TAMIL NADU PROGRAMMES

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TAMIL NADU PROGRAMMES

Tamil Nadu, a South Indian state, is famed for its Dravidian-style Hindu temples. In Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Temple has high ‘gopuram’ towers ornamented with colourful figures. On Pamban Island, Ramanathaswamy Temple is a pilgrimage site. The town of Kanyakumari, at India’s southernmost tip, is the site of ritual sunrises.

AYURVEDA - HARMONY OF BODY, MIND AND SOUL :
Sprouted in the pristine land of India some 5000 years ago, Ayurveda, the science of life and longevity, is the oldest healthcare system in the world and it combines the profound thoughts of medicine and philosophy. Since then Ayurveda has stood for the wholesome physical, mental and spiritual growth of humanity around the world. Today, it's a unique, indispensable branch of medicine, a complete naturalistic system that depends on the diagnosis of your body's humours - vata, pitta and kapha - to achieve the right balance.

KERALA, THE LAND OF AYURVEDA:
Kerala possesses an unbroken tradition of Ayurveda that has surpassed the many invasions and intrusions both foreign and native. For hundreds of years the Ayurveda Vaidyas (traditional practitioners of Ayurveda) were almost the only access for people seeking healing from every kind of disease in Kerala. The legendary eight families of Vaidyas (Ashta vaidyas) and their successors treated the entire state for centuries. Unlike the other Indian states the status of Ayurveda in Kerala is not alternative but mainstream. In fact, today, Kerala is the only State in India which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication.
Being the only resort of treatment for the people, the Vaidyars of Kerala were challenged to interpret the theories of Ayurveda and adapt them actively into effective healing systems in everyday life. Thus almost all the contemporary procedures and protocols of Ayurveda have evolved in and around Kerala.

THE BOONS OF NATURE:
Its equable climate, natural abundance of forests and the cool monsoon season are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative packages. Kerala is perhaps one of the few places on earth where a temperature of 24-28 degrees is maintained during a period of continuous rain. This prevalence of moisture in the air and on the surface of the skin makes it the ideal place for natural medicines to work at their highest levels of potency. The land is also blessed with innumerous medicinal plants and provides the continuity and consistency of Ayurveda medicines needed for effective treatment procedures. The same herbs with the same potency are available year after year across every season. The rich alkaloid content of the soil enhances the intensity and potency of many Ayurvedic medicines when compared to places with different soil constitution.

THE ADVANTAGES OF AYURVEDA IN KERALA:
Ashtangahridayam, the practical, user friendly interpretation of Ayurveda, compiled by the great Vagbata is seldom used anywhere in the world as it is extensively done in Kerala. The Vaidyars of Kerala are proficient in this most contemporary treatise of Ayurveda which many scholars consider an advancement over the earlier samhitas of Charaka and Sushruta, the pioneers of Ayurveda. It is in Kerala that Kashaya Chikitsa (treatment with concoction) has become a standardized protocol involving hundreds of Kashayams that were scientifically classified and organised according to various treatment needs. Keralite Vaidyars where the first to focus on the anti oxidant properties of Abayangamleading to the profusion of kizhis. The largest number of Ayurveda colleges and the largest number of practitioners in comparison to any place in the world has led to a tradition of Ayurveda research in a scientific manner in Kerala.

AYURVEDA AS A LIFESTYLE :
In Kerala Ayurveda is not just a healthcare system but it is a part and parcel of every aspect of life, in fact it is a lifestyle in Kerala so to speak. The miracles like paralysed people walk, incurable diseases cured etc. that happen even today inspires respect and awe for the vaidyars of Kerala.

TAMIL NADU PROGRAMMES

PROGRAMME – 103 NIGHTS / 04 DAYS

DAY & PROGRAMME

01 : Arrive Chennai.
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

02 : Chennai – Tirupathi (152 Kms)
Tirupathi – the one among six abodes of Lord Muruga. The Temple is situated on a hillock and has 365 steps.
Evening Darshan at the Venkateshwara’s Temple on the Tirumala Hill. Also have Darshan at Kapeleshwarar Temple at Mylapore.
Overnight at the hotel.

03 : Tirupathi - Chennai (152Kms)
After breakfast drive to Chennai and on arrival in Chennai check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

04 : Depart Chennai
After breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing visiting museum to see the Art and Bronze Gallery (closed on Fridays and Public holidays). Drive through the flower and Fruit Market, High Court, fort Museum, Marina Beach, Santhome Cathedral and Snake Park. Also visit Mylapore temple.
Later transfer to Airport / Railway Station to board flight/train for onward destination.

