WHY TRAVEL WITH US
enchantingSouth India
SACRED SOUTH
A 17-Day Cultural & Religious Journey through Tamil Nadu
Best Time: October to April.
Step into the sacred heart of South India, where ancient chants still echo through ornately carved corridors, and where faith and culture are not just inherited, but lived. This immersive journey through Tamil Nadu, one of India’s oldest and most spiritually resonant regions, offers a deep and moving encounter with Dravidian temple architecture, millennia-old rituals, and vibrant local traditions that continue to shape everyday life.
From the grand gopurams of Madurai and the cosmic dance of Shiva at Chidambaram to the serene spiritual energy of Tiruvannamalai and the temple-studded silk town of Kanchipuram, every stop on this itinerary is a gateway into South India’s rich philosophical, artistic, and devotional legacy. Alongside these sacred experiences, you’ll engage with classical music and dance, ancient crafts like bronze casting and handloom weaving, and the warm, generous hospitality of the Tamil people.
Whether you are a spiritual seeker, a lover of history and architecture, or a culturally curious traveller, this thoughtfully curated tour offers a rare chance to witness a region where the divine permeates the everyday and where tradition is both preserved and passionately practiced.
Highlights
- Marvel at the Dravidian grandeur of the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai
- Witness sunrise prayers at Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
- Explore living heritage towns like Chettinad and Kumbakonam
- Delve into classical music and dance traditions in Chennai and Thanjavur
- Experience local crafts and cuisine with curated interactions
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites and sacred temple towns
- Learn about Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Jain influences
Detailed Programme
Day 1 - Arrival in Chennai – Transfer to Mahabalipuram
On arrival at Chennai International Airport, you’ll be met by your guide and transferred straight to Mahabalipuram, a serene coastal town famed for its ancient rock-cut architecture. After settling into your beachside hotel, spend the evening unwinding by the sea, soaking in the gentle rhythm of South India’s Coromandel Coast.
Day 2 - Exploring the Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram
Spend the day discovering Mahabalipuram’s rich Pallava-era heritage. Visit the Shore Temple, a 7th-century granite masterpiece set against the Bay of Bengal, and marvel at the Five Rathas—monolithic shrines carved from single rocks. Wander around Arjuna’s Penance, a massive relief sculpture etched into a cliffside, and enjoy a leisurely walk through the sculptors’ village. The evening is free to relax or join a sunset ritual on the beach.
Day 3 - Excursion to DakshinaChitra and Leisure by the Sea
Today includes a short excursion to DakshinaChitra, a living museum of South Indian heritage, crafts, and traditional homes. Return to Mahabalipuram in the afternoon for a relaxed day by the sea. You may opt to visit a stone carving workshop, join a basic craft session, or simply enjoy the coastal charm before dinner.
Day 4 - Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry – French Flair and Ashrams
Depart Mahabalipuram for Pondicherry, a former French colony with a unique spiritual atmosphere. On arrival, visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the serene Matri Mandir at Auroville. Later, walk through the French Quarter, taking in mustard-coloured villas, tree-lined boulevards, and quiet churches. The evening is perfect for a peaceful seaside stroll or café-hopping.
Day 5 - Spiritual Spaces and Tamil Quarters in Pondicherry
Continue exploring Pondicherry with a visit to the vibrant Tamil Quarter and local temples. You may also visit a paper-making unit or handloom centre connected to the ashram. The afternoon is yours to explore galleries, boutiques, or sit in quiet contemplation in Auroville’s green spaces. End the day with a traditional South Indian thali dinner.
Day 6 - Pondicherry to Kumbakonam via Chidambaram and Gangaikondacholapuram
Leave Pondicherry and head inland to the temple town of Kumbakonam. En route, stop at the magnificent Chidambaram Temple, where Shiva is worshipped as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. Continue to the grand temple complex of Gangaikondacholapuram, built by the Cholas to rival Thanjavur. Arrive in Kumbakonam by evening and settle into your heritage stay near the banks of the Cauvery River.
