[srimath]

Originally Posted by DWind

If you are going to reach Tiruvallur during non-peak hours (read before 7 AM) you can also try Tirupathi - Tiruthani - Tiruvallur - nazarethpettai - Vandalur (via Outer Ring Road) - GST - Chengalpattu and carry on.
Another option from Tiruvallur is Tiruvallur - Sriperumbadur (2 Lane but good roads except for last 2 kms) - Oragadam - Singaperumal Koil- Chengalpattu - GST.

I see Melattur listed near Tirukarugavur in Google maps, then the fastest option from GST road would be through Tiruchi- Thanjavur- Saliamangalam and then take the road to Papanasam and turn near Tirukarugavur

Originally Posted by ampere

I thought of this option too. But seems like it adds a lot more distance. Because one needs to head past Tanjore.

Thank you DWind & ampere. I may need to di Tirupati - Tiruchendur - Melattur. Google maps shows two routes to Tiruchendur, via Salem and via the GST. Salem route is longer by around 30 KM. Which route do you suggest and how are the road conditions. Thanks in Advance.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by srimath

Thank you DWind & ampere. I may need to di Tirupati - Tiruchendur - Melattur. Google maps shows two routes to Tiruchendur, via Salem and via the GST. Salem route is longer by around 30 KM. Which route do you suggest and how are the road conditions. Thanks in Advance.

Either of the option would be good. Salem option is just fine. You can go ahead that way.

[ramanan.skr]

Hi All,
We are planning for a Kumbakonam trip this weekend for 3/4 days. Please let me know

1. A Faster and smoother route to go from Chennai.

2. Stay options in Kumbakonam. Budget - 2K

3. I have listed down few temples to see according to my knowledge.

Please add anymore that holds importance
a. 9 Navagraha Temples
b. Kumbeswarar Temple
c. Sarangapani Temple
d. Thirukarugavoor Temple
e. Thiruvidaimarudoor/Thirubhuvanam
f. Opiliappar
g. Darasuram

Thanks!

[hserus]

Chidambaram
Garbharakshambikai (thirukarugavur) if any family member is pregnant
Thirukadaiyur
Dozens of old temples within Kumbakonam itself

These first three are on the highway that leads from Kumbakonam past Pondy and cuddalore, as is oppiliappan, Thirunallar among the Navagraha temples (and also I think Thirunageswaram). Narrow and winding road but in reasonably good shape and beautiful till it joins the ecr

Hotels - You can try hotel rayas at that rate - has air con and decent parking, centrally located near the masi magham tank. Book well in advance. There's an excellent restaurant a bit straight ahead and to the left (something Bhavan) for banana leaf meals

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by ramanan.skr

Hi All,
We are planning for a Kumbakonam trip this weekend for 3/4 days. Please let me know

The best route would be via NH45 till Ulundurpet toll, then deviate towards Ulundurpet town, Vriddhachalam, jayamkondan, gangai konda cholapuram and Anaikarai to Kumbakonam

If you are visiting Uppiliappan temple, do visit nachiar and Thirucherai also. These are part of 108 divya desams

[ampere]

Originally Posted by ramanan.skr

Hi All,
We are planning for a Kumbakonam trip this weekend for 3/4 days. Please let me know
1. A Faster and smoother route to go from Chennai.

Chennai-Ulundurpet-Vridhachalam-Jayamkondam-Kumbakonam

2. Stay options in Kumbakonam. Budget - 2K

- Rayas
- PLA Residency
- Sara Regency (A bit on the higher side)

3. I have listed down few temples to see according to my knowledge.
Please add anymore that holds importance
a. 9 Navagraha Temples

You can do this in 1 day, but dont drive on your own, but book a cab. Get the farther ones completed first. (Alangudi, Thirunallar, Thiruvangadu, Keezhaperumpallam and Vaitheshawaran Kovil). If possible you can also cover Suryanaar and Kanjanoor in the same order.

Thirunageshwaram and Uppiliappan can seen together. They are close by.

b. Kumbeswarar Temple
c. Sarangapani Temple
f. Opiliappar
e. Thiruvidaimarudoor/Thirubhuvanam

Cover it as a part of city (one day)

d. Thirukarugavoor Temple

May be cover this with Alagundi on Day 1.

g. Darasuram

Keep it for last day morning before you drive back to Chennai.


