Tour of Temples of India about Planets is a fascinating way to understand the cultural heritage of South India. In this 3 day tour we will see the interplay between cosmology, physics, astrology and religion. We will visit 4 temples dedicated to celestial bodies of our solar system. A cultural evangelist will explain about the belief around the influence of  celestial entities on an individual’s life. We will also marvel at the world’s largest functioning temple at Srirangam and the mesmerizing cosmic dance of Lord Shiva at Chidambaram.

Day 1-Tour of Temples of India

7 AM- Hotel pick up

We drive 2 hours to reach the ancient Pallava Kingdom’s capital of Kanchipuram.

Ekambareswar Temple

It is one of the five major Shiva temples or Pancha Bootha Sthalams ,each representing a natural element. This temple represents the element – Earth. One notable feature of the temple is the Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, or the “hallway with a thousand pillars”, which was built by the Vijayanagar Kings. The temple’s inner walls are decorated with an array of 1,008 Siva lingams. The sthala-virutcham is a 3,500 year old mango tree whose branches are said to yield four different types of mangoes.

Kailashnathar Temple

Kanchi Kailasanathar temple was built in 7th century AD by a Pallava king named Rajasimha. Fragments of 8th century’s mural art are still a vivid reminder of the temple’s architecture. The walls and the Vimanam of this temple are filled with great art works in form of paintings and sculptures.

We drive 2.5 hours to reach the holy town of Tiruvannamalai.

Tiruvannamalai Temple

A 2.5 hour drive will bring us to Tiruvannamalai. We arrive at Tiruvannamalai to visit the world’s oldest Shiva temple. The origin of this temple goes back to antiquity. Chola Kings built the present structure in the 9th century. As per legend a walk around the 14 KM path around the temple removes sins, fulfills desires and helps achieve freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth!

A 3 hour drive will bring us to Srirangam where we halt for the night.

Day 2-Tour of Temples of India

World’s largest temple at Srirangam

At Srirangam lies the Lord Ranganatha temple. At 630,0000 sq metres it is the world’s largest functioning temple. While Angkor Wat in Cambodia is larger, it is no longer functioning temple!

We visit the legendary Temple. It is also considered the first, foremost and the most important of the 108 main Vishnu temples. The temple complex is 156 acres in extent. It has seven prakaras or enclosures. These enclosures are formed by thick and huge rampart walls which run round the sanctum. There are 21 magnificent towers in all prakaras providing a unique sight.

A 2 hour drive will bring us to Kumbakonam.

Temples for Planets and Celestial objects

We will visit 4 out of the 9 temples dedicated to celestial bodies of our solar system. The full set of 9 temple are dedicated to Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu (South Lunar Node).

Raaghu Temple for the North Lunar Node

We will start at Raaghu temple. As per Astrological system, by doing Milk “abisekam” here for Raaghu during Raaghu kalam (period of 1and 1/2 hours occurring every day) the delay in getting married; childlessness, trouble some married life, ill-effects of Kalasarpa Dhosha (affliction), Kalasthra Dhosha, Sarpa Dhosha are all cured.

Temple of Venus

The presiding deities of temple are Lord Shiva as Agneeswarar and Goddess Parvathi as Karpagambal. Unlike other Navagraha temples, the main deity, Agneeswarar in the form of lingam depicts Lord Sukran or the Planet Venus. The temple was built by the Medieval Cholas and renovated by the kings of the Vijayanagar Empire.

Temple of the Sun

The Sun Temple is famous for its astrological significance, and a large number of pilgrims visit the place to strengthen the effects of planets for wealth and to reduce the bad effects of planets on their health. The temple was built in the year 1100 AD, during the reign of King Kulothunga Chola Deva.

Overnight in Kumbakonam

Day 3-Tour of Temples of India

Temple of Saturn

The temple’s main god is Lord Shiva in the name of Dharpaneswarar and represents Saturn. The devotees who are under the control of Saneeswaran (as per astrology if you come under Saneeswaran then you will struggle ) should worship here with a lamp which is filled with Sesame seeds

Cosmic dance of Shiva

We drive to Chidambaram to explore a unique and arguably the oldest temple in India. The temple is one of the 5 great Shiva temples dedicated to each of the 5 elements of nature- Earth, fire, sky, water and space. This temple is dedicated to Space. So the main deity is empty and just Space! It is believed that the original temple was consecrated in 200 BC by Patanjali, the father of modern Yoga! It was Patanjali who compiled all the knowledge on Yoga and wrote the Yoga Sutras.

The temple also features Lord Shiva as the famous dancing Nataraja, the mesmerizing pose. It is an image seen in museums, temples, restaurants, and esoteric shops across the world, and it is wonderfully rich in iconography and hidden meaning. The dance the smiling Shiva is performing is the Tandava, the cosmic dance which both creates and destroys the universe.

A 4 hour drive brings us back to Chennai for end of tour.

Tour of Temples of India includes

• Private Car
• Cultural evangelist/guide
• Hotel for 2 nights with breakfast
• Entrance  charges

Departure point- Chennai

Arrival point- Chennai

Next Steps

Call +919845677446

Email  contact@5sensestours.com

Great Chola Temples is a guided tour to the 3 magnificent capitals of Ancient Chola Empire. Check here.

South India can be explored in a Royal Enfield Motorcycle. Visit 5 Senses Motorcycle Tours

For information on temples of India visit Great Temples of India.