Tamil Nadu - Land of temples and Pondicherry - India's Little France

We reached Madurai in the morning at 8:00 AM. We took rickshaw from airport to Madurai railway station. We kept our bags at cloak room of station, charge for one bag was rs 15/-. We then headed towards the Meenakshi amman temple, walk able distance from station. As we visited next day of pongal (Makar sankaranti), there were sugarcane sticks were placed in front of shops and offices. Unfortunately the gopuram was under renovation. we submitted our phones and footwear at the booth near the entrance, as no electronic devices are allowed inside temple. The Meenakshi amman is an avatar of devi Parvati. The carvings were so beautiful inside temple and well maintained. The Meenakshi amman idol is so beautiful and decorated with oil lamps(diyas) in background. Then we went back to railway cloak room and took our bags and took auto to MGR or Mattuthavani bus stand. Luckily bus for Rameshwaram was waiting at stop, we boarded the bus around 1PM. Price was 130/- rs per person. The bus journey was amazing, when we reach near the sea. The drizzling rain making the view more beautiful. After 4hrs journey we reached to the Rameshwaram bus stand stand then took the auto to the temple. I already selected an Hotel near North gate of temple named Shri Ram lodge but wanted to haggle. We reached the hotel at 5 PM, but most rooms were already taken. They also hiked the room price almost double 2000/- rs besides compare to price room was not good. So we looked around for alternatives and found Hotel Rana the rooms were well maintained and the price was around 1500/- rs. After getting ready, we went out to explore the area.. it was less crowded so we went for darshanam it took us around only half an hour. We had a good darshan, the temple is very beautiful and properly organized. We had dinner at some stalls nearby.

We woke up early morning at 5 AM and waited in queue for 22 kund sanan. The experience was so amazing and fun, it took us 1 hr. After that, we returned to the hotel, took a shower, and got dressed for the darshan. Unfortunately, the queue for free darshan was long, so we had no choice but to wait in the paid darshan line, which was also only a quarter of the length of the free line. The price was 100 Rs per person. The queue was lengthy and took us around 3 hours to complete the darshan on weekdays. After having breakfast at 11, we went to the Rameshwaram bus stand to inquire about the Kanyakumari bus. We found that there are two buses: one at 1:30 PM and the other at 5:30 PM. It was just 1 hr left for the 1:30 bus and also we had to visit Dhanushkodi, so we booked a 5:30 PM AC bus.

We took a shared tuk-tuk for sightseeing. Normally, a private tuk-tuk costs 1200-1300 Rs, but for the shared option, it is only 200 Rs per person. They visited sites such as the Vibhishan Temple, Dhanushkodi, and the Ghost Town. It was very sunny, but luckily, we had caps and sunglasses with us.

In the Ramayana, after Lord Ram defeated Ravan, he appointed Vibhishan as the king of Lanka. To commemorate this event, a temple was built in Vibhishan's honor. Near Dhanushkodi, there used to be a town and a railway station that were destroyed by a cyclone in 1964. This area is now referred to as the Ghost Town. Later, we visited Dhanushkodi, the location where Shri Ram, Lord Hanuman, and the vanara army built a bridge over the sea to rescue Maa Sita from Lanka. After visiting these points we came back to our hotel the whole sightseeing took us 3 Hrs.

We checked out from the hotel at 4:30 PM and caught a bus to Kanyakumari. The ticket cost was 340 rupees per person. We reached Kanyakumari at around 3AM, We booked hotel online and rested there.

We arrived early in the morning and started our day around 8 AM. Our hotel room offered a stunning view of Kanyakumari. We planned to visit the Swami Vivekananda Memorial, but unfortunately, the boat ferry was canceled due to strong winds, which was a major disappointment for our trip.

After that, we decided to wander around and have breakfast. Following our meal, we visited the Shri Kanyakumari Amman Temple. The temple was simple yet beautiful. Men were required to remove their shirt or T-shirt before entering the temple, as this is believed to enhance the experience of connecting with the goddess's energy. Then we wonder around in local market clicked some photos in violent sandy wind.

