- Kapaleeshwarar Temple - We head towards Mylapore, an ancient residential area in Chennai with a history dating back to Roman times when it traded pepper and fine cloth with Rome for gold!
We visit the magnificent Kapaleeshwarar Temple, built in the 7th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Featuring Dravidian-style architecture, it boasts a towering “Gopuram.” Guests can expect a mesmerizing experience of rituals and serenity inside the temple. Our cultural evangelist will demystify the temple’s activities!
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Sri Ramakrishna Math - We visit the unique monastic organization called Ramakrishna Math, dedicated to the 19th-century saint Sri Ramakrishna. Guests will see the universal temple, the shrine, a beautiful Mantapam, a multimedia museum, and an enchanting library.
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Sai Baba Temple Mylapore - This temple is dedicated to Sai Baba, the great mystic who united Hindus and Muslims and preached universal love and brotherhood. The temple is built with white marble and has a lamp that has been lit for over 100 years.
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Santhome Cathedral Basilica - We visit the famous San Thome Basilica, the principal church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore. Here, we can see relics of St. Thomas. It is one of only three churches in the world built on the tomb of an apostle, the other two being St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain.
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Fort St. George - Fort St. George is the first English fortress built in 1644 by the East India Company. We will visit St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican church in India. Our cultural evangelist will guide you through a quaint museum rich with relics from colonial times and recount the story of how the East India Company transformed from a trading company into the ruler of India!
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Vivekananda House - We will explore the memorial for Swami Vivekananda, a great philosopher. His speeches at the World’s Parliament of Religions in September 1893 made him famous as an orator by divine right and as a messenger of Indian wisdom to the Western world. Note: Closed on Mondays.
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Marina Beach - Walk along Marina Beach, soak in the festivity, and learn about the city’s legacy through its statues. Discover why a bullfight is close to the heart of Chennaites at the Jallikattu memorial. Climb an old lighthouse for an incredible view of Chennai! Note: The lighthouse is closed on Mondays.
- All taxes, fees, and handling charges included
- Lunch provided
- Complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transportation in a private car
- Full-time English-speaking guide
- Beverages
Engage in a cultural journey through Chennai city, under the stewardship of a seasoned cultural advocate, for an unforgettable experience.
Embark on a trip to the age-old town of Mylapore, once renowned for its trade in precious pepper and fine fabric with Rome in exchange for gold. Get enthralled by the captivating rituals conducted at the 7th century Kapaleeswar temples. Discover the rationale behind these traditions and understand the contemporary role of temples in Indian society.
Additionally, we will visit San Thome Basilica housing the relics of St Thomas from his arrival here 2000 years ago.
Further on the journey, we’ll encounter interesting experiences like the Ramakrishna Math, the monkhood society, and Fort Saint George, which offers a detailed narrative of how the British East India Company transitioned from merchants to overlords of India.
- Dress code is conservative, covering knees and shoulders
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
