We, Jatinder Taneja and Guneeta Taneja, along with 2 other couple friends, traveled to Chettinad and Tanjore during 23–27 September 2018. For us, it was a study cum Fam tour, and for friends, it was a kind of short paid holiday. A brief feedback report for your reference is given below.
There is no direct flight, so we took a flight: Delhi → Chennai → Trichy. Trichy is the nearest airport for Chettinad. The Chettinad region stretches roughly 80 square kilometers and comprises seventy-six villages. Rich in cultural heritage, cuisine, art, and architecture, the region is a must-visit for every serious traveller.
We arrived at about 4 PM at Trichy airport and drove for about 1 hour 15 minutes to Chettinad district. Checked in at CGH hotel Visalam in Kanadukathan village. An old mansion converted into a hotel – neat and clean in CGH style. Large, simple but very beautiful rooms with excellent bathrooms. Nice pool area and restaurant. No minibar or tea/coffee maker in rooms.
After breakfast, we visited Athangudi village with a hotel guide to see handmade tiles. It was interesting to learn how they are made. We stopped for about 15 minutes and continued to Laxmi House.
Laxmi House – A huge, beautiful mansion and a must-visit. The best place we visited.
We also visited Kottayur village, known for rich mansions. The owners of Visalam have a mansion here, which we visited. It was interesting, but Laxmi House stood out more.
In Kairakudi village, we saw The Bangala boutique property:
Antique Market: Nearby – interesting for those who enjoy walking and exploring. Can be added to itineraries.
Visited Chidambravilas Hotel for authentic banana leaf lunch – a great experience. Beautiful old mansion turned into a hotel. Decent rooms, amazing rooftop view, surrounded by deserted old mansions. Suitable for medium-budget clients. Organizing lunch here is a good option.
Evening: Bullock cart ride in the village (30 min). Park Hotel chain is converting another old mansion into a hotel.
Dinner at Visalam – nice grilled food.
Conclusion: Chettinad is beautiful and should be included in itineraries.
After breakfast, left for Tanjore (2-hour drive). Checked into Swatma Hotel:
Met guide Shekhar. Afternoon visit: Main Palace, Library, and Temple (most temples close 12–4 PM due to heat).
Palace and Library: Poor entrance, not well maintained, but sculptures and manuscripts worth seeing.
Hotel Ideal River Resort:
Brihadeeswara Temple: Amazing experience – beautiful, well-maintained, intricate exterior. Active temple with devotees. Clients can spend 2 hours here.
Dinner at Swatma: Course meal – not much liked by our group but might be fine for foreigners.
Left for Kumbakonam after breakfast (11 AM).
Met guide at Darasuram Temple. Extremely hot, temple ceremony ongoing, couldn’t enjoy interiors. Exteriors beautiful and worth visiting.
Silk weaving houses: Demonstrations followed by sales pitch.
Lunch at Mantra Koodam (CGH Property):
INDeco Hotel, Swamimalai:
Bronze Factory: Interesting to see how bronze statues are made. Sales-oriented.
Paradise Hotel:
Returned to Tanjore. Italian dinner at Swatma – beautiful ambiance. Veena recital between 7–8 PM – very soothing, clients will enjoy. Food and service were okay.
Conclusion: Tanjore and Kumbakonam should be included in itineraries.
After breakfast, drove 1.15 hrs to Trichy airport.
I flew to Cochin for KTM. Guneeta and friends returned via Chennai.
I hope this helps everyone in choosing the right hotels and preparing an interesting itinerary.
South India Temple Tour – 8 Nights / 9 Days
Places: Arrive Mumbai, Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Tanjore, Trichy, Madurai, Mumbai & Departure
