Introduction

Southern India, between the Coromandel and Malabar coasts, is an exotic land of colours and contrasts which for centuries has attracted traders and travellers to its palm-fringed shores. The Jews came early, as did the Romans and St. Thomas the Apostle, followed later by the Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, French and British. During this tour we drive from coast to coast enjoying diverse landscapes as we explore Southern India’s rich and varied heritage. From Chennai (Madras), settled by the British East India Company, we travel through Tamil Nadu visiting some of India’s most spectacular and colourful temple towns including the UNESCO World Heritage sites at Mamallapuram and Thanjavur. A drive through the Western Ghats via the hill station of Munnar takes us to the cosmopolitan port of Cochin, home of India’s oldest synagogue and famous for its Chinese fishing nets. After a short flight to Bangalore we drive to Mysore, one of India’s loveliest cities. We visit the splendid palace of the Maharajas and also Seringapatam, stronghold of Tipu Sultan, renowned for his battles with the British. At the Jain pilgrimage site of Sravana Belgola we climb 700 steps to the largest monolithic statue in India. Later we trace our path towards Hyderabad, with its impressive Islamic buildings, and Golconda, once centre of a lucrative gem industry and origin of the Koh-i-Noor diamond.

Day 1 – Arrive Chennai

Arrival in Chennai (Madras). On arrival transfer to the Hotel.

Day 2 – Chennai Sightseeing

After a Break fast sight seeing tour of Chennai (Madras), Our visits include the Government Museum, which has a magnificent collection of South Indian temple bronzes, and Fort St. George, South Indian headquarters of the British East India Company from the 1640s. St. Mary’s Church, consecrated in 1680, is the oldest Anglican church in the East. Later buildings within the Fort include the former Admiralty House, residence for a time of Lord Clive when he was Governor of Madras. A drive through the city takes us past the sumptuous High Court, Central Station and other buildings of the late Victorian era, then down the Marina with its handsome Neo-classical facades before returning to  dinner.Over night at Hotel.

Day 3 - Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mamallapuram

A short morning drive to the sacred city of Kanchipuram, former capital of the Pallava kings and famed for its temples and religious festivals. It is also the centre of a thriving silk industry. Our visits include the 8C Kailasanatha temple, the finest example of Pallava architecture in India, which is dedicated to Shiva and covered with a profusion of images from the god’s mythology. The great Ekambareshvara temple is an impressive 17C structure dominated by lofty pyramidal gateways called gopuras.. We continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mamallapuram, which overlooks the Bay of Bengal and was once the port of the Pallava rulers. After lunch we explore the extraordinary rock-cut shrines and rock reliefs that are considered the greatest examples of Pallava art. After some free time to stroll around the charming little seaside town .Over night at Hotel .

Day 4 - Mamallapuram – Chidambaram – Thanjavur

In the morning we drive southwards to Chidambaram, celebrated for its magnificent temple to Shiva as Nataraja, the Lord of the Cosmic Dance, patron deity of the Chola kings who ruled southern India from the 9C to the 13C. The four lofty gateways that frame the temple are covered with sculptures, including dancing maidens in 108 different postures. Within the enclosure are shrines to Shiva and his divine family, a huge sacred tank with steps leading down to the water and a vast 100-columned marriage hall for Shiva and his wife Parvati where once a year devotees would watch the wedding ceremony and share in the feast prepared in the temple kitchens. After lunch and a visit to the temple we continue to Thanjavur, the former Chola capital on the banks of the sacred Kaveri River, Over night stay at hotel.

Day 5 – In Thanjavur

The whole day is spent exploring Thanjavur. Jewel of the city is emperor Rajaraja’s Brihadishwara Temple, the outstanding architectural achievement of the Chola dynasty, completed in 1010. The temple and its monumental 66m-high tower, a sky-scraper of the period, are covered with magnificent figures from the Shiva legends while in the courtyard to the east a pavilion shelters a huge monolithic Nandi bull, symbol of the god’s potency. Thanjavur’s Nayaka Palace contains an art gallery with an interesting collection of sculptures and some very fine Chola temple bronzes. In the afternoon there will be some free time to relax in Thanjavur and an opportunity to return to the temple in the early evening for puja, or devotion, a colourful and lively spectacle as the townspeople flock to the temple to pay their respects to the god.

