DAY TOUR TO GURUVAYUR TEMPLE AND ELEPHANT CAMP Around 07:30 AM, pick up from respective hotels in Cochin and proceed to Guruvayur (Around 2 ½ hrs drive). Upon arrival visit Punnathur Elephant Court. Punnathurkotta was once the palace of a local ruler, but the palace grounds are now used to house the elephants belonging to the Guruvayoor temple, and has been renamed Anakkotta (meaning "Elephant Fort"). There were 86 elephants housed there, but currently there are about 59 elephants. The elephants are ritual offerings made by the devotees of Lord Guruvayurappa. This facility is also used to train the elephants to serve Lord Krishna as well as to participate in many festivals that occur throughout the year. The oldest elephant is around 82 years of age and is called 'Ramachandran'. Later visit the famous Guruvayur Temple. Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Krishna (an avatar of the god Vishnu), located in the town of Guruvayur in Kerala, India. It is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus of Kerala and is often referred to as "Bhuloka Vaikunta" which translates to the "Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth". Have lunch from Guruvayur and proceed back to conference venue. En route visit Kodungaloor. Once a maritime port of international repute because of its strategic location at the confluence of the Periyar River and the Arabian Sea, Kondugalloor was considered the gateway to ancient India or the Rome of the East, because of its status as a centre for trade. It was also the entry point of three major religions to India - Christianity, Judaism and Islam. It was known by the Greek as the Muziris and is a place immersed in rich history. It is said to be the place where St. Thomas first preached Christianity in India. Note: Photography is strictly prohibited at Elephant Camp. Tour price per person: Rs. 1950 (Including transportation, guide service, lunch, entrance for sightseeing and taxes) Minimum number of people required: 10 Moon Days, 1st Floor, “Peppermint Sadan”, Ravipuram, MG Road, Cochin – 682016 Tel: +91 98470 44578, 97455 77012 www.moondays.in | [email protected] .