[ns94]

All,

Did a Kumbakonam Pondy trip last weekend. This might not be the exact forum but felt a couple of updates could be useful to others:

1. The Cuddalore Pondy stretch is in good condition. Appears to have been widened compared to a few months ago

2. Average to above average road conditions in the Kumbakonam - Mayiladuthurai - Sirkazhi - Chidambaram stretch (Chidambaram and Sirkali bypasses were in good condition)

Question for others who might have taken the Anaikarai route

How is the condition between Vadalur and Meensurutty? (the last time there were deep and frequent potholes in the entire stretch)

[Yieldway17]

Originally Posted by ns94

All,

Question for others who might have taken the Anaikarai route

How is the condition between Vadalur and Meensurutty? (the last time there were deep and frequent potholes in the entire stretch)

Apparently, still in the same very bad condition. I didn't drive or travel this route recently but the driver of the private Volvo bus I was traveling in took the Kurinjipadi route from Vadalur to join at Bhuvanagiri and he mentioned that the stretch until Meensurutty has not improved.

[RGK]

Completed my Kumbakonam trip on 4th August.

Always prefer Chennai - Ulundurpet - Vriddachalam - Jayamkondam - Gangai Konda Cholapuram - Anaikarai - Kumbakonam. The road is fine throughout. The Ulundurpet - Jayamkondam stretch has more speed breakers and one has to be attentive while driving.

I do not take T Pallur route (I take left after Jayamkondam) as it has more curves and consume time.

Thirupanandal to Kumbakonam is being widened as part of Kumbakonam - Chennai road widening project.

[venki.bala]

Originally Posted by RGK

The Ulundurpet - Jayamkondam stretch has more speed breakers and one has to be attentive while driving.

Any specific reasons why you avoid Veppur - Vridachalam By pass - Jayam kondam.

[RGK]

Originally Posted by venki.bala

Any specific reasons why you avoid Veppur - Vridachalam By pass - Jayam kondam.

Nothing specific.

The road condition between Ulundurpet to Vridhachalam is not really bad and why to drive another extra 20 kms.

I cross this road after Vridhachalam and it looks wide and good. Let me try Veppur route next time.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by RGK

The road condition between Ulundurpet to Vridhachalam is not really bad and why to drive another extra 20 kms.

There used to lot of speed breakers on this stretch? Are they all gone?

Also Vppur saves the hassle of getting into the town at Ulundurpet and also Vridhachalam. You directly reach Vridhachalam bypass.

[venki.bala]

Originally Posted by ampere

Also Vppur saves the hassle of getting into the town at Ulundurpet and also Vridhachalam. You directly reach Vridhachalam bypass.

Very true. the extra 20 kms is totally worth as the surface between veppur till vridachalam bypass is very good and very less traffic. Ulunduperpet - Veppur is a breeze and also good restaurants are lined up in this stretch.

[RGK]

Originally Posted by ampere

There used to lot of speed breakers on this stretch? Are they all gone?

Also Vppur saves the hassle of getting into the town at Ulundurpet and also Vridhachalam. You directly reach Vridhachalam bypass.

Originally Posted by venki.bala

Very true. the extra 20 kms is totally worth as the surface between veppur till vridachalam bypass is very good and very less traffic.

No, Still they are, as I have mentioned in my previous post. Both of your replies are bit tempting.... Let me try during the next trip probably in December. Thanks.

[Durango Dude]

Had a flying visit to Kumbakonam on Vijayadasami day (18-10-2018) and returned the next day. The best route is via GST, Villupuram, Ulundurpet, Vridhachallam, Jayamkondam. The roads have been freshly paved and smooth. Had an early start (6am) and reached in 5.5 hours at 11-30am. This is the best route at present.

[Prodigy07]

Hello folks,

Can someone recommend the best route to Thirunallar from Chennai (Ramapuram)?

We are planning for an early morning start at around 5:30 am on 03-Nov.

Also, please suggest good Veg Hotels near Thirunallar temple.

After darshan, we will check-in at Kumbakonam.

Thanks!

[katchkamalesh]

Originally Posted by Prodigy07

Hello folks,

Can someone recommend the best route to Thirunallar from Chennai (Ramapuram)?

I had gone to Thirukadiyur via Neyveli and Bhuvanagiri 2/3 months back. The roads were in pretty bad shape till Chidambaram. I would suggest you to avoid it.

I would suggest you to take the GST > Chengalpet > Thindivinam > Pondy > Cuddalore > Chidambaram > Thirunallar route. The roads are well paved.

Since you plan to start early in the morning, crossing Chennai should be a breeze. However, there would be considerable traffic between Pondy and Cuddalore and it has always been a chaos during peak hours. Also expect one or two potholes every few kms between Cuddalore > Chidambaram > Thirunallar.

Regarding the hotel, I would suggest you to have your breakfast at Cuddalore.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Prodigy07

Can someone recommend the best route to Thirunallar from Chennai (Ramapuram)?

I think roads south of Chidambaram are good. You can try GST - Arasur-Panruti-Sethitayarthope-Chidamabram-Karaikal-Thirunallar.

And return to Kumbakoman would be: Thirunallanar-Peralam-Kollumangadi-Kumbakonam.

[Prodigy07]

Originally Posted by ampere

I think roads south of Chidambaram are good. You can try GST - Arasur-Panruti-Sethitayarthope-Chidamabram-Karaikal-Thirunallar.

And return to Kumbakoman would be: Thirunallanar-Peralam-Kollumangadi-Kumbakonam.

Thanks, Google baba says the road after Arasur ie
between Anathur and Thorapadi is closed.

Is there any construction work going on?

Also could you please suggest good Veg lunch options near Thirunallar?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Prodigy07

Thanks, Google baba says the road after Arasur ie
between Anathur and Thorapadi is closed.
Is there any construction work going on?

Not aware of any. Just yesterday I know folks who took teh Panaruti-Arasur road to came down Thiruvannamalai via Thirukkoiore. So I assume the roads should be open


[qoute]
Also could you please suggest good Veg lunch options near Thirunallar?[/quote]

Not much idea there. But I do remember seeing many though. (That was quite some time back. So, sorry cant be of much help there)

[ravib]

Originally Posted by Prodigy07

Also could you please suggest good Veg lunch options near Thirunallar?

Given that thare are not many great or modern dining hi-fi veg restaurants around Thirunallar/Karaikal sector, i would suggest 2 places.

An year ago, i had decent lunch at Sri Manikandan Mess at Karaikal. The food is good/decent, but ambience is just homely type mess as the name suggests. You have to park in one of the side roads and walk for 100 meters. The location in google maps was not correct when i went and i reported it to google long ago. Looks like its corrected now, but i am still not very confident. From memory, the current gmaps location seems to be correct, but please double check with the local auto drivers and they will guide you properly.

https://goo.gl/maps/aQh49CkaNB32

The other option is Hotel Sri Kandaas which should also be decent.

Check out TripAdvisor which has latest reviews from people.

Tip: In case if you are interested in halwa, Karaikal is also a good place to buy good tasty halwas. Please don't compare it with Tirunelveli halwas though
This is one shop where i bought halwa and it was good : https://goo.gl/maps/irxckQJwTnG2

-Ravi