You will be picked up from your hotel in Madras, now called Chennai, and will travel in an air-conditioned vehicle to Kanchipuram which is about 76 kilometres away. You will be accompanied by a local English-speaking guide on this sightseeing tour.
This ancient city dates back to the 2nd century and was once the capital of the Chola rulers and later the Pallava rulers in the 6-8th century. Kanchipuram is dotted with temples, and the most famous temple is the Kailasanatha Temple, built in the early 8th century. Dedicated to Hindu God Shiva, this is the oldest temple in Kanchipuram and considered the most beautiful. See the panel depicting Shiva and his consort Parvati in various dance poses. There are smaller shrines dedicated their sons, Ganesha and Murugan. Your guide will tell you more about the temple and its history.
Kanchipuram is also famous for its silk weaving industries and the silk saris made here are famous throughout the world.
There will be a break for lunch (payable direct).
Later, proceed to Mahabalipuram which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its brilliant rock-cut temples. You will see:
• The Shore Temple: Perched on a rocky outcrop, the main shrine faces the sea on the east. The temple is dedicated to two Hindu Gods: Shiva and Vishnu. Interconnected cisterns around the temple meant that the sea could be let in to transform the temple into a water shrine. But, in recent times, a stone wall as been added to protect the shrine from the rising seas and further erosion.
• The Rathas: The eight rathas are monolithic temples fashioned as chariots. Of the eight rathas, five have been named after the Pandava brothers, the heroes of the epic Mahabharata, and their wife, Draupadi. The largest is the Dharmaraja Ratha and the Draupadi Ratha is the smallest and the quaintest. Listen to your guide tell you more about the history and mythology associated with Mahabalipuram.
Every year, around January-February, the Mamallapuram dance festival is held here. It is a month-long festival and well-known exponents of various dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi perform here.
After the tour, you will be taken back to Madras covering a distance of about 58 kilometres and be dropped at your hotel where the tour ends.