Chennai to Pondicherry (2 Days)

Chennai to Pondicherry (2 Days)

In this two days private tour you will visit Kanchipuram the city of thousands temples and one of the seven most sacred pilgrim centers for the Hindus. Mahabalipuram the ancient 7th century port famous for its magnificent rock temples & carvings. You will stay overnight in Pondicherry the distinct French colonial town with well-laid out streets and avenues. The city presents an unusual combination of European culture and the Indian traditions. An added attraction here is the township of Auroville, an oasis of peace and enlightenment.

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 01: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (235kms/ 5hrs approx)

Stop At: Kanchipuram India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Pondicherry via visiting Kanchipuram.

The City of Thousand Temples and The Silk City. 70 Km away from Chennai & is well connected by good net work of roads, Kanchipuram is known as city of thousand temples. It was mainly ruled by the Pallavas. It is also called as “Silk City” as silk saris are being manufactured here. Kanchipuram is known for its culture and civilization. Visit Kailasanathar temple: It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, dates back to 8th century. This temple is noted for its architecture and sculptures. There are 58 small shrines situated around the main shrine as compound wall. Sandstone was used in the construction of this temple. Ekambareswarar temple: This temple represents one of the five elements called Earth (Prithvi). Another ancient temple of the city dedicated to Siva. The 2500-year-old mango tree inside the temple has 4 branches each yields different varieties of mangoes. Varadharaja temple - This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is noted for its wonderful sculptures. This is one of the 108 sacred Shri Vaishnavite temples. Vaikundhaperumal temple: It is dedicated to lord Vishnu. It is also one of the 108 Divyadesams. Kamakshiamman temple: It is dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi – the presiding deity. It is one of the holy Sakthi worship places in India. It is closely associated with Sri Adi Sankaracharya.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Kanchipuram Lakshaya Silk Sarees, No.8 Seshatri Palayam Mettu St, Kanchipuram 631501 India
Handloom industry: Kanchipuram is also famous for handloom Silk Sarees. The main profession of people in Kanchipuram is weaving silk sarees.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Varaha Cave Temple, Kancheepuram District, Mahabalipuram India
Cave Temples: which excavated by scooping out the scarp of the hill. The scooping work starts from front to back. The cave temple is usually divided into inner & outer mandapas, distinguished by the difference in levels. The front mandapa will have pillars & plasters numbering 4,6,8,10. The inner mandapa contains single, triple or five cells. The cave temple with little modification is categorized as Mamalla style. The pillars under this style are slender & taller with squatting lion at their base. The pillar is divided into distinct parts known as kalasa, tadi, kumba, padma etc.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Stone Sculptures of Mahabalipuram, near Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Mahabalipuram 603104 India
Monolithic Temples: are locally known as Rathas. They were executed by chiseling out the exterior face of the boulder. Work started from top to bottom. The pyramidal vimana with sikhara at the top is an important feature of this style. It can be rightly said that these monolithic temples must have paved the way for the structural temples with elaborate architectural & sculptural details in the subsequent stage. There a total number of 8 monolithic temples found in Mamallapuram. The five rathas in one place, Ganesha Ratha, Valayankuttai Ratha & Pidari Rathas.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Sea Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram India
The Shore Temple on the Bay of Bengal was constructed in the 7th century during the rule of King Narsimha-Varman II Rajasimha (c. 690-728).The Shore temples is a temple complex consisting of two Siva temples and a carving of Anantasayana Vishnu. The temple facing east is entered by a small gopura. On plan, it consists of a small sanctum & a front mandapa & is a two-tired vimana. The sanctum is housing a linga. The Somaskanda panel consisting of Siva & Parvati with baby Skanda is on the back wall of the sanctum. The dhara linga & Somaskanda panel on the back wall of the sanctum are the features of the Pallava temples only.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Day 02: Pondicherry - Chennai (160kms/ 2hrs approx)

Stop At: Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Rue de la Marine, Pondicherry India
Breakfast at hotel sightseeing of French colony, churches, Temple and Aurobindo Ashram. Afternoon drive to Chennai drop off to your hotel or airport.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: French War Memorial, Goubert Avenue, Pondicherry 605001 India
sightseeing
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: French Institute, 11 Rue Saint Louis Street, Pondicherry 605001 India
Sightseeing
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.