVENNAMALAI
Free day. Participate in the finale of Karthikai Deepam Festival including procession of deities and huge fire on top of Mt Arunachala.
Day 8. Mon, Dec 4: CHIDAMBARAM
Drive to Chidambaram (114 km) and in evening and next morning, visit Nataraja temple which houses the elemental air lingam.
Day 9. Tues Dec 5: TRICHY
Drive to Trichy. If time allows, visit Tanjore along the way and Sri Rangam Temple for 6 p.m. Arati.
Day 10. Wed Dec 6: TRICHY
Morning excursion to elemental water lingam in Srirangam. Remainder of day free.
Day 11. Thurs Dec 7: TRICHY
Excursion to Bede Griffith’s Monastry. Remainder of day free.
Day 12. Fri Dec 8: RAMESHWARAM
Drive to Rameshwaram (8 hours)
Day 13. Sat Dec 9: RAMESHWARAM
Free day. Suggested places to visit: Jyotir Lingam in Ramanathaswamy Temple; Dhanush Koti beach and Adam’s Bridge.
Day 14. Sun Dec 10: MADURAI
Drive to Madurai (130 km; 4 hours). Suggested places to visit: evening arati at Meenakshi Temple; flower market & fruit market opposite North gate of Meenakshi Temple.
Day 15. Mon Dec 11: PERIYAR
Drive to Periyar and in take a late afternoon boat ride through the Animal Reserve.
Day 16. Tues Dec 12: PERIYAR
Additional visits to Tiger Reserve. Free time for treks.
In evening attend Kathakali (traditional dance) recital (if available)
Day 17. Wed Dec 13: HOUSEBOAT
Drive to Kottayam (114 kms) and board Houseboat. Tour backwaters of Kerala and visit local villages.
Day 18. Thurs Dec 14 VAKALA
After breakfast on Houseboat, visit Amachi’s ashram then proceed to Vakala.
Day 19. Fri Dec 15: VAKALA
Tour ends. Hotel available until early evening. Day free to relax and pack.