We headed back to the hotel, grabbed our bags, and made our way to the bus stand to catch a bus to Nagercoil railway station. Buses to Nagercoil are quite frequent. Unfortunately, we ended up taking two buses because I completely forgot one of my bags at the bus stop! 😂 Luckily, we remembered before the bus left the Kanyakumari area, so we rushed back to the bus stop, where my bag was waiting for me, ready to scold its owner for leaving it behind! 😅 On our second bus ride, we made sure to count all our bags. The journey took about 45 minutes and dropped us at a distance from the railway station.

We pre-booked tickets for the NCJ MS Vande Bharat Express (20628) from Nagercoil to Trichy, as there were no other options available due to fully booked trains. This was also the fastest route. We arrived in Trichy around 7 PM, and the journey took approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. The views along the route were mesmerizing, featuring vast farmlands of coconuts, rice, and Areca Nut (Supari). We wanted to visit Shree Ranganath sway on same day, i know it was tightly planned. We took an auto to the temple, but here comes another turn-off for the day. According to Google, the temple closes at 9 PM, but we found out that the inner sanctum actually closes at 8 PM.

Unfortunately, it was late, and most of the hotels were full. With no options left, we booked a nearby hotel at a very high price. The temple has colorful gopuram and very big such that the people are living/ having shops inside the temple

We woke up early and joined the darshan line at 4 AM, as the gates were set to open at 5:30 AM. Due to the long queue and inadequate crowd control by the temple management, it took us 2.5 hours to get through. The inner sanctum of the temple is magnificent, featuring two idols of Lord Vishnu one standing in front and another lying behind him. I learned that the proper way to view the deity is from his feet to his head. The temple is very large, allowing visitors to explore for an entire day. Paid prasad is also available.

We exited the temple around 8 AM. Unfortunately, we missed our train to Thanjavur, which was scheduled for 7:30 AM. As a result, we had to cancel our plan to visit the Arulmigu Jambukeswarar Akilandeswari Temple to avoid further delays. We checked out of the hotel, had breakfast, and took a cab to Thanjavur, which cost us around 2,000 rupees.

We reached the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur within one hour. The Brihadeeswara Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We placed our bags in the cloakroom and our footwear in the stands. This is the best place we visited in our trip and a must visit place if you are on TN trip. The sculptures, the gopuram everything is huge and well carved, breathtaking and will take you to back in time. This temple is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva, represented by a huge Lingam built by the Chola king Rajaraja Chola. There are small Lingams around the walls of the second prakara.

Then we exited and went for having lunch at Chellammals Manpaanai Samayal, Thanjavur to have traditional thanjavur food. The food was deliceous, they offer variety of local options in their food menu. Though I did not liked the manager and staffs behaviour towards their customer.

We then headed towards the Maratha Palace, which contains several smaller sections inside including a libarary - sarswati mahal, museuam of centuries old idols. You need to purchase a ticket for entry. There is a museum dedicated to the Maratha hierarchy, as Thanjavur was once ruled by the Maratha ruler Venkoji Bhosle. As a result, some locals in Thanjavur still speak Marathi.

While going to Thanjavur bus stand, we stopped at a local shop and purchased the famous Thanjavur Raja Rani dolls. Thanjavur is popular for its dolls, paintings and idols. It's advisable to avoid buying souvenirs near popular tourist destinations, as you might end up paying double the price. Instead, opt for local shops in Thanjavur for better deals.

Then we took bus to Kumbakonam, it took us around 1hr to reach kumbakonam. We booked an hotel near bus stand and Ratheemena travel office. We went to sleep early after dinner since we had the TNSTC Navagraha package tour the next day.

