Tiruvannamalai Kanchipuram Yatra
A 3-day pilgrimage from Chennai to Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram, the fire and earth temples of Shiva and the Divya Desams
3 days, from Chennai, from ₹11,499 per person
The Tiruvannamalai Kanchipuram Yatra is a three-day temple journey from Chennai to two of the great pilgrimage towns of Tamil Nadu. It begins at Tiruvannamalai, where Shiva is worshipped as the Agni (fire) Lingam at the foot of the sacred Arunachala hill, with the ashrams of Ramana Maharshi and other saints and the temples on the Girivalam path. It then moves to Kanchipuram, the temple city, with the Kamakshi Amman Temple, the Ekambareswarar Temple (the earth Lingam), and many of the Divya Desam temples of Vishnu.
You stay one night in Tiruvannamalai and one in Kanchipuram, in Standard rooms, with breakfast included. The days are full, with many short temple visits, and the plan is set around the temple timings, as most temples close in the middle of the day.
The best months are October to March. Temple timings, ashram rules and festival crowds change, so we confirm them locally. Dress modestly, carry a photo ID, and expect crowds at weekends, on full-moon days and at festivals such as Karthigai Deepam.
Spiritual significance
- Tiruvannamalai holds the Arunachaleswarar Temple, the fire shrine among the five elements temples of Shiva, beneath the sacred Arunachala hill.
- The ashrams of Ramana Maharshi and other saints make it a place for quiet and self-enquiry as well as temple worship.
- Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of India, with the Ekambareswarar (earth) temple and the Kamakshi Amman Shakti Peetham.
- The Divya Desam temples of Kanchipuram are praised by the Alvar saints, and several are among the oldest Vishnu temples of the city.
Itinerary
Day 1: Tiruvannamalai
Pickup in Chennai at 8 am and a drive of about 5 hours (estimate) to Tiruvannamalai. Check in, then the Ramanasramam, the Seshadri Swamigal Ashram and the Arunachaleswarar Temple in the afternoon and evening, when the temples are open.
Day 2: Kanchipuram
After breakfast, the Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram, Adi Annamalai and the Girivalam shrines, Pavalakundru and Pachaiamman. Then a drive of about 3.5 hours (estimate) to Kanchipuram. In the evening, the Kamakshi Amman, Varadaraja Perumal and Ekambareswarar temples.
Day 3: Chennai
A morning visit to the Divya Desam temples of Kanchipuram, with short stops at each, and to the Chitragupta Swamy Temple. Then a drive of about 2.5 hours (estimate) back to Chennai, with a drop in the afternoon.
Inclusions
- Pickup and drop at Chennai
- 2 nights stay in Standard rooms: 1 in Tiruvannamalai and 1 in Kanchipuram
- Breakfast on Day 2 and Day 3
- Vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Sightseeing at the places listed in the itinerary
Exclusions
- Lunches and dinners
- Special or VIP darshan tickets, temple entry and camera charges, and donations
- The full Girivalam walk (about 14 km), which is not part of this tour
- Personal expenses, tips and laundry
- Medical expenses and travel insurance
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions