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-   -   Chennai to Trivandrum (via Kumbakonam, Tanjavur, Papanasam & Courtalam) (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/149395-chennai-trivandrum-via-kumbakonam-tanjavur-papanasam-courtalam.html)

Pics from the car trip I had last week from Chennai to Trivandrum all alone...This time instead of taking the 4 lane, thought of exploring rural Tamil Nadu, delicious food, beauty of nature & the brilliant architecture of temples :) Many people ask me isn't it boring driving alone & my answer to them is always a big noooo...! Its the best time you can have for yourself...

Started @ 5am from T.Nagar, Chennai


Stopped for a coffee after Chengalpet toll @ Kumbakonam Filter Coffee shop

Filter coffee tastes the best in Tamil Nadu, without a doubt!

Brihadeeswara temple at Gangaikondacholapuram temple near Kumbakonam...Built by Cholas in 11th century AD



Excellent piece of architecture..



With beautiful sculptures..



Gangaikondacholapuram temple is one of the 30 World Heritage Sites in India under UNESCO..



Temple maintenance is under UNESCO



There were very few visitors to the temple.

Airavatesvara temple @ Darasuram town, Kumbakonam. Built by another Chola king in 12th century AD



This temple is also under UNESCO's world heritage site.



Architectural beauty shows we were the best, once upon a time..



Surprised to see how well the compound is maintained

Brihadeeswara Temple @ Tanjavur...1000 yrs old temple built by Cholas..



Visiting this temple after 10 long yrs. Last visit was during the 1st yr of Viscom in SRM college. Drawing sculptures was a part of the course



Entrance of the temple



The whole temple is surrounded by Siva Lingas



Corridor surrounding the temple with Siva Lingas inside each grill at RHS..



This temple also comes under world heritage sites listed by UNESCO



:)



As the Nada was closed, a devotee climbing through the back side of the temple without being spotted by anyone else other than my camera



It was quite a task climbing the building. Its higher than what it looks like



:):)

Darbar at Royal Palace, Tanjavur



Royal Palace...Nothing much to see here.



This name has been tagged in my mind forever!



Delicious Mutton Biriyani :D



A quick nap...

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple (Pic wasn't taken by me as my battery went dry & also coz photography is prohibited inside the temple)



Parked the car in a ground near the temple, booked a hotel room. Its already 7pm.



On my last trip to Madurai, my search for the local food ended up here in a small mess named Jayavilas Sappadu Club near to the temple. And what a discovery it was!!



Entrance to the mess



Pic from my last visit to this mess



Thats Neymeen fry, Sivakasi Chicken, Fish Curry & the most delicious Mutton Kola in round shape, which I had for the 1st time.. Heavy!!



As it was at night I visited this place this time, asked the waiter what different dish he can offer. He brought me this, Curry Dosa, one of the most delicious food I ever had! This spicy dish had chicken, egg, onion & tomato



On the way to Tirunnelveli, found this place on the road side..Took a turn immediately.



Spent some time in this lonely place clicking few selfies & my partner's snaps!

Instead of going to Nagercoil, tuk a different route to Trivandrum via Manimuthar Falls,Papanasam,Kutralam Falls



Beauty of Western Ghats



Way to Manimuthar Water Falls



Manimuthar...Unexploited waterfalls inside the forest



Water is so pure and cool here! Its a safe waterfall to get drenched. Also the crowd is very less as many aren't aware of this beautiful place.



And finally I thought of asking someone to take a pic as selfie isn't possible when you are under water! aren't aware of this beautiful place.



Heading to Papanasam temple & Agasthyar falls

Papanasam Siva Temple...This famous temple is situated in the banks of ThamarabharNI River. The place was crowded & sadly wasn't maintained well



Agasthiyar Falls,Papanasam



This water falls is more known than Manimuthar, but didn't find interesting. May be coz it was crowded.



Happened to see this loving mother & child



I felt she is more caring than human beings



Monkeys are aggressive here! One even grabbed my ice stick!! X-(



Dam



Courtallam Falls (Kutraalam)....Sadly it was off season & this is what all I could see

On the way to Tvm, took a turn to Palaruvi falls..Its inside a forest. But the falls was closed for public.



Completely lonely place!



The most amazing railway bridge in Senkottai-Kollam highway..Pathimoonnu Kannara Palam" means 13 well bridge, near Thenmala





Got a company for sometime...School students asked for a lift to save Re.1 that has to be given to private buses.

Madurai - Tirunelveli Highway






Nagarcoil

Nive travelogue VMB with beautiful pictures. Thanks for penning it down.

Did you visit the Shiva temple at papanasam where there are 108 shiva lingams. Of these 2 are bigger in size unlike the rest (I vaguely remember). But yes the temple was not maintained properly.

I wish the TN govt shows more interest in maintaining the temples so as to promote more tourism which will fill the state govt coffers. Or they can hande over the temple maintenance to corporate bodies (Navatirupati temple in Tirunelveli is maintained by TVS. All the temple priests have a TVS 50 moped to shuttle from temple to home)

Clear and beautiful frames.
Places I've gone as a kid long time ago with my dad, some of these.
Nostalgic... would like to go again soon.

Surprising to see so much of water in Manimutharu, at this time of the year.
Well, those food stuff at Madurai... No way, I know well what you'r talking about.

Thanks mate. It was indeed a good trip :)