Temples & Treasures of South India

Temples & Treasures of South India…

By - Lalit & Manish

History of Tamil Nadu

• Ancient History (1st to 9th centuries) – Tamil Nadu was ruled by Early Cholas between 01st to 04th century. During later half of 04th century Pallavas emerged into prominence and dominated for 400 years

• Medieval History (9th to 15th centuries) – Cholas rose as a strong power in 09th century. Pandyas emerged in early 14th century and in later 14th century a new kingdom was built called Vijayanagr empire .

• Modern History (17th -19th century) -The British, under the British East India Company, established a settlement further south, in present day Chennai, in the year 1639.

What is a Gopuram ?

Major Dynasties contributed to Temple architecture

• Pallava (600-900) -Greatest accomplishments of Pallava architecture are the rock- cut of temples at Mahabalipuram

• Chola (900-1150) -Chola architecture achieved its peak at Thanjavur. The temples have rising pyramid towers crowned with dome-like roofs. Sculptures and paintings adorn the walls. Bronze sculptures of this era are the finest in southern India. Cholas built temples such as Bridaeshvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram

• Hoysala (1100-1350) – These temples are famous for most intricate work done in the temples. The soft soap-stone type material used by the Hoysala architects . Belur & halebid Temples were built by this dynasty. Star Shaped Basement is there in this type of architecture.

• Vijayanagara (1350-1565) -The characteristic feature of this period is the development of the temple complex: concentric series of rectangular enclosure walls with the gopuras (towered gateways) in the middle of each side. Like Vittal & Virupaksha Temple in Hampi

Five Rathas, Mahabalipuram

Brideshawara , Thanjavur

Belur Vittal Temple, Hampi

About Tamil Nadu Capital : Chennai Monsoon : June, July & October & November No. of Districts : 32 Population : 67.86 Million Language : Tamil & English Main Crops : Rice, Maize, Cotton

2nd Longest Beach in the world : Marina Beach

Itinerary of the trip13 June– Arrive Chennai - Hotel Visits + Sightseeing14 June -Chennai - Cholamandalam- – Dakshinchitra – Mahabalipuram (65 Kms – 01 ½ Hrs drive)15 June: Mahabalipuram -Pondicherry (99 Kms – 02 Hrs drive)16 June: Pondicherry - Chidambaram– Gangai Kondacholapuram – Darasuram – The Mantra Kumbakonam (166 Kms -04 Hrs drive) 17 June – Kumbakonam – Thanjavur–– Trichy (108 Kms – 2 ½ Hrs drive) 18 June – Trichy –Chettinad (91 Kms – 02 ½ Hrs drive) 19 June – Chettinad – Madurai (90 Kms – 02 Hrs drive) 20 June – Madurai –– Coonoor (285 Kms -06 Hrs drive) 21 June – Coonoor –– Ooty – Madumalai -bandipur– Hotels – Mysore (163 Kms – 06 Hrs drive) 22 June – Mysore – Srirangapatnam + Mysore sightseeing 23 June – Mysore – Kabini –Bylakuppe -Coorg (163 Kms -04 Hrs drive) 24 June – Coorg – Sightseeing + Hotels 25 June – Coorg – Belur - Chikkamangalur Hotels – Hassan (216 Kms – 05 Hrs drive)26 June – Hassan - Hotels – Halebid -Hampi (341 Kms -07 hrs drive)27 June – Hampi - Overnight Train 28 June – Arrive Bangalore – Hotels & fly to Delhi

Tamil Nadu Map

Karnataka Map

About Chennai- All dynasties ruled Cholas, Pallavas, Pandyas,

Vijaynagara- Portuguese, Dutch & Britishers ruled the city- Madras name took from Madrasapatnam - After independence city was declared capital of

Madras state which was renamed as Tamil Nadu in 1969

- Today 04th largest city of India and leading commercial center of India

Sightseeing – Kapaleeswarar temple

• Original temple built in 07th century by Pallavas

• Temple was demolished by Portuguese

• Present temple built in 16th century by Vijaynagar

According to Puranass, here Lord Shiva plucks off one of head of Brahma.

