Overview

The Spiritual & Pilgrimage Tour is a divine journey across the sacred temples, heritage sites, and spiritual centers of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. This itinerary blends centuries-old traditions, architectural marvels, and mythological significance, offering travelers a deeper connection with India’s spiritual heritage. From the revered Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai to the mighty Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, from the holy Jyotirlinga at Rameshwaram to the soul-stirring Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari, this pilgrimage trail is designed for seekers of both devotion and culture. Along the way, travelers experience UNESCO World Heritage Sites, renowned Ashrams, and legendary temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, and Murugan. This journey is not just about visiting temples; it is about embracing peace, devotion, and the timeless stories that define South India’s sacred land.

Highlights

• Kapaleeswarar Temple & Ashtalakshmi Temple, Chennai

• Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati

• Kanchipuram temples: Ekambareshwarar, Varadaraja Perumal, Kamakshi Amman

• Shore Temple & Pancha Rathas, Mamallapuram (UNESCO)

• Arunachaleswarar Temple & Sri Ramana Ashram, Thiruvannamalai

• Aurobindo Ashram & Matrimandir, Pondicherry

• Chidambaram Natarajar Temple & Gangaikonda Cholapuram (UNESCO)

• Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur (UNESCO)

• Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

• Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga Temple, Rameshwaram

• Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Kumari Amman Temple, Kanyakumari

Itinerary

Day 01 Chennai

We welcome and start our Spiritual tour in Tamil Nadu from Chennai. Our very first stop is Kapaleeswarar Temple of Lord Shiva at Mylapore which is one of the oldest temples in Tamil Nadu. Known for its history, Kapaleeswarar Temple was built by the Pallavas in the 7th century and is standing still in its beautiful glory even today. We then move to Ashtalakshmi Temple which is a temple dedicated to the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi. Located on the shoreline of Chennai, this temple’s architecture is unique and the deities are installed at four levels making it look more alluring and magnificent.We then move on to Thiruverkadu Devi Karumari Amman Temple where Devi Karumari Amman blessed God Sun and therefore Sunday is celebrated as the day of Karumari. This temple witnesses the scene of sun rays falling on the head of Devi Karumari twice in a year. We will then head to Kamakshi Amman Temple dedicated to Parvathi in Maangadu. It’s called Maangadu because it is built around a grove of mango trees. This temple has Sri Ardhameru Chakram (a spiritual geometrical patterned device) installed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. After the day tour, we head on to the hotel to rest.

Day 02 Chennai – Kalahasthi – Tirupathi

After an early morning breakfast, we commence our tour from Chennai to Sri Kalahasti, in Andhra Pradesh. Sri Kalahasti Temple is one of the most famous Shiva temples in South India and Lord Shiva in his aspect of Vayu is worshipped as Kalahasteeswara. We, then proceed to Venkateswara temple in Tirumala, dedicated to Lord Sri Venkateswara and known as the landmark Vaishnavite temple. A famous pilgrimage spot, Tirumala attracts tourists from all faiths and is the richest temple in the world in terms of wealth and donations received.After Tirumala, we head on to Govindaraja Perumal temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In the premises of Thillai Nataraja Temple, Govindaraja Perumal is constructed in the Dravidian style which makes it a must-watch place. From there, we proceed towards Sri Padmavathi Amman temple dedicated to Goddess Padmavathi. This temple celebrates Brahmotsavam of the Goddess with fun, frolic, and enthusiasm to observe the auspicious occasion of her avatar. We then start for our hotel and call it a day.

Day 03 Tirupathi – Kanchipuram – Mamallapuram

The third day starts with early breakfast and then we head to Kanchipuram. Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, a Lord Shiva temple is the oldest temple in Kanchipuram which is of Dravidian Architecture. It is one of the prominent tourist attractions of the city known for its historical background. We then make way to Ekambareshwar Temple which is also of Lord Shiva, associated with the element of earth, Prithvi. After a little tour around the temple, learning about the history and marveling at the architecture we proceed to Varadharaja Permual temple in Kanchipuram. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the most sacred places for Vaishnavites.We carry on with the next destination, Kamakshi Amman Temple of Goddess Parvathi. This temple has the history that says Kamakshi offered worship to a Shivalingam made out of sand in the shade of a mango tree and asked Shiva’s hand in marriage.After this architectural beauty, we head on to Mamallapuram’s Shore Temple. Shore temple got its identity because it overlooks the shore of Bay of Bengal. Being classified as one of the group monuments that were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shore temple is must-visit for all the tourists. The next place is Descent of the Ganges (Arjuna’s Penance) which is a monument depicting in the bas-relief the story of the descent of the sacred river the Ganges to earth from the heaven. It is of the group of monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We after completing this little tour go on to Pancha Ratha, a monument complex at Mahabalipuram, an example of monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture. It is included in the group of monuments which is dedicated as a UNESCO site. We after this stroll, proceed towards our hotel and end it with a big happy meal.

Day 04 Mamallapuram – Thiruvannamalai

We start our day with breakfast and then leave for Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Arunachaleswarar Temple of Lord Shiva is the largest temple in the world. The place where Lord Shiva stood as a column of fire to eliminate the ego is Thiruvannamalai. After that, we proceed to Sri Ramana Ashram, an abode to modern sage and Advaita Vedanta philosopher Raman Maharshi. His shrine continues to attract people from all faiths. We then proceed for our hotel.

