The South Indian Yoga Pilgrimage 2009
February 24th through March 12th 2009
February 24th, 2009 : Arrival at Chennai (Madras) Airport in the State of Tamil Nadu. Transfer to Hotel in Mahabalilpuram(Mamallapuram). Stay.
February 25th : 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 26th : Sight seeing - close by spots. Stay.
February 27th: 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 28th: Temple visit ,sightseeing . Stay at Chidambaram.
March 1st : Morning departure to Thanjavur (115 km). Evening- temple visit. Stay.
March 2nd : 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.
March 3rd : Travel to Madurai(158 km), one of south Asia’s oldest cities. Evening sightseeing, Stay.
March 4th : 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.
March 5th : Scenic travel Westward into State of Kerala, to MUNNAR(164 Km), beatiful and peaceful hill station 1800m above sea level. Stay.
March 6th : Morning visit to Rajamala. See the 'NEELAGIRI THAR', sight seeing. Evening-travel to Cochin(135km) and stay.
March 7th : 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.
March 8th: Travel to Trivandrum(212 km).Journey includes backwater cruise.Stay at the renowned Arsha Ayurveda Hospital .
March 9th : (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.
March 10th : See and participate in Attukal Pongala, the world's largest annual gathering of women. Afternoon-Ayurvedic massage, sightseeing.
March 11th :Temple visits, sightseeing, Ayurvedic massage and an introductory workshop on Ayurveda, the "Science of Life". We also enjoy a traditional South Indian vegetarian feast. Stay.
March 12th :Check-out. Departure from Trivandrum International Airport.
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