Palaces, Temples & Colonial Echoes

Resting along the banks of the Vaigai River, Madurai is one of India’s oldest living cities, with roots stretching back to the 3rd century BCE. Once ruled by the powerful Pandyas, this thriving hub of trade, religion, and learning has long been the cultural heart of Tamil Nadu. Today, its skyline is defined by soaring temple towers, with the celebrated Meenakshi Amman Temple at its very center. This afternoon, step into Madurai’s rich heritage with your guide: Meenakshi Amman Temple – An architectural marvel dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar (a form of Shiva). Its intricately carved halls, vibrant paintings, and towering gopurams - including the tallest temple gateway in the world, making it one of India’s most iconic shrines. Local Markets Walk – Wander through bustling lanes fragrant with fresh jasmine, marigold, and roses for temple rituals. See fruit and vegetable vendors, artisans, and small traders whose livelihoods paint a vivid picture of everyday India. Thirumalai Nayakar Palace – Built in 1636, this palace showcases the grandeur of the Nayaka dynasty. Its arches and colonnades still echo the wealth and power of a clan that continues to hold influence in southern India.

Recommended Activities

Recommended Accommodations

The Gateway Hotel, Pasumalai

Luxury Boutique

The Gateway Hotel, Pasumalai

Luxury Boutique

A short distance away from Madurai’s IT corridor, the Gateway Hotel Pasumalai is named so for the hilly outcrop it is located on. Offering spectacular views of Madurai’s temple-strewn skyline against a backdrop of Kodaikanal’s lush green mountains, the century-old property stretches out across sixty-two acres of landscaped gardens. In the Taj hotels tradition, the Gateway Hotel, Pasumalai offers the best hospitality and service, with some inspired culinary delights at their restaurant and Ayurvedic offerings at their in-house spa.

This land of the Chettiars - South India’s illustrious merchant community - echoes with stories of wealth, enterprise, and legacy. Having built their fortunes across India and abroad, the Chettiars returned home to create palatial residences with pillared halls, marble floors, ornate woodwork, and Belgian chandeliers. Many of these grand mansions still stand proudly, even as families now gather here only during festivals and special occasions. Beyond its architecture, Chettinad is celebrated worldwide for its fiery cuisine, with the legendary pepper chicken at its core. After breakfast, set out on a scenic drive to Karaikudi, the heart of the famed Chettinad region. On arrival in Karaikudi, check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely afternoon. You may choose from the following optional experiences: Chettinad Cuisine Demonstration – Step into the world of Chettinad’s bold flavors. Learn how local spices are tempered to transform vegetables and meats into dishes that are as aromatic as they are fiery. The session concludes with a tasting of these unforgettable flavors. Heritage Walk (5–6 PM) – Explore the patterned lanes of Kanadukathan village, where heritage mansions rise in varying states of grandeur and decay. Pause by the village pond, flanked by a temple on one side and a palace on the other, before strolling past doors and facades that hold centuries of stories. Accompanied by your hotel staff, this walk offers a glimpse into Chettinad’s rich history and everyday life.

Optional Morning Experiences: Sunrise Hike to Narthamalai (5–8 AM) Begin the day with a hike to Narthamalai, a cluster of hills that shelter some of South India’s earliest rock-cut cave temples and rare stone edicts. On the summit stands the striking Vijayalaya Chozhisvaram Temple, carved into the rock face. A unique highlight here is a submerged temple revealed only during Shivaratri, when the pond is drained for rituals — a tradition both rare and sacred. After the hike, pause at a local tea stall before returning for breakfast. (50 km drive + 20-minute hike) Cycling through Karaikudi (6–8 AM) Explore Chettinad at a gentle pace on two wheels. Ride past heritage mansions, through quiet village lanes, and out to the old abandoned airstrip, now home to peacocks and other birds. Stop at a tea stall for a quick bite before cycling back. Afternoon Experiences (included): Inside a Chettinad Mansion – Step into an ancestral home and discover the customs, traditions, and design elements that shaped these architectural marvels. Athangudi Tile Workshop – Watch master craftsmen handcraft the patterned tiles that once adorned Chettinad palaces. Each piece is made entirely by hand — a skill preserved in over a hundred small workshops. Handloom Weaving & Women’s Cooperative – Visit local handloom units where artisans weave the famous Chettinad cotton sarees. Continue to a vibrant women’s collective, where age-old recipes of snacks like murukku, thattai, and seedai are kept alive, prepared with the same care that has made them beloved across generations.

