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Day 3: After the breakfast drive for 1 hour and 50 minutes for Pondicherry.
It is a union territory, and an enclave of Tamil Nadu, it was under the possession of
French India Company in the 17th century. First visit to Auroville is an Ashram for
peace and harmonious living, founded by saint-philosopher Sir Aurobindo. French
War Memorial was built in the 1971 to commemorate the martyrs of the First World
War.
Afternoon take the delicious French dishes in the lunch and then go for Chuunambar
beach.
Overnight stay.
Day 4: Thanjavur rose to glory during the later Chola period between the 9th and
14th centuries A.D. It also flourished later during the rule of the Nayaks and
Mahrattas. Thanjavur is well-known throughout the world for being the home of the
Brahadeeswara temple, the magnificent palace, Rajah Serfojis Saraswathi Mahal
Library, Art Gallery and also for its exquisite handicrafts like the Art Plate, pithwork,
bronze icons, Thanjavur paintings and the classical South Indian musical instruments.
Brahadeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The great Chola king Raja Raja I
built this temple. It is an outstanding example of the Chola architecture.
Its unique architectural excellence has made the UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage
Monument. The 64.8 meters tall tower over the sanctum is a testimony to the
engineering skill of the Cholas. In keeping the immensity of the temple the gigantic
mahalingam in the shrine measures 4 meter in height. The monolithic Nandi bull
mount of Lord Shiva has been chiselled out of a single rock. It is the second largest
Nandi in India. The beautiful Chola Fresco paintings on the inner walls of the temple
are no way less than Ajanta paintings.
The Palace Just 1 km. away from
Brahadeeswarar Temple, is the magnificent
palace. This palace is surrounded by huge
fort walls. It dates 14th century A.D and
was partly built by the Nayaks and partly by
the Marathas. Even now the royal family of
the Marathas resides in this palace. It
measures 110 acres in size. It is a grand
pile of fascinating building with huge
corridors; spacious halls decorated rooms,
tall observation towers, beautiful stucco
works, wonderful fresco painted walls and
ceilings. Overnight stay.