[ravib]

Originally Posted by gajadonga

Sorry for the typo I meant to say Sivakasi town which has narrow roads.I had
travelled from Sattur-Sivakasi-Srivilliputtur-Tenkasi.So I do not know the roads
between Virudunagar-Sivakasi.If it is widened then it is a better option than by
travelling between Sivakasi-Sattur.

Actually, we can skip sivakasi, if one needs to travel from Virudunagar to Srivilliputtur and go via Alagapuri which is shorter. This route will mainly avoid sivakasi & save easily 20+ mts to pass through sivakasi town.

-Ravi

[airguitar]

Rajapalayam was a little hard to cross : a few diversions/one way and we lost time ( and someone else lost the way ) - did in second week of June. Thirumangalam to Tenkasi bypass ( or outskirts ) took about 2hrs 45 mins.

What are the food options in this area ( Rajapalayam/Tenkasi/Shencottah ) ? We had food at a newly opened roadside Mess : food was warm, tasty and healthy ( none of us suffered with aftereffects ) : this is just before the left turn from the junction that goes into Tenkasi town.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by airguitar

Rajapalayam was a little hard to cross : a few diversions/one way and we lost time ( and someone else lost the way ) - did in second week of June. Thirumangalam to Tenkasi bypass ( or outskirts ) took about 2hrs 45 mins.

What are the food options in this area ( Rajapalayam/Tenkasi/Shencottah ) ? We had food at a newly opened roadside Mess : food was warm, tasty and healthy ( none of us suffered with aftereffects ) : this is just before the left turn from the junction that goes into Tenkasi town.

I have always had food at Hotel Anandas in Rajapalayam. I stayed there in 2nd week of june and even this time it was good.

I can say one of the safe food restaurant available in that route between Thirumangalam to Tenkasi and it was always good and no after effects as well.

Yea, this year they introduced one way in the road going towards Tenkasi, so its quite confusing. Have to ask & go, or just follow a Tenkasi Bus !

-Ravi

[ravib]

Again, Back from 1 day Bangalore-Tenkasi-Bangalore trip by bus.

Excellent roads all throughout !

NH208 is indeed a pleasure to drive road. The scenic winding roads and greenery all around are great spot for photographers.

In the return journey from Tenkasi towards Bangalore, had an opportunity to eat at Hari's restaurant just before Thirumangalam Toll booth.

IMO, The location of this restaurant is perfect in this region as there not much decent family restaurant available right on the NH7 unless someone goes inside madurai city.

Good food, Completely separate veg & non-veg restaurants, Clean rest rooms, Nice kids play area and sufficient parking space - Pretty Neat !

Those who are traveling down south towards kanyakumari can also easily reach after cross the Thirumangalam toll by just taking right turn just in front of the restaurant. No need to go far to take a U turn. Would recommend this restaurant definitely.

-Ravi

[ampere]

Originally Posted by ravib

NH208 is indeed a pleasure to drive road. The scenic winding roads and greenery all around are great spot for photographers.

But how is the traffic on this road? Always kept hearing about very high traffic and crossing small villages is a big pain on this stretch?

Was this section re-tarred recently?

[ravib]

Originally Posted by ampere

But how is the traffic on this road? Always kept hearing about very high traffic and crossing small villages is a big pain on this stretch?

Was this section re-tarred recently?

Yes ampere, traffic is quite high on this road, but it depends on the time of the day. There are few big villages/small towns to cross through but IMO they are not that painful to crib about. For a scenic beauty drive on a cloudy day looking at Podhigai hills all around, I think that compromise can be made

This road is well maintained almost all throughout the year AFAIK from my periodic visits, inspite of good rains in most part of the year that could damage roads.

However, what to watch out for in this 2L stretch is one must be careful in overtaking and driving as accidents occur regularly, due to winding roads & few trucks drive in middle of the road and occupy some portion of your lane too just because they want to avoid tree branches hitting their heavy load.

-Ravi

[mail4ajo]

Any idea on current conditions on Couratlam-Shencottai-Madurai?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by mail4ajo

Any idea on current conditions on Couratlam-Shencottai-Madurai?

Are you referring to the regular NH208? Madurai-Sriviliputtur-Rajapalayam-Thenkasi?

Its a decent road but expect lots of town traffic.

