Catch an evening/overnight express from Howrah/Sealdah to Chennai (or a Chennai-bound service via Vijayawada/Visakhapatnam). Start your southbound rail journey after 5pm as requested — book a sleeper/AC berth. Exact train options and departure times vary; check IRCTC/NTES for live schedules and availability.
If your Chennai arrival is daytime, take a connecting train to Tirupati (typical Chennai–Tirupati trains take ~3–4 hours). Book a reserved seat; alternatives are a private taxi (3–4h) or bus.
Visit Sri Venkateswara Temple (Tirumala) — it's the primary reason to come; darshan queues can be long, so pre-book online (Tirumala online quota) or be prepared for longer waiting times. Temple hours commonly have early and afternoon windows — check live timings and ticket slots.
Visit ISKCON Tirupati (if interested), Silathoranam (natural rock formation) and local markets for laddus and temple souvenirs; check the opening hours (usually daytime till early evening).
Board an overnight sleeper/AC train from Tirupati toward Madurai (direct trains may be available; if not, connect via Chennai). Overnight travel saves a day — check live schedules and book AC/SL berths.
Arrive in Madurai early morning, check into hotel or store luggage. Have a hearty breakfast: idli, dosai, filter coffee at a popular local spot (many open from 6am).
Visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple complex — a stunning Dravidian architecture masterpiece. Temple timings: typically early morning and again late afternoon/evening (confirm for festival/holiday times).
Try famous local eateries such as Murugan Idli Shop or a recommended non-veg counter for Chettinad specialties; Madurai food is famous for jigarthanda and parotta too.
Explore Thirumalai Nayak Palace (historic 17th century palace) and the Gandhi Memorial Museum for cultural context. Check closing times (palace often closes by 6pm).
Visit the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple — known for its long corridors and sacred water tanks. Temple opening hours commonly include morning and evening windows (confirm timings; evening aarti is a special experience).
If time and weather permit, take a late-afternoon drive to Dhanushkodi — the ghost town and beach are accessible by taxi or local tour (road conditions vary). Check ferry/road accessibility.
Board a train toward Nagercoil/Kanyakumari. Estimated travel time 6–8 hours depending on connectivity; a change at Madurai or Ramanathapuram may be required. Book in advance.
Enjoy the famous sunset over the confluence of three seas — a peaceful and scenic experience. Promenade is open year-round; arrive early for a good spot.
Take the early ferry to Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue (ferry oper. typically ~7:00am to 4:00pm; check exact seasonal timings). The sunrise is spectacular; ferry queues form early.
Visit the Kanyakumari Bhagavathy Amman Temple and nearby attractions like the Gandhi Memorial (open daytime). Local museums and small shops are walkable from the beach.
To make your return to Kolkata on schedule, take an overnight Kanyakumari–Chennai train departing late on 30 Dec (arriving in Chennai on 31 Dec). Trains are long (approx 14–16 hours) — book AC berths for comfort.
Visit the iconic Kapaleeshwarar Temple and wander the Mylapore neighbourhood for books, crafts and South Indian snacks. Temple timings are usually until early afternoon and then evening — confirm before you go.
Catch an overnight Chennai-to-Howrah/Sealdah train that gets you to Kolkata early on 2 Jan. Because you must arrive in Kolkata before 9am on 2 Jan, choose a service that arrives in Howrah/Sealdah early morning (check exact schedule and book the train that matches the arrival constraint).
Stay rested and hydrated — the long distance northbound rail journey is mostly a sleeper day; prepare for arrival paperwork and last-minute transfers on arrival into Kolkata.
Aim to arrive in Kolkata before 9am as requested — ensure you booked a Chennai→Kolkata train that meets this arrival window. On arrival, collect luggage and continue home or to next plans.
Celebrate a successful round-trip with Bengali breakfast (rosogolla, luchi or a hearty tiffin); many breakfast spots are open by 7am near major stations.