KANCHIPURAM - CHIDAMBARAM - THANJAVUR - MADURAI - TRICHY (FROM CHENNAI)

About Kamakshi Amman Temple

At a distance of 1 km from Kanchipuram Bus Station, Kamakshi Amman Temple, also known as Kamakoti Nayaki Kovil, is an ancient Hindu temple located in the town of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the popular temples in South India, and among the famous places to visit as part of Kanchipuram tour packages. The Kanchi Kamakshi Temple is dedicated to goddess Kamakshi, who is believed to be an incarnation of Parvati, the Hindu goddess of love, fertility, and strength. It is one of the prominent pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu, and one among the 51 Shakti Peethas, which are sacred shrines built around the falling body parts from the corpse of Goddess Sati from heaven. It is believed the naval part of her body fell at this site, thus making it a holy abode. The temple is also the center for the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.

History of Kamakshi .....

About Sri Ekambarnathar Temple

At a distance of 2 km from Kanchipuram Bus Station, Sri Ekambaranathar Temple, also known as Ekambareswarar Temple is ancient Hindu temple located in the town of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as it is one of the temples associated with the five elements, the Pancha Bhoota Stalas, and specifically the element of earth, or Prithvi, and among the must visit places as part of the Kanchipuram pilgrimage packages. The presiding deity Ekambareswarar or Ekambaranathar is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

History of Sri Ekambarnathar Temple

Among the most famous pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu, the Ekambareswara Temple .....

About Kailasanathar Temple

At a distance of 3 km from Kanchipuram Bus Station, the Kailasanathar Temple, also referred to as the Kailasanatha Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated in the sacred town of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Located on the banks of the Vegavathi River, it is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Tamilnadu, and among the must include places in Kanchi tour. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kailasanatha Temple is distinguished by its grandeur and exquisite architectural design. As the oldest surviving temple in Kanchipuram, it set a precedent for similar temples throughout southern India. This historic temple, dating back to the Pallava dynasty, was considered one of the largest Hindu temples in India at the time of its establishment.

History of Kailasanathar Temple

The Kailasanathar Temple was constructed between 685 AD and 705 AD by the Pallava king Narasimha II Rajasimha, which is why .....

About Varadarajaswami Temple

At a distance of 3 Km from Kanchipuram Bus Station, Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, or Sri Varadarajaswami Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in the Vishnu Kanchi suburb of Kanchipuram. Also known as Devarajaswami Temple, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and is one of the must visit pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu. It ranks as the fourth among the Divya Desams, which are the 108 temples dedicated Lord Vishnu that are said to have been visited by the twelve poet saints known as the Alvars. This is also one of the 3 most sacred Vishnu shrines and is referred to in the Vaishnava parlance as 'Perumal Koil,' with the other 2 being Srirangam known as 'Koil,' and Tirupathi, as 'Tirumalai.' The temple is also notable for its association with Ramanuja, one of the foremost scholars of the Vaishnava Vishishtadvaita philosophy, who is believed to have lived here.

History of Varadarajaswami .....

About Vaikunta Perumal Temple

At a distance of 1 km from Kanchipuram Bus Station, Vaikunta Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple located in Kanchipuram. Also known as Parameswara Vinnagaram, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and is one of the exquisite temples in Kanchipuram on par with Kailasanatha temple. Vishnu is worshipped as Vaikunta Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Anandavalli. Also referred to as Parameswara Vinnagaram, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is regarded as one of the most remarkable temples in Kanchipuram, comparable to the Kailasanatha temple. In this sacred site, Lord Vishnu is revered as Vaikunta Perumal, while his consort, Lakshmi, is honored as Anandavalli. It is one of the must-include places in Kanchi packages, and is recognized as one of the Divya Desams of Vaishnavism, which comprises 108 temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, believed to have been visited by the twelve poet saints known .....