Kumbakonam is known as the Temple Town, with thousands of temples located in the surrounding area. There are nine temples in Kumbakonam dedicated to the Navagraha gods, which are spread throughout the region. Previously, visitors had to use private vehicles to explore all these temples. To address this, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) launched the Kumbakonam Navagraha Package in 2024. Initially, they experimented with using only air-conditioned buses on weekends. Due to the overwhelming response from travelers, they now operate this package daily, offering non-air-conditioned buses every day and air-conditioned buses on weekends. They have now launched many such package tours check TNSTC Packages.

We had a wonderful experience throughout the journey, which started at 5 AM and ended at 9 PM. Lunch was included in the package, but breakfast required an additional payment. Other costs, such as special line fees, were included in the package. This is definitely a highly recommended option if you want to explore the local areas of Tamil Nadu.

Below is the list of temples

1. Suryanar Kovil Temple (Surya)

2. Kailasanathar Temple (Chandra)

3. Vaitheeswaran Koil Temple (Mangal)

4. Swetharanyeswarar Temple (Budha)

5. Apatsahayesvarar Temple (Guru)

6. Agniswarar Temple (Sukran)

7. Dharbaranyeswarar /Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple (Shani)

8. Naganathar Temple (Rahu)

9. Naganathaswamy Temple (Ketu)

We woke up early at 3 AM to catch the Rathimeena bus to Pondicherry, which was scheduled to depart at 4 AM. We arrived in Pondicherry around 8 AM. We had pre-booked a room at the Sea Gadabout Hotel online, which offered a magnificent view of the sea. We reached the hotel at about 9 AM, but since the check-in time was at 2 PM and our room was still occupied, early check-in wasn’t possible. Therefore, we left our bags at the reception and went out to explore. Fortunately, we had taken a shower in Kumbakonam, anticipating this would happen.

Pondicherry is known for its rich French culture and bakeries that offer a variety of options. We first visited the Baker street, we had a good breakfast there. We planned to visit Auroville firstso we booked Uber cab till Auroville visiting center costs around 300rs.

Auroville is a must-visit place. It's outstanding and closer to nature. They do not charge to visit sites inside, and you can also rent a bicycle.

We enjoyed lunch at one of the open-air restaurants in Auroville, which was a fun experience. After spending some more time exploring Auroville, we returned to our hotel around 2 PM. The staff had already cleaned our room and prepared it for us, and the view from the balcony was stunning.

Later, we wandered around the Pondicherry area, spending some time on the shore. We stopped for coffee at Shri Sai Ram Coffee Bar and took some photos near White Town. We also tried some local snacks and explored the local market. The French-style colorful buildings were beautiful.

For dinner, we visited Coromandel Cafe, a popular spot. Although the food prices were a bit higher, the ambiance made it worthwhile. After dinner, we returned to our hotel and spent some time on the balcony, listening to the sounds of the waves at night while enjoying a late-night coffee. It was truly an amazing experience.

Note: In Pondicherry, renting a bike or scooter is a more affordable option for getting around.

We woke up little early to witness beautiful sunrise from gallery. Then we checked out from hotel and had breakfast at a local shop. Then took a local bus to pondicherry old bus stand. We took bus for Chennai going via ECR (East Cost Road), which dropped us at Mallapuram entrance. You need to take any bus that goes via ECR to chennai there are frequent buses. Then we walked towards Madras cafe lodge, we kept our bags there. Then we move to visit Krishna's rath, then entered in area of UNESCO you need pay 40rs pp ticket for UNESCO sites nearby. we saw Krishnas ball, Ganesh rath, Varah temple, Mahishasurmardini temple and many more monuments and temples. We took many photos; the area is clean and well-maintained. It is very large, allowing one to easily spend half a day exploring here.

