Day 01: Madurai
Meeting and assistance on arrival at the Madurai airport/railway station and transfer to the hotel. Later a full day city tour visiting the Meenakshi Temple and the Thirumalai Nayak Mahal. Overnight stay at Madurai.

Madurai probably over 2500 years old, is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu and lies on the banks of the River Vaigai. Its origin and name emerge from a misty and lovely legend. In a forest near a lotus pond, Indra, King of Gods, worshipped Lord Siva as a Swayambu Lingam. At this hallowed spot, the Pandyan monarch Kulasekhara built a great temple and clearing the forest, he created a lotus-shaped city around the temple. On the day the city was to be named, Lord Siva appeared at the ceremony and blessed the land and its people with divine nectar (Mathuram) showered on the city from his matted locks. The city was henceforth known as Madhurapuri.

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple the temple dominates the old city which evolved around it. The temple is dedicated to both, Meenakshi, the lovely consort of Lord Siva and to Lord Siva as Sundareswarar. It is one of the holiest places of Shakti worship in South India. The temple is dominated by four enormous towers (gopurams) over the entrance gates. From the top of the tower one can get a panoramic view of Madurai and the 11 other gopurams of the temple. The Thousand-Pillared Mandapam (hall) of the temple has actually 985 beautifully sculpted pillars. Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, the most imposing remnant is a huge Audience Hall opening into a courtyard with elaborately ornamented arches. A sound and light show depicting the story of Thirumalai Nayak and Silappathikaram (a Tamil Epic) can be seen here daily.

Day 02: Madurai – Rameshwaram by road (175km/4hrs)
Early morning drive to Rameshwaram, upon arrival check into the hotel. Later visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Afternoon, tour the island visiting Dhanuskodi. Evening free for leisure activities. Overnight stay at Rameshwaram.

Rameshwaram is hallowed by the epic Ramayana. A devout Hindu who visits Varanasi is expected to visit Rameswaram also for the culmination of his quest for salvation. Rama sanctified this place by worshipping Lord Siva after the war against Ravana. Therefore, it is held sacred by Saivites and Vaishnavites as well. The presiding deity here is in the form of a Linga with the name Sri Ramanatha Swamy, it also happens to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

Ramanathaswamy Temple which is close to the sea on the eastern side of the island is renowned for magnificent corridors with massive sculpted pillars lining it. The corridor is the longest in India. It is 197 metres long East-West, 133 metres in length South-North. The temple has a 38.4 metres high tower (Gopuram). The temple is 264 metres in length and 200 metres in breadth. There are 22 sacred wells in the temple, each with water that tastes different from the others. The legend goes that Hanuman, the chief of the monkey army was sent to Mount Kailas to bring a Lingam (Siva). Hanuman was delayed on the way. But Lord Siva had to be worshipped at a fixed hour. And so, Sita molded a Lingam for Rama’s worship, which came to be called Ramanatha.

Agnitheertham the temple is facing the east and the sea, just 100 metres away from the main entrance to the Temple, is very calm. The water at this place is considered sacred and is known as ‘agnitheertham’. Pilgrims bathe in this place before entering the Temple.

At Danushkodi the southernmost tip of the island, at Kothandaramasamy Temple it is believed that Vibishana, brother of Ravana of the Ramayanam, surrendered before Lord Rama at this spot. The idols of Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vibishana are here.

Day 03: Rameshwaram – Kannyakumari by road (290km/6hrs)
Early morning drive to Kannyakumari, upon arrival check into the hotel. Later visit the Gandhi Memorial and take the ferry to Vivekananda Rock. In the evening visit the famous Kannyakumari Amman temple. Evening watch the sunset. Overnight stay at Kannyakumari.

Kanniyakumari, at the southern most land tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, lies Kanniyakumari, an important pilgrim centre. Kanniyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets, especially on full moon days. The sea itself is a beautiful sight with multi-colored water of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea.

Kumari Amman, temple is dedicated to Parvathi as Devi Kanya, the Virgin Goddess who did penance to obtain the hand of Lord Siva. Vivekananda Rock Memorial- there are two great rocks in the eastern direction in the sea. The bigger one measures about 3 acres and is 55 feet above the sea. Swami Vivekananda, the greatest social reformer that India produced, meditated on this rock where the memorial stands today. A meditation hall is also attached with the memorial. Ferry service is available to reach the memorial. Gandhi Memorial looks like a temple, mosque and church from three different sides, is a serene spot.

Nagercoil is situated 19 Kms from Kanyakumari. The Nagaraja Temple is situated here. Though Nagaraja (Serpent God) is the presiding deity, the images of Lord Siva and Ananthakrishna are also enshrined here. The images of the Jain Theerthangaras and Mahavira are found on the pillars of the temple. The Nagaraja is installed on the ground where it was originally found and the sand scooped out is given as Prasadam to the devotees. Suchindram (13 Kms)-Sri Thanumalayan Temple here is a repository of art treasures. Musical pillars and a huge 18 foot high Hanuman statue are proof of the artistic skill of the time. This unique temple is dedicated to the Trimurthys: Vishnu, Siva and Brahma.


Day 04: Kannyakumari – Madurai/Trivandrum by road (240/5hrs-100km/2hrs)
Early morning view sunrise and after breakfast proceed to Madurai or Trivandrum for the onward journey. An option to visit the Nagarcoil and Suchindram temples is available.