Jaypore Journeys, in collaboration with Breakaway, presents a curated journey to experience Tamil Nadu’s textile traditions and historical riches.
A land infused with cultural wonders, historical vortexes and perhaps the best South Indian food you can imagine, we dip into weaves from India’s Great South. Tamil Nadu’s diverse world of textiles, their humility, spiritual residence and pathways to the past may give you another perspective into why the South has it best.
South Indian textiles have a glorious tradition going back about 50 centuries nourished by the creative and innovative energies of its craftsmen.
Experience Tamil Nadu’s India’s textile traditions, from the silken weaves of Kanchipuram to Madurai’s Chungadi sarees - one of the most appreciated traditions in India. Meet some fine craftsmen, walk among the elaborate temple carvings of this region and connect with stories that have kept these century-old riches alive. Get set for an experience worth a thousand counts.
An exploration into textile traditions from the South leads us to one of India’s iconic textile hubs with nothing but the finest and most valuable fabrics and yarns.
We spend time with the Qualamkars, textile craftsmen who are working hard to keep the traditions of handloom and hand printing textiles from the south alive. Here we visit their Handloom Weaving Centre and interact with some of the painters and handloom weavers and chat with our textile expert on fabrics and the traditional textiles in India.
In one of South India's holiest temple cities, you'll discover one of its most divine weaves. From the angavastram of the Gods to the kornad sari of their devotees, Kanchipuram is perfect for the textile devotee. At Madurai, famous for its Chungadi saris, we get a look into how a printing technique from the North has blended into the traditional textiles from the South. Also famous are the white veshtis (dhoti) with zari borders which are known for their sturdy quality.
Enjoy the French Quarters in Pondicherry, characteristic of a colonial architecture and steeped in culture residences. Visit Auroville and the hand painted silk and organic khadi design studios .
Taste the historical relevance of Tamil Nadu at the Mylapore Kapaleshwara Temple, a 7th century pyramid architectural marvel symbolic of Dravidian design, among the walls of the Tanjore Temple and as you grace the Chettinad Palace. Also visit the Meenakshi Temple, a historic Hindu temple harboring the south side of the Vaigai river. It houses 14 massive temple gateway towers and is one of the most significant religious symbols for the locals and dates back to 1600 CE.
Indulge in traditional curries, buttered puris and assorted lentil delights with fresh coconut garnishes modestly placed in a Thali serving.
Venture into the stories and traditions that have created the fabric of contemporary India and provided the world with some of the finest threads and most sought after textiles.
Trip Dates:
29th Jan to 4th February, 2018
How do we get to Chennai?
You need to reach Chennai on your own by air or train. We can help you with flight bookings if need be. All travel from there is organised by us and built into costs.
What if we are not coming from Delhi or Mumbai?
You could fly straight into Chennai from your city, or maybe a hopping flight via Delhi or Mumbai and we will make arrangements for you from there.
How do we go around Tamil Nadu?
We will have our own transport (vehicle type depends on the group size) organised to take us around Tamil Nadu for all visits and interactions.
What are we expected to bring?
We will circulate a travel advisory before you go on the trip. We will be walking around a lot, so bring comfortable walking shoes.
Bring your camera for taking pictures. Please carry any medication you're specially suited too as well as cold and flu medication.
Will we get vegetarian food?
Yes, we can cater to vegetarians as well. Please do mention your preferences at the time of making your booking.
Is it safe to travel within Tamil Nadu?
Yes it is. We work with partners who are sensitive to these issues and committed to ensuring our guests are safe and secure in knowing they're in good hands.
How do we book this breakaway?
Write to us at journeys@jaypore.com
The dates don't suit me but I really want to travel to Tamil Nadu.
We completely understand this. We can customize the dates for you subject to a minimum group size of four people.