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Offered languages
- English
Two hundred years ago the Chettiyar merchants of Tamil Nadu ran a trading empire stretching from Burma to the Philippines. They brought back Italian marble, Belgian mirrors, Burma teak and Japanese tiles and used them to build 11,000 palatial mansions in rural Tamil Nadu.
Walking through the greatest of these mansions is unlike anything else in India. This two day Chettinad tour from Chennai also visits Sittanaval Cave, a 2nd century Jain monastery whose 7th century murals are painted in vegetable dyes and whose acoustics were engineered to aid meditation, and the Athangudi tile workshop where handmade floor tiles coveted by architects worldwide are still made from local sand and mineral pigments.
Return flights from Chennai, private car, expert guide both days and overnight mansion stay included.
5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
All hotels in Chennai
Itinerary
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1
930AM- Fly from Chennai 11AM- Arrive in Trichy Noon-We visit Sittanavasal Cave dating back to the 2nd century. These caves were built for monks of the Jain faith. We will explore this rock-cut monastery which houses spectacular murals made out of vegetable and mineral dyes. The exquisite ceiling of the cave is decorated with murals from the 7th century. The highlight of this cave is the acoustics. A mild hum in this cave resonates spectacularly to help the monks focus and concentrate on their meditation. We will climb a steep path to the top of a hillock where we can see seventeen polished bed carved out of the rock. These beds were used by Jain ascetics since the 3rd century. The beds have a raised portion at one end which serves as a pillow.
2 hours • Admission ticket included -
2
The temple was built by the Cholas and renovated by the Pandyas in the 13th century. The highlight of this temple is the main hall a 1000 pillars. There are some remarkable sculptures in this complex.The Rati and Manmadha sculpture is a masterpiece. Another remarkable statue is that of Shiva in a dancing pose.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
3Kanadukathan
A 45 minute drive will bring us to Kanadukathan, the centre for our tour of Palatial Mansions of Chettinad. It is replete with palatial mansions built by Chettiyar, the trading community. These were built by men who once traded in everything from salt to gems, with countries like Burma, Malaysia and Singapore. Much of their profits went into building these grand residences, which used to be called Natukottai or regional fort. We will visit a couple of these mansions.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
4
This region is famous for a community of traders who had built up a business which grew to South East Asia including Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Philippines. Nattukottai Chettiars had a penchant for palatial mansions and some as large as 70000 sq ft. We will visit a few of these mansions.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
Thirumayam Fort has played a significant role in the history of this region. It was built in 1687 AD by the King of Ramnad, Sethupathy Vijaya Ragunatha Thevar. The fort has been designed like a ring and is constructed with seven concentric walls surrounded by a broad moat. This fort was of historical significance during the Polygar Wars. It was also used during World War II as an arsenal by the British army. The fort was also the hideout for Veerapandi Kattabomman, the brave freedom fighter who fought the British. Our guide will narrate the inspirational story of this freedom fighter and the role this fort played in the struggle. 8PM- Flight from Triciy to Chennai 9PM-Arrive in Chennai
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Ancient Frescoes & Acoustics
A MedievalFort & Palatial Mansions
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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