Recommended Activities

Recommended Accommodations

CGH – Visalam

Heritage Homes/Mansions

CGH – Visalam

Heritage Homes/Mansions

Visalam reflects the grandeur of the region, combined with the almost yogic simplicity of the community. Fifteen rooms are available in this 75-year-old house built in art-deco style, where one can experience heritage, art and architecture of olden times.  Add to this the recent renovations by CGH Earth, and Visalam now offers an intriguing mix of new and old.  A highlight of the property is the restaurant that utilizes local chefs and local ingredients to serve up mouth watering delights that can be enjoyed on the large terrace overlooking the surrounding villages.

Visit to a local Ayyanar temple, dedicated to guardian deities and nature spirits worshipped by village communities. Enroute Experiences in Tanjore: Brihadeeswarar Temple – A UNESCO World Heritage site and masterpiece of 11th-century Chola architecture. Its sculptures include over 100 carved dance postures, linking Thanjavur to the origins of Bharatanatyam. Bronze Casting Workshop – Witness the centuries-old lost-wax technique that transforms clay molds into exquisite bronze idols, blending mythology with artistry. Tanjore Culture Walk – Wander through lanes where veena makers carve stringed instruments, painters bring Tanjore art to life, and families craft Bommai Kolu dolls in clay and wood. Arrive in Kumbakonam by afternoon and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Kumbakonam Experiences Darasuram Temple (Airavatesvara Temple) – A UNESCO World Heritage Site and 12th-century Chola masterpiece, famed for its sculpted pillars, intricate carvings, and “musical steps.” Built by King Rajaraja II, this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a living celebration of South Indian artistry and devotion. Visit to a Vedic Pathashala – Step into one of India’s oldest living centers of Vedic learning, where children as young as six continue the centuries-old oral tradition of chanting sacred hymns with discipline and devotion. Kalamkari Art Studio – Meet a family preserving the intricate textile art of Kalamkari, once favored by Maratha royalty. Watch as natural dyes from flowers, bark, and roots are brushed onto fabric, with each piece washed in the river to give it its unique character. Optional Afternoon Experiences at Mantra Koodam: Annapurna Devi Temple Ritual – Take part in an intimate evening pooja, where guests are invited to join in sacred offerings, chants, and the ritual dressing of the goddess in traditional attire. Wish Lamp Ceremony – Conclude the evening with the moving vilakku in neer ritual, placing oil lamps afloat in the temple pond - a serene, glowing expression of faith and hope. Pottery Workshop – Guided by a village artisan, try your hand at traditional clay pottery. Meditative and grounding, it’s a way to connect with earth and craft.

Recommended Activities

Recommended Accommodations

CGH – Mantra Koodam

Heritage Homes/Mansions

CGH – Mantra Koodam

Heritage Homes/Mansions

Mantra Koodam, CGH Earth evokes the spirit of Tamil Nadu’s temple towns, where heritage and hospitality come together in an intimate village setting. The Illam Cottages reflect the elegance of traditional Brahmin homes with pillared verandahs and red oxide floors, while the century-old Muttaram Heritage Houses, lovingly restored, carry high wooden ceilings, carved doors, and shaded courtyards. Blending cultural authenticity with modern comforts, Mantra Koodam offers guests a serene and soulful retreat into timeless living.

Drive towards Pondicherry, a seaside town where French colonial charm blends seamlessly with Tamil heritage. Expect tree-lined boulevards, mustard-yellow facades, quiet cafés, and a relaxed coastal rhythm that makes this town unique in India. Unlike most Indian cities, Pondicherry has preserved its Gallic character—visible in Creole cuisine, French signage, and colonial villas—while its soul remains rooted in Tamil traditions. Adding to its distinctive identity are the Aurobindo Ashram and nearby Auroville, spiritual centers that draw seekers from around the world to a life of mindfulness, community, and simplicity. Optional Enroute Visits: Gangaikonda Cholapuram – Once the capital of the Chola dynasty, this grand 11th-century temple dedicated to Shiva is celebrated for its soaring vimana and exquisite carvings. Chidambaram Temple – A sacred site dedicated to Lord Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, representing the element of ether and standing as one of Hinduism’s most iconic symbols. Optional Experiences in Pondicherry: Cycle Rickshaw Ride – Glide through White Town’s bougainvillea-shaded lanes, past colonial villas and cafés, in a charmingly unhurried way. Walking Tour of Franco-Tamil Heritage – Explore Pondicherry’s historic quarter with an interpreter. Visit landmarks like the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Manakula Vinayagar Temple, and Notre Dames des Anges Church, while uncovering stories that bring the town’s unique cultural blend to life.