D1: Chennai-KMU by 1/2 PM. In the evening visit: Alangudi (Guru) and Thirukarugavoor and back

D2: Complete: Shani-Kethu-Budhan-Chevvai by lunch and come back to Kumbhakonam. Post lunch start at 3PM and can cover Suryanaar, Kanjanoor, Thiruvidaimarudoor, Thirunageswharam, Uppiliappan

D3: Local city temples:

Kumbeswarar Temple
Sarangapani Temple
You can also move Thiruvidaimarudoor to this day.

D4: Visit Darasuram (and also if you wish: Swamimalai) and drive back home.

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by ramanan.skr

Hi All,
We are planning for a Kumbakonam trip this weekend for 3/4 days. Please let me know

Regarding the place of stay, I would suggest you to stay in Thirunageswaram (close to Uppiliappan temple). I stayed in Sri Chakra Homes. The rooms were very decent and the tariff is about Rs 1250/day. The contact person is Mr Sundaresan. His no. is 09751216435. This is about 6 kms from the kumbakonam town

[Prodigy07]

Hi All,

How's the current road condition via Ulundurpet - Panruti - Jayamkondam - Anaicut Bridge - Kumbakonam?

Looking at smooth and safe roads. Options please!

I'm planning to start from Chennai around 1.30 pm.

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by Prodigy07

Hi All,

How's the current road condition via Ulundurpet - Panruti - Jayamkondam - Anaicut Bridge - Kumbakonam?

Looking at smooth and safe roads. Options please!

I'm planning to start from Chennai around 1.30 pm.

No need to touch Panruti. After Ulundurpet, proceed to Vriddhachalam and then get to Jayamkondan.
Infact the T Polur route is also good to commute.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by Prodigy07

How's the current road condition via Ulundurpet - Panruti - Jayamkondam - Anaicut Bridge - Kumbakonam?

Vriddachalam bypass-Jayamkondam-Anaikarai-Kumbakonam is in good condition. Done 3 weeks back.

Veppur-Vriddachalam is a disaster (lunar surface), avoid at any cost! Didn't try Ulundurpet-Vriddachalam. Panruti is part of the Vikravandi route, not Ulundurpet route.

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Vriddachalam bypass-Jayamkondam-Anaikarai-Kumbakonam is in good condition. Done 3 weeks back.

Veppur-Vriddachalam is a disaster (lunar surface), avoid at any cost! Didn't try Ulundurpet-Vriddachalam. Panruti is part of the Vikravandi route, not Ulundurpet route.

While coming from chennai to kumbakonam, Veppur-Vriddhachalam route does not come into the picture.
The recommended route would be Chennai-Dindivanam-Ulundurpet-Vriddhachalam-Managalampettai-Jayamkondan- T Polur to Kumbakonam.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

While coming from chennai to kumbakonam, Veppur-Vriddhachalam route does not come into the picture.

Was done in an attempt to maximize 4-lane usage to reduce time. The stretch ended up costing us time instead.

Anyways all these are workarounds to avoid the conventional Vikravandi-Panruti-Neyveli-Sethiathope-Kumbakonam road thats not been in good condition for a while.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Anyways all these are workarounds to avoid the conventional Vikravandi-Panruti-Neyveli-Sethiathope-Kumbakonam road thats not been in good condition for a while.

Its actually quite surprising that this arterial road continues to be in bad shape while most other highways in TN are in superb condition. Dont know what the take on this section is?

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by ampere

Its actually quite surprising that this arterial road continues to be in bad shape while most other highways in TN are in superb condition. Dont know what the take on this section is?

Call it coincidence or something else. The NH's that originate and end in TN state are in a pitiable condition unlike the SH's . Eg Krishnagiri-Tiruvannamalai NH, Veppur Koot Road (NH532) etc...

[Prodigy07]

Here's the road condition update from my recent trip to Kumbakonam and Karaikal.
My parents wanted to visit Vaitheeswaran Kovil during the onward journey. So, we took the below route.

Chennai (Ramapuram) - Chengalpet - Tindivanam - Pondy - Cuddalore - Chidambaram - Sirkazhi - Vaitheeswaran Koil - Mayiladuthurai - Kumbakonam

Chennai - Pondy - Super Good roads
Pondy - Cuddalore - Chidambaram - Pathetic
Chidambaram - Sirkazhi Bypass - Good
Sirkazhi - Kumbakonam - Manageable, but lots of potholes

Return Journey

Kumbakonam - Thiruvarur - Nagore Bypass - Karaikal - Tranquebar - Thirukadaiyur - Sirkazhi bypass - Chidambaram - Cuddalore - Pondy - Chennai

Kumbakonam - Thiruvarur - Very Good
Thiruavarur - Nagore Bypass - Karaikal - Good
Karaikal - Sirkazhi - Manageable