After breakfast drive to Trichy. On arrival check-in and proceed for sightseeing of Trichy ‘a town situated on the banks of river Cauvery’ visiting the famous ‘Sriranganathaswami temple’ at Srirangam. It is surrounded by seven concentric walls and 21 towers called ‘Gopurams’. The next place we visit here is the ‘Rock fort temple’.Climb up a 437 rock cut steps to the Ganesh Shrine, a view of entire Trichy town from here is breathtaking. Trichy is surrounded by seven concentric-walled courtyards with magnificent gateways and several shrines. The Sri Ranganathasvami Temple, located at Srirangam (banks of River Kaveri), one of the largest in India, is famous for its superb sculptures, the 21 impressive gopurams and its rich collection of temple jewelry.
Arrive in Chettinad, homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars. Experience heritage, art and architecture untouched by time. Visalam, in Karaikudi village, is reflective of the grandeur of the region, combined with the almost yogic simplicity of the community.
VISALAM, a house built with love: K.V.AL.M. Ramanathan Chettiar had this house built for his eldest daughter Visalakshi. The contractor for this house was Narayanan and the carpenters were from Thirunelvelli. The house was built during the war, a period when procuring steel and cement was extremely difficult. The cost as per their books is Rs. 5 lakhs. Valli Muthiah, inherited this home, being the only child of Visalakshi. She was married here. The house is now owned by her daughter, who was given her grandmother’s name. She married into a family at Rayavaram and so turned the house into a resort run by family friends the Dominic family. Visalam has played host to the ex-Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.G. Ramachandran and to Dr. T. H. Somervell, an eminent British surgeon, who was here as a guest of K.V.AL. M. Ramanathan Chettiar. Dr. Somervell was part of the team of Irvin and Mallory who climbed Mount Everest 30 years before Tensing.