All Roads to Kerala

anachronix · 25th November 2010, 18:26

Folks,

I am planning a drive to Kerala via the following route. I am a regular on this route, but its been nearly an year since I did this route.

Any idea on the road conditions would help! I am planning my drive towards Christmas time!

Chennai - Tindivanam - Trichy - Dindugal - Theni - Kumily - Erumely - Ranni - Kozhencherry

I am specifically worried about the stretch between Trichy-Dindugal and also the condition in Kerala from Kumily.

hvkumar · 25th November 2010, 21:41

Trichy-Dindigul is doable, although there are diversions thanks to construction. No serious problems.
Climb up the ghats to Kumili is very bad, but that is only a few kms.
But teh worst route will be Kanjirapalli/Mundakayam to Ranni - roads are in bad shape.
And be prepared for some mad traffic of Sabarimala pilgrims.

sbkumar · 26th November 2010, 09:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by anachronix

Folks,

I am planning a drive to Kerala via the following route. I am a regular on this route, but its been nearly an year since I did this route.

Any idea on the road conditions would help! I am planning my drive towards Christmas time!

Chennai - Tindivanam - Trichy - Dindugal - Theni - Kumily - Erumely - Ranni - Kozhencherry

I am specifically worried about the stretch between Trichy-Dindugal and also the condition in Kerala from Kumily.

Trichy - Dindigul is in a very decent state. Construction is going on in several places so there are lane changes, but apart from that no issues at all.

anachronix · 26th November 2010, 11:27

Thanks HVK & SVK

I thought the road work would have been completed by now!

The Sabarimala traffic is going to be something. Last year, the traffic was blocked at the Kumily checkpost for close to 2 hours in the midnight!

mykal shoemaker · 26th November 2010, 11:35

There are reports of heavy rain in and around Madurai,Dindigul area.
So check for latest road conditions.

Sudhindra · 26th November 2010, 13:59

Hi Guys,
Planning to visit sabarimala from bangalore early next month for the first time. Also this would be our first long trip in my contessa,
I have been planning to take Hosur - > salem -> Dhindugal -> sabrimala route, my friends have been insisting via Mysore -> Bandipur - > Nilambur - > thrissur route as to avoid toll boths and also distance is less. How is the route via mysore and about road conditions? is this route preferable?
I am of two minds whether to drive in my contessa or instead book some other car.. please guide me.
Thanks in advance.

ajithbr · 26th November 2010, 16:55

Are you planning directly to Sabarimala? Or en-route temples like Guruvayur etc. ? It takes about 7 to 8 hours to reach Thrissur through Nilambur route and that is fairly predictable (good roads, less traffic etc.). Beyond Thrissur is a bit unpredictable due to intermittant rains, Kerala traffic(if you are on peak-hours passing towns), 4-laning work till Angamaly and usual Sabarimala traffic in the last stretch of your journey on this route.

sbkumar · 26th November 2010, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sudhindra

Hi Guys,
Planning to visit sabarimala from bangalore early next month for the first time. Also this would be our first long trip in my contessa,
I have been planning to take Hosur - > salem -> Dhindugal -> sabrimala route, my friends have been insisting via Mysore -> Bandipur - > Nilambur - > thrissur route as to avoid toll boths and also distance is less. How is the route via mysore and about road conditions? is this route preferable?
I am of two minds whether to drive in my contessa or instead book some other car.. please guide me.
Thanks in advance.

Whichever route you take, I would suggest you book another car, especially since this being your first trip and also the fact that you have to do a lot of driving in not so perfect road condition.

I don't know the route for the last stretch from Dindigul to Sabarimala, but this route would be much faster and easier to do than the Nilambur one even though the latter is marginally shorter.

ajithbr · 26th November 2010, 19:11

Bangalore->Dindigul : Approx 375 kms
Dindigul->Theni->Kumily->Kanjirapalli->Sabarimala : Approx 275 kms
TOTAL => 650 kms

Bangalore->Mysore->Nilambur->Trichur : Approx 400 kms
Trichur->Angamaly->Sabarimala : Approx 200 kms
TOTAL => 600 kms

sbraj · 28th November 2010, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sudhindra

How is the route via mysore and about road conditions? is this route preferable?

BLR-MYS-Gudalur-Nilambur stretch is good as per latest updates, though Mysore-Nanjangud stretch is rough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sudhindra

I am of two minds whether to drive in my contessa or instead book some other car.. please guide me.

Roads in the forest section near Sabarimala are usually rough most of the times. I guess that would be the case of Erumely-Pampa stretch as well. Comparitively, Ranni-Laha-Pampa stretch may be better, though slightly more distance. My suggestion would be rent a car with decent ground clearance.

Sudhindra · 29th November 2010, 10:26

@Ajithbr,sbraj & sbkumar: Thanks all for your replies. Based on your replies i have altered my plans. Let me know if its right or please give if any more suggestions.

The plan is as follows:
Bangalore - > Mysore--> Nanjangud(will halt here for visit) - > Thirssur(Night Halt) --> Sabarimala --> Chottanikara--> Guruvayur--> bangalore.

Although we have been to trips in our conty,even in ghat sections, this is our first trip to Sabarimala (infact kerala) which is a long one, so had doubts about kerala region. Option of booking another car is ruled out by my friends and they are stuck behind going in my conty as our previous attempt to go to kerla was spoiled by adamant tourist cab driver(long story). To cut short, we are 5 members going including me and 4 of them can drive.

Regards,

aargee · 29th November 2010, 10:43

@Sudhindra - If you've any questions on Sabarimala route, pls let me know. Also I think the route will be better if you do Thrissur - Guruvayur - Sabarimala - Chottanikara - Bangalore. Reason?

Guruvayur is close proximity to Thrissur & Chottanikara is enroute from Sabarimala towards BLR. So you can take Sabarimala - Chottanikara - Ernakulam - Thrissur - Palakkad - Coimbatore - BLR.

If you need any info on Sabarimala, pls see my travelogue on

poloman · 29th November 2010, 11:14

in my return trip from Thrissur last week, i was planning to take the Thrissur>>Nilambur>>Mysore>>Bangalore after being fed up with bad state of Palakkad-Thrissur NH47.But a drive of around 10 km near Pattambi made me alter my plans and took NH47 again instead. The road was so bad and I was was scared of what lies ahead after Pattambi towards Nilambur. Even Pattambi> Kulappuly stretch is horribly bad. After that till Palakkad it is a breeze. Rains can damage Kerala roads in no time. Thrissur> Shoranur>Kulappully>Palakkad will be a better alternative. Also Mysore> Nanjangud>Bandipur stretch is in very bad shape it seems. So be prepared for a bone jarring ride.

Sudhindra · 29th November 2010, 11:25

@aargee & poloman: So you guys suggest NH highway instead of state highways?
The route which i had mentioned earlier is around 1250Kms, mostly all are on state highways.

aargee · 29th November 2010, 11:42

@Sudhindra - Keeping my answer simple, take the SH if you love the scenics & breezy drive at the cost of time; use the NH to enjoy high speed driving & save time. I strongly vouch @Poloman's route on Thrissur - Palakkad.

25th November 2010, 18:26	#1876
anachronix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madras Posts: 3,286 Thanked: 1,337 Times View My Garage	Folks, I am planning a drive to Kerala via the following route. I am a regular on this route, but its been nearly an year since I did this route. Any idea on the road conditions would help! I am planning my drive towards Christmas time! Chennai - Tindivanam - Trichy - Dindugal - Theni - Kumily - Erumely - Ranni - Kozhencherry I am specifically worried about the stretch between Trichy-Dindugal and also the condition in Kerala from Kumily.
	() Thanks

25th November 2010, 21:41	#1877
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,368 Thanked: 3,467 Times	Trichy-Dindigul is doable, although there are diversions thanks to construction. No serious problems. Climb up the ghats to Kumili is very bad, but that is only a few kms. But teh worst route will be Kanjirapalli/Mundakayam to Ranni - roads are in bad shape. And be prepared for some mad traffic of Sabarimala pilgrims.
	() Thanks

26th November 2010, 11:27	#1879
anachronix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madras Posts: 3,286 Thanked: 1,337 Times View My Garage	Thanks HVK & SVK I thought the road work would have been completed by now! The Sabarimala traffic is going to be something. Last year, the traffic was blocked at the Kumily checkpost for close to 2 hours in the midnight!
	() Thanks

26th November 2010, 11:35	#1880
mykal shoemaker BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 256 Thanked: 60 Times	There are reports of heavy rain in and around Madurai,Dindigul area. So check for latest road conditions.
	() Thanks