Kapal means Head and Eshwarar the god

San Thome Church

12 Peoples are blessed by Jesus and St. Thomas was one of them . He was killed by Tamil Brahmin. His nails & few bones are in this church. Body was kept in Vatican city . Temple was built in Gothic architecture and beautiful architecture .

Hotels visited in Chennai……• Radisson GRT• Trident • ITC Grand Chola • Courtyard by Marriott • The Accord • The Residency Towers • Vivanta by Taj Coromandel• Vivanta by Taj Connemara• Hyatt Regency • The Pride • Sarovar Portico • Crowne Plaza

Chennai – Cholamandalam (22 Kms) – Dakshinchitra (12 Kms) – Mahabalipuram 23 Kms

Cholamandalam

Location – Appx 20 Kms from Chennai and 35 Kms from MahabalipuramTimings – 0930 till 0630 PMEntrances – INR 20 Per Person

It is Largest self supporting artist village. Artists live around the cholamandalam . K.C.S Paniker was founder of this place .Here one can see the paintings, sculptures made of granite, wood & copper

- A Unique Heritage center

- 27 Kms from MAA and 25 kms from Mahablaipuram

- Offers authentic insight into lifestyle of the south Indian peoples

- - Traditional houses from different regions have been prurchased, dismantled and relocated here.

- Promote Craft through hands.

- Craft shops & Bazar

Dakshinchitra

- A Unique Heritage center

- 27 Kms from MAA and 25 kms from Mahablaipuram

- Offers authentic insight into lifestyle of the south Indian peoples

- - Traditional houses from different regions have been prurchased, dismantled and relocated here.

- Promote Craft through hands.

- Craft shops & Bazar

- A Tamil Nadue House. The house belongs to a Chettiar family.- House dates back to 19th cnetury.

Kerala House Less Height as compared to Tamil Nadu . Open courtyard is not

there. More wood is used.

The Chikmagalur House

Andhra Coastle House

Andhra Ikat House

Mahabalipuram

Five Rathaas

07th century monolithic rock cut templesBuilt from one stone. World Heritage siteFive Rathas also called as Temple ChariotsNamed After Five Pandyas

One of the Simplest Ratha. It is in the hut shape. Dedicated to Durga

Draupadi Ratha

This chariot dedicated to Lord Shiva.

It has images of a Royal Couple, Shiva Leaning on his nandi.

Arjuna Ratha

One of the Simplest Ratha. It is in the hut shape. Dedicated to Durga

Bhima RathaArchitecture like Buddhist Monastery. Named after Bhim for its strength. Lower part is unfinished. Decorations on external faces of Rathas

Dharmaraja Ratha

• Most tallest & largest Ratha. Crowned by Octagnel dammed roof

• Sculptures like Harihara (vishnu / shiva)

Nakula Sahadeva Ratha

• It is in curved shape. Appears like backside of Elephant. Large Elephant is next to Ratha .

• It is believed that temple may be diedicated to Lord Indra.

Shore Temple It is one of the oldest structural stone temple. It is five storied rock cut structural temple. Exclusive combination of history & nature splendor. World Heritage site. Three shrines – two dedicated to Shiva and one to Vishnu. First ray of sun falls on shivling

Arjuna’s Penance

Krishna Mandapa

It is one of the oldest cave cut temple. Here the Govardhan story is prescribded that how lord krishna save the villagers from the storm by lifting the mountain

It is a monolithic granitic rock. It weights over 250 feet and stands on a extremely slippery area on less than 04 feet area.

Krishna’s Butter ball

Hotels visited in Mahabalipuram…….

• MGM Beach Resort• Vivanta by Taj Fisherman’s Cove• Ideal Beach Resort • Chariot Beach Resort • Indeco Mahabalipuram• Grand Bay Resort• Radisson

Pondicherry99 Kms – 02 ½ Hrs from Mahabalipuram

• Pondy came in to lime light after arrival of French in 1674 Francois Martine was administrative head .