About Pichavaram

At a distance of 16 Km from Chidambaram & 217 Km from Chennai, Pichavaram is an exquisite coastal village in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the most picturesque places to visit near Chennai, and among the must include places in Chidambaram packages. Located between the Vellar estuary and Coleroon estuary, Pichavaram is well-known for its mangrove forests spread over 1100 hectares area. The mangroves of Pichavaram are considered the second largest mangrove forests in the world. Apparently, the forest has more than 50 islands of various sizes and 4,400 big and small canals. The trees grow in water that's 3 to 10 feet deep in different places. The conditions are quite hostile, as the sea's tides bring saltwater in and out twice a day, changing the salinity. Hence, the trees have unique root systems, with membranes that only allow fresh water to enter.

Things to .....

About Thillai Nataraja Temple

At a distance of 2 km from Chidambaram Bus Station, Thillai Nataraja Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Chidambaram town of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the ancient temples in South India, and among the must include places in Chidambaram tour packages. Also referred to as the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple or Chidambaram Temple, the temple is dedicated to Nataraja, the cosmic dance form of Lord Shiva. It is one of the five Panchbootha Sthalas of Lord Shiva, representing the element of space. Chidambaram, the name of the city literally means 'stage of consciousness'.

History of Thillai Nataraja Temple

The temple's origins remain shrouded in some mystery, but historical evidence suggests a Shiva shrine existed at the site well before the 7th century AD, when the town was referred to as Thillai. The Chola dynasty, who revered Nataraja as their family deity, significantly .....

About Brihadeeswarar Temple

At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Junction Railway Station, the Brihadeeswarar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located on the banks of the Kaveri River in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Periya Kovil, it is one of the famous heritage places to visit in Tamilnadu, and among the must include places in Thanjavur tour packages. Also known as The Big Temple, Brihadeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is famous for its grandeur and beautiful sculptures.

It is one of the largest Hindu temples in India, and an exemplar of Tamil architecture. It is also called Dakshina Meru (Meru of the South). The temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the 'Great Living Chola Temples', along with the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple and Airavatesvara Temple. It is one of the most visited heritage sites in Tamil Nadu.

History .....

At a distance of 2 km from Thanjavur Railway Station, and 1.5 km from Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur Palace is a wonderful historical structure in the town of Thanjavur. It is one of the famous Thanjavur tourist places.

Also known as Maratha Palace or Nayak Palace, it was the official residence of the Maratha rulers from 1674 to 1855. It was constructed partly by Thanjavur Nayaks around 1550 CE and expanded by the Marathas. The palace is noted for its huge halls, spacious corridors, observation and arsenal towers, and a shady courtyard. This palace is a must-visit place for history buffs to understand the history and lifestyle of its rulers as part of Thanjavur tour.

The entrance to the palace is a large quadrangular courtyard which is encircled by walls with big gateways to the north and the east. The courtyard leads to a many-pillared hall. .....

About Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple

At a distance of 2 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, also known as Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman Thirukkovil, is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the biggest and most popular temples in India, and among the must-visit places as part of Madurai tour packages. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, her consort Sundareswarar, a form of Shiva and her brother Alagar, a form of Vishnu. The temple is theologically significant as it represents a confluence of the Shaivism, Shaktism and Vaishnavism denominations of Hinduism. It was shortlisted as one of the top 30 nominees for New Seven Wonders of the World. It is one of the the prime places of Pilgrimage in Tamilnadu. This temple is one .....

At a distance of 1 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station & 1.5 km Meenakshi Temple, The Koodal Alagar Temple, also known as Arulmigu Koodalazhagar Thirukoil, is another important temple in Madurai and among prime sightseeing to be included in your Madurai Trip. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple is believed to be older than the Meenakshi temple. It is one of the important places to visit in Madurai.

