Begin your day early at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue, situated in the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean. The ferry service to the memorial begins at 8 AM and takes around 20 minutes one way. Explore the memorial and the adjoining meditation hall which offers a panoramic view of the sea. After returning to the mainland, head to the Kanyakumari beach to enjoy the sunrise and a refreshing dip. The beach also houses the 133-feet-tall Thiruvalluvar Statue, which stands on a rock in the sea. Later, drive to Tiruchendur, a temple town that houses the famous Tiruchendur Murugan Temple dedicated to the Lord of War. Listen to the temple and deity's history from the local priest and savor the delicious prasadam offered at the temple.
Start your day at the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples. It is said that Lord Rama built the bridge to Lanka from here to rescue his wife, Sita. Admire the intricate carvings and sculptures that adorn the temple, and witness the elaborate ceremonies performed by the priests. Next, take a drive to Dhanushkodi, a town that was destroyed by a cyclone in 1964. Visit the Dhanushkodi Beach that offers a serene view of the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal merging. You can also visit the Dhanushkodi Temple Ruins that were left undisturbed after the cyclone. Later, head to Madurai, known as the Athens of the East, to visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in India. The temple has 14 gopurams or gateways, each adorned with thousands of sculptures and paintings. The temple is especially beautiful in the evenings when it is decked up with lamps and lights. Finally, drive to Erode, a city known for its silk weaving and banana cultivation. Take a tour of a silk weaving factory and buy some souvenirs.
If you have more time, you can extend your stay in Madurai to explore the many other temples and palaces in the town, including the Gandhi Museum and old city bazaars. For those with lesser time, you can skip Dhanushkodi and head straight to Madurai. Remember to carry a sunscreen and a hat as the sun can be quite harsh in these places. Also, dress appropriately and follow the temple customs and practices while visiting the temples.