Arrival in Chennai, Local Temple Sightseeing

Day 1: Arrival in Chennai, Local Temple Sightseeing

Upon arrival at Chennai International Airport (or Chennai Central Railway Station), a Memorable India representative will receive you and transfer you to your pre-booked hotel. After freshening up, the afternoon is dedicated to sightseeing in Chennai.

Your first stop is the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, one of the most important Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Built in the Dravidian architectural style with a colourful, intricately carved gopuram, the temple is a living centre of worship and an excellent introduction to South Indian temple culture. Next, visit the Parthasarathy Temple, one of Chennai’s oldest temples, dedicated to Lord Krishna and depicting scenes from the Mahabharata.

In the evening, spend time at Marina Beach for a relaxed walk along one of the longest urban beaches in the country. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Chennai.

Chennai to Kanchipuram to Mahabalipuram (approx. 130 km total)

Day 2: Chennai to Kanchipuram to Mahabalipuram (approx. 130 km total)

After breakfast, drive to Kanchipuram, located approximately 75 kilometres southwest of Chennai. Known as the City of Thousand Temples, Kanchipuram has served as a religious and cultural capital under the Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagara dynasties. The town is divided into Shiva Kanchi and Vishnu Kanchi, housing both Shaivite and Vaishnavite temples of immense historical importance.

Visit the Kailasanathar Temple, the oldest structure in Kanchipuram, built by the Pallava king Rajasimha in the 8th century. Continue to the Ekambareswarar Temple, one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams representing the element of Earth. Visit the Kamakshi Amman Temple, one of India’s three Shakti Peethas. Time permitting, visit the Varadharaja Perumal Temple, an important Vaishnavite pilgrimage site.

Note: Many temples in Kanchipuram close between 12:00 noon and 4:00 pm. Your guide will plan the visit sequence around these timings.

After Kanchipuram, drive approximately 55 kilometres to Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram). Check in at your hotel. If time permits in the evening, take a preliminary walk around the Shore Temple area. Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.

Mahabalipuram Sightseeing, Drive to Pondicherry (approx. 100 km)

Day 3: Mahabalipuram Sightseeing, Drive to Pondicherry (approx. 100 km)

After breakfast, explore the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of Mahabalipuram. The Shore Temple, built by the Pallavas in the 7th century, stands directly on the Bay of Bengal coastline and is one of the earliest structural stone temples in South India. Visit the Pancha Rathas (Five Rathas), a set of five monolithic rock-cut temples each named after the Pandava brothers and Draupadi from the Mahabharata. See Arjuna’s Penance, a massive bas-relief carved on two giant boulders, considered one of the largest open-air rock carvings in the world. Also visit Krishna’s Butterball, a giant natural rock balanced on a slope.

After the Mahabalipuram sightseeing, drive along the East Coast Road to Pondicherry (approximately 100 km). On arrival, check in at your hotel. In the evening, visit the Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a significant Ganesha temple located near the French Quarter. Take a stroll through the charming French colonial streets of the White Town area along the promenade. Overnight stay in Pondicherry.

Pondicherry to Thanjavur (approx. 170 km)

Day 4: Pondicherry to Thanjavur (approx. 170 km)

In the morning, visit Auroville, the international township founded on the principles of Sri Aurobindo, and see the Matrimandir meditation centre (viewing from the designated point, as per Auroville’s visitor policies). After this visit, begin the drive to Thanjavur (Tanjore), approximately 170 kilometres south.

On arrival in Thanjavur, check in at your hotel and proceed to the Brihadeshwara Temple, the jewel of Chola architecture. Built by Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features a 216-foot-tall vimana (temple tower) and a massive Nandi statue carved from a single rock. The temple’s stone carvings, bronze sculptures, and inscriptions provide a window into the art, administration, and devotion of the Chola dynasty. Your guide will walk you through the main shrine, the surrounding corridors, and the significance of the architectural proportions.

Spend the evening exploring Thanjavur at a relaxed pace. Overnight stay in Thanjavur.

Thanjavur to Trichy (approx. 60 km)

Day 5: Thanjavur to Trichy (approx. 60 km)

After breakfast, drive to Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), a short 60-kilometre journey. On arrival, head directly to the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam. This is the largest functioning Hindu temple complex in the world, spread across 156 acres with seven concentric enclosures (prakarams) and 21 gopurams. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his reclining form (Lord Ranganatha), this temple is the foremost of the 108 Divya Desams, the sacred Vaishnavite pilgrimage sites praised by the Alvar saints. The temple town of Srirangam operates as a living, breathing settlement within the temple walls, with homes, shops, and community life woven into the temple’s outer enclosures.

In the afternoon, visit the Rock Fort Temple (Ucchi Pillayar Temple), dedicated to Lord Ganesha and perched atop a 273-foot ancient rock formation. The climb involves approximately 400 steps carved into the rock, but the panoramic view of the Kaveri River and the city from the summit rewards the effort. Along the way, you will also pass the Thayumanavar Temple and several rock-cut cave temples attributed to the Pallavas.

Overnight stay in Trichy.

Trichy to Madurai (approx. 130 km)

Day 6: Trichy to Madurai (approx. 130 km)

After breakfast, check out and drive to Madurai, the oldest continuously inhabited city in South India. On arrival, check in at your hotel and proceed to the Meenakshi Amman Temple, the defining monument of this city and one of the most visually spectacular temples in all of India.

The Meenakshi Amman Temple has 14 towering gopurams, each covered with thousands of brightly painted stucco figures depicting gods, goddesses, demons, and mythological scenes. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (a form of Parvati) and Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva). Within the complex, the Hall of Thousand Pillars (Aayiram Kaal Mandapam) is a celebrated example of Dravidian architecture with detailed stone carvings and a temple art museum.

After the temple visit, explore the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a 17th-century Indo-Saracenic structure located about 1.5 kilometres from the Meenakshi Temple. Built by King Thirumalai Nayak in 1636, the palace features a grand courtyard, ornate stucco work, and a sound and light show in the evenings (subject to availability and timings).

In the evening, if your schedule permits, consider attending the night ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple, during which the idol of Lord Sundareswarar is carried in a procession to the sanctum of Goddess Meenakshi. This ceremony takes place every evening and is a deeply atmospheric ritual.

Overnight stay in Madurai.

Madurai Departure

Day 7: Madurai Departure

After breakfast, check out of your hotel. Depending on your onward travel plans, a Memorable India representative will transfer you to Madurai Airport or Madurai Junction Railway Station for your return journey to Chennai or your next destination. Your 7 days south india temple tour package itinerary concludes here.

For travellers who wish to extend their trip, Memorable India can arrange an additional excursion to Rameswaram (approximately 175 km from Madurai) to visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Alternatively, you can add a day trip to Kanyakumari, the southern tip of the Indian peninsula, to visit the Bhagavathy Amman Temple and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.