Menu
For the detailed itinerary, please contact us at info@bluecanvasexp.com
or call (+91)-90083 06688
2 day tour
15 people
10+yrs
This tour of Tirunelveli takes you into the world of Alvars and Nayanars, the Vaishnavite and Saivite saints, who started the Bhakti movement and redefined devotion through music. It was in the green and verdant villages of Tirunelveli that these saints composed songs of a simple life and the spiritual connection with the divine. Author, historian and story teller Dr. Pradeep Chakravarthy takes you through the temples of Tirunelveli exploring its sacred core, its living rituals and how all of it comes together in chants and crafts! This tour is Priceless, especially for parents who would like to take their children on an immersive cultural experience
Tirunelveli is a place that is widely recognized for its historic religious sites related to Alvars and Nayanars, Vaishnavaite and Shaivite saints who left a deep impact in Tamil Nadu. Also, The red sand dunes of the Theri Kaadu desert in Tirunelveli, are a geological wonder. The dunes are made of marine deposits that date back to 2.6 million years ago.
12:00 hrs – Arrive in Tirunelveli
12:30 hrs– Tour starts with Lunch at Alwar Tirunagari, Anantya Resorts. Post lunch, rest or check-in into respective hotels
14:00 hrs – Meet for coffee at the “Rezhi” or entrance hall of Anantya Resorts
14:20hrs – 14:30 hrs – Drive to Adichanalur, an ancient Iron-age burial site located in the Thoothukudi District of Tamil Nadu. We spend the afternoon discovering and listening in to stories of this site which 2000 years ago, supplied the best luxury goods for the grandest and poshest parties of ancient Rome. Many a mansion in Venice was built with profits from the goods that passed through this sleepy , barren spot beside the Tambraparni river. The museum has many burial sites, there are no spooky stories but we have evidence of the many objects that were used in daily life, children by seeing these will learn how to observe, analyse and make hypothesis and have them confirmed.
15:30hrs – 17:00hrs – We arrive at Andichip paarai an incomplete cave to discover how temples began in the deccan region and of how Gods and Goddesses have their own popularity charts! Children will learn how the ancient mother goddess tradition from Adichanallur transformed into worshiping Lakshmi and her less popular Jyeshta or elder sister. The cave temple in the wilderness provides an ideal spot to see how the grand temples had small beginnings.
18:00hrs – 20:00 hrs – Dinner at Anantya with a craft activity on what children saw and heard that day
07:00 hrs – Breakfast
08:00 hrs – Depart for the Chola temples of Bramhadesam and Tiruvaleeswaram. These temples beside the Ghatana river are quiet villages time has forgotten. Both have stunning sculptures with many stories to delight adults and children. They also are visually grand and impressive and have much information on how societies lived around the temple. In one of the temples, we will learn how to play a traditional board gave found on many temple floors.
You are encouraged to buy at least one set for each family of aadu puli aattam (the tigers and goat game), Your guide will teach how to play this at the venue. These are aslo available at Kreeda Games in Madras.
13:00hrs – return to Alwar Tirunagari for lunch at Anantya Resorts
15:00hrs – 17:00 hrs – Craft activities for children – learning how to draw a kolam on the floor and learn what it teaches about living life productively. Time permitting, children can learn to make a flower garlands or eco friendly jewellery using coconut leaves.
17:00 hrs to 19:00 hrs – A visit to the Alwar Tirunagari temple (one of the most important for tamil Vishnu devotees) to learn the story and poetry of Nammalwar. Nammalwar was a 8th Century CE saint – poet. His verses contrinuted to the temple being a magnificent gem of art and architecture in Tamil Nadu. Using his verses, let us learn how we can be happy in our lives and persuade others more effectively.
20:00 hrs onwards– Dinner at the resort with a fun craft activity on what children saw and heard that day
——End of tour—–
Acomodation Recommendation
Dr. Pradeep Chakravarthy, a noted author, and storyteller, is your expert guide for an unforgettable heritage trip to the temples of Tirunelveli. A graduate of the London School of Economics and JNU, Dr. Chakravarthy holds a PhD in history, specializing in the role of temples in the socio-economic and political life of medieval Tamil Nadu. With over ten authored books, his profound knowledge offers unique perspectives that make history come alive. This tour has been curated by Peepul Tree Stories with on-ground support by Blue Canvas experiences.
The tour is experienced best on foot. Hence, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes/ slip ons
Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
Incase, you need special assistance, please do get in touch with us to know your options
Each walk can range from 30mins to a few hours, with breaks planned in between
Cotton clothing and a hat is preferred to prevent the heat of the day
Please wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders as you will visit areas of worship during the tour
We aim to provide breaks for rest with refreshments during our walk, however as these are temple walks and the closest break point may be a distance away
For the detailed itinerary, please contact us at info@bluecanvasexp.com
or call (+91)-90083 06688
© 2023 Blue Canvas. All rights reserved.
