Visit Kanchipuram, one of Hinduism's seven most sacred cities. This "Golden City of a Thousand Temples" dates back to the early Cholas in the second century. Only around 70 temples of the original temple complex are still intact and the most famous is the Kailasanatha Temple built of sandstone in the early seventh century. Kanchipuram is famous for silk weaving and a visit to the nearby villages to see the craftsmen at work on their looms is rewarding experience.
Mamallapuram occupies a stunning position on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon. Built by the Pallava rulers in the seventh century, the complex comprises of 14 cave temples, nine monolithic " Rathas", three stone temples and two relief sculptured rock panels. These two rock-panels give a graphic description of Arjuna's penance when he prayed for the powers of Shiva and form the largest Bass Relief in the world. Particularly of interest is the shore temple built on the water's edge with an east-facing altar designed to catch the rising Sub, this has now been declared a World Heritage Site.
Full day excursion to Pondicherry which traces its origin to Saint Gasthya, the revered sage of the South. Excavations near Pondicherry reveal that a Roman settlement existed here 2000 years ago. It was also the theatre of many a battles between the British and the French and was the capital of French India before it attained its independence. Visit Auroville, an 'Ashram' for peace and harmonious living, founded by saint-philosopher Sir Aurobindo.
Located 138 Kms from Chennai, it is one of the most famous shrines in the country thronged by continuous stream of devotees. Known as Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam or the abode of the Lord Tirupati, is among the most visited holy place in India for Hindu’s. Situated amidst lush greenery atop a hill surrounded by outcroppings of red rock, the Tirupati temple attracting thousands devotees every day, is dedicated to Sri Venkateswara -one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
Tirupati is also known for being one of the richest shrines in the world. Tirumala-Tirupati is built around seven hills that are also known as Sapthagiri after the seven hoods of the cosmic serpent Sheshnag. The temple of Sri Venkateswara is situated on the seventh peak called Venkatadri.
Many a pilgrim get their head shaved when they visit the Tirupati temple and offer their hair to Balaji and this tonsuring of the head is a ritual that is strongly associated with Tirupati. The temple houses a heavily garlanded idol of Sri Venkateswara. In that time you’ll see the stupendously opulent vimana covered in gold and finely sculpted columns. The ‘darshan’ is followed by a round of ‘prasad’, food that has been blessed by the deity and must be received with both hands cupped, right palm above the left one.
From the Tirumamani Mandapam, one can enter the Bangaru Vakili (Meaning Golden Entrance in Telugu) to reach the inner sanctum sanctorum. There are two tall copper images of the dwarapalakas (Guards) Jaya and Vijaya on either side of the door. The thick wooden door is covered with gilt plates depicting the dasavataram (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu. The doorway is directly in line with the Padi Kavali and the Vendi Vakili (Meaning Silver Corridor in Telugu). It admits pilgrims to the Snapana Mandapam. Suprabhatam is sung in front of this door.
One of the most important offering in this temple, is the 'thulabharam.' In the Thulabaram ritual, a devotee sits on a pan of a weighing balance and the other pan is filled with materials greater than the weight of the devotee. Devotees usually offer sugar, jaggery, tulsi leaves, banana, gold, coins. This is mostly performed with newborn babies or children.
Kalakshetra means a holy place of arts (Kala: Arts, Kshetra: Field or Holy place). Deriving inspiration from Rukmini Devi, Kalakshetra was established, in the words of Rukmini Devi, "with the sole purpose of resuscitating in modern India recognition of the priceless artistic traditions of our country and of imparting to the young the true spirit of Art, devoid of vulgarity and commercialism." The training of young and talented people by masters of art, with the background of a religious spirit, has been its main aim. It focuses on bharatanatyam, carnatic vocal and instrumental music, the visual arts, traditional crafts and textile design, textual heritage, aesthetics, history and philosophy.
Museum tour covering Government Museum at Egmore which has a good collection of bronze sculptures of the Chola period, Amaravati sculptures, Tanjore armoury, inscriptions on stones and copper plates, artifacts from the Megaliths of Adichanallur, the Bruce Foote Collection of prehistoric stone implements, the exquisite crystal reliquaries from the Bhattiprolu Stupa and the enormous skeleton of the whale obtained on shore near Mangalore. Later proceed to Fort Museum located inside the St.George Fort which is decorated with cannons of Tipu Sultan. There are a lot of interesting artifacts showcased in the museum like coins, artifacts and so on.
Mylapore, an ancient town in the heart of modern Chennai, pre date the city by at least 2000 years. Widely considered the nub from where the rest of the city grew, it has kept alive many traditions and art that chennai is so well known for. The famous Kapaleeswara Temple is a fine example of the pure Dravidian style, with gopurams and mandapams, and is the epicentre around which the area of Mylapore is built. During this walk you can see the jewellers, silk merchants, fruit and vegetable sellers and the flower vendors in the bazaars. The walk also takes us through small lanes with old-style homes, through silk shops, stores selling music and religious memorablia, etc.
Pondy Bazaar is situated in T. Nagar on Thiyagaraya Road, Chennai; today it may be among the busiest shopping areas of the city, with just a few stately homes remaining in it to narrate its past glory as a well-planned district. A walk with your guide through this bustling market will make you experience the energy and street culture of Chennai.The markets sell everything under the sun - fruits, vegetables, flowers, sarees, gold, diamonds, handicrafts… the list is endless. It’s a great way to get acquainted with the people, the culture and the food. It is fun to observe the local culture and way of life.
Visit the EA Mall & Spencer Plaza to get the real time experience of Chennai. EA Mall is a venerable mall with world class shopping cµm entertainment facility, seated right in the heart of Chennai city, housing some of the biggest brands from around the globe.