End of the programme. Check-in is at 1400 Hrs & check-out is at 1200 Hrs at the hotels.

PROGRAMME – 2 02 NIGHTS / 03 DAYS

DAY & PROGRAMME

01 : Arrive Chennai.
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Chennai, the present gateway to the South is about 350 Yrs old. Chennai is ever growing, changing and pulsating with new activities. Capital of Tamil Nadu, it is the fourth largest cities in India.
  Overnight at the hotel.

02 : Depart Chennai
After breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing visiting museum to see the Art and Bronze Gallery (closed on Fridays and Public holidays). Drive through the flower and Fruit Market, High Court, fort Museum, Marina Beach, Santhome Cathedral and Snake Park. Also visit Mylapore temple.
  Overnight at the hotel.

03 : epart Chennai
After breakfast transfer to Airport / Railway Station to board flight/train for onward destination.
  End of the programme. Check-in is at 1400 Hrs & check-out is at 1200 Hrs at the hotels.

PROGRAMME – 3 05 NIGHTS / 06 DAYS

DAY & PROGRAMME

01 : Arrive Madurai drive to Rameshwaram (160Kms/03 Hrs)
Meeting and assistance on arrival and drive to Rameshwaram and check-in at the hotel.
Rameshwaram is an island hallowed by the Ramayana. A devotee who visit Varanasi is also expected to visit this place to gain the full fruit of his prayers, This place is sacred to Shaivites and Vaishnavites.
  Overnight at the hotel.

02 : Rameshwaram
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit the Temples and perform Pooja. Visit Ramanatha Swami temple, close to the sea on the eastern side of the island, famous for its magnificient corridors and massive sculptured pillars lining them. It is also one of the 12 jyotilinga shrines in the country.
Overnight at the hotel.

  03 : Rameshwaram - Kanyakumari by surface (280 Kms/07 Hrs)
After breakfast drive to Kanyakumari and on arrival check-in at the hotel.
Kanyakumari the land’s end of India or the point where the three seas meet, is the enchanting Kanyakumari or Cape Comorin. It is one of the most populartourist spots in the state and indeed, in the country.
Evening witness sunset. Overnight at the hotel.

04 : Kanyakumari – Madurai (260 Kms)
After breakfast visit Vivekananda Rock, which is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, the Greatest social reformer and saint India has produced. It was built in 1970. Also visit Gandhi Memorial – This was constructed at the spot where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were kept for public view in an urn before a portion was immersed into the three seas. Visit Kanya Kumari Amman Temple – It is dedicated to Parvathias Devi Kanya, the virgin goddess who did penance to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva.
Afternoon drive to Madurai and on arrival check-in at the hotel.
Madurai is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu. Madurai lies on the banks of the River Vaigai the Temple and the old city are on the southern bank while modern Madurai with its textile mills, engineering industries and large university sprawls around.
Overnight at the hotel.

05 : Madurai
After breakfast visit Tirumala Nayak Palace – A gracious building in the Indo sacracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes and arches ,the Pazhamudir Solai Temple, and the Kallazhagar Koil. Later visit the Great Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to consort of Lord Shiva with its towering Gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side).
Evening witness Aarti at the temple. Overnight at the hotel.

06 : Depart Madurai
After breakfast transfer to Airport to board flight for onward destination.

End of the programme. Check-in is at 1400 Hrs & check-out is at 1200 Hrs at the hotels.

PROGRAMME – 4 03 NIGHTS / 04 DAYS

DAY & PROGRAMME

01 : Arrive Chennai. Chennai – Pondicherry (180 Kms)
Meeting and assistance on arrival and drive to Pondicherry. On arrival check-in at the hotel.
Pondicherry – the small Union Territory is located in the eastern side of the Indian Peninsula. Even after the Independence of India, Pondicherry was under the French rule and it became a part of the Indian Union in 1954. Pondicherry is the place where history lingers in its majestic buildings and boulevards. The French legacy is evident in its stunning landscape and old churches.
  Overnight at the hotel.

02 : Pondicherry – Mahabalipuram (100 Kms)
After breakfast visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram – located on Rue de la marine, is the main attraction of Pondicherry. The Ashram was founded by Sri Aurobindo Ghose in 1926. He, the poet philosopher founded the Ashram to help man reach the zenith of his evolution through spiritual exercises and yoga, combined with physical activity and productive work. There are meditation sessions from Mondays to Fridas (Except Thursday) 0730 PM to 0745 PM around the Samadhi.
Afternoon drive to Mahabalipuram and on arrival check-in at the hotel.
  History find its full display in the marvelous sculptures of the temples in Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram. This was a flourishing port town of the Pallava rulers of South India who chiseled in stone a fabulous open-air museum of sculptures under the vault of a burning sky. Overnight at the hotel.

