The South Indian Yoga Pilgrimage 2008
February 8th through February 24th 2008
February 8th: 2008 Arrival at Chennai (Madras) Airport in the State of Tamil Nadu. Transfer to Hotel in Mahabalilpuram(Mamallapuram). Stay.
February 9th: Inauguration of Pilgrimage – Ganapathy Homa –Mamallapuram is renowned for its shore temples built during the 7th century. The rock carvings and rock cut temples at Mamallauram are noted for their simplicity and freshness. Sight seeing - languish in beutiful beach and marvel at the bygone splendors of a golden era in this Heritage spot. Stay.
February 10th: Sight seeing - close by spots. Stay.
February 11th: Travel to Chidambaram(172km) and stay at pre-booked hotel. One of the most important pilgrim destinations. The great Nataraja Temple complex is located here. Our visit to the Nataraja Temple will include a fascinating observance of the most ancient of Tamil pooja and arati (ceremony of light) rituals.
February 12th: Temple visit ,sightseeing . Stay at Chidambaram.
February 13th: Morning departure to Thanjavur (115 km). Evening- temple visit. Stay.
February 14th: Thanjavur was once the capital of the Chola dynasty. One of the Chola Emperors, Raja Raja (985-1014), built the Brihadishwara Temple, Thanjavur's main attraction.
February 15th: Travel to Madurai(158 km), one of south Asia’s oldest cities. Evening sightseeing, Stay.
February 16th: Morning visit to Meenakshi Temple, one of India’s greatest temples with its architecturally sacred ancient design. Evening- visit nearby attractions, great shopping places, and stay.
February 17th: Scenic travel Westward into State of Kerala, to Kothamangalam (270 km). Visit Dileep’s International Gurukulam Ashram. Stay.
February 18th: Enjoy relaxing backwater boat adventure. Evening-travel to Cochin(55km) and Stay.
February 19th: Cochin (Kochi), an extraordinary city of many foreign cultural influences, set on a myriad of islands adjoining the Arabian Sea. Rich spices, Chinese fishing nets, a Portuguese Palace, lovely winding streets with Mosques, India’s first European church, quaint Dutch houses, and a 16th century Jewish synagogue highlight this place. Evening-sightseeing, Stay.
February 20th: Travel to Trivandrum(212 km/Lunch, en-route, at Quilon). Stay at the renowned Arsha Ayurveda Hospital .
February 21st: (day before Attukal Pongala) Morning- Ayurvedic Massage/sightseeing. Afternoon- watch hundreds of thousands of women carrying firewood and earthen pots swarming the town and occupying the roads, shops, houses and all available open space within a radius of more than 6 or even 7 km from the temple and setting up open hearths for the next day's ritual.
February 22nd: See and participate in Attukal Pongala, the world's largest annual gathering of women. Afternoon-Ayurvedic massage, sightseeing.
February 23rd:Temple visits, sightseeing, Ayurvedic massage and an introductory workshop on Ayurveda, the "Science of Life". We also enjoy a treditional South Indian vegetarian feast.Stay.
February 24th: Check-out. Departure to Trivandrum International Airport.
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|