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» DAY 1. CHENNAI (MADRAS )/ MAMALLAPURAM Arrive Chennai. Transfer to Mamallapuram. Check into the Fishermen's Cove beach resort. On arrival, as you step into the hotel, ladies in authentic local costumes greet you with garlands of flowers and perform the "aarti" ceremony. They also anoint your forehead with the traditional red "tikka." Afterwards relax with a non-alcoholic welcome drink. Post lunch tour of the 7th century Pallava cave temples and monoliths, stone temples and sculptured rock panels.  Later
visit to "Dakshina Chitra", set on a ten- acre site, overlooking
the Bay of Bengal between Chennai and Mahabalipuram, the 7th century
sea port. The centre comprises four sections which represent the
distinct cultures of the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This is achieved through authentic
reconstructions of traditional architecture, demonstrations by artisans
at work, exhibitions and workshops, programmes by performing artists,
an archive, a craft shop, and a restaurant which offers regional
fare. The Tamil Nadu section has a charming exhibition on Tamil
culture. 150 yr old agriculturist's' house from the fertile delta
region of Thanjavur, a potter's house from Tiruvallur with its terracotta
exhibition. Step into the humble abode and thatched huts of the
basket-weavers, and on to the shrine of Ayyanar, the village guardian
deity. The weaver's house from Kanchipuram, the famed silk-town
of India, is the next stop. An exhibition hall with displays of
Tamil Nadu textiles, is annexed to this house. Other exhibits on
Tamil culture, folk and classical craft, kitchen utensils, demonstrations
of artisans at work in their traditional environments, also form
part of the experience. The Kerala section has reconstructions of
domestic architecture in the distinct styles of north and south
Kerala. A 200 yr. old wooden Hindu house from Travancore, a Syrian
Christian house from Kottayam and a double-storeyed Hindu house
from Calicut. These houses also have contextual exhibits displayed
in them. Overnight Mamallapuram. |
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» DAY 2. MAMALLAPURAM / KANCHIPURAM / CHENNAI Morning drive to Kanchipuram, the erstwhile capital of the Pallavas  and
Cholas. \'i5it its numerous temples dedicated to various Gods and
Goddesses. It is also home to the weavers of the famed Kanchipuram
silks. Arrive Chennai in the afternoon. Check into hotel. Evening
tour of Fort St.George, St.Mary's church, the oldest Anglican church
east of the Suez and the Basilica of San Thomas, believed to have
been built by St. Thomas, the apostle. Also visit the Snake Park
and the Parthasarathy temple. Evening view the traditional martial
arts performance believed to have originated in South India. "Kalaripayatu"
,a local traditional martial arts form which derives its name from
"Kalari" (gymnasia) in which this martial arts form was first practiced.
The performance includes various authentic forms of armed and unarmed
combat. Next follows "Silambam" the ancient art of staff fencing
believed to be originated by the body guards of the Tamil kings
which has now developed into a refined art form of self-defense
and physical exercise which make for a brilliant spectacle. Overnight
Chennai.» DAY 3. CHENNAI / MADURAI Morning flight to Madurai. Transfer to your hotel. Later proceed on city tour visiting the temples which are a city within a city built in the Dravidian style, one for Shiva and other for spouse Meenakashi. Also visit Teepa Kulu, a tank with an island temple. Evening relish the glimpses of Indian classical dance performances over a sumptuous south indian dinner. Bharat Natyam, considered the oldest form of classical dance. in lndia,is essentially a highly stylized solo feminine dance which combines movement,music and mime with "nritta" and "nritya", on the theme of spiritual love. Kathakali, originating from Kerala,in which the dancers appear rather strange and exaggerated with the highly elaborate make-up in green ,red and white,with styled beards made of rice paste and head dress giving the expression of a mask. Mohinlyattam , a secular dance of an enchantress with combined elements of both Kathakali and Bharatnatyam. A typical Udipi meal served on green plantain leaf rounds off an enchanting evening.Overnight Madurai. |
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» DAY 4. MADURAI / PERIYAR Proceed by road to Periyar. Check into Spice Village, a beautiful resort situated amongst spice gardens and pepper vines. Rest of the day free to relax with a Ayurvedic massage carried out by expert masseurs and visit close by plantations. Ayurvedic medicine ( science of life / health) is the ancient Hindu system of medicine - a naturalistic system depending on diagnosis of the body's 'humours' (wind, mucus, gall and sometime, blood )  to
achieve a balance. In the early form, Gods and demons were associated
with cure and ailments, treatment
was carried out by using herbs, minerals, formic acid (from and
hills) and water, and hence was limited in scope. Ayurveda classified
substances and chemical compounds in the theory of panchabhutas
or five 'elements'. It also noted the action of food and drugs on
the human body. Ayurvedic massage uses aromatic and medicinal oils
to tone up the nervous system and has~been practiced in KeraI~ for
centuries. Overnight Spice Village. |
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» DAY 5. PERIYAR Tour of Periyar wildlife sanctuary by boats / elephants to view a rich variety of wildlife - Tiger, elephants, wild boar, deer and monkeys. Evening jungle theme dinner which requires the group to be dressed in a jungle attire. The call of the wild and the sound of the jungle are complemented by folk dancers and singers. Exotic theme cocktails with bon - fire and bar- be-cue rounds off a magnificent evening. Overnight Spice Village. » DAY 6. PERIYAR I COCHIN : Drive to Cochin.Check into your hotel and gear up for a day's boat journey on the backwaters of Kerala discovering an array of shimmering waterways,composed of lakes, canals, rivers rivulets ,lined with dense tropical greenery and mysteriously preserving the rural Keralan lifestyle completely hidden from the outer world where day to day life is lived on and beside the river.Relish the changing views of narrow canals, green paddy fields, homes, farms, churches, curved bridges and temples amidst the shades formed by coconut trees growing along the river at surprisingly improbable angles. Evening sunset cruise to view Chinese fishing nets and the Bolghatty island. Along the stretch of the beach a bar-be- cue is set up. Dine under starlit sky On succulent lobsters, jumbo prawns and Other local seafood delicacies and round off the evening with an exotic moonlight boat cruise with the band in attendance on board. Overnight Cochin. » DAY 7. COCHIN I DELHI, MUMBAI OR CHENNAI : Departure transfer to connect the flight to international destination. » Options and Extensions 1) Itinerary can commence from either Delhi or Mumbai also. 2) Extension to Pondicherry from Chennai to visit Mothers' Ashram at Aurovi lie. 3) Extension from Cochin to Kumarakom to stay at the heritage Coco nut Lagoon situated in the backwaters. 4) Extension to Kovalam. 5) Fishermen village theme dinner at Cochin. 6) Boat cruise with band in attendance at Cochin. |
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