26th November 2010, 13:59	#1881
Sudhindra BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 134 Thanked: 69 Times	Trip to Sabarimala Hi Guys, Planning to visit sabarimala from bangalore early next month for the first time. Also this would be our first long trip in my contessa, I have been planning to take Hosur - > salem -> Dhindugal -> sabrimala route, my friends have been insisting via Mysore -> Bandipur - > Nilambur - > thrissur route as to avoid toll boths and also distance is less. How is the route via mysore and about road conditions? is this route preferable? I am of two minds whether to drive in my contessa or instead book some other car.. please guide me. Thanks in advance.
	() Thanks

26th November 2010, 16:55	#1882
ajithbr BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York, Banga Posts: 472 Thanked: 118 Times	Are you planning directly to Sabarimala? Or en-route temples like Guruvayur etc. ? It takes about 7 to 8 hours to reach Thrissur through Nilambur route and that is fairly predictable (good roads, less traffic etc.). Beyond Thrissur is a bit unpredictable due to intermittant rains, Kerala traffic(if you are on peak-hours passing towns), 4-laning work till Angamaly and usual Sabarimala traffic in the last stretch of your journey on this route.
	() Thanks

26th November 2010, 19:11	#1884
ajithbr BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York, Banga Posts: 472 Thanked: 118 Times	Bangalore->Dindigul : Approx 375 kms Dindigul->Theni->Kumily->Kanjirapalli->Sabarimala : Approx 275 kms TOTAL => 650 kms Bangalore->Mysore->Nilambur->Trichur : Approx 400 kms Trichur->Angamaly->Sabarimala : Approx 200 kms TOTAL => 600 kms
	() Thanks

29th November 2010, 10:26	#1886
Sudhindra BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 134 Thanked: 69 Times	@Ajithbr,sbraj & sbkumar: Thanks all for your replies. Based on your replies i have altered my plans. Let me know if its right or please give if any more suggestions. The plan is as follows: Bangalore - > Mysore--> Nanjangud(will halt here for visit) - > Thirssur(Night Halt) --> Sabarimala --> Chottanikara--> Guruvayur--> bangalore. Although we have been to trips in our conty,even in ghat sections, this is our first trip to Sabarimala (infact kerala) which is a long one, so had doubts about kerala region. Option of booking another car is ruled out by my friends and they are stuck behind going in my conty as our previous attempt to go to kerla was spoiled by adamant tourist cab driver(long story). To cut short, we are 5 members going including me and 4 of them can drive. Regards, Last edited by Sudhindra : 29th November 2010 at 10:33. Reason: Information to be added
	() Thanks

29th November 2010, 10:43	#1887
aargee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TSTN Posts: 6,353 Thanked: 10,062 Times	@Sudhindra - If you've any questions on Sabarimala route, pls let me know. Also I think the route will be better if you do Thrissur - Guruvayur - Sabarimala - Chottanikara - Bangalore. Reason? Guruvayur is close proximity to Thrissur & Chottanikara is enroute from Sabarimala towards BLR. So you can take Sabarimala - Chottanikara - Ernakulam - Thrissur - Palakkad - Coimbatore - BLR. If you need any info on Sabarimala, pls see my travelogue on
	() Thanks

29th November 2010, 11:14	#1888
poloman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,331 Thanked: 6,092 Times	in my return trip from Thrissur last week, i was planning to take the Thrissur>>Nilambur>>Mysore>>Bangalore after being fed up with bad state of Palakkad-Thrissur NH47.But a drive of around 10 km near Pattambi made me alter my plans and took NH47 again instead. The road was so bad and I was was scared of what lies ahead after Pattambi towards Nilambur. Even Pattambi> Kulappuly stretch is horribly bad. After that till Palakkad it is a breeze. Rains can damage Kerala roads in no time. Thrissur> Shoranur>Kulappully>Palakkad will be a better alternative. Also Mysore> Nanjangud>Bandipur stretch is in very bad shape it seems. So be prepared for a bone jarring ride. Last edited by poloman : 29th November 2010 at 11:19.
	() Thanks

29th November 2010, 11:25	#1889
Sudhindra BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 134 Thanked: 69 Times	@aargee & poloman: So you guys suggest NH highway instead of state highways? The route which i had mentioned earlier is around 1250Kms, mostly all are on state highways.
	() Thanks

29th November 2010, 11:42	#1890
aargee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TSTN Posts: 6,353 Thanked: 10,062 Times	@Sudhindra - Keeping my answer simple, take the SH if you love the scenics & breezy drive at the cost of time; use the NH to enjoy high speed driving & save time. I strongly vouch @Poloman's route on Thrissur - Palakkad. Last edited by aargee : 29th November 2010 at 11:44.
	() Thanks