MGST TN PKG 01

Arrival at Chennai international airport OR Chennai central railway station. Our driver will meet you and proceed to your hotel in Chennai. On arrival at check-in at your hotel. If time permits, then proceed for Chennai sightseeing or else day at your leisure. Overnight stay at Chennai hotel.

About Chennai: Chennai formerly known as Madras is the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, it is one of the biggest cultural, economic and educational centres in South India. Chennai was added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) list for its rich musical tradition.

Chennai places of visit: Sri Parthasarathy Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is one of the oldest temples in Chennai (6.30 AM to 12 PM & 4 PM to 7 PM), Govt. Museum (9:30 AM to 5 PM / Friday closed), The National Art Gallery (10 AM to 5 PM / Sunday closed), St. Mary's Church is the oldest Anglican church & oldest British building in India, Fort St. George The first British fortress built-in 1644 in India (9 AM to 5 PM / Friday closed), Marina Lighthouse (10 AM to 1 PM & 3 PM to 6 PM / Monday closed), Kapaleeshwar Temple (5 AM to 11 AM & 4 PM to 9.30 PM), Birla Planetarium (10 AM to 5:45 PM), Arignar Anna Zoological Park (9 AM to 6 PM / Tuesday closed). 

After breakfast, checkout from the hotel and proceed to Kanchipuram. On arrival, check-in at your hotel. If time permits then proceed for Kanchipuram sightseeing or else day at your leisure. Overnight stay at Kanchipuram hotel. 

About Kanchipuram: Located on the banks of the Vegavathy River, Kanchipuram has been ruled by the Pallavas. 

Historically, Kanchipuram was a centre of education and was known as the ghatikasthanam, or "place of learning". Of the 108 holy temples of the Hindu god Vishnu, 14 are located in Kanchipuram. 

Kanchipuram is one of the seven pilgrimage sites, for spiritual release. The town was also a religious centre of advanced education for Jainism and Buddhism between the 1st and 5th centuries. The town is well known for its hand-woven silk sarees and most of the town's workforce is involved in the weaving industry.

Kanchipuram places of visit: Kailasanathar Temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva. Built during the period from 685 A.D. to 705 A.D. (6 AM to 12 PM & 4 PM to 6 PM), Ekambareswarar Temple dedicated to the deity Shiva (6 AM to 12.30 PM & 4 PM to 7 PM), Kumara Kottam Subramanyar Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam dedicated to Kamakshi, one of the forms of Goddess Parvati, Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is one among the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vaikuntanathan and his consort Lakshmi as Vaikundavalli (6.30 AM to 12 PM & 3.30 PM to 7 PM).

After breakfast, checkout from the hotel and proceed to Mahabalipuram. On arrival, check-in at your hotel. If time permits then proceed for Mahabalipuram sightseeing or else day at your leisure. Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram hotel. 

About Mahabalipuram: Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram is known for its collection of temples and monuments built by the Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries CE. The site has 40 ancient monuments and Hindu temples, including one of the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world.

Mahabalipuram places of visit:

• Krishna's butterball rock is a giant balancing rock (6 AM to 6 PM)
• Thirumoorthi cave: There is a small cave-like structure known as thiru-murthy, dedicated to Shiva, Brahma & Vishnu the 3 Hindu gods. (6 AM to 6 PM)
• Ganesh ratha is a fully completed rock-cut structure, while nearby rathas are incomplete. (6 AM to 6 PM)
• Varaha cave is the most prominent sculpture in the cave is that of Lord Vishnu in the incarnated form of a Varaha or boar lifting Bhudevi, the mother earth goddess from the sea. Also carved are many mythical figures. (6 AM to 6 PM)
• Arjuna's penance build in mid 7th century is a story from the Mahabharata of how Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, performed severe austerities to obtain Shiva's weapon. (6 AM to 6 PM)
• Mahabalipuram lighthouse was closed in 2001 following a perceived threat from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It is re-opened to tourists from 2011. (10 AM to 1 PM & 3 PM to 5 PM)
• Pancha rathas: The structures are named after the Pancha Pandavas and their common wife Draupadi. In order of their size, they include the Dharmaraja Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Arjuna Ratha, Nakula Sahadeva Ratha, and Draupadi Ratha. (6 AM to 6 PM)
• Mahisamardini rock-cut: According to legend, Durga killed the demon Mahishasura, who was considered unconquerable. Hence, following his slaying, she was given the title Mahishasuramardhini (conqueror of Mahisha). (6 AM to 6 PM).
• Group of monuments is listed stone temple complex. Mythological scenes are depicted on these architectures. These caves have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (6 AM to 6 PM)
• Mahishasura rock Temple is not finished and does not contain any inscriptions. It is located at the base of the diorite hillock, with another ancient structure - Olakneswara Temple on top of this hill. (6 AM to 6 PM)
• Shore temple: Shore temple is a complex of temples and shrines. This structural temple complex was the culmination of the architectural creations that were initiated by the King Narasimhavarman II (popularly called as Mamallan after whom the Mamallapuram town is named) (6 AM to 6 PM)
• Mahabalipuram beach

After breakfast, checkout from the hotel and proceed to Chennai international airport OR Chennai central railway station for your departure with a contented feeling about a wonderful holiday you spend in the “Land of Temples” with the taste of Tamil Nadu to cherish.  (TOUR ENDS)