The mall gives a whole new dimension to work, leisure, entertainment and shopping. Spencer Plaza is located on Mount Road (also known as Anna Salai), and is one of the landmarks of Chennai. This shopping mall is the major hangout for people of Chennai. It now comprises 3 phases, Phase I, Phase II and Phase III. Phase III is the most recently opened. The Plaza has a number of stores dealing in goods of many major brands, as well as local brands.
Dakshina Chitra literally means – “a picture of the south”, is a center for the living traditions of art, folk performing arts, craft and architecture of India with an emphasis on the traditions of South India. One can explore 17 heritage houses, amble along recreated streetscapes, explore contextual exhibitions, interact with typical village artisans and witness folk performances set in an authentic ambience. It offers an unforgettable & authentic insight into the lifestyles of the diverse peoples of South India. Visitors here are introduced to traditional handicrafts like kalamkari, pottery and even silk weaving.
The demonstrators are very friendly and passionate in explaining the intricacies of their art. Also visitors can catch exciting puppet plays, consult palmists and parrot astrologers, try their hand at spinning traditional tops. For those interested in purchasing souvenirs, Dakshinchitra also has a well-stocked gift-shop and an arts & crafts marketplace.
Arignar Anna Zoological Park (abbreviated AAZP), also known as the Vandalur Zoo, is a zoological garden located in Vandalur, a suburb in the southwestern part of Chennai is one of the largest in South Asia with a total area of 1300 acres, about 31 kms from the Chennai. The Zoological Park is the pride of the State and has attained excellence in the Conservation Breeding Programme for endangered species and creating awareness about the conservation of natural resources. The zoo houses around 170 species of mammals, birds and reptiles and 2,553 species of flora and fauna.
The golden temple of 'Sripuram' is a spiritual park situated at the foot of a small range of green hills in a place known as "Malaikodi" in the city of Vellore in Tamil Nadu, India. The salient feature is the Lakshmi Narayani temple or Mahalakshmi temple whose 'Vimanam’ and ‘Ardha Mandapam’ The temple with gold covering, has intricate work done by artisans specializing in temple art using gold. Every single detail was manually created, including converting the gold chunks into gold foils and then mounting the foils on copper. Gold foil from 9 layers to 0 layers has been mounted on the etched copper plates. Every single detail in the temple art has significance from the vedas.
Descubre la puerta que da al sur de la India con esta excursión de día completo a Chennai, donde podrás conocer el lado más clásico, antiguo y amable de este país. Chennai es una de las ciudades más grandes del subcontinente y se extiende unos ochenta kilómetros, con un hermoso paseo marítimo frente a la bahía de Bengala. Visita los principales lugares de interés de una ciudad a caballo entre el pasado y el futuro.
Chennai también era conocida como Madrás, y tiene vínculos con Europa desde hace siglos. Estuvo ocupada por los portugueses, los holandeses, los ingleses y los franceses antes de caer definitivamente en manos de los ingleses en el siglo XVIII. Actualmente se conoce como la 'Detroit' de la India debido a su impresionante industria automovilística.
Tu excursión por Chennai comenzará con una visita a la Marina Beach, que con trece kilómetros de longitud es la segunda playa más larga del mundo. Después nos dirigiremos hacia el Fuerte de San Jorge, construido por los británicos para proteger su posesión. En la actualidad, parte de este complejo sirve de secretaría del gobierno y la iglesia de Santa María, la iglesia anglicana más antigua de la India, ha sido transformada en museo.
Más deslumbrante todavía es la blanca y reluciente catedral católica de Santo Tomé, de estilo neogótico, construida por los británicos en el antiguo emplazamiento de una iglesia de época colonial portuguesa. También visitaremos el templo de Kapaleeswarar, el más antiguo de Chennai, y el templo de Parthasarathy. Después puedes pasarte por el Snake Park, que tiene una enorme colección de serpientes y otros reptiles mientras que por la noche tienes la oportunidad de pasarte por el mercado de flores y frutas.
La encantadora ciudad de Chennai se conoce también como la puerta que da al sur de la India, y esta excursión de media jornada te ofrece la oportunidad de sentir el lado clásico, antiguo y espiritual del país. Visita el Museo del Gobierno y la galería de arte, además del famoso templo Kapaleeswarar dedicado a Shiva. Después disfrutar de un viaje hasta el histórico Fuerte de San Jorge, la espectacular Marina Beach y la catedral católica de San Tomé.
El Museo del Gobierno y la Galería Nacional de Arte forman parte del complejo histórico-cultural de Chennai. El museo es el segundo más antiguo de toda India y está situado en un edificio de estilo italianizante, construido en arenisca roja y de planta circular. Posee secciones dedicadas a la arqueología, zoología, historia natural y diversas esculturas, además de una valiosa y exclusiva colección de monedas. La galería se encuentra en un imponente edificio indo-sarraceno y exhibe unas colecciones de pinturas indias en miniatura y pinturas tanjore en paneles, muchos de los cuales suelen llevar pan de oro.
Visita el templo Kapaleeswarar y maravíllate ante la asombrosa gopuram (puerta-torre) de estuco con sus cincuenta y siete metros de altura. El templo se ha conservado desde el siglo VII, mientras que la colorida gopuram data de 1906. Date una vuelta por el lugar y quédate con todo lujo de detalle de esta magnífica oda al dios Shiva. El acceso al patio exterior está reservado solo para hinduistas.
Durante nuestro viaje con vistas panorámicas atravesaremos Chennai hasta el Fuerte de San Jorge, construido por los británicos para proteger su posesión, la Marina Beach, la segunda playa más larga del mundo y la impresionante catedral neogótica de Santo Tomé.