• Om 1750 there was war between French & Britishers. In 1970’s Dutch came and did proper planning.

• Pondy finally came back in to the hands of French in 1814 till 1954.

Pondicherry .• Pondichery have mixed culture

as Dutch, Britshers & French ruled here.

• Famous for old French buildings

Aurbindo Ashram

In 1910 Aurbindo came to Pondy. • Mirra alfassa (mother)

came to Pondy and became follower of Aurbindo.

• She build Ashram in 1926• Ashram includes the house

of mother & aurbindo. It was build with puropose to provide shelter who interested in Yoga and meditation

Meaning city of dawn. It is an spiritual community set up with the objective of human unity. It was founded by mother in 1968. Total area of Aurovile is appx 2000 acres and appx 2100 are living from 43 countires. Matrimandir started in 1971 and completed I 2008. This temple is for those want to concentrate. 54 Kg of gold is used in 1500 gold panels.Inner chamber is completely white and a crystle glass globe.

AurovilleRemains closed from 1230 till 1400 Hrs

Hotels visited in Pondichery….

• Le Pondy• Windflower• Atithi • Ananda Inn• Ocean Spray• Masion Perumal• Accord• Promenade • Le Duplex • Palais De Mahe

istory of Tamil Nadu

Kumbakonam hotelsChidam

Chidambaram Temple • Chidambaram is one of the five holiest Shiva temples

• Temple is associated with Nataraja, or Shiva in his Ananda Tandava pose (the Cosmic Dance of bliss)

• Lord Shiva is in Three Forms

Kumbakonam hotels• The demon :under

Nataraja's feet signifies that ignorance is under his feet

• The Fire :in his hand (power of destruction)

• The raised hand signifies that he is the saviour of all life.

• The Ring at the back signifies the cosmos.

• The drum in his hand signifies the origin of Life.

Kumbakonam hotelsFour most honoured Saivite Saints :Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Manikkavacakar

All ritual duties in the temple are performed by Deekshithar

Gangaikondacholapuram Temple Rajendra Chola-

I (1012-1044 A.D) son of Great Rajaraja-I, build this temple The name means The town of the chola who brought Ganga

Darasuram Temple

• Bulid by Rajaraja Chola II (1146-63), is a superb example of 12 Century Chola architecture.

• Stories from epics and Hindu mythology are depicted

• The sanctum is in the form of a chariot

Kumbakonam hotelsHotels visited in Kumbakonam

• Quality Inn• Indeco Swamimalai

• Paradise Hotel• Mantra Veppathur

kumbakonam – Thanjavur ( Approx – 40 Kms) ) – Trichy ( Approx – 63 Kms)

Thanjavur Sightseeing

•Brihadeeswarar Temple ( Big Temple)

• Thanjavur Art Gallery

Built by emperor Raja Raja Chola I and completed in 1010 AD Vimana height is 216 feet (66m) and it is one among the tallest towers in the worldThe big statue of Nandi present at the entrance.

Brihadeeswarar Temple ( Big Temple)

Kumbakonam hotels Vimana

Horse-drawn chariot structure

Thanjavur Palace & Museum

The gallery represent the collection of stone sculpture from the Pallava, Chola, Pandya and Nayaka periods

Kumbakonam hotelsThanjavur

Hotels• Ideal River View• Sangam Hotel• Star Residency• Hotel Parisutham• Lakshmi Hotel

Tiruchirappalli• Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam• Jambukeswarar Temple• Rockfort Temple

Sri Ranganathaswamy

Dedicated to Ranganatha, a reclining form of Lord VishnuLargest functioning temple complex in the world

Temple Complex has 21 Gopurams, 50 sub shrines, 9 sacred pools,

Kumbakonam hotelsJambukeswarar Temple Built by Kochenga

This Temple represent one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams - Water The entrance on the sanctorum is only 4 foot high and 2.5 foot wide

Kumbakonam hotelsRockfort Temple

• Two Hindu temples inside the Rockfort, The UchchiPillaiyar Koil and The Siva Temple

• 273-foot high rock.

