Pondicherry Trip Overview
On this day excursion from Pondicherry, visit the largest Shiva temple in the world. The temple is situated in the town of Thiruvannamalai, about 60 miles from Pondicherry. After a tour of the temple, visit the nearby Ashram (monastery) of the Saint and Philosopher, Sri Ramana Maharshi, who lived here until his death in 1950.
Highlights
• Drive through the South Indian countryside
• Visit to Arunachaleswarar Temple, the largest Shiva temple in the world
• Visit to Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram
Additional Info
Duration: 8 hours
Starts: Pondicherry, India
Trip Category: Day Trips & Excursions >> Day Trips
Explore Pondicherry Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Pondicherry, Union Territory of Pondicherry, India
On this day excursion from Pondicherry, visit the largest Shiva temple in the world. The temple is situated in the town of Thiruvannamalai, about 60 miles from Pondicherry. After a tour of the temple, visit the nearby Ashram (monastery) of the Saint and Philosopher, Sri Ramana Maharshi, who lived here until his death in 1950.
Highlights
• Drive through the South Indian countryside
• Visit to Arunachaleswarar Temple, the largest Shiva temple in the world
• Visit to Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Girivalam, Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai Temple road, Tiruvannamalai India
You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning for the two-hour drive to the town of Thiruvannamalai, situated 60 miles away from Pondicherry.
Visit the 9th century Arunachaleswarar temple that is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Besides being the largest temple in the world dedicated to Shiva, the temple also has the distinction of having a 216 feet high tower, the second tallest temple tower in the world. The temple complex is spread over an area of 25 acres and has several pillared halls, including a hall with a thousand pillars.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Sri Ramana Ashram, Chengam Road M, Thiruvannamalai India
Next visit the Ashram of Sri Ramana Maharshi which is situated at the foot of the Arunachala hills, outside the town. You can also visit the cave on the Arunagiri slope, where the saint is said to have meditated. Amongst the early visitors to the Ashram were the British writers Paul Brunton in 1931 and Somerset Maugham in 1938. The latter used Sri Ramana Maharshi as the model for the character of Shri Ganesha in his novel, The Razor’s Edge.
After the Ashram visit, enjoy an included lunch (beverage excluded) at a local restaurant.
After lunch you will be driven back to Pondicherry and dropped off at your hotel.
Duration: 2 hours
