Home Travelling in the Deccan Plateau Twenty-Day Deccan and Tamil Nadu Tour

Twenty-Day Deccan and Tamil Nadu Tour

Embark on an in-depth exploration of South India's art and architecure, starting in Hyderabad with visits to historic sites such as the Charminar, Chowmahalla Palace and the Paigah Tombs. Journey through the architectural wonders of Mysore, visit Bangalore’s cultural sites, and explore Cochin’s rich heritage. Continue to the great Tamil Nadu temple towns of Madurai and Thanjavur, and take in Pondicherry’s French colonial charm before concluding in Chennai.

Day 1: Hyderabad

Morning: Walk around the Charminar (great 1591 Qutb Shahi centrepiece of Hyderabad) and area around the Mecca Masjid
Afternoon: Visit the Salar Jung Museum (good textile and jade collection)

Day 2: Hyderabad

Make a full day excursion to Palampet to visit the Ramappa Temple, a 13th century Kakatiya masterpiece. If time permits, also visit the nearby group of Kakatiya temples at Ghanpur (from the same period as Ramappa but in disrepair, awaiting much needed restoration)

Day 3: Hyderabad

Morning: Visit the Chowmahalla Palace (built in the 18th century by the Asaf Jahi Nizams) and the 17^th century Badshahi Ashurkhana (used for the Shi’ite observances of Ashura)
Afternoon: Tour the Paigah Tombs (magnificent structures decorated in stucco work)

Day 4: Hyderabad

Visit the rugged Golconda citadel, headquarters of the Qutb Shahis in the 16th–17th centuries, and the nearby tombs of the Qutb Shahi sultans

Day 5: Hyderabad

Day trip to Nalgonda to visit the museum and the 12th century Pachala Someshwara temple complex at Panagal (a forgotten treasure of Telangana; the four Chalukya-era shrines here feature exquisite carvings, but are in need of restoration)

Day 6: Hyderabad — Mysore

Day 7: Mysore

Morning: Visit the 13th century Hoysala temples of Lakshiminarayana in Hosaholalu and Panchalingeshwara in Govindanahalli
Afternoon: Return to Mysore. In the evening, visit the Devaraja fruit and vegetable market

Day 8: Mysore

Morning: Half day trip to visit Chennakeshava Temple at Somanathapur (an outstanding example of late Hoysala architecture).
Afternoon: On return to Mysore, tour the lavish Mysore Palace and Jayalakshmi Vilas Palace (ethnographic museum). In the evening, visit the Chamundeshwari temple (located on a hill outside of Mysore, and popular with local worshippers and pilgrims).

Day 9: Mysore — Srirangapatna — Bangalore

Drive to Bangalore via Srirangapatna to tour Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and museum, and the famous Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

Day 10: Bangalore

Visit the newly opened Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) and the Government Museum

Day 11: Bangalore — Cochin

Morning: Drive to Lepakshi and visit the Vijayanagara period temple, famous for its 16th century ceiling paintings, the earliest and best preserved to be seen anywhere in south India
Afternoon: Fly to Cochin

Day 12: Cochin

Visit Mattancherry Palace (also known as the ‘Dutch Palace’), Jew Town and Paradesi Jewish Synagogue. If possible, attend the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (held every other year, usually December-April).

Day 13: Cochin

Morning: Visit to Kerala state museum to see some of Raja Ravi Varma’s works
Afternoon: Walk around Fort Kochin; see the Chinese nets and explore the Dutch section of town

Day 14: Cochin — Madurai

Day 15: Madurai

Morning: Start at the Murugan temple at Thiruparankundram and witness the procession of the deity. Then visit Meenakshi Amman temple and Palace of Thirumalai Nayak.
Afternoon: Tour Gandhi Museum

Day 16: Madurai — Trichy — Thanjavur (Tanjore)

Morning: Visit Sikharagiriswara temple at Kudumiyan Malai and stop in Vishalam for lunch.
Afternoon: Drive to Chettinad (where wealthy traders built impressive courtyard mansions in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries); tour historic houses, Athagudi tile factory and Athagudi palace. Drive to Narthamalai to visit an atmospheric early Chola temple on a hill lock. Proceed to Tanjore.

Day 17 : Thanjavur

Morning: Visit Sri Ranganatha swamy temple at Srirangam, Trichy. Drive from Trichy to Tanjore on the banks of river Kaveri taking the oldest road in south India; en route, view a historic brick dam
Afternoon: Visit Tanjore Palace and the Art Gallery (showcasing outstanding Chola bronzes and sculpture). In the evening visit the 11th century Brihadeshwara temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site also known as Tanjore Big Temple, a masterpiece of Chola architecture built by Rajaraja I)

Day 18: Thanjavur – Pondicherry

Morning: En route to Pondicherry visit the charming Thiruvalasuzhi Ganesha temple; continue on to Airavateswara temple at Darasuram, in Kumabkonam (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Afternoon: Visit the Arulmigu Peruvudaiyar temple at Gangaikonda.

Day 19: Pondicherry