03 : Mahabalipuram
After breakfast visit The Krishna Mandapam or Cave Temple. The Krishna Mandapam has a bas relief scene of Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana to protect a crowd of his kinsmen from anger of the rain God, Indra. Later visit Five Rathas (Pancha Pandava Rathas) – monolithic temples sculpted out of rock in 7th century influenced by Buddhist architecture in resembling the Vihara (monastery) and chaitya hall (temple). The piece de resistance is Arjuna’s penance, the world’s largest bas relief. Also visit the famous Shore Temple – Sculpture on rock, lashed by the waves of the sea, which is a World Heritage monument.

04 : Mahabalipuram – Kanchipuram – Chennai (140 Kms)
After breakfast drive to Chennai enroute visiting Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram the Golden City was one of the seven sacred cities of India and once had 1000 temples. Now only 200 remains. It is also famed for its hand-woven cottens and Kanchivaram silk.
On arrival in Chennai drop at Airport/Railway Station to board flight/ Train for onward destination.

  End of the programme. Check-in is at 1400 Hrs & check-out is at 1200 Hrs at the hotels.

PROGRAMME – 5 05 NIGHTS / 06 DAYS

DAY & PROGRAMME

01 : Arrive Chennai. Chennai – Tirupathi (152 Kms)
On arrival in Chennai drive to Tirupathi and check-in at the hotel.
Tirupathi – the one among six abodes of Lord Muruga. The Temple is situated on a hillock and has 365 steps.
  Overnight at the hotel.

02 : Tirupathi – Vellore (93 Kms)
Morning darshan at the Temple.
Afternoon drive to Vellore and on arrival in Chennai check-in at the hotel.
  Overnight at the hotel.

03 : Vellore – Mahabalipuram (140 Kms)
After breakfast visit Golden Temple (Sripuram). The Golden Temple of Sripuram is a Spiritual park situated at the foot of a small range of green hills in a place known as “Malaikodi” in the city of Vellore in Tamil Nadu. The temple is at the Southern end of the city of Vellore, at Tirumalaikodi.
The salient feature of Sripuram is the lakshmi Narayani Temple or Mahalakshmi Temple whose “Vimanam” and “Ardha Mandapam” have been coated with gold both in the interior and exterior.
Afternoon drive to Mahabalipuram and on arrival check-in at the hotel.
History find its full display in the marvelous sculptures of the temples in Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram. This was a flourishing port town of the Pallava rulers of South India who chiseled in stone a fabulous open-air museum of sculptures under the vault of a burning sky.
Overnight at the hotel.

04 : Mahabalipuram
After breakfast visit The Krishna Mandapam or Cave Temple. The Krishna Mandapam has a bas relief scene of Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana to protect a crowd of his kinsmen from anger of the rain God, Indra. Later visit Five Rathas (Pancha Pandava Rathas) – monolithic temples sculpted out of rock in 7th century influenced by Buddhist architecture in resembling the Vihara (monastery) and chaitya hall (temple). The piece de resistance is Arjuna’s penance, the world’s largest bas relief. Also visit the famous Shore Temple – Sculpture on rock, lashed by the waves of the sea, which is a World Heritage monument.

05 : Mahabalipuram – Kanchipuram – Chennai (140 Kms)
After breakfast drive to Chennai enroute visiting Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram the Golden City was one of the seven sacred cities of India and once had 1000 temples. Now only 200 remains. It is also famed for its hand-woven cottens and Kanchivaram silk.
On arrival in Chennai check-in at the hotel.
Chennai, the present gateway to the South is about 350 Yrs old. Chennai is ever growing, changing and pulsating with new activities. Capital of Tamil Nadu, it is the fourth largest cities in India.
Overnight at the hotel.

06 : Depart Chennai
After breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing visiting museum to see the Art and Bronze Gallery (closed on Fridays and Public holidays). Drive through the flower and Fruit Market, High Court, fort Museum, Marina Beach, Santhome Cathedral and Snake Park. Also visit Mylapore temple.
Evening transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

  End of the programme. Check-in is at 1400 Hrs & check-out is at 1200 Hrs at the hotels.