Day 1- 7AM- Hotel pick up in Chennai
1 PM- Tanjore
A 350 KM ride will take us to Tanjore the first capital of the Ancient Chola Empire.
Brihadeswar Temple of Tanjore
The famous Brihadeeswara Temple is our first destination in the Great Living Chola Temples Trail. It is one of the greatest architectural creations in India. The Thanjavur Big temple, which celebrated its 1000th birthday in 2010, remains the finest specimen of architecture, sculpture, bronze casting and painting.
The Brihadeswar Temple in Tanjore also has an excellent collection of frescoes. These frescoes can be found on the walls around the sanctum sanctorum and they depict the legendary tales of Lord Shiva. Some of these were painted by the King Raja Raja Chola himself. It is believed that extracts from special plants were used to paint the same and hence the Thanjavur paintings have lasted for so many years.
Grand Palace of Tanjore
Built during the Nayak rule, the Grand Palace of Tanjore was repaired during the rule of the Marathas. Walk through the queen’s courtyard and witness divine scenes painted on the walls of the Durbar Hall. Also, search for the underground passage in this palace. There is also the Royal Museum, a gallery and the Saraswati Mahal Library stationed within the palace complex.
Overnight stay in Tanjore.
Day 2-Morning- Drive from Tanjore to Darasuram
Temple of Airateswar in Darasuram
Darasuram is home to Airavateswar Temple, our second destination in the Great Living Chola Temples Trail. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Temple was built by Chola King Raja Raja II in the 12th century AD. This shiva temple at Darasuram near Kumbakonam is a UNESCO world heritage site and a treasure trove of Art, Carvings and Architecture. The temple gets its name after Airavat the white elephant of Lord Indra who came here to worship.
Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Our final destination in the Great Living Chola Temples Trail is Gangaikondacholapuram, a city built in 1025 by Rajendra Chola, son of the famous Chola emperor Raja Raja. It was meant to commemorate his victory over the Pala Empire across the Ganges. Gangaikonda Cholapuram served as the capital of the mighty Chola Empire for 250 years and is most famous for its Shiva Temple.
3 PM- Drive back to Chennai from Gangaikonda Cholapuram
830 PM- Drop back to hotel in Chennai
