Divine Temples & Shrines of South India

Arrival in Chennai

Arrive in Chennai, Morning / Afternoon meet and greet assistance, and transfer to hotel.

Afternoon sightseeing:

• Kapaleeshwarar Temple (Dravidian architecture, dedicated to Lord Shiva).
• Parthasarathy Temple (8th-century Vishnu temple in Triplicane).
• Stroll along Marina Beach (world’s second-longest urban beach).

Evening: Optional shopping at T. Nagar for silk sarees and handicrafts.

Overnight stay in Chennai.

Chennai → Tirupati (150 km / 4 hrs)

Morning: Drive to Tirupati.

Day sightseeing:

• Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala – one of the richest and most visited temples in India. (Special entry tickets recommended).
• Padmavati Temple, Tiruchanur – dedicated to Goddess Padmavati, consort of Lord Venkateswara.

Evening: Visit Kapila Theertham (waterfall temple, optional).

Overnight stay in Tirupati.

Tirupati → Kanchipuram → Mahabalipuram (240 km / 6 hrs)

Morning: Drive to Kanchipuram, one of the seven Moksha-puris (sacred cities). Visit:

• Ekambareswarar Temple – one of the Pancha Bhoota Lingas (Earth element).
• Kamakshi Amman Temple – Shakti Peetha.
• Varadaraja Perumal Temple – dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Afternoon: Continue to Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram). Visit:

• Shore Temple – UNESCO site overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
• Pancha Rathas (Five Rathas) – monolithic rock-cut temples.
• Arjuna’s Penance – giant open-air rock relief.

Evening: Relax at Mahabalipuram beach.

Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.

Mahabalipuram → Chidambaram → Kumbakonam (270 km / 6 hrs)

Morning: Drive to Chidambaram, visit:

• Nataraja Temple – dedicated to Lord Shiva as the Cosmic Dancer. Famous for its Akasha Lingam (Space element).

Afternoon: Continue to Kumbakonam, a vibrant temple town. Visit:

• Adi Kumbeswarar Temple – dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Navagraha Temples (if time permits, visit one or two, like Suriyanar or Thingalur).

Evening: Stroll through town known for brassware and silk.
Overnight stay in Kumbakonam.

Kumbakonam → Tanjore → Trichy (180 km / 5 hrs)

Morning: Drive to Tanjore (Thanjavur). Visit:

• Brihadeeswarar Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Raja Raja Chola).

Afternoon: Drive to Trichy (Tiruchirappalli). Visit:

• Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam – largest functioning Hindu temple in the world.
• Rock Fort Temple – climb 400 steps for panoramic views of Trichy city.

Overnight stay in Trichy.

Trichy → Madurai (140 km / 3 hrs)

Morning: Drive to Madurai, one of the oldest living cities in India.

Afternoon: Relax at hotel.

Evening: Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple – admire the illuminated gopurams and witness the night ceremony (palliyarai pooja) where Lord Shiva is carried to Goddess Meenakshi’s chamber.

Overnight stay in Madurai.

Madurai Sightseeing

Morning sightseeing:

• Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace – Indo-Saracenic architectural wonder.
• Gandhi Memorial Museum – traces India’s freedom struggle.

Afternoon excursion:

• Alagar Koil – Vishnu temple in the Alagar hills.
• Pazhamudhircholai Murugan Temple – one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga.

Evening: Free time for shopping (handloom, handicrafts, Madurai jasmine flowers).

Overnight stay in Madurai.

Madurai → Rameswaram (170 km / 4 hrs)

Morning: Drive from Madurai to Rameswaram, an island town connected by the famous Pamban Bridge.
Afternoon sightseeing:

• Ramanathaswamy Temple – one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, famous for its 22 sacred wells.
• Agni Theertham – sacred sea bathing ghat.

Evening excursion:

• Dhanushkodi – the “ghost town” at the tip of Rameswaram where the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean.

Overnight stay in Rameswaram.

Rameswaram → Kanyakumari (310 km / 6–7 hrs)

Morning: Drive to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India.

Afternoon sightseeing:

• Vivekananda Rock Memorial – reached by ferry, where Swami Vivekananda meditated.
• Kanyakumari Devi Temple – dedicated to Goddess Kanyakumari (Parvati).
• Thiruvalluvar Statue – 133 ft. monument of the Tamil poet-saint.

Evening: Witness the sunset at Triveni Sangam (confluence of Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea & Indian Ocean).

Overnight stay in Kanyakumari.

Kanyakumari → Suchindram → Tiruchendur → Trivandrum (105 km / 3 hrs)

Morning visits:

• Suchindram Temple – famous for its Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) in one linga.
• Tiruchendur Murugan Temple – one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan, located on the seashore.

Afternoon: Drive to Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram).

Evening: Leisure / short city drive.

Overnight stay in Trivandrum.

Trivandrum Sightseeing & Kovalam Excursion

Morning:

• Padmanabhaswamy Temple – one of the richest temples in the world, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• Attukal Bhagavathy Temple – famous for Pongala festival.

