Deccan & Dravin Temples in South India

Arrive Hyderabad (flight)
On arrival at Hyderabad airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel. (hotel check in / out time 1200hr afternoon early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.
Overnight at Hotel

Hyderabad
Breakfast at hotel, explore this wondrous capital, a 400 year-old metropolitan city teeming with bustling-bazaars and Muslim monuments. Visit Golconda Fort renowned for its diamond mines that have given the world the famous Kohinoor and Darya-i-noor diamonds. The ancient fort complex of Golconda will charm you with its history, tinged with legends and anecdotes.

Qutubshahi Tombs the tombs differ in size but all are comparable to each other in architectural grandeur and beauty.

Charminar built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth sultan of the Qutub Shahi dynasty.

The Mecca Mosque the biggest mosque in Hyderabad and lies 100 yards south-west of Charminar. The hall is 67 metres by 54 metres and 23 metres high. The roof is supported by 15 arches, five on each of the three sides. The western side is blocked by a high hall to provide the Mehrab.

Chowmohalla Palace (Friday closed) once regarded as the center of Hyderabad, the magnificent Chowmahalla Palace was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizams entertained their official guests and royal visitors.

Purani Haveli (Friday closed) located to the the south of Salar Jung Museum, built by the second Nizam for his son in 1777. The sixth Nizam Mir Mehboob Ali Khan spent most of his life here. He built a 240-foot long wooden chamber with some 150 walk-in-cupboards, arguably the world’s largest wardrobe.

Salarjung Museum (Friday closed) a treat for tourists famous for being the third largest museum in the country, having the largest antiques collection dating back to the first century. Established in 1951, the museum was under Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, better known as Salar Jung.

Birla Mandir dedicated to the supreme incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Venkateshwara. This temple’s marvellous beauty leaves you awestruck as does the legend associated with the God. A blend of various types of architectural styles, this temple is made of 200 tonnes of pure white Rajasthani marble.

Hussain Sagar Lake one of the largest man made lake situated at the confluence of Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Begumpet. It is a sprawling artificial lake that holds water perennially. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Rest time free and easy to relax.
Overnight at hotel.

Hyderabad – Bidar - Gulbarga (260kms/ 5hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel and drive to Gulbarga via Bidar. Visit Bidar Fort one of the magnificent forts rebuilt by Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali of Bahmani Dynasty, when his capital was moved from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1430 along with a number of Islamic monuments. The Bidar fort is a specimen of the Persian architectural style having 1.21 km in length and 0.80 km in breadth, with a quadrangular layout. Surrounded by three miles long walls and comprising 37 bastions, it is surrounded by a triple moat. There are seven gates in the fort.

Mahmud Gawan Madarsa one of the major historical a beautiful structure situated between the Fort and Chaubara Clock Tower an old Islamic university built by Khwaza Mahmud Gawan in 1472. Mahmud Gawan was a Persian merchant who arrived in the Bahamani Sultanate at around 1453 AD. Due to his honesty, simplicity and knowledge he impressed the Bahamani Kings. He ultimately reached to the post of prime minister and was much respected among the local population.

Bahmani Tombs important historical monuments in Bidar, after the Fort. The 12 tombs of Bahmani Sultans are huge structures with beautiful arches, niches and lofty domes. Among all the tombs of Ahmad Shah Wali is most popular. Ahmad Shah Wali the 9th Bahmani Sultan died in 1436 and his son Alauddin built a majestic tomb for his father. The walls are about twelve feet thick supporting a huge dome on the top. The Rangeen Mahal believed to be built in the mid-16th century by Mahmud Shah Bahamani. The tile work and the granite with mother-of-pearl inlay work are the exclusive features of the citadel walls. The external hall has intricately engraved wooden pillars. The palace has a six-bay hall with remarkable carved wood columns forming a rectangular foyer. The columns too enclose convoluted capitals and intricately engraved brackets, which shows the skills of the artisans of those days.

Narasimha Jhira a wonderful cave temple situated on the outskirts of Bidar town dedicated to the lion god Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Temple is known for its natural beauty and is considered to be very sacred. This ancient temple is excavated in a 300 m tunnel under the Manichoola hill range. Within the cave, a stream of water is said to be flowing continuously since the foundation of the temple. Devotees have to walk waist deep in the water for 300 m for the darshan of Lord Narasimha. Guru Nanak Jhira one of holiest places for Sikhs. Legend has it that Guru Nanak visited the palace while the land was in the grip of a famine. The Guru performed a miracle at the request of the local people and a spring of water from the laterite rock mountain burst out. Till this day crystal clear water flows from the laterite trap. The belief is that drinking of these water cures many ailments.

