Best travel route in Tamil Nadu

K53 · Jan 1st, 2006, 14:15

I'm currently in Madurai with only 10 days left in India. I'd like to visit Trichy, Tanjore, Mamallapuram, (& possibly Pondicherry) before leaving from Chennai.

Can anyone who knows or has done this route give me ideas as to the best sequence & modes of travel?

Is there direct transport between Tanjore & Mamallapuram?
Does the Trichy to Chennai train stop near Mamallapuram?

If I have to ditch one of these places due to lack of time which do you think it should be? I'm thinking Pondicherry may be expendable, but have never been there. Also I'm having trouble if one place has to go deciding whether to go to Trichy for the Rock Fort Temple & Sri Ranjanathaswamy Temple, or Tanjore for the World heritage Brihadishwara Temple & Maratha Palace Complex. Would love to have your opinion if you know these places well.

Thanks for any quick responses (time's running out for me), & happy New Year to all IndiaMikers!
Kay

vsp27759 · Jan 1st, 2006, 17:52

Dear K53,
Your observation:-
""Does the Trichy to Chennai train stop near Mamallapuram?""
----------
@@@I presume you meant Mahabalipuram. It is NOT on Indian Railway Map, as on date.
----------
So, please come to TRICHY by any train that is convenient to you (160 Kms.)
----
Then go to Thanjavur (Tanjore) - either by Bus or Train......50 Kms.
-----
Then go to Kumbakonam (38 Kms.) by train or bus, and take a MG Train to Villupuram (154 Kms.) From Villipuram, go to Pondy by Road (38 Kms.)
-----
From Pondy to Mahabalipuram by Road and Mahabalipuram to Chennai by Road.
---------------------
If you feel, getting into trains and buses - one after the other, would make your journey a boring one, then hire a Taxi from Madurai to Chennai via TRICHY, Thanjavur, Pondy and Mahabalipuram. This entire stretch may cost you around 600 Kms. because the direct distance from Madurai to Chennai by Train is 497 Kms.
=================
V.Srinivasa Prasad
1.1.2006/16.55 hrs.

bijapuri · Jan 1st, 2006, 18:19

chola express stops in chenglapatu, easy taxi to mahabs

vsp27759 · Jan 1st, 2006, 18:29

Dear bijapuri,
The arrival time of 6854 Cholan Express, whose schedule is given below, whose schedule is given below, could be inconvenient and even that is opted, the Pondy would have to missed out:
---
You Queried For Train No Train Name Date Runs From Source Runs On
6854 CHOLAN EXPRESS 01/01/2006 MAYILADUTURAI J MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

SNo Stn Code Stn Name Route No. Arrival Time Dep. Time Distance Day Remark
1 MV MAYILADUTURAI J 1 Source 11:00 0 1
2 VDL VITHISVARANKOL 1 11:18 11:19 15 1
3 SY SIRKAZHI 1 11:29 11:30 20 1
4 CDM CHIDAMBARAM 1 11:55 11:56 38 1
5 COT CUDDALORE JN 1 12:51 12:52 76 1
6 TDPR TIRUPADRIPULYUR 1 13:01 13:02 80 1
7 PRT PANRUTI 1 13:41 13:42 103 1
8 VM VILLUPARAM JN 1 14:30 14:35 122 1
9 TMV TINDIVANAM 1 15:19 15:20 160 1
10 MLMR MELMARUVATTUR 1 15:49 15:50 190 1
11 MMK MADURANTAKAM 1 15:59 16:00 201 1
12 CGL CHENGALPATTU 1 16:38 16:40 225 1
13 TBM TAMBARAM 1 18:00 00:00 256 1
==============================
V.Srinivasa Prasad
1.1.20056/17.30 hrs.

bijapuri · Jan 1st, 2006, 21:47

the original poster, K53, asked if there was a train to Mahabs.
There is.

vsp27759 · Jan 2nd, 2006, 10:38

Dear Bijapuri,
""Mahabalipuram"" (or) ""Mamallapuram"" (or) ""Mahabs"" (**as you are calling it) is YET to come into the Indian Railways System.
------
Chengalpattu-Mahabalipuram Road is State Highway No.58 and the distance is 35 Kms. This does not mean that there is a Train to Mahabalipuram.
----------
The authorities are toying with the idea of laying a new railway line from Tiruvanmayur to Pondy via Mahabalipuram. It is NOT known when this would materialise and transform into reality!!!!!
-----------
The Chennai-Pondy Bus Services are also being operated via Mahabalipuram which is called East Coast Road and the distance from Mahabalipuram to Pondy is 90 Kms.
-----
On the other hand, the distance from Pondy to Chengalpattu in the train route comes to 38+103=141 Kms. and then again 35 Kms. Road Journey and the grand total would be 176 Kms.
-------
V.Srinivasa Prasad
2.1.2006/9.40 hrs.

gopalk · Jan 2nd, 2006, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsp27759

Dear K53,
Then go to Kumbakonam (38 Kms.) by train or bus, and take a MG Train to Villupuram (154 Kms.) From Villipuram, go to Pondy by Road (38 Kms.)

