After
breakfast transport yourself to the yesteryears, the magnificent rock
temples and carvings. Five
Rathas (chariots) ceremonial chariots, rock-cut monoliths, named
after the 5 Pandavas - heroes of the Mahabharata epic and Draupadi their
wife. The Shore Temple by
the sea surrounded by gardens designed according to descriptions of the
original layout from ancient times. Built in sandstone in the 7th
century. Bhagiratha’s Penance
is a bas- relief (27 to 9m) sculptured on the face of two enormous
adjacent rocks, depicts, the penance of Arjuna, myraid characters from
the Mahabharata, realistic life-size figures of animals, gods and saints
watching the descent of the river goddess Ganga to earth.
After sightseeing drive back to hotel.
Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 3 Chennai/Madurai
After breakfast transfer
to the airport to connect flight to Madurai. On arrival in Madurai
transfer to the hotel.
Madurai
is the
cultural capital of Tamilnadu. Here, the Dravidian culture reached its
zenith in art, architecture, palaces and temple buildings. Once the
capital of powerful Nayaka kings, a bustling city packed with pilgrims,
businessmen, bullock carts and legions of rickshaw pullers. Its narrow
overcrowded streets seem to be bursting at the seams with activity.
Southern India’s oldest center for pilgrimage and learning.
Rest of the day free.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 Madurai
The
Meenakshi – Temple an
outstanding example of the Dravidian temple architecture from the
Vijaynagar kingdom. Meenakshi, the fish eyed goddess and the consort of
Shiva has a temple to the south and Sundareswarar (Shiva) a temple to
the west. One of the biggest temples of India. Its nine “Gopuram”-Temple
towers (23-30m ) have wonderful stucco images of gods, goddesses and
animals from the Hindu mythology. After that visit the
Thirumalai Nayak
Palace, a palace in Indo-Saracenic style built in 1636, with huge
domes and 240 columns rising to 12 m, a beautiful garden and a attached
museum. The celestial Pavilion, an arcaded octagonal structure is
curiously constructed in brick and mortar without any supporting
rafters.
In
the evening visit Meenakshi temple to watch the night ceremony. The
temple is a hive of activity, colorfully decorated temple elephant,
flower sellers and performances by musicians. At 21:30 hours, the image
of Shiva is carried in a procession accompanied by musicians, temple
singers and priests from his shrine. Enroute Shiva visits the other
deities before entering Parvati’s (Meenakshi) temple to sleep with her
for the night.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 Madurai/Periyar
After breakfast drive to
Periyar.
Periyar
National Park :
This unique wildlife sanctuary is about 780 sq. km centered around an
artificial lake fed by the Periyar River.
This
afternoon game viewing is on board boats, which carry you through the
jungle along convoluted waterways and afford sightings of elephant,
bison, deer and occasionally, tiger. Small animals include black Nilgiri
langur, bonnet and lion tailed macaque, Giant and Flying squirrel. There
are some 246 species of birds and 112 species of butterfly. There are
trees more than 100 years old and over 50 m high.
Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 6 Periyar/Rice
Boat
After breakfast drive to
the jetty to board House boat (Kettuvallom).
Kettuvallom - The history
of Kettuvallom dates back to the ancient trading days in Kerala. Before
Christ, ships and traders frequently visited the famous coast of Malabar
from all over the world. The Arabians, Chinese and the European ships
ariving to the ancient port with gold and other precious articles, need
to be transported to rulers and traders in return to the spices, silks,
precious stones, ivory etc. The small cargo boats called Kettuvalloms
are frequently used in the waterways for the above purpose. " Kettu"
literally means to tie up and "Vallom" means "
boats". The boats played a major role in the economic development
of ancient Kerala, moving cargo and men from the very nook and corner of
otherwise unreachable area, cutting across the length and breadth of the
land.
Enjoy your overnight stay
in Kettuvallom.
Day 7 Riceboat/Cochin
Get down of the jetty and
drive to Cochin.
If
Kerala is India’s most beautiful state, which many tourists believe,
then the lovely port of Cochin is its jewel. It has been variously
hailed as Queen of the Arabian Sea, Venice of Orient, etc. Some choose
to call it simply a museum city for its rich past and colorful present.
