CHIDAMBARAM - THANJAVUR - MADURAI - RAMESWARAM - TRICHY - MAHABALIPURAM IN 6 DAYS (FROM CHENNAI)

About Thillai Nataraja Temple

At a distance of 2 km from Chidambaram Bus Station, Thillai Nataraja Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Chidambaram town of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the ancient temples in South India, and among the must include places in Chidambaram tour packages. Also referred to as the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple or Chidambaram Temple, the temple is dedicated to Nataraja, the cosmic dance form of Lord Shiva. It is one of the five Panchbootha Sthalas of Lord Shiva, representing the element of space. Chidambaram, the name of the city literally means 'stage of consciousness'.

History of Thillai Nataraja Temple

The temple's origins remain shrouded in some mystery, but historical evidence suggests a Shiva shrine existed at the site well before the 7th century AD, when the town was referred to as Thillai. The Chola dynasty, who revered Nataraja as their family deity, significantly .....

About Vaitheeswaran Koil Temple

At a distance of 17 Km from Mayiladuthurai, 27 Km from Chidambaram, 54 Km from Kumbakonam and 94 Km from Thanjavur, Vaitheeswaran Koil is a temple town situated in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. This town is renowned for the Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple, also referred to as Pullirukkuvelur. Among the must-include places in the Chidambaram pilgrimage packages, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped as Vaidyanathar or Vaitheeswaran, meaning 'God of healing', and it is believed that prayers to Vaitheeswaran can cure diseases. It is one of the Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu associated with the planet Mars (Angaraka), and is the 16th temple of the 276 dedicated to Lord Shiva on the northern bank of River Cauvery called Paadal Petra Sthalams by the Tevaram hymns of 7th-century Saiva nayanars, the Tamil saint poets.

History of Vaitheeswaran Koil Temple

The .....

About Brihadeeswarar Temple

At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Junction Railway Station, the Brihadeeswarar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located on the banks of the Kaveri River in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Periya Kovil, it is one of the famous heritage places to visit in Tamilnadu, and among the must include places in Thanjavur tour packages. Also known as The Big Temple, Brihadeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is famous for its grandeur and beautiful sculptures.

It is one of the largest Hindu temples in India, and an exemplar of Tamil architecture. It is also called Dakshina Meru (Meru of the South). The temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the 'Great Living Chola Temples', along with the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple and Airavatesvara Temple. It is one of the most visited heritage sites in Tamil Nadu.

History .....

At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Railway Station, and 1.5 km from Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur Palace is a wonderful historical structure in the town of Thanjavur. It is one of the famous Thanjavur tourist places.

Also known as Maratha Palace or Nayak Palace, it was the official residence of the Maratha rulers from 1674 to 1855. It was constructed partly by Thanjavur Nayaks around 1550 CE and expanded by the Marathas. The palace is noted for its huge halls, spacious corridors, observation and arsenal towers, and a shady courtyard. This palace is a must-visit place for history buffs to understand the history and lifestyle of its rulers as part of Thanjavur tour.

The entrance to the palace is a large quadrangular courtyard which is encircled by walls with big gateways to the north and the east. The courtyard leads to a many-pillared hall. .....

At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Junction Railway Station & 0.5 km from Old Bus Station, the Art Gallery is located within Thanjavur Palace. The gallery houses a treasured collection of bronze icons, stone sculptures and other artifacts, which today stand testimony to that golden age in Tamil history.

The gallery is situated in the second part of the palace behind bell tower. The galley consists of Stone sculptures arrange in a hall at the entrance and in the hall towards southern side of the complex near Manimandapam. The bronze sculptures inside the Nayak's Durbar Hall showcase excellent craftsmanship. Durbar Hall is an excellent structure with beautiful paintings & sculptures on upper part of the walls and the ceiling. The hall also houses a marble sculpture of Raja Serfoji, popular Maratha ruler.

