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Kanchipuram - Mahablipuram - Pondicherry

Tour ID:	TN002
Duration:	3 Nights/4 Days
Destination Covered:	Kanchipuram - Mahablipuram - Pondicherry

Chennai - Kanchipuram by road (80km/2hrs)

Meeting and assistance on arrival at the Chennai airport/railway station and drive to Kanchipuram. Upon arrival at Kanchipuram, check into the hotel. After freshening up, a city tour of Kanchipuram, visiting the temples and the bazaars. Overnight stay at Kanchipuram.

Kanchipuram is known as one of India 's Seven Sacred cities. Kancheepuram was the historical capital of the Pallavas and later became the citadel of the Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslim and the British. It has been a cultural and religious centre for centuries. It has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. Adi Sankara established his Episcopal seat (Kamakotipeetam) here.

Varadarajar temple is a massive and impressive edifice. The hundred-pillar-hall erected during the Vijayanagar period in this temple is noted for its exquisite sculptures. The ornamental rings carved out of a single stone in a chain at the four corners are the special features of the hall.

Kailasanathar Temple , built by Rajasimha and his son Mahendra in the 8th century, this temple is noted for its architecture and sculptures. Paintings of Fresco-style adorn the inner walls of the shrines. Sandstone was used in the construction of this temple.

Temples of religious importance are:-

Vaikunta Perumal Temple is one of the important Vishnu temples built by the Pallava King Nandivarman Pallavamalla in the 7th Century. Numerous inscriptions are found in this temple relating to the wars between the Pallavas and Chalukyas. The presiding deity Lord Vishnu is depicted in sitting, standing and reclining postures.

Ekambareswarer Temple is another ancient temple of Kancheepuram . The 57 meters (188') high Rajagopuram is one of the tallest towers in South India . This temple has five spacious corridors (prakarams) and a beautiful 1,000 pillar hall.

Kamakshi Amman Temple in the present form was built by the Cholas during 14th Century.

The temple city is also world renowned for the gorgeous hand-woven silk saris of myriad dazzling colors, noted for their shrine, finish and matchless beauty. The exquisite silk saris woven from pure mulberry silk in contrasting colors have an enviable reputation for luster, durability and finish.

Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram by road (75km/2hrs)

Morning drive to Mahabalipuram. Upon arrival at Mahablipuram, check into the hotel. Later, visit the shore temples of Mahabalipuram. Overnight stay at Mahablipuram.

Mamallapuram , 60 kms. south of Chennai, nestling on the shores of the Bay of Bengal , was once a port of the Pallavas. The Pallavas have created many marvelous monuments with Sculptural Panels, Caves, Monolithic Rathas and Temples . Once a thriving port trading with many distant nations, Pallava Chisels have breathed life into stone. These monumental splendors and sunny beach resorts attract tourists from all over the world.

Arjuna's Penance, the world's largest bas-relief measuring 27m x 9m is the pride of Mamallapuram. This huge whale-back shaped rock contains figures of gods, demigods, men, beasts, birds and in fact, represents the entire creation.

Five Rathas are five monolithic temples, each created in a different style. They are also known as the Pancha pandava Rathas and the four of the Rathas are supposed to have scooped out of a single rock formation.

he Shore Temple is one of the oldest temples in South India . It belongs to the early 8th century and is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. The monuments are flood-lit at night, making it possible to enjoy their beauty after sunset.

Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry by road (110km/2hrs)

Morning drive to Pondicherry , upon arrival at Pondicherry , check into the hotel. Later, visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. In the afternoon a city tour of Pondicherry . Overnight stay at Pondicherry .

Pondicherry was a French colony from 1675 till 1954. Neat, pleasant, and charming, Pondicherry has a beautiful beach. Today, the French influence is to be found in the policemen's red kepis, on quaint signboards, in the statues of Dupleix and Joan of Arc, libraries and other buildings. It has been made world-famous by the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, where Sri Aurobindo and the Mother lived for the most part of their life. The ashram was founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926 and houses the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and the mother. The ashram's influence can be felt in most of Pondicherry .

Sri Aurobindo Ashram located on rue de la Marine, is one of the most well known ashrams in India . The Ashram was set up in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo Ghose, one of India 's greatest philosopher-poets, who originally came to Pondy to escape persecution by the British. His philosophy deeply rooted in yoga and his writings inspired a number of followers. One of them was a Parisian mystic, painter and musician called Mirra Alfassa (also known as 'The Mother'), who was instrumental in establishment of the ashram. After Aurobindo's death in 1950, the running of the Ashram was entrusted to The Mother. The idea of Auroville or the "City of Down " was conceived by 'The Mother.' She died in 1973 at the age of 93.

Auroville - or the 'City of Dawn ' was conceived by the Mother and came into existence in 1968 . The idea was to build a futuristic city where people of goodwill can live together above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. The buildings are a combination of modern western and traditional Indian elements, set in a rural landscape of deep red earth and widespread forestation, with narrow earth roads linking the settlements. The residents are involved in agriculture, administration, commerce and handicrafts, alternative technology, education, healthcare and development projects.

The central Matrimandir, a place for individual silent concentration, is set at the centre of the emerging township. A glass globe placed at the centre of the inner chamber acts as a focal aid to concentration.

Pondicherry - Chennai by road (165km/3hrs)

After breakfast drive to Chennai airport/railway station for your onward journey.