Day 05 Thiruvannamalai – Pondicherry

With full breakfast early in the morning, we start for Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu. Sir Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual ashram in Pondicherry grew out of a small community of disciples to large masses of devotees gathering to receive grace. We continue our tour to our next stop Manakula Vinayagar Temple of Lord Ganesha. It is well-known pilgrimage site and tourist destination in Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu. After a short visit there, we proceed towards Matrimandir – soul of the city. It is an edifice of spiritual significance for the practitioners of Internal Yoga and doesn’t belong to any particular sect or religion. We then head towards our hotel and you get the leisure time to do any activity you wish.

Day 06 Pondicherry – Chidambaram – Gangaikondhacholapuram – Kumbakonam

We start our day from Pondicherry to Chidambaram. We will visit Thillai Natarajar Temple of Lord Shiva known as one of the foremost of all temples in Shaivism. We will then go to Thillai Kali Temple which has a history where Goddess Kaali Devi moved after losing to Lord Shiva in the celestial dance contest.We then cover Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple which is based at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. Witness this architectural work of genius and then we move to Darasuram – a temple testifying brilliant achievements of Chola in architecture, sculpture, painting, and bronze casting. It is declared as UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.We move on to Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu is one of the Divya Desams and is believed to be of significant antiquity as it has contributions at different times from ancestral families. We then move to Kothandaramar Temple, Patteeswaram which dates back to the Ramayana time where Lord Rama installed Shiva Linga and provided darshan in Kalyan Kolam. Our next stop Swamimalai Swaminathaswamy temple is one of the six holy shrines of Murugan called Arupadaiveedu. We call it a day and start our journey towards the hotel.

Day 07 Kumbakonam – Thanjavur – Trichy

We commence our seventh day from Kumbakonam to Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Our first stop is at Brihadeeswarar Temple of Lord Shiva which is one of the largest temples in India and most-visited tourist attraction because of its Dravidian architecture. This temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site popularly known as the “Great Living Chola”.We then proceed to Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple of Lord Vishnu which is the foremost of the eight self-manifested shrines and also considered to be the first, foremost and the most important of the 108 Divyadesams. After exploring this temple we head on to Jalagandeswarar temple in Thiruvanaikaval. This temple is also famous for its architecture and the history associated with it. After this temple, we visit Rock Fort Temple which is rested 83m high on an immense projection in Trichy. After visiting this marvelous creation, we call it a day and rest in Trichy.

Day 08 Trichy – Rameshwaram

We start early from Trichy to Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu. A lord Shiva temple Ramanathaswamy is also one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples and is considered as a holy pilgrimage site. We then proceed to God Rama Steps where we spend some time exploring and knowing the place. After this temple, we move on to Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu which is a shrine dedicated to Rama. After strolling around the temple, we move towards Anjaneya Temple which is 18 feet in height and graces us with a Japamala in hand and a sword in the waist. We, then proceed to Dhanushkodi an abandoned town in Tamil Nadu. After visiting Dhanushkodi we proceed towards our hotel.

Day 09 Rameshwaram – Kanyakumari

We start early for Kanyakumari from Rameshwaram. The first place we visit is Sri Vivekanandha Rock Memorial which is the place where Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment and also it stands on one of the two rocks located at India’s mainland’s southernmost tip. We then start for Thiruvalluvar Statue which is a 133 feet tall stone sculpture built in honor of Tamil poet and philosopher Tiruvalluvar. Our next stop would be Kumari Amman Temple, situated on the seashore of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Devi Kanyakumari. We then move to Gandhi Memorial Mandapam, a place where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were kept for public darshan before immersing in the sea.After a good stroll around the place, we start for our next place which is Bharat Mata Mandir which was proposed by Swami Vivekananda- a temple dedicated to Bharat Mata. We then visit Thanumalayan Temple which has Trimurtis residing and is an important Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu. Our last stop for of the Tamil Nadu tour is Padmanabhapuram Palace located at the foot of the Velli Hills, is a palace of Travancore era which is owned and maintained by Government of Kerala. We call it a day and start our journey towards the hotel.

Day 10 Kanyakumari – Trivandrum departure

We bid adieu with a heavy heart and a distant hope of getting associated with you in near future with our Tamil Nadu tour package.

Inclusion

• Pick up and Drop from Airport/ Railway Station by Individual Cab

• Accommodation on Double Occupancy

• Daily Breakfast

• Dinners (For selected Package)

• All transfers and sightseeing by Private car

• Parking, Toll Tax, Fuel Expences. and Driver Expences

• 24 x 7 Ground Support

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time for this pilgrimage tour is from October to March, when the weather is cooler and pleasant for temple visits. Festivals such as Navaratri in Kanchipuram, Brahmotsavam in Tirupati, and Kartigai Deepam in Thiruvannamalai enhance the spiritual experience with vibrant rituals and cultural celebrations. Summers can be hot, while the monsoon brings occasional travel interruptions.

Ideal For

• Devout pilgrims seeking Jyotirlinga and Divya Desam experiences

• Families wishing to combine spirituality with cultural exploration

• Heritage lovers interested in UNESCO monuments and Dravidian architecture

• Spiritual seekers and ashram visitors in Pondicherry & Thiruvannamalai