Kumbakonam hotels

Trichy Hotels• Breeze Residency

• Grand Gardenia• Sangam• Hotel SRM

ChettinadDistance – 77 Kms from Trichy The Chettinad region is well known for its 18th century mansions, whose wide courtyards and spacious rooms are build with marble and teak wood. Construction materials, decorative items and furnishings were mostly imported from East Asian countries and Europe

Nattukottai Chettiars (Nagarathar), a prosperous banking and business community. It is also known for its local cuisine, architecture, and religious temples

Kumbakonam hotelsHotels visited in

Chettinad• Hotel Vislam• Chettinad Mansion

• Chidambra Vilas• Chettinad Court• The Bangla

Madurai – City of Temples / Athens of the East

(90 Kms – 02 ½ Hrs drive from Chettinad)

Meenakshi Temple Temple is dedicated to Lord Sundershwara & Meenakshi. Lord Shiva appeared on earth to marry Meenakshi incarnation of Parvati.

Total 14 Gopurams. Tallest is the southern one with height of 170 Feet. Each gopuram have thousand of sculptures. In every 12 years these are painted.

Thousand Pillar hall

Shiva shrine located in middle of temple. Both the shrines have golden vimana

Shiva & Meenakshi shrines

esAarti ceremony at Meenakshi

Hotels visited in Madurai..• Poppy’s

• Fortune Pandiyan • GRT • SPK • Star Residency• Royal Court• Sangam• Astoria by Sparsa• Heritage • The Gateway• Germanus

Coonoor…

Hotels visited in Coonnor

• Kurumba Village• Tea Nest • The Gateway

Ooty….

Sightseeing in Ooty….

Tea Factory Ooty

Ooty Hotels

• Taj Savoy • Fortune Sulivan Court

• Gem Park• Highland • Sinclaires Retreat

Ooty - Madumalai ( approx – 50 Kms ) – Bandipur (approx – 22 Kms) – Mysore (approx – 77 Kms )

Bandipur National Park

Mudumalai National Park Indian elephant, Bengal tiger, gaur and Indian leopard and 266 species of birds in the sanctuary

Earlier it was a private hunting reserve for the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Mysore. Now it is upgraded as Bandipur tiger reserve Established in 1974

Madumalai Hotels

• Jungle Retreat •Monarch Safari ParkBandipur Hotels

•The Serai •Wind Flower

Mysore Sightseeing

•Mysore Palace

Mysore Palace

Architectural : Indo-Saracenic Build by Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV

Inside the palace unique rooms like : Public Durbar hall, Private Durbar,Kalyana Mantapa

Public Durbar Hall

Mysore Palace Private Durbar or

Ambavilasa Palace

Mysore Palace Kalyana Mantapa Wrestling

Courtyard

Srirangapatna Sightseeing

• SRIRANGANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE• SITE OF TIPPU’S DEATH• MASJID-E-ALA• DARIA DAULATH BAGH• GUMBAZ

MASJID-E-ALA

SRIRANGANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE

GUMBAZ

SITE OF TIPPU’S DEATH

Srirangapatna Sightseeing DARIA DAULATH

Garden of the Wealth, made of TeakwoodEvery inch of the space in the walls, pillars, canopies and arches is painted colorfully and artistically.

