[daisyb]

How far is Dhanushkodi from the 22 wells of Rameswaram. What am I to expect here. Pointers to pics please

[NPV]

Originally Posted by daisyb

How far is Dhanushkodi from the 22 wells of Rameswaram. What am I to expect here. Pointers to pics please

The road to Dhanushkodi is a right turn just before you reach the temple (temple has the 22 wells) - about 15-20Km drive. The erstwhile town was washed away in a cyclone in the 60's and you get to drive on the ruts in the sand to see the ruins. It's a must-visit place if you're going to Rameswaram.
More details in my travelogue here, hope this helps. You can also google Dhanushkodi for more reading.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by daisyb

How far is Dhanushkodi from the 22 wells of Rameswaram. What am I to expect here. Pointers to pics please

You should park your car at Rameshwaram and take a jeep to Dhanushkodi.
That works out much better.

I think its about 20km from the temple.

[daisyb]

Planning to include Trivandrum to the itenerary. From Trivandrum, is there a separate route to Bangalore. Or do we have to come back to Nagercoil, and take the NH7 to Bangalore.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by daisyb

Planning to include Trivandrum to the itenerary. From Trivandrum, is there a separate route to Bangalore. Or do we have to come back to Nagercoil, and take the NH7 to Bangalore.

NH7 is always the fastest. May be for a change you also an alternate route to Madurai via Thenmala to enjoy the ghats.
You can come to Madurai via Rajaplayam, Sriviliputtur. Get back on NH7 again from Madurai.

TVM-Rajapalayam:

Pramod knows better as he took this route once.
TVM-Nedumangad-Palode-Thenmala-Rajapalayam-Sriviliputtur-Madurai

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post2554991

[NPV]

Originally Posted by daisyb

Planning to include Trivandrum to the itenerary.

Do include a visit to Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum.
I would also suggest visits to Suchindram Temple and Padmanabhapuram palace (these 2 places can be visited on your way to Trivandrum from Kanyakumari via Nagercoil).
I'd visited these 2 places from Kanyakumari as a day trip starting in the afternoon and returning late evening - more details in my travelogue link that I mentioned in the earlier post.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by ampere

TVM-Nedumangad-Palode-Thenmala-Rajapalayam-Sriviliputtur-Madurai

Traffic is manageable till Tenkasi. Tenkasi-Tirumangalam is flooded with all sorts of traffic, its best done in day. Evening hours after dark is strict no-no. I've heard Srivi-Tirumangalam is undergoing road widening recently.

The best way to do Trivandrum-Bangalore is to start at Trivandrum early morning 4-5am, so that you cross Nagercoil before civilization wakes up. Once you cross Kavalkinaru, its piece of cake, just step on the gas and cruise home!

[ampere]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Traffic is manageable till Tenkasi. Tenkasi-Tirumangalam is flooded with all sorts of traffic, its best done in day. Evening hours after dark is strict no-no. I've heard Srivi-Tirumangalam is undergoing road widening recently.

The best way to do Trivandrum-Bangalore is to start at Trivandrum early morning 4-5am, so that you cross Nagercoil before civilization wakes up. Once you cross Kavalkinaru, its piece of cake, just step on the gas and cruise home!

Agreed. But he had asked for an alternative route to enjoy on the way back. Hence suggested the Thenmala option.
Else NH7 is the standard answer.

[daisyb]

Originally Posted by NPV

Do include a visit to Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum.
I would also suggest visits to Suchindram Temple and Padmanabhapuram palace (these 2 places can be visited on your way to Trivandrum from Kanyakumari via Nagercoil).
I'd visited these 2 places from Kanyakumari as a day trip starting in the afternoon and returning late evening - more details in my travelogue link that I mentioned in the earlier post.

Thanks NPV, after going through your travalogue have included Padmanabhapuram palace. Other than padmanabhaswamy temple and kovalam beach, what are the other must see places in Trivandrum. Wanted to include poovar, but dropped it after seeing the reviews in mouthshut.

Originally Posted by ampere

Agreed. But he had asked for an alternative route to enjoy on the way back. Hence suggested the Thenmala option.
Else NH7 is the standard answer.

Yes Ampere, thats right. wanted to try a different route as long as the road is ok.

Originally Posted by narayans80

Traffic is manageable till Tenkasi. Tenkasi-Tirumangalam is flooded with all sorts of traffic, its best done in day. Evening hours after dark is strict no-no. I've heard Srivi-Tirumangalam is undergoing road widening recently.

The best way to do Trivandrum-Bangalore is to start at Trivandrum early morning 4-5am, so that you cross Nagercoil before civilization wakes up. Once you cross Kavalkinaru, its piece of cake, just step on the gas and cruise home!

Thanks narayan. For what stretch (in kms) is the road widening going on. Is the road overall drivable. Wanted to try a different route. But if it is going to stress the tyres, I would rather avoid this.

