Discover the best and beautiful textile circuit of Tamil Nadu with travel packages from Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and rest of the world

Tamil Nadu, a vibrant state in southern India, boasts a rich history of handwoven textiles, intricate weaving techniques, and timeless traditions. From the world-renowned Kanchipuram silk sarees to the rustic Chettinad cottons, Tamil Nadu’s textile circuit offers an immersive journey through art, culture, and history. This thoughtfully curated tour program will take you through Tamil Nadu’s weaving hubs, artisan villages, and textile museums, providing a holistic experience of the region’s textile legacy.

Day1: Arrival in Chennai, the gateway to Tamil Nadu’s textiles

Arrive in Chennai, the bustling capital city of Tamil Nadu. Check into hotel on arrival.

Ranganathan Street, T Nagar, Chennai

Explore the Government Museum’s textile gallery, which houses an impressive collection of antique fabrics, looms, and traditional attire. Visit  T Nagar, one of the city’s most vibrant shopping hubs. This market will introduce you to a plethora of textile options, ranging from intricate sarees to modern fabric designs.

Catch the pulse of Tamil Nadu’s contemporary and traditional textile culture while wandering through this dynamic marketplace. The market offers you an opportunity to purchase, if you want, exquisite handwoven textiles, including sarees in contemporary and traditional designs.

Have a relaxing evening at the beach. Enjoy a nice dinner at a nice restaurant. Overnight in Chennai.

Day 2: Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram

Check out from your hotel after a breakfast in the morning. Head off to Kanchipuram, famously known as the “Silk City of India.” This is a drive of around two hours.

Silk Saree weaving in Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram is celebrated for its silk sarees, woven with vibrant threads and intricate zari work. Here, you will visit weaving centers to observe the process of crafting these masterpieces, from dyeing the silk to the final meticulous hand-weaving.

The experience is enriched by interactions with master artisans who share their techniques, heritage, and stories. Make a visit to the Kanchipuram Cooperative Society. From here you can buy authentic sarees, considered the timeless creations.

Later, towards evening, proceed to Mahabalipuram, the beautiful historic coastal town at a drive of around two hours from Kanchipuram. Check into a nice resort on arrival.

Enjoy a lovely dinner at the resort. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Day 3: Mahabalipuram – Chettiand:

Get up early in the morning and head up to beach to witness a superb sunrise in the sea. Return to the hotel, get ready, pack your bags and enjoy your breakfast. Check out from the resort, but leave your luggage at the resort reception only.

Mahabalipuram Pancha Ratha 3

Embark on a guided tour of Mahabalipuram. Have a quick orientation with the guide about Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its significance in Pallava dynasty history. Begin the day exploring the historic Shore Temple, a 7th-century granite marvel overlooking the Bay of Bengal. Learn about its Dravidian architecture, the twin shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and the unique water features. Capture mesmerizing views of the temple against the sea backdrop.

After this, visit the Pancha Rathas, five monolithic structures carved out of a single rock. Each of these is dedicated to a hero of the Mahabharata Epic. Marvel at the intricate carvings showcasing Pallava artistry and learn the legends associated with each ratha.

Head to the Descent of the Ganges (Arjuna’s Penance), a massive rock carving narrating mythological stories. Witness the fascinating Krishna’s Butterball, a natural rock boulder precariously perched on a slope. Enjoy a brief walk around the open-air rock carvings and sculptures.

If interested, you can climb up the Mahabalipuram Lighthouse for panoramic views of the coastline and the town. Visit the nearby ancient lighthouse used during the Pallava era. Explore and purchase traditional stone sculptures and souvenirs, if you like, at local craft shops.

Afterwards, head off on a six hour drive to Chettinad, famous as the land of heritage and spice. Chettinad is renowned for its opulent mansions, vibrant culture, and legendary cuisine.

Check into a heritage hotel on arrival. Enjoy a nice dinner. Overnight in Chettinad.

Day 4: Chettinad

Enjoy a nice breakfast in the morning. Spend the whole day enjoying the textiles and other art forms in and around Chettinad.

Kanadukathan Raja Palace, Chettinad

Chettinad offers a blend of textile artistry and architectural marvels. The cotton sarees of Chettinad are celebrated for their bold colors and distinctive geometric patterns. Explore weaving centers and artisan markets, where you can interact with local weavers and purchase handcrafted textiles.

Enjoy the famous traditional Chettinad meal. This showcases the region’s flavors and spices.

Afterwards, head off to the nearby town of Karaikudi. This is a charming town renowned for its Athangudi tiles and artisan textiles. Delve deeper into the heritage of handwoven sarees and dhotis here. These are manufactured using traditional looms. A workshop on natural dyeing can introduce you to eco-friendly techniques, offering insights into sustainable textile production. It is highly appreciable to see artisans dedicated to preserving age-old crafts.

Drive past some of the old mansions, made in typical style, in Chettinad. Enjoy your traditional dinner. Overnight in Chettinad.

