Saratha Vilas Heritage Hotel in Chettinad
sarathavilas.com
Visit Chettinad Region Heart of Dravidian India
RAMESHWARAM
Photos Julie Wayne Š
View of the main façade of Saratha Vilas
Main wedding hall at Saratha Vilas
sarathavilas.com
Visit Chettinad Region Heart of Dravidian India
Day 1 –
Afternoon
Welcome and transfer from Madurai or Trichy airports. 2 to 2 ½ hours driving to reach Saratha Vilas Arrival and welcome at the hotel, visit of the heritage building Walk or bicycle ride in the village of Kothamangalam , Ayyanar shrine and the terracotta figure, sacred wood, bird watching . Dinner at Saratha Vilas
Central courtyard at Saratha vilas
Bois sacré dédié à Karupa à Kothamangalam
sarathavilas.com
Photos Julie Wayne ©
Paysage de « érys » et temple de Shiva à Kothamangalam
Visit Chettinad Region Heart of Dravidian India
Day 2 – morning Exploring around Kotamangalam (total 30km): Chettiar village of Kadiyapatti and visit of a Palace – XVII° century Tirumayam Fort and its two cave temples (Vishnou stone carving - VII° century) – Village of Kanadukathan, visit of a palatial home and handloom weaver’s workshop. Traditional vegetarian lunch on banana leaf at Saratha Vilas
Street of Kadiyapatti
Tirumayam Fort and Siva and Perumal cave temples, Chola period
sarathavilas.com
Visit Chettinad Region Heart of Dravidian India
Day 2 – morning
Chettinad Rajas’ Palace in Kanadukathan and weavers’ workshop
Day 2 –afternoon
Photos Julie Wayne ©
Free programme - ayurvedic Massages – Carambol game – Presentation on Chettinad heritage and the protection & heritagebased projects - Visit of potter’s workshop – Bull oxcart ride (prior booking only) Dinner at Saratha Vilas
Massage ayurvédique à la Saratha Vilas
sarathavilas.com
Visit Chettinad Region Heart of Dravidian India
Day 3 – Morning
Tour in the heart of the Chettinad region(total 50km): Chettiar village of Pallathur – Kotadi Ayyanar shrine – Old Chettinad train station - Village of Kottaiyur (visit of one palace , future Museum of Lifestyle) Lunch at the Bangala Hotel in Karaikudi
Pallathur & Kothadi Ayyanar shrine
Day 3 – afternoon Karaikudi (antic shops –bazaar- Wood carving workshop – visit of A.M.A. house) Dinner at Saratha Vilas
Palatial architecture of Karaikudi and its bazar
sarathavilas.com
Visit Chettinad Region Heart of Dravidian India
Day 4 – morning Exploring Chettinad region (total 50/100km): Bird sanctuary of Vettangudi, or village weekly market, or religious festival accordingly to Tamil calendar. Traditional vegetarian lunch on banana leaf at Saratha Vilas .
Weekly market of Kothamangalam Religious festival of Kawadi (end February), Pongal (mid-January) and Ayyanar (from May to end of August)
Day 4 – afternoon Decorative tiles factory in Athangudi - Athangudi Palace Clans Temple of Pillayarpatti – Vairavanpatti – Neman Dinner at Saratha Vilas
Decorative tiles factory and Palace in Athangud
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Clan Temples of Nemam and Vellangudi in the heart of Chettinad
sarathavilas.com
Visit Chettinad Region Heart of Dravidian India
Day 5 – Morning
Day tour in the ancient kingdom of Pudukottai (1686), (total 100/150km ). Visit of the Museum . Temples et shrines in the natural site of Nartamalai. The temples were built from IX° century (2-3 hour-walk) Picnic prepared by Saratha Vilas
Ensemble des temples et sanctuaires du site de Nartamalai
Day 5 – afternoon Cave temple of Sittannavasal (frescos from IX° century) On the way back, visit of Ayyanar shrine of Elladangudipatti Dinner at Saratha Vilas
Ayyanar shrine of Ellangudipatti
sarathavilas.com
Visit Chettinad Region Heart of Dravidian India
Day 6 – morning Tour to Rameshwaram, 1or 2 days (total 300/350km) City of Lord Rama (Ramayana Legend) built on an island in Mannar Gulf (UNESCO biosphere reserve) Temple of Ramanatha Swami XII° century – hypostyle corridors (3000 pillars) of 1,2km long – 22wells pilgrimage), dedicated to Lord Rama. One of the most important Hindu pilgrimage site of India. Picnic prepared by Saratha Vilas. Beach Night in Madurai or in Rameswaram
Temple of Ramanathan Swami in Rameshwaram
Day 6 – afternoon Ramanathan Swami Temple in Rameshwaram and Meenakshi Aman temple in Madurai
sarathavilas.com
Saratha Vilas
Heritage Hotel in Chettinad
La suite Art Déco
La suite Victorienne
Photos –Julie Wayne ©
La suite Ethnique
La chambre des Bomais
La suite Gondwana
sarathavilas.com
Photos –Julie Wayne ©
Les terres cuites à la Saratha Vilas
Saratha Vilas
Heritage Hotel in Chettinad
Saratha Vilas N째832, Main Street - 630 105 Kothamangalam Karaikudi Taluk, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu +91(0)99842 03175/ +91(0)99849 36158
sarathavilas.com