Cochin displays a blend of peoples and architecture. It is one place
where you can see a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, Dutch
architecture, a couple of mosques, Hindu temples and Chinese fishing
nets all in one day.
On
arrival in Cochin, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 8 Cochin
After
breakfast sightseeing of Cochin, a city till today influenced by
medieval Portugal, Holland and England. You visit St.
Francis Church, built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars where
Vasco da Gama was buried for 14 years before his remains were
transferred to Lisvon. His tombstone still stands. Nearby is the Mattancherry
Palace or “Dutch Palace”. The central hall on the Ist floor was
the coronation hall of the rajas of Cochin. Other rooms depict scenes
from the Ramayana and Puranic legends connected with Hindu gods. Amazing
are the Chinese fishing nets. These
cantilevered fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. They
were introduced by traders from the courts of Kublai Khan. You also see
the Jew City with the Jewish
Synagogue , constructed in 1568, with hand-painted, willow-pattern
floor tiles brought from Canton in the mid-18th century by a
Rabbi, who had trading interest in that city.
Evening
enthrall yourself with a special presentation of the colourfully
costumed Kathakali Dance Drama.
This mask dance form is originally from Kerala and 1500 years old. This
classical dance has 24 mudras expressing the nine emotions of serenity,
wonder, kindness, love, valor, fear, contempt, loathing and anger.
Overnight
in hotel.
Day 9 Cochin/Bangalore/
Mysore
In time transfer to the
airport to connect flight to Bangalore. On arrival in Bangalore drive
out for short sightseeing of Bangalore.
Bangalore
the capital of Karnataka, famous as the `Garden City’, was once a
summer resort of the British Raj. It is one of the most attractive
cities in India with its beautiful parks, avenues and impressive
buildings. It is referred to as the `Silicon Valley’ where most of the
big electronic and computer companies have their centres.
Visit
Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens.
The gardens are said to be laid out by
Haidar Ali and his son Tipu Sultan as a summer garden in the 18th
century, has numerous flowers, hundred year old trees from many
countries and the lotus Pond. There are over 1800 species of tropical,
subtropical and medicinal plants and a Floral Clock. The Glass
House holds temporary exhibitions. Then to Bull
Temple in dravidian style with the huge monolith statue of Shiva’s
vehical, the sacred Nandi Bull, nearly 5 m high and 6 m long., in grey
granite polished. Vidhan Sabha
(legislative assembly) with its impressive facades and portals of pure
sandal wood. Finally to City
Museum that was opened in 1886, one of the oldest in the country.
Has 18 galleries including Neolithic finds from the Chandravalli
excavations, and from the Indus Valley, especially Mohenjodaro
antiquities. Also antique jewelry, textiles, coins, art, miniature
paintings and geology.
After
sightseeing drive to Mysore. En-route visit Srirangapattnam,
a fortified Island site in the Kaveri river, it has been the home to
religious reformers and military conquerors. The fort was built under
the Vijaynagar kings in 1454. 150 years later the last king handed over
authority to the Hindu Wodeyars of Mysore. In the second half of the 18th
century it became the capital of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan from
where they ruled southern India before being finally defeated by the
British.
Proceed
to Mysore. Check in at the hotel.
Mysore
is the former capital of the princely state is the second largest city
in Karnataka. It is a beautiful city of stately palaces, gardens, parks
and museums. Sandalwood and a centre for the manufacture of incense
sticks. The
city is famous for the scent of jasmine in the spring.
Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 10 Msyore
Morning
an excursion to Somnathpur East of Mysore. This tiny village has one of
the best preserved and the only complete magnificent Hoysala Temple
(13th century) of approximately 80 Hoysala temples dedicated to God
Keshava. Small but exquisite the temple has excellent ceilings which
show the distinctive features of the late Hoysala style.
Afternoon
visit Chamundi Hill.