After sightseeing drive to Gulbarga check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Gulbarga - Bijapur (170kms/ 3hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel. Visit The Gulburga fort a leftover of the Brahmani era, which has stood with the time and is famous for its incredible architecture. It was originally built by Raja Gulchand. Later, 15 towers were added by Allah-ud-din Bahmani in the existing structure of the fort. The fort was built with well planning the canal was made around the fort so that it becomes difficult to the enemy. The fort contained 15 towers and 26 guns of which one was 8 metres long.

Jama Masjid - a Mosque located in Gulbarga City, it is regarded as one of the most architectural mosques in its form and structure in South Asia. The arches design of Jama Masjid Gulbarga reflects in the interiors of Spanish Mosque of Hyderabad. These are only two mosques in India which have the similarity in interiors of the Great Cathedral–Mosque of Córdoba in Spain.

Dargah Hazrath Khaja Bandanawaz a famous Sufi saint of the Chishti Order, who advocated understanding, tolerance and harmony among various religious groups.

Later drive to Bijapur check in at hotel.
Overnight at Hotel

Bijapur - Badami (120kms/ 3hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel city tour of Bijapur. Visit The Bijapur Fort which had a plethora of historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of Adil Shahi dynasty. The Adil Shahi Sultans who ruled nearly 200 years in Bijapur had expended their utmost authority, almost exclusively, on architecture and the allied arts. Each Sultan endeavored to excel his predecessor in the number, size, or splendor of his building projects. As a result, the buildings seen in and around Bijapur Fort and the town have been rightly called as the Agra of South India. Asar Mahal built by Muhammed Adil Shah in late 1640s, used to serve as a Hall of Justice. Moreover, hair from the beard of Prophet Muhammad was also used at this place. Owing to this, it is a place of worship for Muslim devotees. Bara Kaman the unfinished mausoleum of Ali Adil Shah II. Ali Adil Shah of the Adil Shahi dynasty wanted to build a mausoleum of unmatched architectural quality. It was planned that twelve arches would be placed vertically as well as horizontally surrounding the tomb of Ali Adil Shah. However for unknown reasons the work on the structure was left incomplete only two arches were raised vertically. Gol Gumbaz the second largest dome in the world After St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The Gol Gumbad is 124 feet in diameter. The architecture of Gol Gumbad is unique in the sense that the four minarets themselves are the staircases, leading to the top dome. Jama Masjid the graceful twin minarets of Tipu's Jumma Masjid (1787) are decorated with an elegant arrangement of numerous pigeonholes, and terminate in bulbous domes above balconies. Prayers are offered, both at the mosque and at the mausoleum.

Malik - e- Maidan regarded as the biggest cannon ever made in the history of world, which translates to ‘The Ruler of the Plains’. Located in Gol Gumbaz, the largest masonry dome in the whole of India, the history related to the cannon is more than enough to tempt the travelers to pay a visit to this place. The Ibrahim's Rouza built by Ibrahim Adil Shah in the 15th century. It consists of mosque and tomb enclosed together in the square compound. Mosque and Tomb are separated from each other by tank and fountain. The mosque has finely crafted arches in its rectangular prayer hall and it’s shaded by chhaja and slender minarets at each corner. The bulbous dome with beautiful rows of petals at its base is enclosed in a square structure giving a majestic look to the mosque.

Late afternoon drive to Badami check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Badami
Breakfast at hotel city tour of Badami. Visit Badami Caves Temples a complex of temples an example of Indian rock-cut architecture. Badami was the capital of the early Chalukyas, who ruled much of Karnataka in the 6th to 8th centuries. Badami Fort known for its beauty and rich history associated with Chalukyas and the Pallavas. Open Air Museum get a sense of the splendour of all three towns, visit a ‘natural’ National Museum in Badami. This is an area where the artisans tried out their art rock-cut steps, caves and incomplete idols tried out as a first draft are cordoned off here.

Pattadakal Temple Complex a complex of 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples. Located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River a UNESCO World Heritage site build by Chalukya. The Hindu temples are generally dedicated to Shiva, but elements of Vaishnavism and Shaktism theology and legends are also featured. The friezes in the Hindu temples display various Vedic and Puranic concepts, depict stories from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata Purana, as well as elements of other Hindu texts, such as the Panchatantra and the Kiratarjuniya. The Jain temple is only dedicated to a single Jina. The most sophisticated temples, with complex friezes and a fusion of Northern and Southern styles, are found in the Papanatha and Virupaksha temples. The Virupaksha temple is an active house of Hindu worship.

