Arrival at Madurai Airport. Road to the Chettinad region and 74 villages (2h30 Hrs), formerly inhabited by a community of very rich merchants, who built Chattiars baroque houses quite exceptional. First walk or a bicycle in the village and discover the architecture chattiar in its mansions and palaces, the sanctuary of Ayyanar, the sacred wood with its wonderful terracotta horses, and nicely located near the Shiva temple of a basin.
Visit nearby: the village of Kadiyapatti, and at the foot of Fort Tirumayan dating from the seventeenth century, the two rock temples (high relief of Vishnu the seventh). Continuation to a palatial home and a weaving workshop. In the afternoon, discover the village of Pallathur and Shrine Kothadi, the old station. Visit the village of Kottaiyur and his palace. Stroll and shopping in the antique shops and the bazaar of Karaikudi.
Departure to the Gulf of Mannar and the sacred island of Rameshwaram (Road about 4:30 am), connected to the mainland by a railway viaduct and the Indira Gandhi-bridge, one of the prowess of Indian technology, inaugurated by Rajiv Gandhi in 1988 . Place timeless, nicknamed the "Benares of the South is one of the seven holy cities of the Hindu religion.
Discovery Ramanathaswamy temple, one of the major shrines of South India. Superb example of late Dravidian architecture, it is renowned for its splendid four corridors lined with finely carved columns. The faithful attribute specific qualities to its 22 Theertham (basins), where they bathe and drink water. You share the incredible religious fervor of pilgrims in temples, facing the Indian Ocean. Continue to the Temple of Kothandaraswamy spared by the cyclone that ravaged the city in 1964. According to legend, Rama was remorseful after killing Ravana, and carried a puja there.
End of services after breakfast.