A unique feature of this temple is the three different postures of the same God. The three figures of Vishnu are in standing, sitting and reclining postures. These three figures of the deity are known by three different names. The most venerated of the three figures is Lord Vishnu in the seated posture. The seated Lord Vishnu is locally known as Lord Koodal Alagar from whom the temple derives its name. The reclining idol is known as Sri Ranganatha. Sri .....

At a distance of 3 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station and 1 km from Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal is an ancient palace situated in Madurai. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Tamilnadu, and among the major Madurai tourist places.

Thirumalai Nayak Mahal was constructed in the Indo-Saracen style by Thirumalai Nayak in the year 1636. After Independence, this palace was declared as a national monument and to date continues to be one of the spectacular monuments of Southern India. It is one of the must include places in Madurai packages. The original palace complex was four times bigger than the present structure. The palace was designed by an Italian architect.

The main palace is divided into two parts, Swargavilasa and Rangavilasa and only the Swargavilasa is survived today. .....

About Thiruparankundram Temple

At a distance of 8 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Thiruparankundram Temple, also known as Tirupparamkunram Murugan Kovil is a 8th century rock cut cave temple situated at Thiruparankundram. Dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Subrahmanya, it is one of the major places to visit as part of the Madurai pilgrimage tour. The Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple is recognized as one of the six revered temples of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu, that are collectively referred to as the Arupadaiveedu. These temples are regarded as the foremost places of worship for followers of Lord Murugan, with each temple possessing significant religious and historical value.

History of Thiruparankundram Temple

As per the historical records, the Murugan temple existed much before the 6th century. Initially known as the Kudaivari temple, it was established during the era of .....

About Thiruvanaikoi l/ Jambukeshwar Temple

At a distance of 2.5 km from Srirangam Temple and 11 km from Trichy Railway Junction, Thiruvanaikaval, also known as Jambukeshwar Temple, is a Hindu temple located in Srirangam. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the five major Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu known as Panchabhoota Sthalas representing element of water. The sanctum has Shiva Lingam in the form of Appu lingam (water lingam). The sanctum of Lord Jambukeshwar has an underground water stream and one can see water coming out of that stream all the time. The presiding goddess is Devi Akilandeshwari Amman. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams of Lord, and among the must include places in Srirangam tour packages.

History of Thiruvanaikoil / Jambukeshwar Temple

Sri Jambukeshwar Temple was established by Kochengon Chola, a prominent figure among the Early Cholas, over 1800 years ago. This ruler is credited .....

About Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

At a distance of 1 Km from Srirangam Railway Station, and 9 Km from Trichy Railway Junction, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is a prominent Hindu temple situated at Srirangam, an island formed by the twin Rivers Cauvery and Kollidam. It is one of the famous temples in South India, and among the most visited pilgrimage places in Tamilnadu. This temple is dedicated to Ranganatha, a reclining form of Lord Vishnu. This temple is also known by other names such as Thiruvaranga Tirupati, Periyakoil, Bhoologa Vaikundam, and Bhogamandapam.

The temple is celebrated in the works of the Tamil poet-saints known as the Alvars, particularly in their revered text, the Naalayira Divya Prabhandam. It holds the unique honor of being the foremost among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Furthermore, the Srirangam Temple is recognized as the largest religious complex in the world that is actively .....

About Rock Fort Temple

At a distance of 5 km from Trichy Railway Junction, the Rock Fort is a historic fort and temple complex situated in Trichy. It is one of the important places to visit as part of Trichy packages. Perched atop one of the oldest rock formations in the world, dating back over 3.8 billion years, the Rock Fort stands as a remarkable example of ancient engineering and military strategy. Throughout history, it has served as a significant stronghold for various South Indian dynasties, including the Pallavas, Cholas, Vijayanagara Empire, and the Nayaks of Madurai, each leaving their mark on its extensive and varied history. The fort complex is not just a historical site but also a lively cultural center. It is home to two principal temples namely the Ucchi Pillayar Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, and the Thayumanavar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, both of which continue to serve as active sites of worship and .....