KSTDC Package — Marketed by Padaki Travel Desk
Best of South India — Grand Pilgrimage Circuit
9 days through the sacred heartland of South India — 15+ temples spanning Tamil Nadu and Kerala, from the fire-element Arunachaleshwara to the UNESCO Brihadeeshwara, from Rameswaram's 21 holy wells to Kanyakumari's sunrise, to the eternal vigil of Anantha Padmanabha.
🛕 Thiruvannamalai
💃 Chidambaram Nataraja
🏛️ Tanjavur UNESCO
🛕 Meenakshi Madurai
🌊 Rameswaram
🌅 Kanyakumari
🏛️ Vivekananda Rock
🛕 Guruvayur
⛰️ Palani Murugan
🏔️ Kodaikanal
8 Nights
Duration
9 Days
Itinerary
2nd & 4th Sat
Departures
₹16,175
From / person
🛕Meenakshi
Madurai
Madurai
🌊Rameswaram
21 Holy Wells
21 Holy Wells
🏛️Tanjavur
UNESCO
UNESCO
🌅Kanyakumari
Sunrise
Sunrise
🛕Guruvayur
⛰️Palani
Murugan
Murugan
Tour at a glance
Duration
8 Nights · 9 Days
Starts & ends
Yeshwanthpura, Bengaluru
Price from
₹16,175 per person
Transport
AC Deluxe Coach
Frequency
Every 2nd & 4th Saturday
Departure
6:00 AM
Temples
15+ major shrines
States
Tamil Nadu + Kerala
Guide
Professional multilingual
Senior discount
20% off on transport
LTC facility
✓ Available
Returns
Day 9 — 6:00 AM Bengaluru
Full route — 9 days
🏁 Bengaluru›
🛕 Thiruvannamalai›
💃 Chidambaram›
🪐 Thirunallar›
🛕 Kumbakonam›
🏛️ Tanjavur›
🛕 Srirangam›
🛕 Madurai›
🌊 Rameswaram›
🌊 Tiruchendur›
🌅 Kanyakumari›
⛩️ Suchindram›
🏖️ Kovalam›
🛕 Thiruvananthapuram›
🙏 Kaladi›
🛕 Guruvayur›
⛰️ Palani›
🏔️ Kodaikanal›
🏁 Bengaluru
What makes this tour special
15+ major shrines in a single journey — including three Pancha Bhuta Stalas, two Arupadaiveedu (Murugan abodes), the Nataraja Temple of Chidambaram, the rare Shaneeshwara temple at Thirunallar, and the eternally-lit Guruvayur
Tanjavur Brihadeeshwara Temple — a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1010 CE), with a 66-metre vimana and an 80-tonne capstone lifted without modern machinery. One of the greatest achievements of Indian temple architecture
Rameswaram Thirtha Snana — bathing in all 22 sacred wells within the Ramanathaswamy Temple complex, including the sea bath at Agni Theertham. Early morning Spatika Linga darshan (crystal Shiva lingam believed installed by Goddess Sita)
Ends with Kodaikanal — the Princess of Hill Stations at 2,133m. Full day at Pillar Rocks, Green Valley, Coaker's Walk and Kodai Lake — a serene and beautiful conclusion to 9 days of sacred South India
Departure schedule
Pickup point
KSTDC Counter, BMTC Yeshwanthpura, Bengaluru
Departure time
6:00 AM
Frequency
Every 2nd Saturday & 4th Saturday of the month
Night halts
Thirunallar (N1) · Madurai (N2) · Rameswaram (N3) · Kanyakumari (N4) · Thiruvananthapuram (N5) · Guruvayur (N6) · Kodaikanal (N7) · Bus (N8)
Contact
+91 97315 56663
Returns
Day 9 — 6:00 AM Bengaluru
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Bengaluru → Thiruvannamalai (Arunachaleshwara) · Chidambaram (Nataraja) · Thirunallar (Shaneeshwara)
6:00 AMDeparture from KSTDC Booking Counter, BMTC Bus Stand, Yeshwanthpura, Bengaluru. Report 15 minutes before departure
11:00 AM–12:30 PMThiruvannamalai — Annamalaiyar (Arunachaleshwara) Temple — one of the five Pancha Bhuta Stalas of Shaivism, representing the element of Fire (Agni). The sacred Arunachala Hill is believed to be Lord Shiva himself. The temple complex spans 25 acres and is one of the largest in India
12:30–1:15 PMLunch at Thiruvannamalai (own cost). Departure for Chidambaram
4:30–5:30 PMChidambaram — Nataraja Temple — the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva (Nataraja) is enshrined here as the principal deity. One of the most architecturally significant temples in Tamil Nadu, featuring the Chidambara Rahasyam — the space element (Akasha) represented by an empty space (Chit Ambaram — space of consciousness)
5:30–7:30 PMThirunallar — Sri Darbaranyeswarar Temple (Shaneeshwara) — one of the rarest and most powerful Navagraha temples; dedicated to Shani (Saturn). The sacred tank here is where King Nala is said to have been freed from the curse of Saturn. Darshan and halt at hotel
NightNight halt at Hotel Geethan Residency, Thirunallar or similar
Day 2
Kumbakonam (Kumbeshwara) · Tanjavur (Brihadeeshwara UNESCO) · Srirangam (Ranganathaswamy) · Madurai (Meenakshi)
5:30 AMDeparture from Thirunallar
7:30–8:45 AMKumbakonam — Sri Kumbeshwara Temple — a major Shiva temple; the sacred kumbha (pot) containing the amrit (nectar of immortality) is believed to have broken here during the great deluge, giving the town its name. Breakfast at Kumbakonam (own cost)