It was a sunny afternoon, so we enjoyed ice cream and coconut water. Then, we walked toward the shore temple in Mahabalipuram. All the attractions are nearby, making it easy to explore on foot. Along the way, you can see beautifully carved stone idols and kitchen accessories for sale. Shore temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu, it is situated near beautiful sea shore hence shore temple. Due to sea winds, the granite blocks have eroded over time. After exploring the area, we walked for about 20 minutes to reach the Pandav Rathas (Chariots). These five shrines are dedicated to the Pandava brothers and Draupadi from the Mahabharata. Draupadi's shrine is next to Arjun's, Bhima's is the largest, while Nakul and Sahadev share one ratha. Yudhishthir has beautifully crafted medium size ratha. This site features intricate carvings and is a must-visit.

We then took auto to Mallapuram bus stand where we got off earlier, we took our bag in mid way. The bus to Chennai arrived promptly and dropped us off at the CMBT bus stand in two hours. We then took the Chennai Metro, which is well-connected throughout the city, to reach MGR railway station. After arriving at the Chennai railway station, we stored our bags in the cloakroom. Our train, the Nilgiri SF Express to Mettupalayam, was scheduled to depart around 9 PM. With four to five hours to spare, we decided to explore the area.

We visited the well-built structure of the Dr. M.G.R. and Dr. J. Jayalalitha Memorial. In Tamil Nadu, you will find many bus stands, railway station, named after Dr. M.G.R.'s. Then we went to the marina beach there are many stalls around, i checked online on marina beach fried fish stalls is very popular but it was very far so we dropped the option. We had small snack at marina beach and had wonderful dinner at Ratnas cafe. Then we returned to the railway station. We used an auto for long-distance travel in Chennai.

Then we boarded our train to Mettupalayam.

We reached Mettupalayam railway station on early morning 7AM. There is bus stand near the railway station, we took bus to Ooty from there. Try to avoid taking Private taxi you may end up paying triple the price of bus ticket or more. The bus from Mettupalayam to Ooty costs around 160rs. We reached ooty bus stand with in 2 hours. In ooty the fares to each hotel is fixed and you can find the same board nearby showing the price. We booked a two-day stay at Sinclairs Retreat in Ooty, which is a bit away from the main centers. I had initially selected the Nilgiri Suite, but unfortunately, it was unavailable due to renovations. Instead, they offered us another room in the same price range, along with discounts on food. That day we rested at the hotel and explored its views. The view from the hotel was truly beautiful; the sunset was breathtaking.

For food options we ordered online from zomato an d swiggy. Ooty is a very cold place, and at night, it becomes even chillier.

We had breakfast at the hotel and booked a rickshaw for sightseeing, using a reference from a previous auto driver. Our day started at 10 AM, and our first stop was the Government Botanical Garden. The garden is extensive and well-maintained, featuring a variety of flowers and plant species. Here, we realized why Ooty is often referred to as the mini-Kashmir of the south; it's so lush and peaceful. One could easily spend the whole day exploring the garden.

Next, we visited the Rose Garden, which boasts all types of rose plants, including multicolored flowers of various sizes, along with local species and varieties from foreign countries. After that, we headed to Ooty Lake. Although we didn't go boating, the view was beautiful, and we enjoyed some food at a nearby café.

Please note that all three spots required an entry ticket for visitors. Our next stop was the wax museum, which I wouldn't recommend as there wasn't much of interest to see. However, there is a government-owned shop next to it that promotes local goods. We purchased some agarbattis and sarees as souvenirs from there.

We then attempted to visit a tea garden, but it was closed due to a minister's visit. Instead, we went to our final destination, The Tea Factory and The Tea Museum. This site consists of multiple parts: a museum, a tea factory, a chocolate factory, and a shop selling local goods. You can see how tea powder is made from the leaves, and they also offer free samples of tea. This place is a must-visit.

After that, we returned to our hotel. The total charge for the sightseeing tour was 1500 INR. We ended our day with a lovely sunset view from the hotel.

We woke up a little early because we had a toy train booked from Udagamandalam to Coonoor. There are two toy train routes: one goes to Coonoor, taking about one hour, while the other travels to Mettupalayam and takes around four hours. We chose the first option since it was a shorter journey.

