Temples of South India

TRICHY – KUMBAKONAM – RAMESHWARAM – TRICHY.

Day 01: Arrive Trichy; drive to Kumbakonam (135 kms / 5-6 hours)
Vanakkam and welcome to South India! On arrival at Tiruchirappalli International airport, you
will be met and greet by our local representativeand transferred to your hotel in Trichy
where we have reserved few rooms for freshen up and have breakfast.

After breakfast we drive to Thingaloor for visit Chandran temple (The Moon)or Chandran in
Sanskrit and Thingai in Tamil, a visit to this temple is said to grant a comfortable and long lilfe.
In astrology, Chandran is the planet that removes stress and sorrow. Chandra or Moon is a
lovable God - Pleasing to the children as well as elders, universally appealing to everyone
whatever may be the religion.
Temple Schedule to visit: 07:00AM – 12:30PM & 04:00PM – 09:00PM.

Continue, drive to Alanguri to visit toGuru Temple (The Jupiter),where Lord Dakshinamurthy
is held in great revernce. The Shrine attracts a large number of devotees when Jupiter transits
between zodiac signs.
Temple Schedule to visit: 06:00AM – 12:30PM & 04:00PM – 09:00PM.

After visit, we drive to our hotel in Kumbakonam.

This late afternoon, we drive toTirunageswaramto visit Rahu temple, one of the nine celestial
bodies in the Navagraha. A legend has it that the mythological serpents Adiseshan, Dakshan
and Kaarkotakan worshipped Shiva here.We drive back to hotel for overnight stay.
Temple Schedule to visit: 06:00AM – 12:30PM & 04:00PM – 08:30PM.

Day 02: Kumbakonam– Tirunallar –Keezhperumpallam – Kumbakonam (130

Our day begins with the visit of Sun God Surya (Sun Temple) at Suryanar Koil, built by King
Kulothunga Chola I in the year 1100 AD. This temple is dedicated to Sun God Surya (Sun
Temple) who is known as the giver health, success and prosperity. Every year in mid-January,
the harvest festival is celebrated in thanks giving and to honour.
Temple Schedule to visit: 06:00AM – 12:30PM & 04:00PM – 08:00PM.

Continue, we visit Sukran Temple (The Venus) atKanchanur. This Shiva Sthalam is associated
with Sukran or Venus and is maintained by the Madurai Adinam. This Shrine is also referred
to as Palaasavanam, Brahmapurai and Agnisthalam. Brahma is said to have had a vision here
of Shiva's wedding with Parvati. Men visit to pray for the wellbeing of their wives. Sukra or
Venus is the bestower of long life, wealth, happiness, children, property and good education.
He is ruled by Goddess Mahalakshmi.
Temple Schedule to visit: 06:00AM – 12:30PM & 04:00PM – 08:00PM.

After visit, we drive back to our hotel in Kumbakonam.

Visit to Keezhperumpallam, is an ancient Shaivite temple and legend has it that Kethu, the
other planetary node of the nine celestial bodies worshipped Shiva here. Rahu and Kethu are
associated with legends of the serpent that helped Lord Shiva churn the milky ocean. Kethu
brings prosperity to the devotee’s family. He grants good health, wealth, cattle and all round
prosperity. He is ruled by Lord Ganesha and Indra.
Temple Schedule to visit: 06:00AM – 12:30PM & 04:00PM – 08:00PM.

After visit, we return to our hotel in Kumbakonam for overnight stay.

Day 03: Kumbakonam –Vaitheeswaran Koil – Kumbakonam (360 Kms / 7-8hours)

After early breakfast, we head to Vaitheeswaran koil for visit Sevvai temple (The Mars or
Ankarakan). The belief is that if prayers are offered to Ankarakan, he will bestow valour,
victory and strength to the person. Upon entering the temple, devotees first go the
Siddamrita tank. The water is said to have curative properties for various skin ailments. There
is also a widespread belief that a visit here would remove obstacles that delay marriage. Mars
is regarded as a God of martial character, red in every aspect. Even the Romans held him as
their Guru. He is the Son of Earth and is ruled by Lord Subramanya. This town is also called
as Pull-irukku-Veloor. Jadayu - the eagle who made a gallant attempt to stop. Ravana from
proceeding to Lanka with Sita, got relieved of his wings by Ravana, fell down here and
eventually got Moksha.
Temple Schedule to visit: 06:00AM – 12:30PM & 04:00PM – 09:00PM.

Continue, we visit Budhan Temple (The Mercury) at Kanchanur.it is the oldest part of the
temple is more than 3000 years old. Dedicated to Budhan or Mercury this temple in
Thiruvenkadu makes up the last of the Navagraha Temples. Budhan is said to bestow wisdom
and intellect. Budha or Mercury is considered as the greatest among the wise. This Devata
bestows wisdom and wealth on his devotees. He is ruled by Lord Maha Vishnu. This temple
is referred in 'Saiva Thirumurais' and Sastras. This place is similar to Kasi with all the Snana
Ghats. One can do all the karmas here, that is supposed to be done in kasi.
Temple Schedule to visit: 06:00AM – 12:30PM & 04:00PM – 09:00PM.

Continuing to Kumbakonam for overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04: Kumbakonam

After early breakfast, Saneeshwawaran Temple visit and back to hotel. Evening Tanjore
temple visit and overnight stay at Kumbakonam.

Day 05: Kumbakonam – Rameshwaram

Drive to Rameshwaram, often referred to as the ‘Island of Prayer’, and also considered to
Varanasi of the South this major pilgrimage centre is on an island in the Gulf of Mannar. Most
of the town’s places to stay and eat are cluttered around the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Built
in the 12th century AD, the temple with its awe-inspiring corridors, and the longest in India.
Evening visit Adam's Bridge (Ram Setu) the name given to the chain of reefs, sandbanks and
islets that almost connects Sri Lanka with India. According to legend, this is the series of
stepping stones used by the monkey army, lead by Hanuman to cross the ocean in a bid to
rescue Sita from the clutch of Ravana. Arrives and check-in at hotel for overnight stay.
Day 06: Rameshwaram
Today we proceed for visit Ramanathswamy Temple, the major pilgrimage center of the city.
The main deity worshiped in the temple is in the form of a Linga with the name of Sri
Ramanatha Swamy, said to be one of the twelve jyotirlingas. The architecture of the temple
is fine specimen of Dravidian architecture. Visit the Temple and Kothandaraswamy
Dhanushkodi (which is named after Lord Rama's bow). Visit the Karai Sethua where Rama is
said to build a stone bridge over the sea. Since then explore the beaches.

Day 07: Rameshwaram – Trichy (255 kms / 6 hours)

After early breakfast, you’ll checkout from hotel and drive to Tiruchirappalli International
airport to connect your onward or homebound flight. Your tour concludes here.