The examples of art that we see today at this gallery are the finest. Most of the pieces belong to Chola period between the 9th and the 13th centuries AD, to the post-Chola .....

About Thiruvaiyaru

At a distance of 13 Km from Thanjavur & 44 Km from Kumbakonam, Thiruvaiyaru, also spelt as Tiruvaiyaru, is a panchayat town in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. The name Thiruvaiyaru signifies the five rivers that flow around the town, namely Arisilaaru, Vennaaru, Vettaaru, Kudamurutti, and Kaveri. Tiruvaiyaru is considered to be the 51st in the successions of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom situated north of the river Kaveri.

Situated on the banks of the river Kaveri, Thiruvaiyaru is home to an ancient Siva temple dedicated to Aiyarappar, also known as Panchanatheeswar. However, the town is particularly famous for its connection to Saint Thyagaraja, who, alongside Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Sastri, forms the Trinity of Carnatic music. Saint Thyagaraja composed numerous devotional songs, primarily in honor of the Hindu deity Lord Rama. It was in Thiruvaiyaru that he resided and ultimately attained samadhi. Each January, a significant musical .....

About Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple

At a distance of 2 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, also known as Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman Thirukkovil, is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the biggest and most popular temples in India, and among the must-visit places as part of Madurai tour packages. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, her consort Sundareswarar, a form of Shiva and her brother Alagar, a form of Vishnu. The temple is theologically significant as it represents a confluence of the Shaivism, Shaktism and Vaishnavism denominations of Hinduism. It was shortlisted as one of the top 30 nominees for New Seven Wonders of the World. It is one of the the prime places of Pilgrimage in Tamilnadu. This temple is one .....

At a distance of 3 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station and 1 km from Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal is an ancient palace situated in Madurai. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Tamilnadu, and among the major Madurai tourist places.

Thirumalai Nayak Mahal was constructed in the Indo-Saracen style by Thirumalai Nayak in the year 1636. After Independence, this palace was declared as a national monument and to date continues to be one of the spectacular monuments of Southern India. It is one of the must include places in Madurai packages. The original palace complex was four times bigger than the present structure. The palace was designed by an Italian architect.

The main palace is divided into two parts, Swargavilasa and Rangavilasa and only the Swargavilasa is survived today. .....

At a distance of 1 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station & 1.5 km Meenakshi Temple, The Koodal Alagar Temple, also known as Arulmigu Koodalazhagar Thirukoil, is another important temple in Madurai and among prime sightseeing to be included in your Madurai Trip. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple is believed to be older than the Meenakshi temple. It is one of the important places to visit in Madurai.

A unique feature of this temple is the three different postures of the same God. The three figures of Vishnu are in standing, sitting and reclining postures. These three figures of the deity are known by three different names. The most venerated of the three figures is Lord Vishnu in the seated posture. The seated Lord Vishnu is locally known as Lord Koodal Alagar from whom the temple derives its name. The reclining idol is known as Sri Ranganatha. Sri .....

At a distance of 2 km from Rameshwaram Railway Station (just 100 meters away from east entrance of Rameshwaram Temple), Agnitheertham is said to be the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to wash off his sins of killing Ravana. It is one of the prime place to visit on a Rameshwaram trip.

It is a sacred place and piligrims believe that taking a bath in Bay of Bengal at Agniteertham will washout one's sins of life time. It is visited by the followers of Lord Shiva as well as Vishnu, whose incarnation was lord Rama.

The sea here is very calm and ideal for bathing.

About Ramanatha Swamy Temple

At a distance of 2 km from Rameswaram Railway Station, Ramanatha Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple located on Rameswaram Island in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the top pilgrimage sites in India, and among the must include places in Rameshwaram tour packages. Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve jyotirlinga temples in India. It is also recognized as one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, which are revered sites glorified by the Nayanars (Shaivite poet-saints) such as Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandar through their devotional songs. Additionally, it is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage destinations, and among the most prominent pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu. The religious importance of this temple can be seen from the popular belief according to which a visit to pilgrimage Kashi is incomplete without .....

