The Journey South

September, December and January

This is a list of the places and suggested activities to be reviewed and confirmed with the group.

Places Visited:

Chennai
Mahabalipuram
Pondicherry - Auroville
Tiruvannamalai
Tanjore
Madurai
Periyar
Alleppey backwaters Kerala
Cochin
Chennai - Depart

Chennai	Day 01

Candy at the beach
Copyright ©

Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu, formerly known as Madras, lies on the south eastern coast of India along the Bay of Bengal, making for a humid, subtropical environment.

Church
Copyright ©

Beach life
Copyright ©

Practical Information:

12 September 2007 Arrive Chennai

Chennai-Covelong (30 km, 1 hour)

Arrive Chennai, meeting assistance at the airport and direct transfer to hotel in Covelong

Overnight at hotel Taj Fisherman’s Cove, Covelong
04 Star plus
01 Night

12-13 September 2007

Itinerary:

The Anna International Airport in Chennai is your arrival airport to India where you will be met by one of us and transported to your accommodation. Next day will begin with an introductory welcome meeting and the sharing of information. Afterwards we will begin our journey to Pondicherry en-route visiting Mahabalipuram.

Mahabalipuram	Day 02

Copyright ©

Mahabalipuram is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a jewel in the crown of Tamil Nadu. An ancient 7th century small port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas, it is located 60 km south of the city of Chennai. This place, however, dates back to early historic times on the evidence of stray pottery and Roman coins. It is famous for the Shore temple built on the water's edge with an east facing alter that has been designed to catch the rising sun. Dedicated to both Vishnu and Shiva, Mahabalipuram is one of the most outstanding examples of devotional Dravidian art and architecture wherein Buddhist elements of design are prominently visible. The monuments are mostly rock-cut cave temples, monolithic rathas (chariots), sculpted reliefs and structural temples. These wonders in rock leave visitors enthralled, conveying an impression of beauty and harmony.

Practical Information:

13 September 2007 Covelong -Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry (156 km, 4 hours)

Morning depart Covelong for Pondicherry en-route visit Mahabalipuram.

Itinerary:

Because these sites are located close to each other we will explore them on foot, visiting the world famous Shore Temple, and see the largest rock cut bas relief in the southern hemisphere. At Arjunas’ Penance, (Arjuna is Lord Krishna’s most loved devotee who was told in the battle field of the Mahabarata war the Bhagavad Geeta), we will wonder amongst the monolithic temples carved with sacred images, visit the beautiful five rathas and visit the stone carving workshops and stores.

Pondicherry - Auroville	Day 03 - 04

Copyright ©

Seated at the shores of the Bay of Bengal, Pondicherry is a serene town whose association traces its origin to Saint Agasthya, the revered sage of the South. In ancient times only teachers or students of the Vedas resided here.

In the last 300 years it has been a French colony and therefore has an amazing French flavour - in the midst of South India! This is also the place where Sri Aurobindo lived and the headquarters of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a Saint-cum-Yogi who synthesized yoga and modern science. The purpose of man he claimed is to “transcend his lowly form of consciousness. Yoga is a technique not for personal liberation but for cooperating with the cosmic evolutionary urge destined to take mankind ahead to a higher, supramental stage of consciousness.” Pondicherry is also the final resting place of the 'Mother’, the close devotee of Aurobindo. They evolved a system of spiritual upliftment called “Integral Yoga”. She was instrumental in manifesting the great vision of living and working together in peace and harmony, in the township of Auroville. People come here in search of Truth, Love, Harmony and Knowledge.

Auroville (founded in 1968) is thus an audacious and idealistic experiment, a place “…where the needs of the spirit and the concern for progress would take precedence over the satisfaction of desires and passions”. It aspires to be “a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and harmony, above all creeds, all politics and nationalities”. The purpose of Auroville is to realise Human Unity. Aurovillians research and practice environmental regeneration, organic farming, renewable energy, building technologies, handicrafts and various small-scale industries.

Practical Information:

14 September 2007 Pondicherry

On arrival in Pondicherry check-in at hotel

Le Duplex, Pondicherry
03 Star/Heritage
03 Nights

13-16 September 2007

Overnight at hotel

Itinerary:

We will stroll around the French Quarter of this pleasant town and tour the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and His and the Mother’s Samadhi. There is a refreshing floral ambience here with beautiful flowers planted all over. We will discover the original handicrafts stores with goods created in Auroville, incredible incense, textiles and much more, walk over the windy ocean hugging Beach road, and enjoy the local lively shopping area, perhaps getting suitable clothing and enjoying good French food.

