Bangalore - Pondicherry : Route Queries

rjstyles69 · 10th April 2013, 07:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voyager-1

Has anybody tried this road from Tindivanam-Pondy highway to ECR? It goes through Olunthiyapattu village and joins ECR near The Dune resort. If one needs to reach any resort north of Pondy (or north of Pondy University to be precise), this seems to be a shorter route (by 12 kms) compared to the Auroville road.

http://goo.gl/maps/V6uwr

I am planning to try this route for my visit to Pondy this week.

Have used this route, mind you the route is pretty narrow after you deviate from the Highway and if a mini bus/tempo comes your way its a real squeeze.

275BHP · 13th April 2013, 16:33

Did a Bangalore-Pondicherry trip last weekend. The route followed was Hosur-Krishnagiri-Vellore-Arcot-Cheyyar-Vandavasi-Tindivanam-Pondicherry. Took us a little more than 7 hours to reach Pondicherry with a couple of stops en route. While returning, it took longer because of peak hour traffic in the evening.

All roads were in excellent conditions, however I suggest you byepass all three cities, namely Tindivanam, Vandavasi and Cheyyar if you are taking this route since the roads inside these cities were pretty crowded and slightly confusing as well.

We stayed at St. James Court Beach Resort. This was frankly, the worst part of our trip. The swimming pool was filled with beach sand, food was not so great and the worst part - the A/C didn't work for half the duration of our stay, despite making numerous complaints. Also, note that renting bikes has become illegal in Pondi and I did notice 2 tourists in a rented bike who were being questioned by cops.

ampere · 13th April 2013, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by 275BHP

All roads were in excellent conditions, however I suggest you byepass all three cities, namely Tindivanam, Vandavasi and Cheyyar if you are taking this route since the roads inside these cities were pretty crowded and slightly confusing as well.

Did you try the Vandavasi bypass? Rest bypasses are good, but its this one which is a bit difficult.

OT And a trivia:

Since the topic on Vandavasi came up, there was a battle fought here between England and France. And its very easy not to refer to it because, history books refer to as "Battle of Wandiwash" !

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Wandiwash

275BHP · 13th April 2013, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

Did you try the Vandavasi bypass? Rest bypasses are good, but its this one which is a bit difficult.

"Battle of Wandiwash"

Yes, we did take the Vandavasi bypass as well. Roads were in good condition and there wasn't any difficulty in navigating since it is mentioned in Google Maps.

OT: A very interesting piece of information indeed. I was wondering about the origins of the name "Vandavasi" for quite sometime during our trip :-).

Voyager-1 · 15th April 2013, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voyager-1

Has anybody tried this road from Tindivanam-Pondy highway to ECR? It goes through Olunthiyapattu village and joins ECR near The Dune resort. If one needs to reach any resort north of Pondy (or north of Pondy University to be precise), this seems to be a shorter route (by 12 kms) compared to the Auroville road.

http://goo.gl/maps/V6uwr

I am planning to try this route for my visit to Pondy this week.

I took this route last week and it turned out to be an excellent alternate to the Auroville route. The road surface is very smooth throughout, except for a few pot holes and some speed breakers. The road is narrow, so if a lorry or a bus comes in your way, you would have to stop and get the left wheels off the road. But this was not a concern as there was hardly any traffic.

There are clear signs on the Tindivanam 4 lane road for Olunthiyapattu and The Dune resort, so this diversion is easy to spot. This diversion comes few kms after the Kiliyanur bypass ends.

Deepalivg · 16th April 2013, 05:02

what would be the driving direction from the Dune Eco village to Paradise Beach?

Can we hire a cycle and go there? Are there Cyclewalas available to hire one?

Deepali

Voyager-1 · 16th April 2013, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deepalivg

what would be the driving direction from the Dune Eco village to Paradise Beach?

Can we hire a cycle and go there? Are there Cyclewalas available to hire one?

Deepali

For driving directions, you can check google maps. I was at the Dune last week and know that the Dune resort provides cycles (as complimentary) for all guests, but these cycles are suited for usage within the resort are not good enough for driving 50+ kms (to & fro Paradise Beach). You can talk to the person at the reception desk who is very knowledgeable about Pondy for best cycling options and routes.

sabret00the · 16th April 2013, 23:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by shubhamAT

Hi Guys,

I just completed a weekend trip to Pondicherry...