10:00–11:00 AMTanjavur — Brihadeeshwara Temple (UNESCO World Heritage 1987) — built by Raja Raja Chola I in 1010 CE. The 66-metre vimana and 80-tonne capstone placed without modern machinery are among the greatest feats of ancient Indian engineering. The temple has been an active place of worship for over 1,000 years
12:30–2:30 PMSrirangam — Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple — the largest functioning temple complex in the world (156 acres), dedicated to Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha. One of the 108 Divya Desams. Darshan and lunch at Srirangam (own cost)
5:30 PMMadurai — Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple — one of India's grandest temple complexes with 14 soaring gopurams (towers), the tallest rising to 52 metres, and 33,000+ sculptures. The presiding deities are Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwara. Night halt at Hotel Rajadhani, Madurai or similar
Day 3
Rameswaram — Sea Bath · 21 Holy Wells Thirtha Snana · Ramanathaswamy Darshan — Halt Rameswaram
8:30 AMDeparture from Madurai. Drive to Rameswaram (≈ 175 km). The road crosses the iconic Pamban Bridge over the Palk Strait — the first sea bridge in India (1914)
11:30 AM–12:00 PMArrival at Rameswaram. Check in to Hotel Rameswaram Grand or similar
AfternoonSea Bath (Agni Theertham) — a sacred ritual bath in the sea at the Agni Theertham beach, on the shores of the Palk Strait near the Ramanathaswamy Temple entrance
AfternoonThirtha Snana — 22 Holy Wells — ritual bathing in all 22 sacred wells (theerthas) within the Ramanathaswamy Temple complex. Each well is believed to have unique spiritual properties. This is one of the holiest acts a Hindu pilgrim can perform
EveningDarshan of Lord Ramanathaswamy — the Ramanathaswamy Temple has one of the longest corridors in the world (1,220 metres). Night halt at Rameswaram
Day 4
Spatika Linga Darshan · Tiruchendur (Subramanya) · Kanyakumari Sunset
5:00–6:00 AMSpatika Linga Darshan — early morning darshan of the crystal (quartz) Shiva lingam at the Ramanathaswamy Temple, believed to have been installed by Goddess Sita. This rare darshan is available only to pilgrims staying at Rameswaram
6:00 AMDeparture from Rameswaram for Tiruchendur (≈ 110 km)
11:00 AM–12:30 PMTiruchendur — Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple — one of the six Arupadaiveedu (abodes of Murugan), built directly on the seashore of the Bay of Bengal. The only one of the six abodes situated on the coast. Darshan and lunch (own cost)
4:15–6:00 PMKanyakumari — Sunset View & Kanyakaparameshwari Temple — the southernmost tip of mainland India where three seas meet. On full moon days the sunset and moonrise are visible simultaneously from the same vantage point. Darshan of Goddess Kumari. Night halt at Gopinivas Grand or similar
Day 5
Kanyakumari Sunrise · Vivekananda Rock · Suchindram · Kovalam Beach · Anantha Padmanabha Temple
6:00–7:00 AMKanyakumari Sunrise — the sun rising from the sea at the tip of India, with three oceans visible simultaneously on a clear day. Breakfast (own cost)
7:45–9:45 AMVivekananda Rock Memorial — the rocky island memorial reached by ferry, where Swami Vivekananda meditated in December 1892 before travelling to Chicago for the Parliament of Religions in 1893. Also visit the adjacent Thiruvalluvar Statue (133 feet) — a monument to the Tamil poet-sage
10:15–11:30 AMSuchindram — Thanumalayan Temple — a unique shrine dedicated to the Hindu Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva as one deity Sthanumalayana). Features a remarkable 46-foot Hanuman statue and musical pillars that produce distinct tones when tapped
3:30–4:30 PMKovalam Beach — Kerala's most famous crescent-shaped beach at Thiruvananthapuram, known for its lighthouse, calm waters and Ayurvedic resorts along the shoreline
5:30–6:30 PMSri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram — one of the 108 Divya Desams of Vaishnavism; Lord Vishnu in the eternal Ananthashayana posture. Strict dress code: men must wear dhoti only; women must wear saree. Night halt at Seven Hills or similar, Thiruvananthapuram
Day 6
Kaladi — Adi Shankaracharya Birthplace · Guruvayur (Guruvayurappan) — Halt Guruvayur
5:30 AMDeparture from Thiruvananthapuram. Breakfast on the way (own cost)