We will visit the universal township of Auroville that is still growing, hosting people from over 35 countries, see an introductory video of the town, its life and projects and its Matria Mandir (temple of the Mother) the soul of Auroville (place for silent Meditation) if possible, plus the Visitor Centre with beautiful gift shopping available.

Tiruvannamalai	Day 05 - 06

Copyright ©

Tiruvannamalai is a small temple town surrounding the Arunachaleswara Temple (Lord of Arunachala), situated at the foot of the Holy Arunachala Hill. “If Mount Kailash is where Lord Shiva resides, Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai is Shiva Himself” said the scriptures.

Tiruvannamalai is the oldest natural shrine in the world (earliest rock formations date to some 3.8 billion years ago). The glory of the Arunachaleswara Temple here has been described in ancient texts as far back as 750 CE. The Temple complex is the second largest in India.

This was home to the Great Sage Ramana Maharishi, unique in our time for he perfectly embodied the ultimate truth of self-realization and whose Ashram and Samadhi are located at the foot of this Hill. He emanates a timeless silence so deep and powerful that continue to draw seekers of spiritual peace showing the way to higher truths from all over the world. Saints, Sages, holy man, devotees and seekers of all times have come here.

“Man’s search for happiness is an unconscious search for his true self” Ramana Maharishi.

Practical Information:

16 September 2007 Pondicherry- Tiruvannamalai (100 kms, 2-3 Hrs)

Morning depart Pondicherry for Tiruvannamalai.

On arrival in Tiruvannamalai check-in at hotel

Arunai Anantha, Tiruvannamalai
Basic
03 Nights
Stay at Tiruvannamalai from the
16-19 September 2007

Itinerary:

In Arunachala and Tiruvannamalai we will bathe in and enjoy the grace of one of the most sacred places in India. There is something here that will touch you.

We will undertake the sacred girivalam circumambulation of the Arunachala Hill and spend time around this holy Hill and its countless little shrines all around it.

We will visit the Ramana Ashram and the glorious Arunachaleshwara Temple sanctuaries of Peace and also climb to the Skanda Ashram on the Hill, the place where Ramana lived for many years as well.

Tanjore	Day 07 - 08

Copyright ©

Tanjore was the capital of the Chola Empire from the tenth to the fourteenth centuries and has been one of the most important towns in the Cauvery Delta. Tanjore (Thanjavur) was once the capital of a kingdom so fertile that elephants were used to thrash the abundant paddy. There are ancient buildings almost on every street. For hundreds of years literature and the arts were celebrated in Tanjore, home to some of the world’s finest temple architecture.

Here was built the grand and understated Brihadeesvara Temple that sprawls across an expanse of 33,000 sq ft. It takes your breath away with its sheer size and the complexities of its architecture and sculpture. It was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1987.

The Brihadeesvara Temple with its soaring tower over the inner sanctum is the greatest of the empire's 74 temples. This tower rises more than 62 meters (200 feet). On its dome rests a single block of granite weighing 80 tons.

Practical Information:

19 September 2007 Tiruvannamalai-Tanjore (235 kms, 5-6 hrs)

Morning depart Tiruvannamalai for Tanjore en-route visiting Chidambaram.

On arrival in Tanjore check-in at hotel

Ideal River View Resort, Tanjore
03 Stars
02 Nights

19-21 September 2007

Overnight at hotel

Itinerary:

On our way to Tanjore from Tiruvannamalai we will visit the small town of Chidambaran built around the great temple complex of Nataraja (the dancing Shiva) who is performing eternally His cosmic dance of creation and dissolution at this place and being witnessed by all Gods and Sages. Here Shiva (the self) is being revered in his formless form as Space.

Once in Tanjore we will have a city sightseeing tour, have a look at the beautiful art and paintings of Tanjore in antique shops and stores. We will visit the big temple of Brihadeesvara and perhaps take a short trip to Thiruvaiyaru, a small quiet town and sacred pilgrimage destination located at the confluence (sangam) of the five rivers of the Cauvery Delta.

Madurai	Day 09 - 10

Copyright ©

Madurai is an ancient historical legendary Indian City. This place has its legendary origin in the distant past when Devas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) churned the ocean to get Amritham (nectar). Lord Shiva performed his often mischievous, divine games on Gods and mortals here. Indra, the King of Gods, built a celestial shrine in worship to Lord Shiva here. Eons later it was found by a king who built a city around it. It is said Shiva dropped nectar (Madhur) over the city, thus deriving its name as Madurai. Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) married her consort Lord Shiva here and in time their son Subramanian also chose Madurai as the venue for his wedding. The divine couple ruled Madurai for many years and stayed on as presiding deities and still watch over the city. Historical literature refers this city to the Golden period, 2500 BCE (Before Christian Era).