OT but just wanted to check with you how is the weather round this time of the year? I went it Feb and the heat took a huge toll on me. I fell sick through the drive under the hot sun and daytime Pondi was unbearable in Feb itself.

ampere · 17th April 2013, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabret00the

OT but just wanted to check with you how is the weather round this time of the year? I went it Feb and the heat took a huge toll on me. I fell sick through the drive under the hot sun and daytime Pondi was unbearable in Feb itself.

It would be really hot. You dont want to hit Pondicherry at this time. Unless of course you plan to be in a resort and pool during day and hit the beach by evening. And follow it up by a late evening continental dinner!

Deepalivg · 18th April 2013, 01:16

I hope 3G connectivity is available in such small towns to navigate since I am planning to travel this weekend

275BHP · 18th April 2013, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deepalivg

I hope 3G connectivity is available in such small towns to navigate since I am planning to travel this weekend

3G connectivity is not available in many small towns en route to Pondicherry. We were on 2G for around 60% of the trip. However, this posed no issues in finding our way to Pondi.

ampere · 18th April 2013, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deepalivg

I hope 3G connectivity is available in such small towns to navigate since I am planning to travel this weekend

You can also cache the maps for the route. So in spite of the connectivity, you would still have the map.

RSUDARSANAN · 23rd April 2013, 23:05

Headed to Pondy this weekend via Arcot and Tindivanam. College road is the usual 'left turn' to bye pass Tindivanam. On google map I noticed an earlier left after Ayanar Appan Aalayam, Pattanam where the bye pass road commences and this is the same road which college road meets up further down. Has anyone taken the byepass from Pattanam ?

ampere · 24th April 2013, 07:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSUDARSANAN

Headed to Pondy this weekend via Arcot and Tindivanam. College road is the usual 'left turn' to bye pass Tindivanam. On google map I noticed an earlier left after Ayanar Appan Aalayam, Pattanam where the bye pass road commences and this is the same road which college road meets up further down. Has anyone taken the byepass from Pattanam ?

That IS the new college bypass road which is being referred to in this thread.
You have to take left at the point which you refer to.

See Ravi's post (on this same thread). Specifically see the road map snap that he has posted. That should clear your doubt.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post2673152

RSUDARSANAN · 24th April 2013, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

That IS the new college bypass road which is being referred to in this thread.
You have to take left at the point which you refer to.

See Ravi's post (on this same thread). Specifically see the road map snap that he has posted. That should clear your doubt.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post2673152

No shred of doubt left

...thanks Ampere

13th April 2013, 16:33	#782
275BHP BHPian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Cochin, B'lore Posts: 125 Thanked: 110 Times	re: Bangalore - Pondicherry : Route Queries Did a Bangalore-Pondicherry trip last weekend. The route followed was Hosur-Krishnagiri-Vellore-Arcot-Cheyyar-Vandavasi-Tindivanam-Pondicherry. Took us a little more than 7 hours to reach Pondicherry with a couple of stops en route. While returning, it took longer because of peak hour traffic in the evening. All roads were in excellent conditions, however I suggest you byepass all three cities, namely Tindivanam, Vandavasi and Cheyyar if you are taking this route since the roads inside these cities were pretty crowded and slightly confusing as well. We stayed at St. James Court Beach Resort. This was frankly, the worst part of our trip. The swimming pool was filled with beach sand, food was not so great and the worst part - the A/C didn't work for half the duration of our stay, despite making numerous complaints. Also, note that renting bikes has become illegal in Pondi and I did notice 2 tourists in a rented bike who were being questioned by cops.
	() Thanks

16th April 2013, 05:02	#786
Deepalivg BANNED Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 13 Thanked: Once	re: Bangalore - Pondicherry : Route Queries what would be the driving direction from the Dune Eco village to Paradise Beach? Can we hire a cycle and go there? Are there Cyclewalas available to hire one? Deepali
	() Thanks

18th April 2013, 01:16	#790
Deepalivg BANNED Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 13 Thanked: Once	re: Bangalore - Pondicherry : Route Queries I hope 3G connectivity is available in such small towns to navigate since I am planning to travel this weekend
	() Thanks

23rd April 2013, 23:05	#793
RSUDARSANAN BHPian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 173 Thanked: 843 Times	re: Bangalore - Pondicherry : Route Queries Headed to Pondy this weekend via Arcot and Tindivanam. College road is the usual 'left turn' to bye pass Tindivanam. On google map I noticed an earlier left after Ayanar Appan Aalayam, Pattanam where the bye pass road commences and this is the same road which college road meets up further down. Has anyone taken the byepass from Pattanam ?
	() Thanks