See India Through My Eyes
Pilgrimage in South India - Following in the footsteps of St. Thomas - February 2018
Sacred temples ● Ancient religions ● Legends & Traditions
India - A land that has preserved one of the
oldest unbroken civilizations on earth
Whirls of color, a million Sounds and Smells jostling in the air,
Snake charmers, Sweet vendors, Street circuses, Spice sellers,
A swiftly spinning wheel of chaos and culture!
Travel Arrangements by AAventureSS - See India Through My Eyes - Santa Fe, NM – Established 1998
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See India Through My Eyes
Pilgrimage in South India - Following in the footsteps of St. Thomas - February 2018
South India has a glorious history of more than 3,000 years. With the advent of Aryan civilization in early
centuries BCE, much of the Dravidian civilizations (said to be a base for Indus Valley civilization) were
confined to Southern India, which soon became a major Dravidian bastion. Though Hinduism remained as the
invisible thread that connected North and South, much of the culture and outlook remained entirely different in
the two parts of the country, with the Vindhya mountains preventing Northern cultural dominance into Southern
India until the Medieval period.
It’s long history and religious tolerance is manifested in numerous examples of architectural wonders pertaining
to its communities of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Buddhists and Jews. It’s Dravidian architecture is
quite different from the rest of India. The most obvious, and often striking, feature is the gopuram perched on
every temple entrance, a stepped, steeply rising pyramid carved with layer upon layer upon layer of
fantastically detailed and brightly painted statues.
CHENNAI ♦ COCHIN ♦ GOA - FEBRUARY 17 – 25, 2018
Our travels will take us from Chennai in the south eastern coast of India known as the Coromandel Coast to
Kochi in the south western Malabar Coast. Traveling along the two coasts you will experience flamboyant living
temples, ancient ruins, diverse cuisines, spice gardens, natural forest reserves and the amazing backwaters to
be experienced in a traditional kettuvallam. We end our tour on the languid beaches of Goa on the Konkan
coast of western India. A kaleidoscopic blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, sweetened with sun, sea,
sand, seafood and spirituality!
DAY 1 - 17 FEB SAT 2018
ARRIVE CHENNAI – STATE OF TAMIL NADU – SOUTH INDIA
Arrive tonight at Chennai international airport. After immigration and baggage clearance on exiting
you will be met by our representative who will assist & transfer you to the hotel for check in. Hotel
Taj Coromandel (Superior room). Room will be available for immediate occupancy on arrival.
DAY 2 - 18 FEB SUN
CHENNAI
This morning after breakfast we can attend mass at a church as per your request.
After which you will visit Fort St. George followed by visit to the Mylapore Temple, San Thome Cathedral
(Apostle St Thomas memorial – his remnants were buried here) and if time permits the State
Museum/National Art Gallery.
Travel Arrangements by AAventureSS - See India Through My Eyes - Santa Fe, NM – Established 1998
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See India Through My Eyes
Pilgrimage in South India - Following in the footsteps of St. Thomas - February 2018
Lunch at a local restaurant.
The name Mylapore is derived from the legend that the Goddess Uma worshipped Siva in the form
of a peacock (or mayil in Tamil). We can see a representation of this legend on stone in a small Shrine
under a Punnai tree (Sthala Vriksha) in the Courtyard of the temple.
Ptolemy, the Creek Geographer (A.D. 90-168) has referred to Mylapore in his books as ‘Millarpha; It
was apparently a well-known sea port town with a flourishing trade. It must have also been a place
of culture, as Saint, Tiruvalluvar the celebrated author of Tirukkurl, the World-famous ethical
treatise, lived in Mylapore nearly 2,000 years ago. The Saivite Saints of the 7th Century, Saint
Sambandar and Saint Appar, have sung about the Shrine in their hymns.
St. Thomas visited Mylapore in the 2nd Century A.D. His tomb is in the St. Thomas basilica, a
beautiful Cathedral about half a mile from the temple.
Travel Arrangements by AAventureSS - See India Through My Eyes - Santa Fe, NM – Established 1998
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See India Through My Eyes
Pilgrimage in South India - Following in the footsteps of St. Thomas - February 2018
Mylapore fell into the hands of the Portuguese in A.D.1566, when the temple suffered demolition.
The present temple was rebuilt 400 years ago by the kingdom of Vijayanagara. There are some
fragmentary inscriptions from the old temple, still found in the present Shrine and in St. Thomas
Cathedral.
The altar of this church holds the holy relics of
St.Thomas.
People from all sections of society and from various
religious beliefs come to the church daily to get
blessings.
Christianity was first introduced into India by St.
Thomas. After the Death and Resurrection of Christ,
Thomas became acquainted with Habban, a
merchant of King Gondophare of India. It was with
this merchant that Thomas landed at Cranganore on
the Malabar Coast of present day Kerala in 52 A.D.
After building seven churches on this coast, St. Thomas crossed over to Coromandel Coast of India's
eastern seaboard and enriched the southern part of India
with the seeds of the Gospel in a land that had never
known what this Gospel of salvation was.
It was a hard fight which made him to go into hiding in
the Little Mount. When at last he reached the Parangi
Malai (present St. Thomas Mount), perhaps he found that
this place was better suited for his life of solitude and
prayer. But that very spot and that very moment of
prayer were sealed and sanctified when he became a
libation for the Gospel in the year 72 A.D.