Durga Temple Aihole an example of southern (Dravidian) architectural type, with a later northern type superstructure imposed upon it-an incongruity apparent from the fact that the superstructure is a square structure clumsily fitted over an apsidal cella. Huchamalli Temple Aihole home to shrines of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. It was built in the 7th century AD and is considered one of the earliest groups of temples in Aihole. The sanctum is inclusive of a pradakshinapatha and a Northern style rekhanagara tower; and contains lattices on the external walls. Another small temple that dates back to the 11th century AD is situated to the north of this temple. At this temple, the entrance hall in front of the sanctum was introduced for the first time. Meguti Jain Temple the distinction of being the only temple in Aihole which can clearly be traced back to 634 AD. Perched above a small hill, this temple, though incomplete, represents the early development of the Dravidian style of architecture. Built without mortar, the Meguti Jain Temple placed is on a raised platform with a flight of steps leading to the large, pillared mukhamandapa.

Ravanapadhi Cave temple Aihole the 6th century cave temple is dedicated to Shiva. A broken column lines up with the cave entrance, which opens to the southwest. The cave is dramatically recessed on a deep ledge, with free-standing shrines on either side. Rest time free and easy to relax in your hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Badami - Gadag - Lakkundi - Hampi (180kms/ 4hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel drive to Hampi enroute visit ruined temples at Gadag & Lakkundi. Trikuteshwara temple a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva had three lingas mounted on the same stone in the town of Gadag. There is a shrine dedicated to Saraswathi in this temple and it has carved columns. Lakkundi is full of ruined temples like Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, Someshwara, Nilakanteshwara and many more. Continue drive to Hampi check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.
Overnight at hotel.

Hampi
Breakfast at hotel city tour of Hampi. Visit Royal enclosures an open air museum. Apart from giving the visitor a glimpse into what life was like under the Vijayanagara rulers, it also showcases the architectural excellence of the era and the level of destruction the city witnessed after the decline of the Vijayanagara kings.

Hazara Rama Temple one of the prime attractions this site was used only for ceremonial processions and is renowned among devotees for its bas-relief sculptures that represent important events that occurred in Ramayana. It is one of the popular temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The walls of this temple are adorned with 15th century art work, such as carvings of elephants, horses, soldiers and dancing girls. King's Balance, remember all those fanciful tales of Kings weighing themselves with gems, rubies and gold? Well, it's at Hampi where they seem to take on life with

King's Balance being one such pleasant affirmation. 5 meters tall and carved out of stone, King's Balance appears like a lonesome archway left standing, but peer closely and you can spot the three loops on the beam where the balance must have hung. Mahanavami Dibba another popular attraction in Hampi, which was constructed by the King Krishnadevaraya after his win over Udayagiri (in present-day Orissa). This ancient site is the tallest structure in the Royal Enclosure of Hampi and can be easily observed from nearby places due to its height. Statue of Ugra Narasimha Temple a statue of Laxmi Narasimha carved out of a single block of stone.

Virupaksha Temple this temple still in worship, known as ‘Shri Lokeswara-Maha-Sila-prasada’ was built by Lokamahadevi, the Queen of Vikaramaditya to commemorate her husband’s victory over the Pallavas of Kanchipuram. It closely resembles the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram on plan and elevation and represents a fully developed and perfected stage of the Dravidian architecture.

Vithala & Lotus Mahal a nice place with sufficient time greens and romantic ambience in zenana enclosure. The features of building is marvellous and splendid. Vithala Temple Complex a 16th century structure that is dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. It is a 'must see' site for all because of its beautiful, complex carvings and magnificent architecture, which is not matched by any other structure located here. This temple, situated on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River, represents the original South Indian Dravidian temple architectural style.

Rest time free and easy to relax in your hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

/ Chennai (flight)
Breakfast at hotel transfer to Hubli airport to board flight for Chennai. On arrival assistance and transfer hotel check in.
Later city tour of Chennai. Visit Fort St. George & Museum - It was built by the British East India Company in 1640 AD. The fort is believed to be the first establishment of the British in India. Kapaleeshwarar Temple a Hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva, Semmozhi Poonga a beautifully landscaped botanical garden. Dakshina Chitra a living history museum & Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Temple an 8th-century Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. Later walk on Marina beach.
Overnight at hotel.

Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (120kms/ 3hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel drive to Mahabalipuram via visiting Kanchipuram the City of Thousand Temples. Visit Kailasanathar 8th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, noted for its architecture and sculptures. There are 58 small shrines situated around the main shrine as compound wall. Ekambareswarar temple another ancient temple dedicated to Siva. The 2500-year-old mango tree inside the temple has 4 branches each yields different varieties of mangoes.

Varadharaja temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, noted for its wonderful sculptures. Vaikundhaperumal temple dedicated to lord Vishnu, it is also one of the 108 Divyadesams. Kamakshiamman temple dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi the presiding deity, one of the holy Sakthi worship places in India. Optionaly visit Handloom industry famous for handloom Silk Sarees the main profession of people in Kanchipuram.
Continue drive to Mahabalipuram check in at hotel.