Mysore Hotels

• Regalis • Radisson • Fortune JP Palace • Windflower • Royal Orchid Metropole • Sandesh The Prince • Country Inn & Suites, Mysore

Mysore – Nagarhole (90 Kms -02 1/2 Hours) – Bylakuppe (72 Kms -02 Hours) – Coorg (40 Kms – 01 ½ Hrs)

Nagarhole National ParkPark stretches 643 Sq. Km in between coorg & Mysore districts. The Park has healthy number of Tiger, elephants, Deer, sambar etc. Kabini River separates the Bandipur & Nagarhole Park

Nagarhole Hotels

• Orange County • Red Earth Kabini• The Serai

Bylakuppe

2nd Largest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet.After China took over Tibet, refugees were settled in Bylakuppe. There are about 10000 tibetan living in this temple. Foreigners can visit temple but in order to visit monastery they need special pass issued by home ministry. Inside temple 03 golden statue, Lord Budha, Padmasambhava and Amitayus

Coorg Coorg earlier name – Kodagu means dense forest. Also known as Scotland of India. It is located on western Ghats and lowest height is 900 meters & highest is 1750 above sea level. Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations.

Coorg Sightseeing points

Omkerashwar TempleDedicated to Lord shiva. It has a mix of Islamic and gothic architecture. On top there is a golden ball

Raja’s seatIt is a famous sunset point. It is believed that king used to come there to enjoy the sunset and beautiful views

It is 08 Kms from town and a beautiful waterfall . It is situated in the middle of coffee plantations . Water flows from a height of appx 70 feet.

Abbey Falls

Hotels visited in Coorg…

• Heritage Resort• Coorg International • Vivanta by Taj• Windflower

Coorg – Hassan ( approx - 110 Kms) – Belur (approx - 40 Kms ) – Halebeedu – (approx – 26 Kms )

Chennakesavra Temple (Belur)Build by Vishnuvardhana Hoysala in 1117 ADVishnuvardhana's conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism

40 kms From Hassan City

Inside the hall there are 48 pillers

Darpana Sundari

Halebidu Temples Two Shivalingas

present at the Halebidu temple namely Hoysaleshwara and Kedareshwara.

Halebidu Temples – Ruin City

Hassan Hotels• Hoysala Village • Ashok Hassan • Southern Star • Malligi • Rama Hotel Chikmanglur Hotels• The Gateway• The Serai

Hampi335 Kms from Hassan – 06-07 hrs drive

Hampi founded by Hakka & Bukkka04 dynasties ruled from 1336 till 1565 It become a major trading center King Krishnadeva raya was most succesfull king All come to an end in 1565 during the battle of Deccan sultants

Hampi Ruins

Vittala Temple

Temple is built in form of a temple complex with compound wall & towers. Built in 15 century. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Highlight of temple is pillared halls & stone chariot

Virupaksha Temple

One of the oldest temple of hampi.. Dedicated to Lord Shiva. Gopuram is 09 storie tower with cow horn like projection on the top

Virupaksha Temple

Virupaksha TempleHighlight of this Mahal is the architecture. Archways resembles petal of Lotus. Structure in Indo – Islamic architecture. Base is Vijayanagar and 09 pyramid town is Islamic

Lotus Mahal

Virupaksha TempleQueen’s Bath.

It was used as a private bathing chamber of King & Queen. It was built in Indo-Islamic architecture.

Virupaksha TempleRoyal Enclosure. Mahanavami

Dibba. Pushkarni

Monolithic door

Secret Chamber

Monolithic door

Hazara Rama Temple

Located in Royal Enclosure. Dedicated to Lord vishnu in his aspect of Lord Rama. Scultupres from Ramayana can be seen here.

Virupaksha Temple

Monolithic door

Narasmiha Statue Sitting on the coil of a seven headed snake. This form as Ugra Narsimha. Stands at a height of 6.7 meters. Narsimha means half man & half lion

Monolithic door

Badaviling Temple

03 Meter high shilling. One of the biggest. Built by a poor lady. Next to Narsimha.

Ganesha Statue

Hotels in Hampi…• Krishna Palace • Mailligi• Heritage Resort • Royal Orchid Kreeeti

Hotels visited in Bangalore…• Royal Orchid KG Golf course

• The Pride • The Oberoi• The Park• The Chancery Pavilion • The Gateway• Royal Orchid Central• ITC My Fortune• Regalis • The Chancery• JW Marriott • ITC Gardenia

THANK YOU…..

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