East To West – A Small Group Tour To Southern India Led by Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith

DAY 1: TO CHENNAI

Fly from London Heathrow to Chennai via Dubai on Emirates Airlines EK002 at 13:40. Departures from regional UK airports are available on request. If you are planning on joining the tour in India from any other country other than UK please see land only prices for the tour.

DAY 2: TO MAHABALIPURAM

Arrive in Dubai at 00:40 and change for your flight to Chennai Emirates EK 544 which leaves from Dubai at 02:50 and arrives in Chennai in the morning at 08:15. Meeting, assistance on arrival, and transfer to Mahabalipuram 50km south of Chennai. Mahabalipuram was the major seaport of the ancient Pallava kingdom based at Kanchipuram. Check-in at the Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram. Rest of the day at leisure.

• Overnight at Chariot Beach Resort
• LD

DAY 3: CHENNAI SIGHTSEEING

Today will drive out to Chennai - about two hours driving each way-- and enjoy half-day sightseeing tour including a visit to the San Thome Basilica, one of the only three known churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus, and St. Thomas’s Mount, the hill on which Thomas was martyred. In the late afternoon return back to Chariot Beach Resort for the overnight stay.

(This Tour is optional those who are too tired from the flight journey can rest at the hotel.)

• Overnight at Chariot Beach Resort
• BLD

DAY 6: KUMBAKONAM SIGHTSEEING

Morning sightseeing through Kumbakonam where most of the temples are dedicated to Shiva or Vishu. The tour will also include a visit to the Ramanujan Museum dedicated to this famous mathematician.

After lunch, an optional visit to a legendary Vedic school in old Kumbakonam Town. The Raja Veda Kavya Patasala has produced renowned scholars and pandits since its establishment in 1542 and one can witness students of Vedic studies partaking in Vedic chants, a traditional meditative practice. As the chorus of voices fills the hall, the ancient words reverberate through the room, resulting in an elevating effect even for the casual listener as the gurus pass on generations-old wisdom to aspirants about life, social skills, art and culture.

• Overnight at Mantra Koodam Hotel by CGH Earth
• BLD

DAY 7: TO MADURAI, VISITING TANJORE ENROUTE

After breakfast, we will drive to Madurai (approximately 5 to 6 hours journey) stopping en route in Thanjavur and visiting the unrivaled World Heritage Brihadeeshwara temple, the masterpiece of Chola architecture Art Gallery, Museum, and the Palace Library. After lunch continues driving to Madurai. Check in to the Heritage Madurai for 2 nights.

• Overnight at Heritage Madurai Hotel
• BLD

DAY 8: MADURAI SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast, we’ll visit Madurai’s bustling flower market. Our guide will then take us to the Shri Meenakshi Temple which is regarded as the finest and most fascinating Hindu temple complex in India and is a major pilgrimage destination in the south. Dedicated to Meenakshi, the ‘fish-eyed goddess’, the site houses several shrines surrounded by fourteen large colorful gateway towers adorned with 33,000 sculptures. (As photography is not allowed inside, we’ll be able to leave our cameras safely with a trusted shop owner across the road from the main entrance.) Only a mile away, we also stop to see the architecturally impressive 17th-century king’s palace of Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. After lunch, we’ll wander through the tailoring market (opposite the East Tower of the Shri Meenakshi Temple) which is a photographer’s paradise. There will also be an opportunity to be measured up for high-quality tailored clothing that can be delivered in the evening. After dinner, there is an optional late evening return visit to the Shri Meenakshi Temple to witness the ‘going to bed’ ceremony of Goddess Meenakshi. Overnight at the Heritage Madurai.

• Overnight at Heritage Madurai Hotel
• BLD

DAY 12: COCHIN SIGHTSEEING

This day will reflect the faith diversity and coexistence of Cochin throughout the centuries as we visit the St Francis CSI church, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, the Jain Temple and the rarely used Sephardi-Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town plus the home of Abraham Barak Salem (1882-1967), a low-caste Jew who trained to be a lawyer and a renowned advocate for his social group. In the late afternoon, an optional Kathakali theatre performance, including observing the actors applying elaborate makeup before the performance; photography encouraged! Overnight in the Old Light House Hotel Bristow.

• Overnight at Old Lighthouse Bristow Hotel
• BLD

DAY 13: TO CHERAI, VISITING JEW TOWN, CHERAMAN JUMA MASJID & CHENDAMANGALAM SYNAGOGUE

To Cherai, Visiting Jew Town, Cheraman Juma Masjid & Chendamangalam Synagogue

There will be an optional very early morning rickshaw and walking tour of Fort Kochi to explore the lively markets by visiting a newspaper sorting centre, Thirumala Devaswam Temple, cow shedding unit, open yoga centre, Manja Bhagavathi Temple, Cherlaikadavu 24-hour restaurant, pappadam making unit, road side fresh morning snacks making unit, fishing harbour, Zumba training centre, martial arts (Kalaripayattu) training centre, Dhobi Khanna (a historic laundry centre) and finally we will finish this tour with Kolam (Rangoli) designing at a local Brahmin house with a cup of black tea of Kochi. Later, we’ll visit ‘Jew Town’ located in the newer section of the city known as Ernakulam and also see the Kadavumbagam Synagogue museum for ‘Black Jews’ (those who arrived in India as early as 2,500 years ago), a hidden treasure in the back of an aquarium and tropical fish shop. Elias Josephai is the owner of the adjoining shop and was the only one left in the Jewish community who was able to take the responsibility for restoring and maintaining the synagogue and his Muslim, Christian and Hindu friends were all helpful and supportive. The roads in Jew Town are crowded with all manner of retail and wholesale shops and great for strolling. We’ll then drive to the fully used Cheraman Juma Masjid, the oldest mosque in India, built-in 629, before Prophet Mohammed died. The mehrab is a unique blending of Islamic and Hindu motifs. We’ll also visit two beautifully restored synagogues, now museums, in the nearby villages of Paravur and Chenadamangalam. Dinner and overnight at the Club Mahindra Resort Hotel at Cherai Beach.

• Overnight at Club Mahindra Cherai Beach Resort
• BLD

DAY 14: TO WAYANAD

After breakfast, a long drive to the Vythiri Resort Hotel located in the scenic hills of Wayanad. En route stop for lunch. This hotel is remote and offers superb accommodation and food plus the gracious staff is warmly hospitable. Each evening after dinner, there are performances, such as traditional Hindu dancing.

• Overnight at Vythiri Resort
• BLD