• Sri Aurobindo Ashram - Sri Aurobindo, a renowned visionary, poet, and prophet of the 20th century, resided in Pondicherry from 1910 until his passing in 1950. His philosophies and ideals continue to attract individuals from around the globe.

• Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple - The Manakula Vinayagar Temple in Puducherry is a magnificent and beautiful temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Ganesha. Although Puducherry is known for its churches, the Manakula Vinayagar Temple holds significant importance among Hindu devotees and tourists from across the nation. With a history spanning over 500 years, it is one of the oldest temples in the area.

• Sri Aurobindo Handmade Paper - This visit includes a tour of a unique factory that produces handmade paper. The Sri Aurobindo Paper Factory, established 50 years ago, creates paper from 100% cotton rag pulp. Visitors will witness the process of transforming cotton rags into paper, utilizing techniques such as silk screen printing and marbling.

• Auroville - The journey continues to Auroville, a revolutionary concept of a global village where thousands of people from around the world have renounced their nationalities to live as global citizens. Auroville was envisioned as a place on earth that no nation could claim, where individuals of goodwill with sincere aspirations could live freely as world citizens, guided by the supreme truth; a place of peace, unity, and harmony. Visitors will also observe the sustainable lifestyle practices of its residents. The Matri Mandir is a large dome dedicated to silent meditation.

• Pancha Rathas - The Pancha Rathas, or five chariots, are a series of monolithic temples constructed by the Pallavas. These rock-cut monolith temple structures were built in the 7th century. Each of the five rathas, or chariots, is dedicated to the main characters of the Mahabharata epic: Draupadi, Arjuna, Nakul-Sahadeva, Bhima, and Yudhishthira. There is also an elephant sculpture next to the ratha of Nakul-Sahadeva. Standing behind the elephant reveals a striking resemblance between the rear of the chariot and the elephant.

• Krishna’s Butter Ball - The next attraction is Krishna’s Butterball, a granite boulder precariously balanced on a rocky slope. This intriguing boulder appears to defy Newton’s laws of gravity, remaining stationary in its position for over a thousand years.

• Arjuna’s Penance - The tour proceeds to Arjuna’s Penance, a bas-relief monument regarded as one of India’s most remarkable pieces of ancient art, depicting vivid scenes from the Mahabharata. The relief measures 100 feet in length and 45 feet in height! The central narrative illustrates how Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, undertook severe austerities to acquire Lord Shiva’s weapon.

• Shore Temple - The final destination is the Shore Temple. This stunning temple overlooks the Bay of Bengal and was a significant center during the Pallava reign when Mahabalipuram served as the main port of their kingdom. Constructed by King Raja Simha in the early 8th century, the Shore Temple is a landmark in India’s architectural heritage. Marco Polo referred to it as the seven pagodas. The existing temple is the last of the seven that once served as a beacon for seafarers.

• Private transportation
• Headsets for clear guide commentary
• Lunch included
• Admission to iconic monuments

• Personal expenses
• Gratuities
• Beverages

For a well-organized 12-hour day trip from Chennai, begin at 7:00 AM with a drive to Pondicherry, which takes approximately 3 hours. Start your visit at the serene Aurobindo Ashram, then explore the historic French Quarter and the Manakula Vinayagar Temple. Following this, take a relaxing stroll along Promenade Beach. Next, proceed to Auroville to experience its innovative architecture and the Matrimandir. After enjoying lunch, drive to Mahabalipuram and tour the Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, and Krishna’s Butterball. Return to Chennai by 7:00 PM to conclude a memorable and enriching day.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.