Day 5: Chettinad – Madurai

Check out after yet another nice Chettinad style breakfast. Proceed to Madurai, a drive of a little less than two hours. Check into a hotel on arrival in Madurai, often described as the cultural heart of Tamil Nadu.

Gopurams of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple

Madurai is a hub for block printing and tie-dye techniques that give cotton sarees made here their unique patterns. Visit artisan workshops and witness these traditional methods in action. The bustling bazaars of Madurai are a shopper’s paradise, offering handloom textiles in vibrant colors and designs.

In the evening, go and visit the majestic Meenakshi Amman Temple, a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. Marvel at its intricate sculptures, towering gopurams, and vibrant frescoes. This sacred temple, dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwarar, offers a blend of spirituality, history, and cultural grandeur, making it a must-visit destination in Tamil Nadu.

Savor a traditional Madurai dinner featuring flavorful biryanis, aromatic curries, and soft parottas. Indulge in authentic Tamil Nadu cuisine at iconic local eateries for a memorable culinary experience.

Overnight in Madurai.

Day 6: Madurai – Coimbatore, the Manchester of South India

Check out from the hotel in Madurai. Drive to Coimbatore, often described as the Manchester of South India. Coimbatore is some 4.5 hours drive from Madurai. Check into a nice hotel in Coimbatore on arrival.

Chennimalai Handloom making

Visit state-of-the-art textile mills here. These will give an understanding of the modern processes involved in fabric production. The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Museum provides insights into cotton cultivation and its significance in the region. Exploring Coimbatore’s textile markets provides an opportunity to discover high-quality fabrics, from organic cotton to innovative blends.

Overnight in Coimbatore.

Day 7: Coimbatore – Chennimalai – Erode

After breakfast, embark on a tour to Chennimalai, a serene town, renowned for its exquisite handloom textiles and traditional craftsmanship. This town is often referred to as the Handloom Town of Tamil Nadu. Exploration its weaving clusters, where skilled artisans bring to life vibrant sarees on traditional wooden looms. Chennimalai’s specialty lies in its intricate borders and vibrant color combinations, often inspired by nature and temple art. The textiles produced here are not just visually stunning but also of high quality.

Before departing from Chennimalai, go on to visit the Chennimalai Murugan Temple. This is perched atop a hill. The temple, dedicated to Lord Murugan, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and serves as a spiritual retreat.

Proceed to Erode, a drive of around 40 minutes from Chennimalai. Erode is a hub for turmeric dyeing and soft cotton textiles. Interact with artisans, witness unique dyeing techniques, and shop for exquisite handwoven textiles in this bustling hub. Shop for authentic handwoven sarees and dhotis at Erode’s textile markets.

Return to Coimbatore for an overnight stay.

Day 8: Coimbatore – Salem

Enjoy a nice breakfast in the morning. Check out from the hotel in Coimbatore, and head off to Salem, a drive of just a little over three hours. Check into a nice hotel in Salem.

Silk Handloom, Salem

Salem is an important center for silk sarees known for their intricate patterns and vibrant designs. Take a tour of the weaving clusters and interact with skilled artisans. Observe the meticulous techniques they use. Shopping in Salem’s textile markets is a delightful experience, with an array of elegant silk sarees that exemplify the region’s craftsmanship.

Overnight in Salem.

Day 9: Salem – Tiruchengode

Check out from the hotel in Salem after breakfast. Head off to Tiruchengode, which is a little over an hour’s drive from Salem. Check into a hotel in Tiruchengode.

Tiruchengode is known for traditional and eco-friendly dyeing methods. Workshops offer a hands-on experience in natural dyeing, allowing the visitors to participate in the creative process. Visit to small-scale weaving units help get a deeper understanding of the effort and dedication involved in preserving these age-old practices. This intimate interaction with artisans highlights the sustainable side of Tamil Nadu’s textile industry.

Thiruchengodu Arthanareeswarar Temple

Explore the ancient Arthanareeswarar Temple atop Tiruchengode Hill for spiritual insights and panoramic views. Conclude with a walk through local markets offering authentic, handwoven textiles and regional crafts.

Enjoy a nice dinner. Overnight in Tiruchengode.

Day 9: Tiruchengode – Chennai

Get up in the morning, and after a nice breakfast proceed on a somewhat longish drive to Chennai. Usually, it takes around 7.5 hours to reach Chennai from Tiruchengode. Check into a hotel on arrival in Chennai.

At leisure for rest of the day. Or, if you feel like going for shopping and temple visits, you can do so. You can visit boutique stores and designer outlets showcasing Tamil Nadu’s finest textiles.

Have a nice farewell dinner featuring Tamil Nadu’s traditional flavors. Overnight in Chennai.

Day 10: Chennai – Onward Destination

Have a nice breakfast in the morning. Check out from the hotel and head to the airport for your onward destination.

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