Chennai and its treasures

Day 1: Arrival and check in to hotel. Chennai city tour

Our representative will receive you at the airport/ railway station and take you to your hotel. After check-in proceed for a city tour of Chennai.

Kapaleeshwarar Temple is a temple of Shiva located in Mylapore. The form of Shiva’s wife Parvati worshipped at this temple is called Karpagambal (from Tamil, “Goddess of the Wish-Yielding Tree”). The temple was built around the 7th century CE in Dravidian architecture with the gopuram overpowering the street on which the temple sits.

Shopping In Chennai is always a pleasure and the newest destination in Chennai is The Phoenix Market City. With varied international brands and eateries, this is an ideal destination to take home gifts for all your loved ones. Choose between the various local and international cuisines for a scrumptious lunch here.

Vandaloor Zoo. A battery operated vehicle can be opted for (at an additional cost if the client so wishes) to move around the zoo. Also choose between Lion safaris and deer safaris.

Marina Beach- the 2nd longest beach in the world. Walk along the sands and feel the waters tapping your feet, grab a ride if you fancy or a quick bite from the local vendors.

Drop off at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 2: Kanchipuarm and Mahabalipuram

After breakfast proceed for a full day tour first to the very famous Silk town of Kancheepuram. Visit the largest and most renowned temples here. The silk of kancheepuram is exported to all countries in the world and the weavers have it just right. Experience this perfection by buying yourself a garment in silk- an unforgettable and priced souvenir to take back home.

Then move on to Mahabalipuram also known as Mamallapuram is a town in Kancheepuram district. It has a group of sanctuaries, which was carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th centuries : rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous ‘Descent of the Ganges’, and the Shore Temple, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva. The group of monuments at Mahabalipuram has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some important structures include:

• Thirukadalmallai, the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It was also built by Pallava King in order to safeguard the sculptures from the ocean. It is told that after building this temple, the remaining architecture was preserved and was not corroded by sea.

• Descent of the Ganges or Bagiratha’s Penance – a giant open-air bas relief

Varaha Cave Temple – a small rock-cut temple dating back to the 7th century.

• The Shore Temple – a structural temple along the Bay of Bengal with the entrance from the western side away from the sea. Recent excavations have revealed new structures here.

• Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) – five monolithic pyramidal structures named after the Pandavas (Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishtra, Nakula and Sahadeva) and Draupadi. An interesting aspect of the rathas is that, despite their sizes they are not assembled – each of these is carved from one single large piece of stone.

• Light House, built in 1894.

Then proceed to Muttukadu Boat House where you can have a pleasurable boat ride of your choice, the way you like it. Choose between Row boating, Speed boating or Power boat rides.

Drop off at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 3: Pondicherry.

After an early breakfast drive (3.5 hours) to Pondicherry (or Puducherry– which means New Town), a French colonial settlement in India until 1954, is now a Union Territory town formed out of four exclaves of former French India and bound by the southeastern Tamil Nadu state.

Its French legacy is preserved in its French Quarter, with tree-lined streets, mustard-colored colonial villas and chic boutiques. A seaside promenade runs along the Bay of Bengal and passes several statues, including a 4m-high Gandhi Memorial.

Visit Auroville & Mantri Mandir- (shuts at 10 AM. Please carry your ID proof for entry. Advance bookings required 3 days prior to date of visit)
Sri Aurobindo Ashram- (shuts at 12 noon) Botanical gardens

Paper factory (You can get some hand-made paper gifts and souvenirs such as envelopes, bags, gift papers etc from here) Sacred Heart Church
Promenade Beach & shopping

Drop off at the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 4: Drop off at airport/ Station

Drop off to the airport/railway station. Tour concludes.