[PRADEEP KUMAR]

Thanjavur you can take Rameswaram-Ramanathapuram-Tondi-Mimisal-Nagapattinam-Thiruvarur-Thanjavur.


From nagapattinam- nagore- karaikal-chidambaram- cuddalore- pondy

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by ampere

Rameshwaram-Ramnad-Pudukottai-Trichy Byass - Ulundurpet - Villupuram - Pondicherry.

I wouldn't suggest National Horror 210. Its perennially in bad condition unless you have latest news that its good. Last I heard Trichy-Karaikudi section was under road work, this was 2 years back.

Originally Posted by ampere

If you start by 3/4 I doubt you can do the temples at Tanjore/GKC. Wont it be too late. And these temples are far too big to be seen through a fast visit. You will need to spend time here.

The best he can see is just Thanjavur, which closes at 1pm. I took 5-5.5 hrs for Rameswaram-Nagapattinam as a driving newbie in evening hours. The roads are virtually empty from Ramnad onwards. Am budgeting 1.5 hrs for Nagapattinam-Thanjavur. With a 3-4am start he should be there at worst 10-11am.

Covering GKC as well would be impossible given the timeframe to reach Pondy.

If he wants to cover both, the best is to leave previous night and stay near Thanjavur.

Originally Posted by PRADEEP KUMAR

From nagapattinam- nagore- karaikal-chidambaram- cuddalore- pondy

I avoided that section for traffic concerns. Especially Cuddalore-Pondy.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by narayans80

I wouldn't suggest National Horror 210. Its perennially in bad condition unless you have latest news that its good. Last I heard Trichy-Karaikudi section was under road work, this was 2 years back.

NH210 is now a dream road as per what I know. They have relaid the whole section with bypasses too! Hence I suggested that option.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by ampere

NH210 is now a dream road as per what I know. They have relaid the whole section with bypasses too! Hence I suggested that option.

Are you serious? I've had only nightmares of this route, but these were about a decade back. A friend took about 2 years back and he was the one who said they were widening and relaying the road then.

In that case taking NH210 from Devipattinam to Pudukottai and THanjavur from there is the fastest.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Are you serious? I've had only nightmares of this route, but these were about a decade back. A friend took about 2 years back and he was the one who said they were widening and relaying the road then.

Yes many I remember saying that 210 was a nightmare. And now its one of the beautiful roads to drive !

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post3255266


http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post3334347

[skdking]

Originally Posted by ampere

Yes many I remember saying that 210 was a nightmare. And now its one of the beautiful roads to drive !

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post3255266


http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post3334347

Hello Amp,

Can you suggest a hotel in the range of 2500/- per room per day in the outskirts of Madurai?

For an end-August trip.

I want to avoid the Madurai traffic and visit Meenakshi temple by auto/taxi.

From Madurai I want to go to Rameswaram. So a hotel towards the East will suit me better.

Thanks in advance.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by skdking

From Madurai I want to go to Rameswaram. So a hotel towards the East will suit me better.

Since you come down from Chennai side, check out hotel Metropole. Seems to be a good place. You can head on to NH49 with ease.

http://the-metropolehotel.com/

[ckmraja]

Went on a trip to Madurai and cameback to Chennai

Update on the Toll charges Info and Condition

Toll Charges one way from Chennai to Madurai
1. Paranur Toll Plaza - Rs 35.00
2. Athur Toll Plaza - Rs 35.00
3. Ulunderpet Toll Plaza - Rs 70.00
4. Sengurichi Toll Plaza - Rs 45.00
5. Thirumandurai Toll Plaza - Rs 45.00
6. Samayapuram Toll Plaza - Rs 35.00
7. Boothakudi Toll Plaza - Rs 65.00
8. Chitampatti Toll Plaza - Rs 70.00

Total Toll Paid from Chennai to Madurai - Rs. 400.00, we need to pay additional 10 Rs for entering Madurai City Limits.

Condition of the Roads
Pretty good most of the strech, except road work for 3KMS before Trichy, diversion boards are in place. Be careful while driving in this section as drums has been placed as barricade and its placed unevenly. Please ensure caution while driving in the night.