Day 6 – Thajavur – Trichy – Madurai

We depart this morning for Trichy (Tiruchirapalli) and the island of Srirangam in the Kaveri River, where the Ranganatha Temple, dedicated to Vishnu reclining on the cosmic serpent, is one of the largest complexes in southern India. Built mainly between the 13C and 17C, it has 7 walled enclosures and 21 towering gopuras (gateways). The southern gopura, only completed by a wealthy landowner in 1987, stands 72m tall. Striking features within the temple include the Sheshagiri Mandapa, a columned hall ornamented with magnificent rearing horses and riders, masterpieces of 16C Vijayanagara art. In the outermost enclosures and busy streets around there are stalls selling food and temple offerings, books and souvenirs. In the afternoon we drive south to Madurai and over night at our hotel.

Day 7 -  Madurai – Sightseeing

In the morning we explore Madurai and its Minakshi Temple, one of southern India’s most colourful and vibrant places of worship. This popular temple, which dates mostly from the 16C-18C, is dedicated to Shiva, known locally as Sundareshvara or the Handsome One, and his wife Minakshi, the Fish-Eyed One, guardian deity of Madurai. Their twin shrines are in the heart of the temple complex, which also includes a Hall of a Thousand Columns and 12 lofty gateways, all covered with brightly painted figures of gods, guardians and demons. In the evenings, after the last worship of the day, local people congregate around the Golden Lily Tank to relax and socialize. The afternoon is free for further exploration of Madurai or to relax in the hotel and gardens.

Day 8 – Madurai to Periyar (Thekkady)

In the morning after breakfast we drive to a beautiful wildlife reserve of Gopds Own Country “Kerala”. In the afternoon visit the park and return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Thekkady
It spreads over 777 sq. kms, it lies at an elevation of 914m to 1828m above sea level on the Periyar lake in the hills of western ghats. It is the finest sanctuary for watching & photographing Indian wild elephants. Elephants, bison, spotted deer, sambar, bears, etc. can be seen in their natural habitat by cruising on the lake in motorboats which can be hired inside the park.

Day 9 - Periyar to Cochin

In the morning you can visit an ayurveda centre for massage or visit Spice Plantation garden and later
we drive across the Nilgiri hills, the southern extension of the Western Ghats, through magnificent scenery and past tea plantations to Cochin, on India’s west coast. On arrival in Cochin transfer to hotel.

Day 10 – Cochin

Morning exploration of Cochin, a uniquely fascinating town and one of the main ports on the Malabar coast, a cosmopolitan mix of races and cultures. Traditionally Christianity arrived with St. Thomas in AD52 and the Jews are also said to have settled here around that time. The Portuguese established a factory in Cochin in 1502, but the town later fell to the Dutch and then to the British. Our visits include the Church of St. Francis in Fort Cochin, reputedly the oldest European church in India, where Vasco da Gama was originally buried in 1534 before his body was removed to Portugal. Nearby, along the shore, are the famous cantilevered fishing nets, introduced centuries ago by Chinese traders. In Mattancherry is the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese and remodelled by the Dutch, which contains spectacular 17C wall paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana, one of the great Hindu epics. In the same area of town is the Synagogue, floored with blue and white Chinese tiles, which still serves the small local Jewish community. The afternoon is free for further exploration, shopping or relaxation.

Day 11 – Flight Cochin to Bangalore (Now known as Bengaluru) and drive to Mysore

Transfer to the airport for an early morning flight to Bangalore. On arrival we drive by coach to Mysore, considered one of India’s most beautiful cities, to our hotel. After lunch we begin our exploration of the city with a visit to the Amba Vilas Palace, formerly the main residence of the Mysore rulers, an exuberant Indo-Saracenic building with a riot of domes and turrets, designed by British architect Henry Irwin in 1897. The Durbar Hall is one of the most ostentatious in India and the adjacent pavilion is roofed with stained glass from Glasgow. Over night stay at hotel.

