Thanjavur (About 90 kms North, 2 hours by Road)

Thanjavur is one of the oldest cities in India and has a long and varied history dating back to Sangam period. The city rose into prominence during the rule of the Later Cholas when it served as the capital of the Chola empire. Thanjavur is famous for the Brahadishwara Temple built during the 11th century, also known as the Big Temple, is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tanjore is well known for bronze sculptures and its unique painting style called Tanjore Painting, a percussion instrument called the Thavil, a divine classical string instrument Veenai and the Bobblehead Thanjavur Dolls.

Madurai (About 90 kms West, 2 hours by Road)

Madurai is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Indian peninsula. The city is widely known as the Temple City and was the capital city of ancient Southern civilization. Madurai's cultural heritage goes back 2,500 years, and the city has been an important commercial center and has conducted trade as far as Rome and Greece since as early as 550 B.C.E.

Madurai is famous for one of the greatest Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu- The Meenakshi-Sundareswar Temple. Other places of interest include the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, a place complex in Indo-Saracen style built in 1636.

Tiruchirapalli (About 90 kms North, 2 hours by Road)

Trichy or Tiruchirapalli is a city of great antiquity and has a number of historical monuments like the Rockfort and Thiruvanaikaval. The spectacular Rock Fort Temple, the landmark of the city, is on the shores of the River Cauvery. It is perched on a massive rocky outcrop at an altitude of 83 m above sea level. The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, situated 6 km north within the city, is among the most revered shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu in South India, and is the largest temple complex in the world.

En route to Trichy, it's worth exploring the Thirumaiyam fort. A slight detour will take you to Namana Samudram, an Ayyanar koil with hundreds of terracotta horses and elephants- a fascinating spectacle.

Rameswaram (About 130 kms South, 3 hours by Road)

Rameswaram is located on Pamban Island separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel and is about 50 kilometres from Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. Together with Kashi, it is considered to be one of the holiest places in India for Hindus. According to legend, this is the place from where Lord Rama built a bridge Ram Setu (also known as Adam's Bridge) across the sea to Lanka to rescue his consort Sita from her abductor Ravana.

Avudiyar Koil (40 km East of Karaikudi)

Head towards the coast, via Pallathur and Arantangi, for Avadiyar Koil. This temple is truly an equestrian’s delight. Exquisite statues of Shiva and Shakti as a tribal couple, Bhairawan and Bhairavi, hark back to their pre-Hindu origins. The simplicity of the shrine stands in stark contrast to the detailed work on the statues and bas-reliefs. There is no idol in the sanctum, only a gigantic slab of polished black granite. At noon, the huge doors are closed and steaming rice, bitter gourd and greens are spread on the slab as an offering. The doors are thrown open to the devotees and in the resulting draught of steam each is meant to see the Male-Female Principle, Shiva-Shakti. It’s believed to be too powerful a force for mortal eyes.