South India highlights from South Tourism - December 2024

South India has been experiencing widespread heavy rainfall due to the northeast monsoon. States such as Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and parts of Karnataka have received significant rainfall because of this seasonal phenomenon.

According to the forecast, heavy rainfall is expected across southern Tamil Nadu from 15th to 19th December 2024. Additionally, intermittent rains, which may intensify at times, are predicted to continue in the southern regions of Tamil Nadu until 30th December 2024. However, Chennai and its surrounding areas are not expected to be impacted, as the rainfall is concentrated in the southernmost regions of Tamil Nadu.

South Tourism has been performing exceptionally well, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support. This year also, we expanded our fleet with the addition of 60 new vehicles in 2024 , ensuring that your clients enjoy comfortable journeys in our latest models. We are also planning to add more vehicles in the upcoming days to enhance our services further.

Additionally, we now have Airport Passes at all major locations in South India, including Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin, Trivandrum, Mumbai and Trichy. At Trichy Airport, we have secured two Airport Passes, enabling us to provide seamless assistance inside the airport for your clients. We thank you for your trust in South Tourism and we look forward to continuing to serve your clients with excellence!

I am pleased to share that we now have Ms. Pratibha Arora in Delhi, who will represent South Tourism and lead our marketing efforts in North India. She will regularly visit your office to meet with you and your team at regular intervals. I trust that her interactions will further strengthen the strong relationship we have nurtured over the years. Pratibha will remain in regular contact with you, keep you updated on the latest developments at South Tourism, address any concerns, and ensure smooth coordination between us. We kindly seek your fullest support and cooperation during her visits.

We are also excited to share that Cholan Tours  is now a Preferred Service Agent (PSA) for India’s luxury trains - the iconic Maharaja Express in North India and the Golden Chariot in Karnataka. You can now book these luxurious experiences directly through us, with the added benefit of receiving a maximum commission. We look forward to assisting you with your luxury train bookings and ensuring a seamless process for you and your clients.

Madurai Meenakshi Temple is currently undergoing preparation work for the Kumbhabhishekam (consecration) scheduled for late December 2025 . As part of this process, the temple towers (Gopurams) are being gradually covered one by one for renovation and consecration work. Please note that photography of the temple towers will not be possible during this period. To avoid any disappointment for your clients or FTOs, we kindly request you to inform them in advance about this situation. The exact dates for the Kumbhabhishekam are yet to be announced, and the temple towers are expected to remain covered for another year as the preparations continue.

Opening of Paradise Door as part of Vaikunta Ekadesi celebrations at Sri Rangam Temple (Vaikunta Ekadesi) on 10th January 2025

The Vaikunta Ekadasi festival, one of the most significant events in the Hindu calendar, will be celebrated at the Srirangam Temple on 10th January 2025. This grand 20-day celebration includes 10 days of daytime rituals followed by 10 days of nighttime festivities. Clients staying in Trichy can witness the vibrant proceedings during both day and night. On Vaikunta Ekadasi day (10th January), devotees can walk through the Paradise Door, but they must queue, which may take around two hours. Please note that the sanctum will remain closed that day, and the temple will be extremely crowded, with wait times extending to 6–7 hours for darshan. During the festival, vehicles will be stopped 1–2 km away from the temple, requiring visitors to walk. No vehicles or auto-rickshaws are allowed within this radius. With over 200,000 devotees expected, we recommend pre-planning your clients’ activities for a seamless experience during this period (from 9th to 11th January 2025).

As we approach the holiday season, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your support and partnership throughout the year. Wishing you and your team a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2025 filled with joy, prosperity, and success. May the coming year bring even greater opportunities for collaboration and growth together.