Today on your arrival in Tiruchirapalli, you will be transferred to your hotel. One can feel the holiness of this city in very occasion that get celebrated over here with great grandeur and pomp. Tiruchirapalli played an important role in the Carnatic Wars between the British and the French. Textile, leather-work and gem cutting are important crafts practiced here. Trichy has a large number of religious places like Rock fort temple, Samayapuram Mariamman Temple, Erumbeeswarar Temple, Nadir Shah Mosque, Christ Church, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, etc. The main festival in Trichy is a harvest festival celebrated in January "Pongal", Aadi Perukku, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Srirangam Rathyatra, Deepavali and Holi, Teppakulam float festival, Bakrid, Eid al-Fitr, Christmas, etc. Rest of your day is at leisure. Overnight is in Tiruchirapalli.
This morning you will drive to Velankanni, famous for the church of our Lady of Health. Velankani or Velankanni or Vailankanni or Virgin of Velai or "Velanganni" is a parish under Tanjore Roman Catholic Diocese. It was an ancient port earlier trading with Rome and Greece. Velankani is known for a significant Roman Catholic shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health. The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health goes back to the mid-16th century. It is said that three miracles happened here - (1) A shepherd young boy saw the apparition of Mary and Jesus, (2) a handicapped buttermilk vendor was cured and (3) a Portuguese ship was saved from a sea storm. The Shrine is known as the "Lourdes of the East". Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight is in Velankanni.
Your full day is at leisure for religious activities. The Portuguese sailors who survived the cyclone built a shrine to thank Mary. In their further visits to Velankani, they brought souvenirs and other offerings to beautify this place. The most important offering was a globe on which is a statue of Mary holding her infant son. A museum was built to display the offerings where from time to time new items are added to the showcases. Velankanni acquired a status of a parish in 1771. In 1962 the church was raised to the status of basilica. 10 days of festivals are celebrated in August and September annually which attracts thousands of devotees. Overnight is in Velankanni.
This morning drive to Tiruchirapalli rail station in time for your Chennai train. On arrival in Chennai, you will be transferred to your hotel. The name Chennai was derived from Chennaipattanam, built by the English in 1639. The earlier name of Madras was a short form of Madraspattinam a fishing village. Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and is the largest industrial and commercial center of South India and also an important centre for Carnatic music. The city is also famous for the Tamil movies and known as Kollywood. Chennai came into prominence because of the British who defended the town against several attacks from the French and converted it to a major naval port. Chennai has numerous places of interest and beautiful museums. Overnight is in Chennai.
This morning you will be taken around Chennai for visiting the various places of interest. The Government Museum of 1857 is one of the oldest museums of India and has 46 galleries and different sections for Archaeology, Zoology, Geology, Bronze, etc. The Museum is closed on Fridays and other public holidays. The Bronze Gallery with its beautiful statues going back to a thousand years is worth visiting. San Thome Basilica from the 16th century was built by the Portuguese and later in the 19th century was rebuilt the British as a church. Drive through the Flower and Fruit market, High court, Marina Beach, and other places of interest. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight is in Chennai.
Today you will be transferred to airport in time for your Goa flight. On your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Goa is a beautiful place to rejuvenate you by spending time in the surrounding of soothing waves of sea and clean sands at the beaches. Goa exhibits a huge influence of the Portuguese from their ruling period and is known for its beautiful beaches, clean blue water, verdant lush green mountains as well as the idyllic lifestyle of this place that completely embraces you. Vasco-da Gama is the largest city of Goa, and Panjim is the capital. Overnight is in Goa.
This morning you will be visiting Goa. Goa is a good place to explore the various beaches or temples and churches and bazaars. You could visit the Ancestral Goa Museum, Chapora Fort, Fort Aguada, The Secretariat, Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Candolim Beach and many other popular beaches of Goa along with various other religious places such as Basilica De Bom Jesus, Church of Lady of Rosary, Royal Chapel of St. Anthony and many other churches of this state. Even though the place attracts tourists from across the world throughout the year, yet the best recommended time to visit Goa is during the winters when the climate is very pleasant and will boost up your pleasure and enjoyment. Afternoon is at leisure to explore the beautiful beaches of Goa. Overnight is in Goa.
Today you will be transferred to Goa airport to connect to your onwards flight. End of your Indian Churches & Christianity tour.
