• Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple - Guests will be collected from their hotel in Madurai at 8:30 AM to commence a private tour with an English-speaking guide.

The tour begins at the Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Parvathi, the consort of Lord Shiva. Constructed between 1623 and 1655 AD, its 33,000 sculptures earned it a nomination among the top 30 contenders for the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’. The temple features the ‘Thousand Pillared Hall’, where each column depicts Dravidian deities. Adjacent to this hall are the Musical Pillars, each producing a unique melodic note when struck.

• Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal - The next stop is the Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, renowned in Southern India. In the 17th century, Madurai was a significant trading hub for the Portuguese, Dutch, and other Europeans. The king of Madurai commissioned an Italian architect to design this grand palace, which incorporates Dravidian, Islamic, and European architectural styles. The palace boasts a magnificent courtyard encircled by massive circular pillars and a throne room topped by a dome over 60 feet high.

Following the morning tour, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (beverages not included).

• Gandhi Memorial Museum - After lunch, visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, where exhibitions are divided into three sections: “India Fights for Freedom”, “Visual Biography of Mahatma Gandhi”, and “Relics and Replicas”. Additionally, there is a gallery of stamps featuring Gandhi on the ground floor.

At the conclusion of the tour, the driver will return guests to their hotel in Madurai.

• English speaking guide
• Transport by private air conditioned vehicle
• 02 bottles of mineral water per person
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Madurai
• Lunch at local restaurant

• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Gratuities ( Optional

Spend your day touring Madurai, known as the Athens of the East, it is famous for its temples. It is one of India’s most popular Hindu pilgrimage centers. The third largest city in the State of Tamil Nadu is situated on the banks of the river Vaigai and has been a major population center for millennia. It is thought to be one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Lunch is included on this full day tour.

Highlights

Meenakshi Amman Temple

Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace

Gandhi Museum

Lunch at a local restaurant

• A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
• Gandhi Memorial Museum is closed on Fridays
• Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.