Namakkal - Srirangam - Thanjavur - Kumbakonam

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We did a roadtrip from Mumbai - Trichy - Chennai recently in the month of November 2016. We did in an Alto K10. This blog will cover the trip from Namakkal, Srirangam, Thanjavur & Kumbakonam temples. This was my wife's first trip to proper South India.

Namakkal

Namakkal is famous for its Narasimha (Half Lion & Half Human Avatar) temple and Anjaneyar Temple (Hanuman). Narasimha temple is carved out of a mountain and located below. Anjaneyar temple is open roof. These temples are hardly crowded so it is very peaceful.

Photo of Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj
Photo of Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj

Anjaneyar Vadai (Must have)

Photo of Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj
Photo of Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj

After Namakkal, our next destination was Srirangam. We crossed a town called Thottiyam which is famous for Bananas.

Photo of Namakkal - Srirangam - Thanjavur - Kumbakonam by Prahlad Raj

Bananas from Thottiyam Village

Photo of Namakkal - Srirangam - Thanjavur - Kumbakonam by Prahlad Raj

Srirangam

The must do list in Srirangam below:

1. Srirangam Temple - Amazing prasad you get in the temple. You can have your dinner here. Tamarind Rice, Curd Rice, Sweet Pongal, Dosai & Vadai. Ideal time to visit: 7PM. See pics below.

Srirangam temple Prasadam

Photo of Sri Ranganathar Swamy Temple, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj
Photo of Sri Ranganathar Swamy Temple, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj

2. Venkatesa Bhavan - Located just on the way to the main entrance of the temple. Timings: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Try to reach here early. Dishes to try: Sambhar Vada, Idly, Rava Dosai, Coffee & Sweet

3. Cauvery River - If there is water, go to Amma Mandapam or Mukkombu (Tourist view point - 20kms from Srirangam)

4. Thiruvanaikaval - Shiv Lingam soaked in water (2kms from Srirangam temple)

5. Gunaseelam - Balaji temple in Salem road - 20 kms from Srirangam.

Gunaseelam Temple

Photo of Gunaseelam Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Kovil, Gunaseelam, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj

Cauvery River near Kallanai Dam

Photo of Gunaseelam Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Kovil, Gunaseelam, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj

Sankar Cafe @ Gunaseelam

Photo of Gunaseelam Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Kovil, Gunaseelam, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj
Photo of Kallanai, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj

We then proceeded towards Thiruvaiyaru - samadhi of Saint Thyagaraja by the river Cauvery. Famous for Asoka Halwa (Urad dal halwa) soaked in Ghee (Clarified butter).

Photo of Namakkal - Srirangam - Thanjavur - Kumbakonam by Prahlad Raj

Asoka Halwa At Andavar Sweets - Thiruvaiyaru

Photo of Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj

Thanjavur Brihadeeshwar Temple - Visit for the architectural beauty

Photo of Namakkal - Srirangam - Thanjavur - Kumbakonam by Prahlad Raj

Thanjavur Big Temple

Photo of Thanjavur Big Temple Fort, Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj
Photo of Thanjavur Big Temple Fort, Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj
Photo of Thanjavur Big Temple Fort, Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj

Kumbakonam

Must do things here:

1. Degree Coffee @ Sri Venkatramana

Famous Kumbakonam Degree Coffee

Photo of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj

2. Banana Leaf lunch @ Sri Venkatramana

Full unlimited meals for Rs. 70 at Venkatrama Lunch Home, Kumbakonam

Photo of Namakkal - Srirangam - Thanjavur - Kumbakonam by Prahlad Raj

Some other things on the way which we experienced:

Bumblimas - Grape Fruit

Photo of Namakkal - Srirangam - Thanjavur - Kumbakonam by Prahlad Raj

New Mayura @ Mayavaram (Must have) Its near clock tower.

Photo of Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj

Village Jackfruit - Amazing! Got it for Rs. 150

Photo of Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj

Rice fields of South India

Photo of Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India by Prahlad Raj

Thank you for reading my blog. Please do message me if you require any guidance for touring in South India.

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