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At Theni you have one called Meenakshi Bhavan.

Following is the location:

If one is coming from Dindugul side, let him/her take the Theni bypass.
The by-pass would meet NH49 from Madurai and then would come back to meet NH45 again (or NH220). The hotel is I think about half a km from this meeting point.

Isn't this right next to a Bharat Petroleum fuel station in Theni or am I confused ? Sorry stupid:

Yes that is the one @NPV. What I wanted to explain was while coming from Dindigul, one need to worry about the taking the by-pass.
In spite of that he/she can still reach the hotel, because its on the road after the Madurai road hits NH45/NH220.

(There is small bridge one needs to cross before reaching this place).

Just a doubt. I see that there is a road from Bodi to Top station.
Is that usable today? Has anyone tried it? HVK?

AFAIK, there is no such direct road from Bodinayakanur or Bodimedu to Top Station without touching Munnar. What you see marked in GM is not a road, but some other line (maybe the KL-TN State border)

HVK,

This is what I was talking about:

Top Station to Bodi in Wikimapia

While looking closer one section says ropeway, but the other seemed like a road.
Snapshots shown below.

No such road. Even in wikimapia, if you look closely, I see only rivulets, not roads. At Top Station, the only road is the one leading to Vattavada (and the now-defunct road to Berijam/Kodaikanal)

No such road as confirmed by a "Munnarian".He says it must be some trek trail or some pathway for water which gets filled during some seasons and becomes a rivulet like HVK mentioned.

This was very much on the road. There is a new restaurant more good looking than this couple of stores away. I tried this while going last Monday. Alsofilled up at the BP next door to Meenakshi. But missed the right to Bodi from this route, had to come back 5 kms + to take the turning again.
Was there a by-pass? I may have missed. I just went straight into what looked like town of Theni, crossed a signal etc., and then reached this place.

Here is the route link for the by-pass.

Unknown road to Theni - Madurai Rd/NH 49 - Google Maps

Wikimapia:
Wikimapia - Let's describe the whole world!

Roads till Poopara are very good on Bodi side. But Poopara - Munnar stretch is not at all maintained properly, but definitely do-able. Chinnakanal Falls to Munnar is also narrow and dicey at certain places. Interestingly I found Bodi route to be more busy than the Marayoor route. Went via Marayoor and came back by Bodi, this weekend. IMO, the Bodi route is good for descent only.

Interesting point. The reason I say that is because, most folks want to spend more time on the Marayoor section.
Hence they prefer that for the return leg. Because once you are the highway, delay/darkness wont matter as it would in the hills.

But the very fact that the roads are not good, is altogether a different proposition.
One needs to consider that into the equation as well.

Visiting Munnar on Nov 25th and a few clarifications required. Leaving bangalore (K. R. Puram) on 25th morning, Friday, around 7 am. I drive at very moderate speeds - 80 km/hr would be the max speed on excellent roads - car is 1.5-year-old Alto LXI - 9500 kms on odo.

1. By what time would i reach Munnar and where can i plan my lunch?
2. I have bookings at Forest Haven Resorts - a) How is this place and food here? b) Should i cross Munnar town to reach this place if I take the Udumalpetai route (always prefer good roads-love my car)?
3. Good VEG hotels in Munnar?
4. IMPORTANT: I have just 1 day (26th Saturday) for sightseeing - a) Is it better to go sightseeing in my car itself OR are there sightseeing packages in mini buses (as in Kodai) from Munnar town - if yes, any idea about the rates?
5. IMPORTANT: Must see places in Munnar and those that can be skipped.
6. Finally, update on road conditions from Kollegal (roads are good until Kollegal) onwards via Sathyamangalam>Annur>Avanashi>Udumalpet>Munnar. Advantage/disadvantage of taking this route.

Additional information/suggestions are most welcome. Thanku.

Hi,
am providing answers to thew questions that i am sure of. 6th question - i have not done that route.

1. By what time would i reach Munnar and where can i plan my lunch?
Assuming you leave by 7:00 am - you should reach Munnar by 5:00/6:00pm. Bhavani will be a logical lunch stop.

2. I have bookings at Forest Haven Resorts - a) How is this place and food here? b) Should i cross Munnar town to reach this place if I take the Udumalpetai route (always prefer good roads-love my car)?
Forest Haven is right near the turn off to Matupetti Dam. You can call it "heart of Munnar Town". accommodation is decent here, sorry not tried food.

3. Good VEG hotels in Munnar?
There are a couple of Veg hotels but not sure about the quality.

4. IMPORTANT: I have just 1 day (26th Saturday) for sightseeing - a) Is it better to go sightseeing in my car itself OR are there sightseeing packages in mini buses (as in Kodai) from Munnar town - if yes, any idea about the rates?
If you can drive, that is the best thing to do, trust me. Places are easily locatable. There are route boards at logical points and the locals are very helpful. Pakages vary from place to place. They have packages from 300 - 1500/-, depending on what you want to see. Please note that JEEPs are the prominant taxis here. For a local Munnar sight seeing, they charge 300/-. For a night safari to Chinnar and back, they charge 1500/-.

5. IMPORTANT: Must see places in Munnar and those that can be skipped.
Well, Let me answer this question this way - Instead of checking the must see places, See what appeals to your heart. I mean there is a sunrise point in kolukkumalai, Botanical gardens, Tea estates, waterfalls, Mattupetty Dam & boating etc etc. Which ever appeals to you the most, please visit that. I would suggest to avoid Eravikulam National Park.

Route via Kollegal is OK. Connecting via Annur-Avinashi-Udumalaipet means using state and district roads with poor or no English signage. Besides, they are narrower and have more miscellaneous traffic. I would prefer the route via Salem & Dindigul. If you want to go via Udumalaipet, I prefer Salem-Perunthurai-Gangeyam-Dharapuram-Udumalipet.