[luvurride]

Originally Posted by mail4ajo

Any idea on current conditions on Couratlam-Shencottai-Madurai?

It is in pristine condition from my last drive a couple of weeks ago. Traffic is very sparse during the day, but nights will be difficult with oncoming traffic. The road has a good number of curves interspersed between arrow-straights, hence it could be misleading if you don't watch your speeds. Also the towns will take some time to cross as there are no bye-passes.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by luvurride

It is in pristine condition from my last drive a couple of weeks ago. Traffic is very sparse during the day, but nights will be difficult with oncoming traffic. The road has a good number of curves interspersed between arrow-straights, hence it could be misleading if you don't watch your speeds. Also the towns will take some time to cross as there are no bye-passes.

Sparse traffic? I thought it was always difficult to drive there with local town traffic on the way. Especially Madurai-Srivilliputhur. Any changes of late?

PS: Road was known to be good.

[luvurride]

Originally Posted by ampere

Sparse traffic? I thought it was always difficult to drive there with local town traffic on the way. Especially Madurai-Srivilliputhur. Any changes of late?

PS: Road was known to be good.

My onward journey was in the afternoon and hence the traffic was very sparse. I reached Srivilliputhur in less than an hour from Hotel Hari's in Tirumangalam! But my return was just around dusk/nightfall and took long.

In all the southern towns you don't find people roaming around in the brighter part of the day. It is either before 10 or after 4 you get into trouble!

[enzo10]

Hi,

Which route will be faster for Madurai – Thenmala section?
- Madurai – thirumagalam –rajapalayam – tenkasi – thenmala > NH 208
Or
- Madurai – tirunelveli – tenkasi – thenmala> NH7 + SH (c.60 kms extra)
Does staying longer on NH7 help on the timings? Thanks in advance

[ravib]

Originally Posted by enzo10

Hi,

Which route will be faster for Madurai – Thenmala section?
- Madurai – thirumagalam –rajapalayam – tenkasi – thenmala > NH 208
Or
- Madurai – tirunelveli – tenkasi – thenmala> NH7 + SH (c.60 kms extra)
Does staying longer on NH7 help on the timings? Thanks in advance

Madurai-Thirumangalam-Srivilliputtur-Rajapalayam-Tenkasi-Themala is fastest. The roads are broad 2L so should not be a big problem. Watchout for lorries crossing the lanes or driving in the middle of roads to avoid tree branches hitting their load. If it rains heavily (which is what is happening currently), you exercise caution as visibility will be low in the winding roads.

On the other hand, if you drive towards Tirunelveli, its a long detour and sticking to NH7 really doesn't benefit you back in terms of time. Tirunelveli-Tenkasi will easily takes an hour in 2L which you can save directly by going with 1st option.

-Ravi

[enzo10]

Originally Posted by ravib

Madurai-Thirumangalam-Srivilliputtur-Rajapalayam-Tenkasi-Themala is fastest. The roads are broad 2L so should not be a big problem. Watchout for lorries crossing the lanes or driving in the middle of roads to avoid tree branches hitting their load. If it rains heavily (which is what is happening currently), you exercise caution as visibility will be low in the winding roads.

On the other hand, if you drive towards Tirunelveli, its a long detour and sticking to NH7 really doesn't benefit you back in terms of time. Tirunelveli-Tenkasi will easily takes an hour in 2L which you can save directly by going with 1st option.

-Ravi

Thanks Ravi for the detailed response,

Is the exit onto NH 208 well marked ? on google maps its seem NH7 flysover NH 208 after Thirumangalam . i guess we have to take the service road well before the flyover and make a turn onto NH 208. Landmarks if any will be helpful. thanks

[ravib]

Originally Posted by enzo10

Thanks Ravi for the detailed response,

Is the exit onto NH 208 well marked ? on google maps its seem NH7 flysover NH 208 after Thirumangalam . i guess we have to take the service road well before the flyover and make a turn onto NH 208. Landmarks if any will be helpful. thanks

The exit for NH208 is not very well marked unfortunately. Yes you have to take the service road which will have a small sign board reading Kollam (or) Courtallam (or) Tenkasi. Don't recollect the name on top of the head. Don't take the flyover.

Keep driving in left and watch for the boards after you cross Thirumangalam Toll. The exit may be in less than 10 kms i guess.

-Ravi