Afternoon / Evening:

• Excursion to Kovalam Beach, relax by the Arabian Sea, enjoy Ayurvedic massages or sunset views.

Overnight stay in Trivandrum / Kovalam.

Trivandrum → Guruvayur (300 km / 6–7 hrs)

Morning: Long drive northwards to Guruvayur, Kerala’s spiritual hub.
Evening Darshan:

• Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple – one of the most sacred Vaishnavite shrines in South India.
• Mammiyoor Shiva Temple – nearby temple, traditionally visited after Guruvayur darshan.

Overnight stay in Guruvayur.

Guruvayur → Thrissur → Cochin (110 km / 3 hrs)

Morning: Drive to Thrissur, cultural capital of Kerala. Visit:

• Vadakkumnathan Temple – ancient Shiva temple, UNESCO Intangible Heritage (Thrissur Pooram venue).

Afternoon: Continue to Cochin (Kochi). Visit:

• Chottanikkara Devi Temple – one of Kerala’s most powerful Shakti shrines.
• Ernakulathappan Temple – dedicated to Lord Shiva in the heart of Kochi.

Evening: Walk along Marine Drive / Fort Kochi for sunset views.

Overnight stay in Cochin.

Cochin → Alleppey (Backwaters, 70 km / 2 hrs)

Morning visits en route:

• Vaikom Shiva Temple – one of the oldest temples in Kerala.
• Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple – famous for murals and Shiva worship.

Afternoon: Board a houseboat in Alleppey, cruise through palm-fringed backwaters, lagoons, and villages.

Evening: Enjoy traditional Kerala meals on board while watching sunset over the Vembanad Lake.

Overnight stay on Houseboat (Alleppey).

Alleppey → Sabarimala → Thekkady (150 km / 5–6 hrs)

Morning: Disembark from your Alleppey houseboat.

Optional visit: Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple (seasonal opening – usually Nov to Jan, only for men who follow strict vratham). For other months, you may visit Erumeli Sastha Temple or Nilakkal Base Temple as alternatives.

Afternoon: Continue to Thekkady, nestled in the Western Ghats.

Evening experiences:

• Walk through spice plantations (cardamom, pepper, cinnamon).
• Enjoy optional Kathakali dance or Kalaripayattu martial arts show.

Overnight stay in Thekkady.

Thekkady → Palani → Coimbatore (240 km / 6 hrs)

Morning: Scenic drive to Palani Murugan Temple (one of the Arupadai Veedu – six abodes of Lord Muruga, perched on a hill with cable car access).

Afternoon: Continue to Coimbatore, an important industrial and temple hub of Tamil Nadu.

Evening: Leisure / optional visit to local markets for Kovai cotton sarees and snacks.

Overnight stay in Coimbatore.

Coimbatore → Ooty Excursion (85 km / 3 hrs)

Morning: Visit Marudhamalai Murugan Temple (on a hilltop with panoramic views).

Late Morning: Drive through the Nilgiris to Ooty (Udhagamandalam).

Sightseeing in Ooty:

• Botanical Gardens – exotic plant species and heritage trees.
• Ooty Lake – boating and serene surroundings.
• Stroll along Tea Gardens for local flavors.

Overnight stay in Ooty.

Ooty → Mysore (125 km / 4–5 hrs)

Morning drive: Descend from Nilgiris via Bandipur / Mudumalai forests (chance to spot elephants & deer).

In Mysore:

• Chamundeshwari Temple on Chamundi Hills (patron goddess of Mysore).
• Mysore Palace – Indo-Saracenic marvel, illuminated in evenings.
• St. Philomena’s Church – neo-Gothic cathedral.

Evening: Stroll at Brindavan Gardens (optional, musical fountain).

Overnight stay in Mysore.

Mysore → Srirangapatna → Bangalore (150 km / 4 hrs)

Morning: Short drive to Srirangapatna, visit:

• Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple – major Vishnu pilgrimage center.
• Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace & Gumbaz (optional).

Afternoon: Continue to Bangalore.
Evening sightseeing:

• ISKCON Temple – largest Krishna temple in the world.
• Dodda Ganapathi & Bull Temple (Basavanagudi).

Overnight stay in Bangalore.

Bangalore → Shravanabelagola → Hassan (185 km / 4 hrs)

Morning: Drive to Shravanabelagola – sacred Jain pilgrimage, climb (or doli service) to see the 57-ft monolithic statue of Bahubali (Gomateshwara).

Afternoon: Continue to Hassan, base for Hoysala temples. Visit:

• Chennakesava Temple, Belur – exquisite soapstone carvings.
• Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebid – detailed Hoysala architecture.

Overnight stay in Hassan.

Hassan → Bangalore Departure (185 km / 4 hrs)

Morning: Leisurely breakfast and drive back to Bangalore.

Afternoon: Free time for last-minute shopping at Commercial Street / MG Road.

Evening: Transfer to airport for departure with divine blessings and cultural memories.