Day 12 - Mysore to Srirangapatinam - Mysore

After breakfast we drive the short distance to Seringapatam, on an island in the River Kaveri, former headquarters of Mysore rulers Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan who usurped power from the ruling Wadiyar family and are celebrated for their clashes with the British. In 1780 Haidar Ali famously defeated the British under Colonel Baillie and imprisoned captured troops in Seringapatham. Twelve years later Lord Cornwallis forced Tipu Sultan to submit and finally in 1799 General Harris took Seringapatam, killed Tipu and restored the Wadiyars to the Mysore throne. We explore the fort and also visit Daria Daulat Bagh, where one of Tipu’s pleasure pavilions displays a fascinating mural depicting Haidar Ali’s victory over Colonel Baillie at Pollilore. To the south the Tomb of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan is graced with ebony and ivory doors presented by Lord Dalhousie, Viceroy of India, in 1855. Tipu was buried with full military honours by the British. Return to Mysore for lunch and a free afternoon or an optional excursion to the spectacular 13C Hoysala temple at Somnathpur, covered with magnificent carving.

Day 13 - Mysore to Sravan Belgola and back to Mysore

We drive this morning to Sravana Belgola, a Jain pilgrimage centre established in the 9C-10C by the Ganga kings of Karnataka and dominated by the extraordinary colossal monolith of the Jain saint Bahubali-Gommateshvara on the summit of Vindhyagari, a granite hill which rises 143m above the plain. Rock-cut steps lead up the hill past several shrines to the temple where the statue stands in an open courtyard surrounded by colonnades. At almost 18m high, the naked saint, entwined with creepers, is the largest free-standing sculpture in India. It represents the son of the first Tirthankara or Jain saviour, Adinatha, who after challenging his evil brother realised the futility of such earthly struggles and renounced the world to seek enlightenment. There are other Jain monuments in the town and on Chandragiri hill opposite. We have a picnic lunch in Sravana Belgola and return to Mysore for some free time in the afternoon.

Day 14 Mysore to Bangalore drive and than flight to Hyderabad.

This morning we drive to Bangalore and visit the cities highlights and later transfer to the airport for flight to Hyderabad. On arrival in Hyderabad our vehicle will take us to our hotel for night stay.

Day 15 – In Hyderabad

Today we explore Hyderabad, formerly capital of one of the largest and most powerful Indian states and a flourishing centre of Islamic culture. The wealth of its rulers, first the Qutb Shahis, then the Nizams of Hyderabad, was legendary. We visit the Char Minar, Hyderabad’s most famous landmark, a pavilion with 4 grand arches and 4 corner minarets which dates from 1592. It is a masterpiece of Qutb Shahi architecture. To the west runs the Lad Bazaar, one of Hyderabad’s oldest market streets. Nearby are 2 major mosques, the Jami Masjid, built just after the Char Minar and the slightly later Mecca Masjid, so called because small red bricks set into the central arch were baked from clay from Mecca. On the south bank of the Musi River the Salar Jung Museum houses the extraordinary eclectic collection of Mir Yusuf Ali Khan, Prime Minister to the Nizam in the early 20C. Exhibits include Indian miniatures, fine textiles, carpets, illuminated Islamic manuscripts and a sumptuous collection of carved jades.

Day 16- Hyderabad visits and depart hyderabad.

We drive to Golconda Fort, on the outskirts of the city, capital of the Qutb Shahi kings in the 16C and one of the most spectacular citadels in Southern India. It is enclosed within an outer curtain wall 3 miles in circumference and protected by 87 bastions. Golkonda grew rich on diamonds, for here were the fabled mines which produced some of the world’s great gems, including the Koh-i-Noor, acquired by Queen Victoria and now with the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. Through the Victory Gate in the outer wall is a bazaar street which leads to the inner citadel and the extensive remains of the royal palaces. North-west of the Fort the royal necropolis contains the domed mausolea of the Qutb Shahi rulers, which boast some fine plasterwork, lovely pierced screens and elegant calligraphy. In the afternoon there is free time for shopping and further exploration of Hyderabad. After a final dinner we transfer to the airport for  back to our destination.

There are International flights available from Hyderabad and Hyderabad is well connected by air and train to all other metro cities in India.