Temples of the South

This part of South India has been the land of kings and dynasties. Monuments from the 6^th and 7^th centuries are abundant, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Impressions of the colonial past are to be seen and experienced as you move from one city to another. Walking through villages you can see artisans at work – weavers’ village in Kanchipuram where exquisite silk saris come to life, traditional paintings of Tanjore, intricate wood works, beautifully sculpted brass and silverware, and hand-woven Kandangi saris in Chettinad are some of the attractions. While several cultures have had their influence on the food in the region, Chettinad is distinctive in its taste & flavor. An interactive kitchen at The Bangala hotel sets you up close with the chefs where you could pick up some secrets to savory mouth-watering dishes.

Kerala is a complete change of scenery. Kochi is rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler’s ’50 greatest places of a lifetime’. Munnar, at 6000 feet, is ensconced with tea plantations. The town is great for walks through clouded landscapes and spice gardens, bird watching and elephant sightings. Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands villages on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom is a perfect leisure getaway. Your very own Kettuvallam (houseboat) will take you through the famous Kerala backwaters traversing through paddy fields, and villages. This is a journey through religion, history, the spice route and how they all come together in the fascinating region of Southern India.

Journey Highlights

• Shore Temples of Mamallapuram – Huge temple complexes with imposing rock carvings; Arjuna’s Penance, an open-air bas-relief sculpture depicting an episode from the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata; UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Meenakshi Temple, in Madurai, one of the largest temple complexes in the country built in the 17th century
• 11^th century temple of Brihadeshwara, in Chettinad, built by the Chola King, Rajaraja the Great; Saraswasti Mahal library;  Nayaka Palace Museum with rich artifacts from the Chola dynasty
• St. Thomas Basilica built in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Jewish Synagogues, Colonial Fortresses, Dutch Palaces, and historic monuments
• Village walks to catch up with art and craft; Traditional Tamil cuisines, the famous dishes of Chettinad, delicacies from Malabar, and fresh brew from the Munnar tea gardens
• Houseboats on Kumarakom backwaters; Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
• Interactive & experiential encounters with artisans, Kathakali dancers, master chefs