- Days
- 5
- Temples
- 6
- Looked after
- 19 things
- By road
- 730 km
The journey, temple to temple
Six temples of Murugan spread across the length of the state: on hills, in a forest, in a cave, and on the shore. Five days, beginning near Chennai and ending by the sea at Tiruchendur.
General itinerary Not a map: the order of the journey. Your own plan is shaped around who is travelling when we call you.
Day 1 of 5
Thiruthani, the northern hill
- Chennai
- Thiruthani
85 km by private car, about 2 to 2½ hours each way.
Morning
Drive to Thiruthani
Thiruthani stands far to the north of the other five, so the journey begins with it as a day out from Chennai.
- திருத்தணி
Morning
Thiruthani Murugan Temple
A hill temple. Pilgrims climb its long stairway; a road also reaches the top for those who should not climb.
Evening
South by air or by rail
A short evening flight, or an overnight train, carries you to Tiruchirappalli for the rest of the journey.
Looked after on day 1
- Pickup from your home or hotel in Chennai
- Car to the hilltop where permitted
- Flight or train tickets south
Night in TiruchirappalliA stay chosen for rest and for nearness to the temple.
Day 2 of 5
Swamimalai
- Tiruchirappalli
- Swamimalai
- Kumbakonam
90 km by private car, about 2½ hours.
Morning
Drive through the delta
The road passes Thanjavur. A stop at the Big Temple can be added if you have not seen it.
- சுவாமிமலை
Evening
Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai
A temple on a low hill reached by sixty steps, where Murugan is honoured as the teacher.
The child who taught his fatherThe story of this temple
Looked after on day 2
- Car and driver
- Guide at the temple
- Hotel in Kumbakonam
- Abhishekam or archanai on request
Night in KumbakonamA stay chosen for rest and for nearness to the temple.
Day 3 of 5
The long road west to Palani
- Kumbakonam
- Palani
250 km by private car, about 5 to 5½ hours. The longest drive of the journey, broken for lunch and rest.
Morning
Drive to Palani
A day mostly on the road, in comfort, with stops when you want them.
- பழனி
Evening
Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Palani
The hill temple is reached by steps, by winch or by rope car. We choose with you, and plan for the queue.
The fruit of wisdomThe story of this temple
Looked after on day 3
- Car and driver
- Winch or rope car tickets where available
- Guide on the hill
- Hotel in Palani
Night in PalaniA stay chosen for rest and for nearness to the temple.
Day 4 of 5
Two abodes at Madurai
- Palani
- Pazhamudircholai
- Thiruparankundram
- Madurai
120 km by private car, about 2½ hours.
Morning
Drive to Madurai
Down from the hills to the temple city.
- பழமுதிர்சோலை
Afternoon
Pazhamudircholai
A shrine in the wooded Alagar hills north of the city, the quietest of the six.
Roasted fruit or notThe story of this temple - திருப்பரங்குன்றம்
Evening
Thiruparankundram
A temple cut into the rock of a hill on the edge of Madurai.
The wedding after the warThe story of this temple
Looked after on day 4
- Car and driver
- Guide at both temples
- Hotel in Madurai
Night in MaduraiA stay chosen for rest and for nearness to the temple.
Day 5 of 5
Tiruchendur, on the shore
- Madurai
- Tiruchendur
180 km by private car, about 3½ to 4 hours.
Morning
Drive to the coast
An early start south.
- திருச்செந்தூர்
Midday
Subramanya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur
The only one of the six that stands on the seashore. Many pilgrims bathe in the sea before darshan.
The battle on the shoreThe story of this temple Departure
Onward
Leave from Thoothukudi airport, about an hour away, or return to Madurai.
Looked after on day 5
- Car and driver
- Guide at the temple
- Drop at Thoothukudi or Madurai
HomeYour driver sees you to your flight or train.
19 things looked after, so that you only have to arrive.
A normal itinerary leaves all of this to you. On this journey it is ours.
On the road
- Pickup from your home or hotel in Chennai
- Car to the hilltop where permitted
- Flight or train tickets south
- Car and driver
- Drop at Thoothukudi or Madurai
At the temples
- Guide at the temple
- Winch or rope car tickets where available
- Guide on the hill
- Guide at both temples
Rest and stays
- Hotel in Kumbakonam
- Hotel in Palani
- Hotel in Madurai
Rituals
- Abhishekam or archanai on request
On every journey To be confirmed
- One host who plans the journey with you and stays on call while you travel
- A private air-conditioned car and driver for every day on the road
- Stays chosen for rest and for nearness to the temple
- A local guide at each main temple
- Special-entry darshan tickets booked ahead, where a temple offers them
- Priests and pujas arranged on request
The temples, and the stories they keep
Before you go
- Most Tamil Nadu temples close around midday and reopen in the late afternoon. Each day keeps temples for the morning and evening and puts the road in between.
- Dress traditionally and modestly. Footwear is left outside every temple.
- Darshan arrangements differ from temple to temple and can change on festival days. We confirm what is possible at each one before you travel.
- Tell us about stairs, long walks and rest needs. The plan is paced around the person who needs the most care.
Distances and drive times are approximate. Temple hours and rules are confirmed before you travel.
Would you like to make this journey?
Leave your name and number. We call you back, listen, and shape these days around the people travelling.
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