Saffron & Sandalwood
Bengaluru, Mysuru, Nagarhole, Madurai, Chettinad, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Puducherry, Mahabalipuram, Chennai
India’s Dravidian Hindu heartland, Tamil Nadu is true temple country. Here ancient pilgrimage routes map out vibrant temple towns where the garish gods and goddesses dance across the gopuras (towers) of the temples that soar above the tropical treetop canopies.
Nowhere else in India can you find so many beautiful examples of India’s famous primary coloured, carved Hindu temples. Less exposed to the influences and invaders of the north, over the last thousand years Tamil Nadu was run by several very powerful and distinctive dynasties that helped to maintain the unique religious and political institutions. Thus, leaving a legacy of astounding temple towns throughout the state.
The capital city of Chennai is a chaotic and noisy metropolis that is situated on the Bay of Bengal. Considered a centre for performing arts, the city offers several sights of interest including the seaside Fort of St George, St Mary’s, the oldest surviving Anglican church in Asia and many grand colonial mansions.
There are several sites of interest just outside of Chennai including the ancient seaside town of Mamallapuram boasting several World Heritage listed temples and carvings along with the temple town of Kanchipuram famed for its hand woven silks and impressive Ekambareshvara Temple. For a luxury holiday to Tamil Nadu, continue onto the former capital of French India and discover the unique town of Puducherry. Stroll along the boulevards and sea front admiring the blend of French and Tamil culture and architecture, with the French street names, Gendarmeries and richly ornamented Catholic churches.
Other landmark temples in the region include the colourful Meenaskshi Temples that tower over of the oldest cities in India: Madurai and the Great Living Chola Temples of Thanjavur. Chettinad is also well worth a visit with its multitude of unique lavish, former ancestral homes and famous spiced food of these merchants of old.
Far from the madding temple crowds, head to the peace and quiet of the forested mountains and coffee estates of the Western Ghats. Here you can escape the heat and dust in the cool climate of the former hill stations of Ooty, Conoor and Kodaikanal.
Bengaluru, Mysuru, Nagarhole, Madurai, Chettinad, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Puducherry, Mahabalipuram, Chennai
Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Chettinad, Madurai, Dindigul,
Puducherry, Mahabalipuram, Chennai, Havelock Island, Kolkata