Originally Posted by ampere

NH7 is always the fastest. May be for a change you also an alternate route to Madurai via Thenmala to enjoy the ghats.
You can come to Madurai via Rajaplayam, Sriviliputtur. Get back on NH7 again from Madurai.

TVM-Rajapalayam:

Pramod knows better as he took this route once.
TVM-Nedumangad-Palode-Thenmala-Rajapalayam-Sriviliputtur-Madurai

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post2554991

If I can do this route, can cover Sriviliputtur too. I dont expect this to be the same as NH7. But is the road overall drivable (pothole free?). I am fine with the traffic, will get to see the village side.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by daisyb

Thanks narayan. For what stretch (in kms) is the road widening going on. Is the road overall drivable. Wanted to try a different route. But if it is going to stress the tyres, I would rather avoid this.



If I can do this route, can cover Sriviliputtur too. I dont expect this to be the same as NH7. But is the road overall drivable (pothole free?). I am fine with the traffic, will get to see the village side.

I drove from Bangalore to Tenkasi last June'12. From Thirumangalam to Tenkasi, the 2L roads are in good condition - no potholes, though winding all throughtout.

Yes, they were doing road widening in most places between Tenkasi & Rajapalayam, but that is absolutely nothing to worry about. All you got to be is careful in many blind turns, especially after sunset.

-Ravi

[daisyb]

Originally Posted by ravib

I drove from Bangalore to Tenkasi last June'12. From Thirumangalam to Tenkasi, the 2L roads are in good condition - no potholes, though winding all throughtout.

Yes, they were doing road widening in most places between Tenkasi & Rajapalayam, but that is absolutely nothing to worry about. All you got to be is careful in many blind turns, especially after sunset.

-Ravi

Thanks Ravi. We will drive only during the day. Your update gives me hope.

[daisyb]

1. Where can I find the temple open/close timings - for temples in KK, Rameswaram, Madurai, Suchindram, Padmanabhaswamy temple, Nagercoil

2. How are the TTDC hotels in Kanyakumari, Rameswaram, Madurai. Reviews please

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by daisyb

1. Where can I find the temple open/close timings - for temples in KK, Rameswaram, Madurai, Suchindram, Padmanabhaswamy temple, Nagercoil

Kanyakumari:Morning:04:30 AM to 12:00 Noon & 4:00 PM to 08:15 PM

Rameswaram: Open from 5am to 1pm and from 3pm to 9pm

Madurai:5.00 am to 12.30 p.m. & 4.00 pm to 9.30 pm

Suchindram:4:30 AM to 11:45 AM, and 5:30 to 8:45 PM.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple:http://sreepadmanabhaswamytemple.org/darshan-timing.htm

Nagercoil:8am to 1pm and from 4pm to 8pm

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by daisyb

Wanted to include poovar, but dropped it after seeing the reviews in mouthshut.

Was there in Poovar this May, I liked it.

Originally Posted by daisyb

For what stretch (in kms) is the road widening going on. Is the road overall drivable. Wanted to try a different route. But if it is going to stress the tyres, I would rather avoid this.

Road is typical 2-lane. I had done Tenkasi-Srivilliputtur, had no complaints on road condition except for inside the town (which is ok), traffic was the only problem. Esp driving under lights with misc traffic between 6-9pm was a pretty irritating experience. So if you drive, drive in day and don't border early evening hours in Tenkasi-Tirumangalam. Trivandrum-Tenkasi was pretty peaceful in relative sense.

Originally Posted by daisyb

1. Where can I find the temple open/close timings - for temples in KK, Rameswaram, Madurai, Suchindram, Padmanabhaswamy temple, Nagercoil

2. How are the TTDC hotels in Kanyakumari, Rameswaram, Madurai. Reviews please

I vaguely remember Padmanabhaswamy opens at 330pm in the afternoon. Madurai Meenakshi closes 1-4pm, Rameswaram and Suchindram should be similar. Padmanabhaswamy temple insists on dress code, not sure about women, but for men carry a dhoti.

TTDC in Kanyakumari has the best view for sunrise. Wouldn't recommend TTDC in any other place. In Madurai, try Hotel Metropole (recommended by NPV) which is north of Madurai, but this would be easier if you come via Trichy or via Dindigul-Natham since you are driving in from Bangalore!

[daisyb]

Thanks a lot Ranjit for the temple timings. Will help a lot in planning.

Originally Posted by narayans80

Was there in Poovar this May, I liked it.

I am looking for getting in to water kind of experience. The review @ this thread helped me decide dropping it . http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Poov...iew-pnormupqnn

Originally Posted by narayans80

I vaguely remember Padmanabhaswamy opens at 330pm in the afternoon. Madurai Meenakshi closes 1-4pm, Rameswaram and Suchindram should be similar. Padmanabhaswamy temple insists on dress code, not sure about women, but for men carry a dhoti.

Thanks a lot for the info regaring dhoti. Totally unprepared till now.