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Chennai, the capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu,
combines the old Chola culture, the British influences &
impressions, with the present day modern bustling city.
It is a comparatively modern creation and the city retains
much of its cultural charms and traditional aura of the
Dravidian lifestyle. Being one of the
earliest cities set up by the British, Chennai has marvelous
buildings in elaborate Indo – Saracenic style – the Fort
St.George, St. Mary’s church etc.
Gateway program in Chennai:
Day – 01. Arrive in Chennai.
Meals Included: None.
Arrive at Night at Chennai International Airport. You will
be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Chennai.
Day – 02. Chennai / Next Destination.
Meals Included: None.
After breakfast this morning, you’ll proceed on a tour of
the City of Madras. Fort St. George built by the British
East India Company, completed in the 17th Century, St.
Mary’s Church and the Government Museum for its superb
collection of Chola Art. After lunch at your expense, you
will be transferred to airport for your flight to the next
destination.
Tamil Nadu is India’s Dravidian heartland. Traditionally
protected by distance and the military might of the Southern
Deccan kingdoms, this region has, over the centuries been
less exposed to northern influences. With the result the
powerful dynasties dominating the South – The Cholas,
Pallavas & the Pandayas were able to develop their unique
image, largely unmolested by marauding invaders.
The most visible legacy is the crop of astounding temples,
with their gigantic gopurams or gateway towers. Tamil Nadu
can justly be called the “Temple state”. The most famous of
being Kanchipuram, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur,
Trichy Madurai,.
This state has, over the centuries, protected the
traditional art forms of Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam
dance. The Kalakshetra at Chennai stands as a guardian
institution for these art forms and imparts Gurukul based
training in these fields.
Must see in Tamil Nadu:
Chennai – The beachlines at
Marina & San Thome should not be missed.
Mahabalipuram - famous for its rock cut temples, Kanchipuram
– for the Kanchi Kamakshi temple & picking up rich brocaded
silk sarees,
Madurai - for the Madurai Meenakshi temple,
Thanjavur – The Brihadeshwara temple with its imposing
granite Gopuram.
Festivals: The state celebrates a large number of festivals
throughout the year. The most famous and colorful of them
are Pongal – the harvest festival, The Dance festival at
Mamallapuram, Float & Chithrai festival at Madurai, The
Navaratri festival and the Music and dance festival at
Chennai.
PONGAL, Tamil Nadu (January)
It marks the harvest festivities of the agricultural
communities. It is observed for three days in Tamil Nadu.
The first day is the Bogi Pongal, which is celebrated as a
family festival. Surya Pongal, the second day, is dedicated
to the Sun (Surya). Mattu Pongal is the third day, and is
also the day when cattle is decorated with ornaments. Pongal
(rice cooked in milk and jaggery) is boiled and offered to
the Sun on this day. Friends relatives meet and greet each
other with great rejoice.
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