It has the temple of Durga (Chamundeswari) celebrating her victory
over the buffalo god. She became the guardian deity o the Wodeyars. On
the road to the top is the giant Nandi Monolith carved in 1659 (4,8m x
7,6m huge bull sculpture). Also visit the Maharaja
Palace (1857):
that was once the residence of the Wodeyars, Built in Indo-Saracenic
style in grand proportions, with domes, arches and colonnades of carved
pillars and shiny marble floors. One of the largest palaces in the
country with some art treasures,
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 Mysore/Hassan
After breakfast drive to
Hassan. On arrival in Hassan transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon
proceed for a guided sightseeing tour of Halebid the last capital
of Hoysala rulers in 11th/12th century. The Hoysalas were a mighty
martial race, but did not let that interfere with their culture and
fostering of some of the greatest masterpieces of the world.
The
Hoysala rulers commissioned some of the most unique temples in the south
as beautiful prayers to their gods to assist them on the battlefield.
Victory imbibed art with an incredible intricacy. Hoysala temples
are not huge like the usual temples in the south, but smaller by
comparison and aptly perched on star-shaped foundations, every niche and
corner studded with genius.
The
Hoysalesvara Temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva at Halebid is perched on a star-shaped base.
Outside there is a Nandi Bull, the mount of Shiva, was never completed
despite 86 years of labour.. Every centimeter of the outside wall of
this temple and much of the interior is covered with an endless variety
of Hindu deities, sages, animals and birds. The infant Krishna frolics,
battle rage, Shiva and Parvati embrace, the demon king Ravana lifts
Mount Kailasha and Shiva dances. 800 year old statues flaunt hairstyles
seen even today.
A
few kilometers further we reach Belur. The religious capital of Hoysala.
Visit the ornamental gopuram of the Chennakesava
Temple dedicate to Lord Vishnu, which appears unexpectedly around a
bend. It took 103 years to complete.
Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 12 Hassan/Banaglore/Goa
After early breakfast
drive to Bangalore. On arrival in Bangalore transfer to the airport to
connect flight to Goa.
Goa
was a Portuguese settlement and joined the Indian Republic only in 1961.
Unforgettable Goa, is a blend of serenity and excitement down a 100 km
coastline studded with some of the world’s finest beaches. Create you
own kind of holiday. Sun bathe in a quiet secluded spot, choose the
exhilarating thrills of parasailing, speed boating, water-skiing, wind
surfing and deep sea diving.
Celebrate with the Goans a feast of its famous cuisine and a
spirit of joyous fun. It also has the spiritual pilgrimage centre for
Christians at Old Goa. Yet inland Goa, is predominantly Hindu
.
On
arrival in Goa transfer to the hotel.
Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 13-16 Goa
Free to relax on the
beach.
Day 17 Goa/Mumbai
After breakfast, in time
transfer to the airport to connect flight to Mumbai. On arrival in
Mumbai transfer to the hotel.
Mumbai
is India’s most cosmopolitan city, an ancient port and trading centre.
This palm- fringed shore of the Arabian Sea was the British Empire’s
entrance to its `Crown Jewel’. Mumbai is also the centre for Hindi
films. It is called Bollywood, with a credit of almost 900 films a year.
Day 18 Mumbai
After breakfast in the
hotel, set out on a morning excursion to the rock-cut temples on the Elephanta
Island. An hour’s motor boat ride takes you 10 kms across the sea,
north-east from Mumbai’s harbour. Arrive the Island’s beautiful and
magnificent temple, wonders of
the 7th century dedicated to Lord Shiva as the Creator,
Preserver, Destroyer and in
`Cosmic Dance’. After sightseeing drive back to Bombay.
This
afternoon a short tour Mumbai city, rich blend of East and West. The
tour includes the 26 mtr high British-built Arch “Gateway
of India”, Mumbai’s landmark built to honour the visit of George
V and Queen Mary in 1911. Marine
Drive dubbed as the Queen’s
Necklace is Mumbai’s most popular promenades and a favourite
sunset watching spot. The Kamla
Nehru Park from where you have a picturesque view of the city,
Hanging Gardens are so named
since they are located on top of a series of tanks that supply water to
Mumbai. Pass by the `towers of silence’ the crematorium of the Parsis.
Also visit Mani Bhawan a
private house where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay when he visited Mumbai.
It is now a museum and research library with 20,000 volumes.