12:30–1:00 PMKaladi — Adi Shankaracharya Ashrama — the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE), the great Advaita Vedanta philosopher who unified Hindu philosophy across India. The Sharada Peetham and Krishna Temple mark the sacred site on the banks of the Periyar River. Lunch nearby (own cost)
5:30 PMArrival at Guruvayur. Guruvayurappan Temple (Sri Krishna Temple) — the most important Vaishnava temple in Kerala, often called the Dwaraka of the South. Strict dress code applies: men must wear dhoti only; women must wear saree or traditional attire. Photography strictly prohibited inside. Night halt at Nandini Tourist Home or similar, Guruvayur
Day 7
Palani — Dhandayuthapani Swamy (Murugan) · Kodaikanal — Halt Kodaikanal
6:30 AMDeparture from Guruvayur. Breakfast on the way (own cost)
12:30–2:30 PMPalani — Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple — one of the six Arupadaiveedu (Murugan's sacred abodes), atop Sivagiri Hill. The idol is made from navapashanam (nine medicinal herbs combined). Devotees may climb 693 steps or take the ropeway (charges at actuals). Darshan and lunch (own cost)
5:30 PMArrival and night halt at Kodaikanal (2,133m). Check in to Hotel SV International or similar
Day 8
Full Day Kodaikanal — Pillar Rocks · Green Valley · Coaker's Walk · Kodai Lake · Bryant Park — Departure
9:00 AM–5:30 PMFull day Kodaikanal sightseeing:
Pillar Rocks — three vertical granite columns rising 122 metres above the valley
Green Valley View — panorama 2,000 feet above the Vaigai Dam plains
Coaker's Walk — scenic 1 km clifftop promenade with valley views
Kodai Lake — star-shaped man-made lake; boating and horse riding at actuals
Bryant Park — hillside botanical garden with roses and seasonal flowers
Lunch at Bryant Park area (own cost)
Pillar Rocks — three vertical granite columns rising 122 metres above the valley
Green Valley View — panorama 2,000 feet above the Vaigai Dam plains
Coaker's Walk — scenic 1 km clifftop promenade with valley views
Kodai Lake — star-shaped man-made lake; boating and horse riding at actuals
Bryant Park — hillside botanical garden with roses and seasonal flowers
Lunch at Bryant Park area (own cost)
6:00 PMDeparture from Kodaikanal for Bengaluru — overnight coach journey
8:00–8:45 PMDinner at Dindigul on the way (own cost)
Day 9
Return to Bengaluru
6:00 AMTour ends at KSTDC Head Office, Yeshwanthpura, Bengaluru. 8 nights of South India's most sacred shrines, sun-soaked coastlines and misty hill stations — all in a single blessed journey
Not the tour you were looking for?
Browse all KSTDC Tour PackagesAccommodation
Night 1 — Thirunallar
Hotel Geethan Residency or Similar
Thirunallar, Tamil Nadu
Night 2 — Madurai
Hotel Rajadhani or Similar
Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Night 3 — Rameswaram
Hotel Rameswaram Grand or Similar
Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Night 4 — Kanyakumari
Gopinivas Grand or Similar
Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Night 5 — Thiruvananthapuram
Seven Hills or Similar
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Night 6 — Guruvayur
Nandini Tourist Home or Similar
Guruvayur, Kerala
Night 7 — Kodaikanal
Hotel SV International or Similar
Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
Night 8 — Bus (Kodaikanal → Bengaluru)
KSTDC AC Deluxe Coach
Overnight return journey
Inclusions & exclusions
AC Deluxe Coach transportation throughout
7 nights hotel accommodation
Professional multilingual guide
GST included in ticket fare
LTC facility for govt. employees
20% senior citizen discount on transport
All meals throughout (own cost)
Vivekananda Rock ferry charges
Palani ropeway charges
Temple darshan / entry charges
Personal & shopping expenses
Tour pricing
Single
1 person / room
₹24,425
per person · incl. GST
Solo rate
Most popular
Double
2 persons / room
₹17,275
per person · incl. GST
Save ₹7,150
Triple
3 persons / room
₹16,175
per person · incl. GST
Best value
Calculate your total trip cost
Room type
No. of travellers
Estimated total cost
2 persons × ₹17,275 (Double)
₹34,550
* Includes 7-night hotel accommodation + transportation + guide + GST. All meals, darshan charges, ferry and ropeway charges are additional.
Senior citizens (60+) receive a 20% discount on transportation. Carry valid age proof at the time of booking.
Dress code reminder: Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Thiruvananthapuram) and Guruvayur Temple require traditional attire — men mu