Here we find the “Meenakshi Amman Temple”, Madurai’s legendary landmark. This temple is spread over 16 acres with an incredible gallery of sacred art, having over 33 million sculptures. The architectural splendour of this temple leaves one at a loss for words. Divinity and Art become synonyms in this Temple.

Practical Information:

21 September 2007 Tanjore-Madurai (158 kms,4-5 hrs)

On arrival in Madurai check-in at hotel

Taj Garden Retreat, Madurai

04 Stars
02 Nights
21-23 September 2007

Itinerary:

Morning depart Tanjore for Madurai.

On our way to Madurai we will stop for lunch at Chettinad Mansion. Chettinad is famous for its amazing ancient grand mansions that were built in the 19th century by the merchant community from this place. They had gone and worked all over Southeast Asia to do business and than built these grand homes with their tremendous wealth.

We will visit the Meenakshi Temple, a wondrous journey over a sacred landscape. It is easy to be overwhelmed, but even easier to enjoy every moment. We will be moved by this magnificent encounter with timelessness and will surrender all sense of time here.

We may visit the Tirrumalai Nayak Palace and Thirumohur (1O km). We will spend an evening visiting the Meenakshi temple to witness the night ceremony where the marriage of Meenakshi (Shiva and Parvati) takes place.

Periyar	Day 11 - 12

Copyright ©

Situated in the Thekkady district of Tamil Nadu bordering with Kerala, Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary is one of the most important and frequently visited places in India. It conveniently falls between journeys from different parts of Tamil Nadu to important places in Kerala. It offers more than just a getaway. There are spice, coffee, tea and rubber plantations here as well as the huge Lake Periyar and the wildlife-rich Periyar Sanctuary.

Beautiful sightseeing! The wildlife sanctuary here is the natural habitat of a wide variety of animal species. The Periyar Lake is a paradise for nature lovers. It gives you an opportunity to observe wild animals roaming in the jungle. The greatest attraction of Periyar Lake, however, is the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.

Practical Information:

23 September 2007 Madurai-Periyar (142 kms, 3-4 hrs)

Morning depart Madurai for Periyar.

On arrival in Periyar check- in at hotel

Taj Garden Retreat, Periyar
03 Star plus
02 Nights
23-25 September 2007

Itinerary:

Resting, relaxing and enjoying nature. We will have a chance to experience India’s wildlife elephants and maybe see tigers too. We will go on a half-day boats cruise on the lake, this being the usual way of touring the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Alleppey backwaters Kerala	Day 13 - 14

Copyright ©

Alleppey, an exceptional coastal township, is a network of lakes and lagoons and canals crisscrossing each other. This place has often been referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers from around the world.

These backwaters in the Kerala have become roads between the inland and the sea. They are ahead and behind and are created by the pounding of the sea on the beach and by the movement of the waves. They are usually shaped in the form of lagoons, lakes and estuaries. The Backwaters in Kerala are a network of exquisite channels, lakes, lagoons and deltas of approximately 44 rivers emptying into the Arab sea. The principal mode of transport on these backwaters is by houseboats in which more than 900km of this world of water is navigable.

From Alleppey to Thottappalley: a splendid way to sail through the legendary Punnamada Lake - the venue of the famous Nehru trophy snake boat race.

Mata Amritanandamayi is said to be an avatar - an incarnation of Mother Divine in human form. She is the first Indian saint to give her blessing by hugging each aspirant who visits her. To receive a hug from "Ammachi", as her devotees call her, is to experience the nectar of divine love flowing into your heart and illuminating your mind. This is something that has to be experienced in order to understand its power. A feeling of true spiritual grace is bestowed upon every person who visits this wonderful alive saint. Amritapuri, the home of the Holy Mother Mata Amritananda Mayi, known affectionately as Amma, nestles under the shade of the coconut groves of a small island in the Arabian Sea. Most probably we will be able to meet Amma personally and meditate in her presence. We will experience the intensity of ashram life in Amritapuri.

Practical Information:

25 September 2007 Periyar- Alleppey –Thottapally -Karungapally

Periyar- Alleppey (180 kms, 4 hrs by land)

Alleppey-Thottapally by motorboat

Thottapally-Karungapally (60 kms, 2 hrs)

Early morning depart Periyar to Alleppey to board motorboat through the backwaters for a stop in Thottapally to visit Amritapuri, and then continue by land to the hotel in Karungapally. On arrival check-in at hotel.