Exploring Pondicherry Cycling Heritage Trail – Discover Pondicherry at your own pace on two wheels. Ride past bougainvillea-draped walls, mustard-yellow colonial villas, and quiet Tamil streets. It’s the perfect way to soak in the city’s old-world charm with zero footprint. Auroville & Sri Aurobindo Ashram – Visit the Ashram, where the samadhis of Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa (the Mother) remain places of quiet devotion. A short drive away lies Auroville, a unique township envisioned by architect Roger Anger, where residents from across the world live by the ideals of community and harmony. A curated visit with an Auroville resident can offer deeper insight. Svaram Instrument Workshop – Step into a creative space filled with hand-crafted musical instruments from across the world, each with its own story and sound. Eat My Cake Café – Pause at this socially conscious French café where local women, trained in baking, serve fresh salads, pastries, and homemade gelato.

Recommended Activities

Recommended Accommodations

Palais de Mahe

Urban Abodes

Palais de Mahe

Urban Abodes

Pondicherry is balanced beautifully at the intersection of two imaginings, where the street signs speak several languages fluently and historic buildings jostle against charming sidewalk cafes. Trendy boutiques stand next to sari shops and swish design studios share space with bangle sellers, temples and  bustling markets. It is these rich contrasts that were studied, absorbed, and then blended into Palais de Mahe. Their architecture is faithful to a historic age, and like Pondicherry, the Palais de Mahe experience is laden with surprising modern twists and rich flavours.

Visit to Mahabalipuram (enroute) – A UNESCO World Heritage site, stunning stone-worked temples and boulder-hewn monuments of 7th and 8th centuries

Chennai – Where Empire Meets Tradition Once a modest fishing village, Chennai (formerly Madras) grew into a bustling port city, shaping centuries of trade in silks, spices, and gems. Its coastline drew empires and colonies, while its industries and culture transformed it into the vibrant metropolis it is today. Here, colonial landmarks stand beside ancient temples, political posters compete with film banners, and rice-based delicacies remain a staple of daily life. Morning City Exploration with Guide: Fort Saint George – Britain’s first stronghold in India, the foundation of modern Chennai. St. Thomas Cathedral – A 16th-century Portuguese church marking the city’s layered colonial past. Kapaleeswarar Temple – A colorful Dravidian temple honoring Lord Shiva and Parvati, steeped in mythology and devotion. Afternoon Walk: The Peacock Trail – A gentle walk through Mylapore, where stories of gods, demons, rituals, and everyday life weave the rich tapestry of Chennai’s heritage.

After breakfast, transfer to Chennai airport for your onward flight. Carry with you the memories and experiences that will linger long after the journey ends.

Recommended Activities

Mahabalipuram Rock Cut Caves & Temples

Art & Architecture

Mahabalipuram Rock Cut Caves & Temples

Art & Architecture

Explore the 7th Century Mahabalipuram’s sculpture-rich landscape – from the ruins of the Shore Temple with hundreds of Nandi bull statues looking seaward, to the Krishna’s butterball, a glacial erratic precariously perched upon the bedrock. Continue on past Arjuna’s Penance – a beautiful narrative sculpted onto a single rockface narrating a story from the epic poem, Mahabharata, optimizing the rock fissures and cracks. Then visit the ruins of the rest of the Panch Rathas remain in silent testimony to the skill of the carvers who created them. Named for the Pandava brothers who are the heros of the Mahabharat epic,..

Recommended Accommodations

The Leela Palace – Chennai

Luxury Boutique

The Leela Palace – Chennai

Luxury Boutique

The Leela Palace is Chennai’s first seafront city hotel, located at the conflux Bay of Bengal and the Adyar River and draws architectural inspiration from the Chettinad dynasty to provide an ambience of style and opulence along with its world-class contemporary comforts, proximity to local attractions and a spectacular sea view.