[phamilyman]

So I took the ECR to pondy and was the worst decision ever. Took me about 8 hours of driving time (excluding one hour of breaks).

It was the ECR all the way - initially it was really quick wide roads till ~20km short of adiramapattinam (?) then closer to nagapattinam and then post karaikal the road was barely enough for two cars to pass abreast, really killing the average speeds. I would agree with everyone who suggested the NH45 route. Makes complete sense.

We got misled because NH45 was shown by GMaps as 465km and ECR (only partially) as 372km. In the end we did 431km.

What pissed me off no end was horrible lack of english signage on this so called NH45A road. There were atleast half a dozen places where just before the turn it was only Tamil. Atleast at the turn marking both languages would've really helped. So many times I overshot an intersection , only to see an english board which clarifies the route AFTER the intersection. I was expecting better from NHAI.

[skdking]

Folks,

Ampere has suggested Hotel Metropole in Madurai.

Any idea of its tariff?

[pushpender_s]

Hi
Next week I will be going to friend's marriage to Vendanpatti from Urapakkam (Marriage on 31st Aug).
My wife will also be with me and I would be going to Kodaikanal and Rameswaram also.

Detailed itinerary is as below:

28th : Reach Kodiakanal by around 12 PM
29th : Stay in kodai
30th : Leave kodai by 9 AM and reach Madurai by 12 PM. Visit Meenakshi temple and reach Rameswaram by 5 PM.
31st : Leave Rameswaram by 5 AM and reach Vendanpatti by 9 AM. Have to attend wedding till 12 PM and then return to Urapakkam.

Just need advise whether the planning of 30th & 31st Aug doable?

Secondly, will I be able to squeeze Thanjaur on 31st? Wouldn't mind reaching Urapakkam at late night.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by skdking

Any idea of its tariff?

NPV had stayed there 2 years back, you can check with him.

Originally Posted by pushpender_s

30th : Leave kodai by 9 AM and reach Madurai by 12 PM. Visit Meenakshi temple and reach Rameswaram by 5 PM.
31st : Leave Rameswaram by 5 AM and reach Vendanpatti by 9 AM. Have to attend wedding till 12 PM and then return to Urapakkam.

Leave much earlier from Kodaikanal, like 6-7am. It will take about 4-4.5 hrs. Parking will be a pain in the rear.

I hope you meant this Vendanpatti ? If so you should be able to reach Thanjavur in 3 hrs time taking Kottampatti-Trichy-Thanjavur. Theoretically you can make it back in around midnight. But am not sure how you'll be able to manage getting 5am attending a wedding and spend 2 hrs ish going around the temple and driving about 600-700 km inbetween. That I'll leave it to your capabilities The route you can use is Rameswaram-Ramnad-Devipattinam-Karaikudi-Tirupattur-Vendanpatti-Kottampatti-Trichy-Thanjavur-Trichy-Madras.

Except for Tirupattur-Vendanpatti which I have no idea, rest of the roads are in good condition.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by pushpender_s

30th : Leave kodai by 9 AM and reach Madurai by 12 PM. Visit Meenakshi temple and reach Rameswaram by 5 PM.

Would the Meenakshi temple at Madurai be open at 12PM (I doubt)?

Going by what Narayan mentioned about the location of Vendanpatti, you can take the Rameshwaram-Ramnad-Karaikudi-Tirupathur option. Thats good road all the way.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by ampere

Would the Meenakshi temple at Madurai be open at 12PM (I doubt)?

Once you are in we've come out even at 1230-1PM. But we've always entered by 10-1030am though. But the key problem is Kodai-Madurai will take more than 3 hrs, getting to Madurai outskirts is one task entering the city and finding a parking slot near the temple another

[NPV]

Originally Posted by skdking

Folks,

Ampere has suggested Hotel Metropole in Madurai.

Any idea of its tariff?

It was 2400/- for a double A/C room back in 2011, not sure now.
Why don't you check their website or call them on the phone ?