Comfort Regency, Karungapally
02 Star
01 Night

25-26 September 2007

Itinerary:

After arrival from Periyar to the Allepey port we will board the motorboat here. As we sail along between Thottapally and Karungapally, we can see the traditional wooden houses on the banks and visit the "Chavara Bhavan", the ancestral home of the blessed "Kuriakose Elias Chavara". Located 6 km from Alleppey, this house has been preserved intact as an historically important 250-year-old beacon of light, in its original and primitive form.

We may stop in between and visit the ancient Ambalappuzha temple and the 400-year-old Church at Champakkulam – one of the oldest churches established by St. Thomas. As we sail along we can visit the 11th century Buddha image made of granite, located 3 km east of Alleppey, experience the beauty of the water birds and enjoy the serene and quiet life amidst the tranquility of the Backwaters. We disembark the boat at Thottappally.

From Thottapally we will pay a visit to Ammajis’ Ashram (Amritananda Ma) at Amritapuri. These are the days of her birthday celebrations so we may get the chance to see her and enjoy the festivities in her Ashraam. Afterwards we will proceed to the hotel in Karungapally (about 1 1/2hr drive from the Ashram).

Next morning we visit Ammas Ashram (approx 30 kms, 1 hr) for a continuation of festivities, then later on the same day we will continue journeying to Cochin.

Cochin	Day 15 - 16

Copyright ©

This town is one of the most beautiful cities in Kerala where a glorious past has successfully blended itself to the demands of a modern-day life.

Kochi (or Cochin as it was better known) has been rightly eulogised as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". Chosen as one of the world's 50 destinations by the National Geographic last year, it is a sensual and cultural delight. Its coastline is brimming with life, coconut trees and alluring backwaters, with women in cream and gold saris with jasmine garlands.

Ayurvedic knowledge is popular here, practising the art of living. The classic arts of Kallaripatyu and Kathakali and the theatre performances and film screenings make a stay in Cochin a very unique and beautiful experience, also a cosmopolitan city. Being one of the oldest ports in the country, Cochin has a number of churches, synagogues, mosques and temples. It embraces both the faithless and faithful alike.

Practical Information:

On arrival in Cochin check-in at hotel

Overnight at hotel
Brunton boatyard, Cochin
04 Star
02 Nights

26-28 September 2007

Itinerary:

We will visit the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. While driving along the coastline at the Harbour's mouth, one can also view the unique and still-in-use "Chinese Fishing Nets" introduced by the Chinese traders in the 14th Century. At the Fort Kochi area we will walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. Some parts of this nearly 500-year-old Fort are still amazingly well preserved.

We will also witness a Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali is the classical dance-drama of Kerala, dates from the 17th century and is rooted in Hindu mythology and mysticism. Kathakali has a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. Kathakali draws heavily from drama and is danced with elaborate and fascinating masks and costumes.

On time transfer to Cochin airport to connect flight for Chennai.

Chennai - Depart	Day 17

Today Chennai is a city that still sustains the pure Tamil culture vibrantly alive with modern participation. Immensely proud and aware of the classic antiquity of their three thousand year old Dravidian Culture, respected by the Aryans when they came in 1500 B.C., many modern day Tamils still live largely the same life in many ways, not only in their culture and language, but in their food and clothes as well. Tamil, one of the oldest languages known on the earth, is spoken by the majority of the people. In spite of successive invasions, the Tamil art, scriptures, religion, dance, drama, vocal and instrumental music and architecture have remained essentially untouched.

Being India’s fourth largest city and spreading over an area of 200 square kilometres, it isdesigned spaciously which makes it unsuitable to explore on foot.

Practical Information:

28 September 2007 Cochin-Chennai by flight 9W 3530 at 1205-1335 hrs

On arrival in Chennai assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel

Trident Hilton, Chennai
04 Star
01 Night

28-29 September 2007

29 September 2007 Depart Chennai

In time transfer to airport to connect with onward international flight.

Itinerary:

Our last night is to be enjoyed organizing, packing, shopping, resting and completing our journey together. We will choose on site what to do here, some of the possibilities being sight seeing, last minute shopping or visiting an art cultural program featuring Music or Dance.

> View The Journey North
> View The Routes and Slideshow

During the whole journey it is our pleasure to offer, Yoga practice, (to keep fit and supple), Pranayama breathing exercises (to keep calm and relax), reading of relevant materials (to understand the history of some place, the teachings of anyone and more), story telling (fun way to familiarize with a place), teaching and practice of devotional Indian music and chants (to keep us happy).

OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI

LET THERE BE PEACE AND LOVE AMONG ALL BEINGS OF THE UNIVERSE