Day 7: Sacred Kumbakonam – Temples and Craft Traditions
Spend the day visiting some of Tamil Nadu’s most spiritually powerful temples: the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram (UNESCO-listed), Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, and Swamimalai Murugan Temple. Visit local artisans who cast bronze idols using the ancient lost-wax method and learn about the significance of their divine subjects. Optional visit to a local potter or silk weaver.
Day 8: Kumbakonam to Thanjavur – Legacy of the Cholas
A short morning drive brings you to Thanjavur, once the capital of the Chola Empire. Visit the awe-inspiring Brihadeeswarar Temple, a towering granite structure dedicated to Shiva and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Royal Palace, home to the Saraswati Mahal Library, and admire the region’s iconic Tanjore paintings. The evening is free to explore the temple town or visit a local music or dance school.
Day 9: Immersive Day in Thanjavur
Enjoy a second day in Thanjavur for deeper engagement. Participate in a traditional painting or veena (classical string instrument) demo, or visit a temple procession if one coincides with your visit. You might also explore the city’s bustling vegetable and flower markets or walk through temple corridors at dawn or dusk for a deeply local experience.
Day 10: Thanjavur to Chettinad – Mansions and Cuisine
Travel south into the Chettinad region, home to the affluent Chettiar community known for their grand mansions and culinary legacy. Upon arrival, check into a restored heritage mansion and enjoy a Chettinad-style lunch. In the afternoon, visit local tile-makers, sari weavers, and antique markets. Your evening includes a hands-on cooking demo with classic Chettinad dishes in a home kitchen.
Day 11: Cultural Explorations in Chettinad
Spend another day exploring Chettinad’s unique cultural texture. Walk through Karaikudi or Kanadukathan village to observe life in these graceful heritage streets. You may also visit a nearby temple village or participate in a bullock-cart ride. For those interested, a textile or woodwork workshop visit can also be arranged.
Day 12: Chettinad to Madurai – Gateway to the Goddess
Drive to Madurai, one of India’s oldest and most sacred cities. In the evening, visit the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple to witness the nightly ‘Palliarai’ ritual where Lord Shiva is ceremonially brought to Meenakshi’s chamber—a moving spiritual experience that reflects the intimacy of divine relationships in Tamil Shaivism.
Day 13: Madurai – Temples, Palaces and Traditions
Explore Madurai in full today. Visit the massive Meenakshi Temple in daylight, taking time to marvel at its sculpture, shrines, and sacred tanks. See the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, an Indo-Islamic architectural gem, and visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum. Wander through the bustling banana market, tailors’ row, and the colorful flower bazaar. Optional: attend a storytelling session or Silambam martial arts performance in the evening.
Day 14: Madurai to Rameshwaram – Island of Redemption
Journey to Rameshwaram, located on a narrow strip of land near Sri Lanka and revered as one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites. In the afternoon, visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple, known for its striking pillared corridors and sacred sea baths. Pilgrims traditionally bathe in 22 theerthams before prayer. Depending on the time and weather, you may visit Dhanushkodi, the ghost town at the sea’s edge.
Day 15: Rameshwaram to Tiruvannamalai – Sacred Fire of Shiva
After an early breakfast, depart for Tiruvannamalai, a long but rewarding journey. On arrival, take in the view of Arunachala, the sacred hill that represents the element of fire. Check in and enjoy a quiet evening at your spiritual retreat or hotel.
Day 16: Tiruvannamalai – Temples, Ashrams and Pilgrim Paths
Spend a full day immersed in the spiritual ambience of Tiruvannamalai. Visit the Arunachaleswarar Temple, one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, and walk sections of the sacred Girivalam path around Arunachala. Visit the Ramanashram, once home to the revered sage Ramana Maharshi. Attend a fire puja or meditate in the peaceful gardens of the ashram.
Day 17: Tiruvannamalai to Kanchipuram – Temples and Silk Weaving, Departure via Chennai
Drive to Kanchipuram, the “City of a Thousand Temples.” Visit the exquisite Kailasanatha and Ekambaranathar Temples, and learn about Kanchipuram’s world-renowned silk weaving traditions. Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll be transferred to Chennai International Airport (just 2 hours away) for your onward journey, closing the circle on a sacred and soulful journey through the cultural heartland of Tamil Nadu.