To book a train journey on IRCTC, you need to act quickly, as tickets fill up fast due to limited availability. We managed to book first-class tickets, and the experience was great—the seats were comfortable and featured large windows. The day was sunny, making the train journey truly mesmerizing; it's something you have to experience yourself to fully appreciate—words can't capture the beauty. We made many memories and enjoyed the stunning views along the way.

We arrived in Coonoor, and the bus stand was just a short walk away. After waiting for a while, we boarded the bus to Coimbatore. The journey took about three hours to reach the Gandhipuram bus stand. The views along the route to Ooty were magnificent; even in the afternoon, you could see the clouds touching the mountains. The way the bus driver navigated through sharp turns and hairpin bends surprised us. Overall, it was an experience you must have.

I believe that sometimes you should choose the slower option, like a public bus, over faster ones like private vehicles or trains. The slower ride may take longer, but it allows for much more exploration along the way!

We reached Gandhipuram around 3 PM and checked into a hotel near the bus stand. There were many options available, but surprisingly, all were overpriced for a city like Coimbatore. We found Ambika Lodge, a cheaper option for ₹1,100 per night. It’s not highly recommended for long family stays, but it’s manageable for a single night. After parking our bags, we had lunch around 3:30 PM.

Later, we headed back to the Gandhipuram bus stand to take a bus to the Isha Foundation. They offer hourly buses from Gandhipuram to the Isha Center. There are two types of buses—one is non-stop, while the other makes several stops along the way. The bus number is 14D, which is easy to find. The buses fill up quickly, so it's advisable to get on early to secure a seat, as the journey takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour for the non-stop option. You'll know you've reached your destination when you see the calm Chandrashekhar statue in the farmland. We checked the return bus timings first, as there is no bus after 8 PM from Isha.

Our first visit was to Dhyanlinga. At the entry point, you must submit all electronics. Inside, you'll find small stalls and a cafeteria. The first site we visited was the temple of Devi Bhairavi, where we saw people in white clothes practicing yoga and meditation. The internal architecture is very well designed and organized. There is a large Sadan opposite Bhairavi Linga for festival programs.

Next, we visited the Dhyanlinga. We had to wait 15 minutes outside before entering. There are impressive stone carvings depicting stories of Shiva. At the entrance, there's a pillar with symbols of all religions carved into it, signifying that everyone is the same here. Before entering the main area, we saw a statue of Vasuki. Inside the inner dome, there is a large Lingam at the center, which is the core of the temple where people come to meditate. As such, talking is not allowed, and the staff use signboards to guide visitors. Guests are required to spend a minimum of 15 minutes inside the core, simply closing their eyes and absorbing the energy of the Dhyanlinga. It was truly a memorable experience.

Afterward, we exited and had snacks at the cafeteria. I tried Sukku coffee for the first time and absolutely loved it; it was totally refreshing. Then, we went to view the Aadiyogi Shiva statue, which was under renovation in preparation for the upcoming Maha Shivratri.

We chose not to wait for the show to avoid missing the bus, so we took the bus at 6:30 PM. We had dinner at Annapurna Restaurant, which is popular and has a wide range of vegetarian food options in Coimbatore. We enjoyed a refreshing Jigar Thandai to end our day.

This was our last day and wanted to visit nearby places but we woke up late so we had heavy breakfast in Annapurna, checked out from hotel and took train TVC CSMT Express to get back home

You might encounter language barriers in Tamil Nadu, but the people are very helpful and do their best to communicate. I loved that about the culture. Everyone takes pride in their mother tongue, and as a visitor, you can't complain if people don’t speak other languages. It's helpful for visitors to learn some of the local language while exploring the region.

Our budget for the Tamil Nadu tour was around 40k per person. With proper planning and sometimes pre-booking, one can easily reduce it to around 20-25k per person like by choosing trains over flights.

The overall journey of Tamil Nadu was a tightly packed schedule, but we executed the plan successfully, with some exceptions. It was one of the most enjoyable lifetime experiences we had.

Thank you guys for reading.