At a distance of 18 km from Rameswaram, Dhanushkodi, Dhanushkodi is an abandoned town at the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the must-include places in Rameswaram heritage packages.

Dhanushkodi is located at the southern tip of Pamban Island, separated from the mainland by the Palk Strait, approximately 24 kilometers west of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. The town was entirely devastated by the Rameswaram cyclone in 1964 and has remained uninhabited since that disaster. The only remnant of the cyclone is the Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple. Following the storm, the Government declared the town as Ghost town and unfit for living. Although devoid of inhabitants, Dhanushkodi continues to attract tourists due to its significant historical and mythological associations.

The name Dhanushkodi translates to 'Tip of the Bow'. The location known as 'Arichal Munai' marks the convergence of the Indian .....

About Thiruvanaikoi l/ Jambukeshwar Temple

At a distance of 2.5 km from Srirangam Temple and 11 km from Trichy Railway Junction, Thiruvanaikaval, also known as Jambukeshwar Temple, is a Hindu temple located in Srirangam. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the five major Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu known as Panchabhoota Sthalas representing element of water. The sanctum has Shiva Lingam in the form of Appu lingam (water lingam). The sanctum of Lord Jambukeshwar has an underground water stream and one can see water coming out of that stream all the time. The presiding goddess is Devi Akilandeshwari Amman. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams of Lord, and among the must include places in Srirangam tour packages.

History of Thiruvanaikoil / Jambukeshwar Temple

Sri Jambukeshwar Temple was established by Kochengon Chola, a prominent figure among the Early Cholas, over 1800 years ago. This ruler is credited .....

About Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

At a distance of 1 Km from Srirangam Railway Station, and 9 Km from Trichy Railway Junction, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is a prominent Hindu temple situated at Srirangam, an island formed by the twin Rivers Cauvery and Kollidam. It is one of the famous temples in South India, and among the most visited pilgrimage places in Tamilnadu. This temple is dedicated to Ranganatha, a reclining form of Lord Vishnu. This temple is also known by other names such as Thiruvaranga Tirupati, Periyakoil, Bhoologa Vaikundam, and Bhogamandapam.

The temple is celebrated in the works of the Tamil poet-saints known as the Alvars, particularly in their revered text, the Naalayira Divya Prabhandam. It holds the unique honor of being the foremost among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Furthermore, the Srirangam Temple is recognized as the largest religious complex in the world that is actively .....

About Rock Fort Temple

At a distance of 5 km from Trichy Railway Junction, the Rock Fort is a historic fort and temple complex situated in Trichy. It is one of the important places to visit as part of Trichy packages. Perched atop one of the oldest rock formations in the world, dating back over 3.8 billion years, the Rock Fort stands as a remarkable example of ancient engineering and military strategy. Throughout history, it has served as a significant stronghold for various South Indian dynasties, including the Pallavas, Cholas, Vijayanagara Empire, and the Nayaks of Madurai, each leaving their mark on its extensive and varied history. The fort complex is not just a historical site but also a lively cultural center. It is home to two principal temples namely the Ucchi Pillayar Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, and the Thayumanavar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, both of which continue to serve as active sites of worship and .....

At a distance of 2 km from Mahabalipuram Bus Station, the Shore Temple is an ancient temple situated on the shore of Bay of Bengal in Mahabalipuram. It is one of the most photographed monuments of heritage in India, and among the must-visit Mahabalipuram tourist places.

Shore Temple was built in the 7tcentury CE by Pallavas during the reign of Narasimhavarman. It is one of the oldest temples in South India constructed in the Dravidian style and depicts the royal taste of the Pallava dynasty. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the 'Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram'. It is one of the must include places in Mahabalipuram trip.