Later visit Monolithic Temples locally known as Rathas. They were executed by chiseling out the exterior face of the boulder. Shore Temple built with blocks of granitein in 7th century the temple complex consisting of two Siva temples and a carving of Anantasayana Vishnu. It is one of the oldest structural stone temples of South India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Cave Temples cut and decorated with panels in the Mamalla style of the Pallava period in the 7th century. Remnants seen in the caves also indicate that they were plastered and painted when built. Krishna's Butterball a gigantic granite boulder resting on a short incline. Rest time free & easy to relax.
Overnight at hotel.

Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (120kms/ 3hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Pondicherry check in at hotel.

Later visit Aurovil founded in 1968 by the spiritual leader Mirra Alfassa as a town where people from all over the world could live in harmony. Its focal point is the Matrimandir, a futuristic, spherical temple covered in gold discs. Pondicherry Museum an art and history museum especially noted for its collection of fine lost wax bronzes form the period of the Chola Empire. The Museum's collection includes 81 Chola bronze sculptures, ranking as one of the largest collections of Chola bronzes. Later walk in French Colony. Pondicherry has some of the finest examples of old French culture with a hint of Tamil influence in its visual aesthetics. Observe and get inspired by the architectural beauty of the French part of the town while enjoying a cup of coffee and some deserts along the way. Customise your walk with your guide to cover French consulate, French Institute, Raj Nivas, Bharati Park (Aayi Monument), Government Square, Beaches, Monuments, Churches, French schools.

Evening to relax on the beach.
Overnight at hotel.

Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Gangaikonda Cholapuram - Darasuram - Thanjore (180kms/ 4hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Thanjore. Enroute visit Chidambaram Nataraja Temple which is dedicated to the Nataraja the dancing posture of Lord Shiva. Further drive & visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple - The temple complex includes Nandi Mandapa, Alankar Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, Mukha Mandapa and Ardha Mandapa. Continue drive & visit Darasuram Temple - a storehouse of art and architecture. The temple has some exquisite stone carvings. Continue drive to Thanjore check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Thanjore - Trichy - Chettinad (140kms/ 3hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Brihadeshwara Temple & Fort - built by great Chola king in the 10th century. It is an outstanding example of Chola architecture and is listed in UNESCO world heritage site. Thanjavur Palace & Museum - The palace houses an art gallery, a library and a hall of music. Art Gallery - in the Palace there are a number of granite and bronze statues of the Chola period. Saraswathi Mahal Library - another section of the Palace is the library where over 30,000 palm leaf and paper manuscripts in India and European languages are preserved.
After sightseeing drive to Trichy. Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple - there are 22 gopurams including India’s tallest (72 meters, 13 storey high). Many people have had a hand in its construction, including the Cheras, Pandyas, Cholas, Hoysalas and rulers from Vijayanagar. Rock Fort Temple -The 83m high Rock Fort is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city. The rock is one of the oldest in the world-approximately 3.800 million years, which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland and older than the Himalayas. Also visit Tiruvanaikkaval the Jambukeshwara temple, dedicated to Shiva, and it houses five concentric walls, and seven gopurams.

Afterward drive to Chettinad check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.
Overnight at hotel

Chettinad - Madurai (90kms/ 2hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing in Chettinad - the region is well known for its 19th-century mansions, whose wide courtyards and spacious rooms are embellished with marble and teak. Construction materials, decorative items, and furnishings were mostly imported from East Asian countries and Europe. The marble was brought from Italy, chandeliers and teak from Burma, crockery from Indonesia, crystals from Europe and wall-to-wall mirrors from Belgium. Many of these mansions were built using a type of limestone known as karai.

It is estimated that 11,000 such mansions still remain—about half the number that existed 100 years ago. They were built by men who once traded in everything from salt to gems, with countries like Burma, Malaysia and Singapore. Much of their profits went into building these grand residences, which used to be called natukottai or regional fort. But in the mid-20th century, most Chettiar families moved to cities. Their palatial homes were left in the custody of caretakers, who maintained them for those rare occasions, such as weddings or Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival, when the family came to visit.
Visit few massions open for tourist like Chettinad Mansions, Chettinad Palace and few Chettinad Temples like Vairavan Kovil Temple, Karpaga Vinayakar temple, Kundrakudi Murugan temple, Kottaiyur Sivan temple.

Afternoon drive to Madurai check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Madurai - Hyderabad (flight)
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Madurai. Visit Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple one of the largest temple complexes in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures there, the temple is absolutely absorbing with the endless rounds of ceremonies, prostration of countless devotees and glittering market stalls.

Later visit Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple, Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple. Also visit the Tirumal Nayak’s Palace; a highly decorative monument. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 – foot high stone pillar, still stands. In the evening visit the famous Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple to attend the Aarti (Prayers) witnessing interesting rituals and ceremonies.

Late afternoon transfer toairport to board flight for Hyderabad. On arrival assistance and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Hyderabad - Departure (flight)
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.