(B,L)
DAY 3 – 19 FEB MON
CHENNAI
This morning after breakfast you will go on a short excursion to Mahabalipuram, a town in
Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. 60 km south from the city of Chennai, an
Travel Arrangements by AAventureSS - See India Through My Eyes - Santa Fe, NM – Established 1998
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See India Through My Eyes
Pilgrimage in South India - Following in the footsteps of St. Thomas - February 2018
ancient historic town and was a bustling
seaport during the time of Periplus (1st
century CE) and Ptolemy (140 CE).
Ancient Indian traders who went to
countries of South East Asia sailed from
the seaport of Mahabalipuram.
Lunch on the way back to Chennai at a
local stop.
Return to Chennai – rest of the day at
leisure.
(B,L)
DAY 4 – 20 FEB TUE
TO KOCHI – STATE OF KERALA
This morning our group will be met and transferred for the a.m.
flight to Cochin. On arrival you will be met and transferred to
the Taj Malabar Hotel. (superior charm – heritage wing).
Lunch on your own.
This evening attend a Kathakali Dance performance.
Kathakali (Malayalam: കഥകളി, kathakaḷi) is one of the major
forms of classical Indian dance. It is another "story play" genre
of art, but one distinguished by its elaborately colorful make-up,
costumes and face masks wearing actor-dancers, who have
traditionally been all males. Kathakali primarily developed as a
Hindu performance art in the Malayalam-speaking
southwestern region of India (Kerala).
Kathakali's roots are unclear. The fully developed style of
Kathakali originated around the 17th century, but its roots are in
temple and folk arts such as Kutiyattam and religious drama of
southwestern Indian peninsula, which are traceable to at least
the 1st millennium CE.
(B)
Travel Arrangements by AAventureSS - See India Through My Eyes - Santa Fe, NM – Established 1998
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See India Through My Eyes
Pilgrimage in South India - Following in the footsteps of St. Thomas - February 2018
DAY 5 – 21 FEB WED
KOCHI
.
After breakfast depart for a half day excursion to the St.Thomas Church in Kodungallur. It was known to
the Greeks as Muziris and is a place immersed in rich
history.
St.Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ landed in
Kodungallur in 52 AD. The Church here was established
by him and is the first church in India, housing ancient
relics. Many a church in West Asia considers him as the
father of its faith.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
After this you will be transported back to your hotel.
(B,L)
DAY 6 – 22 FEB THU
KOCHI
After an early breakfast you will go on a half
day sightseeing tour of Cochin city
including the St. Francis Church, the Dutch
Palace, the Jewish Synagogue and Chinese
fishing nets.
Continue on for lunch on our houseboat
where we will spend the rest of the day
travelling along the backwaters on our
houseboat.
Later we will be transported back to our hotel. Overnight in Cochin
(B,L)
Travel Arrangements by AAventureSS - See India Through My Eyes - Santa Fe, NM – Established 1998
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See India Through My Eyes
Pilgrimage in South India - Following in the footsteps of St. Thomas - February 2018
DAY 7 – 23 FEB
FRI
TO GOA – UNION TERRITORY
Transfer this morning to the airport to board your flight to Goa
via Mumbai.
On arrival in Goa you will be met and transferred to the Taj
Holiday Village Hotel. (Superior charm cottage).
Rest of the day to enjoy your environs.
(B)
DAY 8 – 24 FEB
SAT
GOA
Goa was among the most important centres of the ancient and medieval
world, trading in calico, spices, precious metals and many other goods.
It has been under various Hindu dynasties for most of its history, with a brief period under Muslim rulers. When
the Portuguese arrived in Goa, it was under the Muslim Bahmani
empire.
The Portuguese defeated the Bahmanis and conquered Goa in 1510;
thus beginning 450 years of Christian rule. This rule ended when in
1961, the Indian army marched into Goa, and overthrew the
Portuguese. These historical events have left their mark on Goa,
influencing not only religion and architecture, but also the language,
dress, cuisine and lifestyle of Goans.
On this tour, you will
see not only Goa's
interesting monuments, but also its diverse cultures.
You will visit Se Cathedral (the seat of the Archbishop of Goa),
and the Basilica of Bom Jesus which contains the body of Saint
Francis Xavier, the Jesuit missionary who was canonised in
1622.
This evening a visit to the delightful colorful night market
in Arpora for those who are interested.
Dinner can also be had at this market.
(B)
Travel Arrangements by AAventureSS - See India Through My Eyes - Santa Fe, NM – Established 1998
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See India Through My Eyes
Pilgrimage in South India - Following in the footsteps of St. Thomas - February 2018
DAY 16 - 27 NOV MON DEPART KOCHI
This morning after breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Mumbai.
On arrival in Mumbai (own arrangements).
Our representative will meet and transfer you to the airport in time for your connecting flight home
via Mumbai or Chennai.
(B)
END OF TOUR
ADD ON EXTENSIONS AT THE END OF THIS TOUR
In case you would like to arrive a day before the tour starts or depart a day or two after the tour
this can be arranged. Hotel rooms will be booked according to your request.
Extensions
 2 days – MUMBAI – Itinerary & Cost available
 6 Days – DELHI-AGRA-JAIPUR - Itinerary & Cost available
 Or any other Itinerary within India pertaining to your interests can be customised just for
you!
Travel Arrangements by AAventureSS - See India Through My Eyes - Santa Fe, NM – Established 1998
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