Shore Temple is a structural temple built with blocks of granite. It is so named because it overlooks the Bay of Bengal. The Shore Temple .....

At a distance of 1 Km from Mahabalipuram Bus Station (situated in East Raja Street), the Sculpture Museum is famous for its elaborate collection of sculptures and images of god and goddesses of Hindu mythology. There are more than 3,000 sculptures can be found in this museum. All the sculptures bear the historic significance and the tales of the by-gone days. In the display of the museum there are sculptures made of wood, metal, brass and cement. There are creations of ancient artists to the contemporary ones.

Not only Hindu mythology but the Buddhists sculptures and images too, exist in the temple town. The monolithic statues, the Rathas (chariots), sculptured relief and their miniature can be seen in the museum.

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM on all days

At a distance of 0.5 Km from Mahabalipuram Bus Station (on Mada Koil Street), Arjuna's Penance or Bhagiratha's Penace is the name of a massive open air bas-relief monolith dating from the 7th century CE. Measuring 96 feet long by 43 feet high, the bas-relief is also known as The Descent of Ganga. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of 'Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram'.

In one interpretation, a figure in the bas-relief who is standing on one leg is said to be Arjuna performing an austerity Tapas to receive a boon from Shiva as an aid in fighting the Mahabharata war.

The bas relief is situated on a rock with a cleft. Figures within the cleft are said to represent the River Ganges and Shiva. This provides the basis for an alternative interpretation, rather than Arjuna, the figure performing austerities is said to be Bhagiratha.

At a distance of 0.5 Kms around Mahabalipuram Bus Station, there are 14 rock-cut carves and Mandapams in and around Mamallapuram. Mythological scenes are depicted on these architectures. These caves have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of 'Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram'.

Following three are important Mandapams:

1) Krishna Mandapam - This is the biggest among the Mandapams and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The sculptures inside this Mandapam beautifully picturize the myth of Lord Krishna during his brave and energetic adulthood.

2) Mahishasuramardhini Mandapam - The battle between goddess Durga and the buffalo headed demon, Mahishasura is beautifully inscribed.

3) Varaha Mandapam - the side walls have large sculptured panels depicting Vishnu as Varaha, the boar, holding up Bhudevi, the earth goddess.

At a distance of nearly 0.5 Km from Mahabalipuram Bus Station, Ganesh Ratha Temple is located towards the north of the Arjuna's Penance. It is a temple carved out from a rock to resemble a chariot and is built in Dravidian style of temple architecture. It was once dedicated to Lord Shiva. But when the original lingam was removed, the temple came to be known as the temple of Lord Ganesh.

It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of 'Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram'.

At a distance of 0.5 Km from Mahabalipuram Bus Station (on Mada Koil Street), Krishna's Butter Ball is a huge boulder near the Ganesha Ratha. It rests precariously on a narrow rock base. Legend has it that several Pallava Kings attempted to move it, but all the kings and their elephants could not shift the boulder even by an inch.

At a distance of 1.5 Kms from Mahabalipuram Bus Station, Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) - five monolithic pyramidal structures named after the Pandavas (Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhishtra, Nakula and Sahadeva) and Draupadi. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of 'Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram'.

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.

The Pancha Rathas shrines were carved during the reign of King Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I. Each temple is a monolith, carved whole from a rock outcropping of pink granite.

At a distance of 2 km from Mahabalipuram Bus Station, the golden sandy Mamallapuram Beach is a serene beach situated near the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. It is identified as the one of the most pristine beaches in Tamilnadu, and among the must-visit places during your Mahabalipuram tour.

Lies on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, the Mahabalipuram Beach is a picturesque place bounded by the shimmering sea and rolling hills. The beach stretches for about 20 km and comprises some rock-cut sculptures which are pleasing to the eyes. It is a perfect place to relax and give yourself a break from the hustle-bustle of city life. This is one of the famous Mahabalipuram places to visit for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts as well.

This charming beach is one of the perfect places .....