I dont think MG services are operational from KMU towards MY.

maggie65 · Jan 2nd, 2006, 16:19

trichy's rock fort was amazing, and also seemed to be the hangout place for couples - discreetly, but i would have to say that tanjore's heritage temple was amazing! 10 days left? shame to miss the climb to ooty and mysore's palace

vsp27759 · Jan 2nd, 2006, 16:40

Dear Gopal,
Your observation:-
""I dont think MG services are operational from KMU towards MY.""
---------------
@@@You are right Sir. This Section had been closed for Gauge Conversion w.e.f. 1.4.2005 and it is understood, this may open around February,2006.
==============
V.Srinivasa Prasad
2.1.2006/15.45 hrs.

Jan 1st, 2006, 14:15	#1
K53 Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Melbourne Posts: 86	Best travel route in Tamil Nadu I'm currently in Madurai with only 10 days left in India. I'd like to visit Trichy, Tanjore, Mamallapuram, (& possibly Pondicherry) before leaving from Chennai. Can anyone who knows or has done this route give me ideas as to the best sequence & modes of travel? Is there direct transport between Tanjore & Mamallapuram? Does the Trichy to Chennai train stop near Mamallapuram? If I have to ditch one of these places due to lack of time which do you think it should be? I'm thinking Pondicherry may be expendable, but have never been there. Also I'm having trouble if one place has to go deciding whether to go to Trichy for the Rock Fort Temple & Sri Ranjanathaswamy Temple, or Tanjore for the World heritage Brihadishwara Temple & Maratha Palace Complex. Would love to have your opinion if you know these places well. Thanks for any quick responses (time's running out for me), & happy New Year to all IndiaMikers! Kay

Jan 1st, 2006, 18:19	#3
bijapuri laid traps for troubadours Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Priustan Posts: 2,601	chola express stops in chenglapatu, easy taxi to mahabs __________________ Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential. Barack Obama lookit me!!!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijapuri/ Utube fuzzy logic: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bijapuri&p =r

Jan 2nd, 2006, 16:19	#8
maggie65 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: australia Posts: 18	tanjore beats trichy's rock fort trichy's rock fort was amazing, and also seemed to be the hangout place for couples - discreetly, but i would have to say that tanjore's heritage temple was amazing! 10 days left? shame to miss the climb to ooty and mysore's palace

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Jan 1st, 2006, 17:52	#2
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 1,689	Dear K53, Your observation:- ""Does the Trichy to Chennai train stop near Mamallapuram?"" ---------- @@@I presume you meant Mahabalipuram. It is NOT on Indian Railway Map, as on date. ---------- So, please come to TRICHY by any train that is convenient to you (160 Kms.) ---- Then go to Thanjavur (Tanjore) - either by Bus or Train......50 Kms. ----- Then go to Kumbakonam (38 Kms.) by train or bus, and take a MG Train to Villupuram (154 Kms.) From Villipuram, go to Pondy by Road (38 Kms.) ----- From Pondy to Mahabalipuram by Road and Mahabalipuram to Chennai by Road. --------------------- If you feel, getting into trains and buses - one after the other, would make your journey a boring one, then hire a Taxi from Madurai to Chennai via TRICHY, Thanjavur, Pondy and Mahabalipuram. This entire stretch may cost you around 600 Kms. because the direct distance from Madurai to Chennai by Train is 497 Kms. ================= V.Srinivasa Prasad 1.1.2006/16.55 hrs.

Jan 1st, 2006, 18:29	#4
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 1,689	Dear bijapuri, The arrival time of 6854 Cholan Express, whose schedule is given below, whose schedule is given below, could be inconvenient and even that is opted, the Pondy would have to missed out: --- You Queried For Train No Train Name Date Runs From Source Runs On 6854 CHOLAN EXPRESS 01/01/2006 MAYILADUTURAI J MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN SNo Stn Code Stn Name Route No. Arrival Time Dep. Time Distance Day Remark 1 MV MAYILADUTURAI J 1 Source 11:00 0 1 2 VDL VITHISVARANKOL 1 11:18 11:19 15 1 3 SY SIRKAZHI 1 11:29 11:30 20 1 4 CDM CHIDAMBARAM 1 11:55 11:56 38 1 5 COT CUDDALORE JN 1 12:51 12:52 76 1 6 TDPR TIRUPADRIPULYUR 1 13:01 13:02 80 1 7 PRT PANRUTI 1 13:41 13:42 103 1 8 VM VILLUPARAM JN 1 14:30 14:35 122 1 9 TMV TINDIVANAM 1 15:19 15:20 160 1 10 MLMR MELMARUVATTUR 1 15:49 15:50 190 1 11 MMK MADURANTAKAM 1 15:59 16:00 201 1 12 CGL CHENGALPATTU 1 16:38 16:40 225 1 13 TBM TAMBARAM 1 18:00 00:00 256 1 ============================== V.Srinivasa Prasad 1.1.20056/17.30 hrs.

Jan 1st, 2006, 21:47	#5
bijapuri laid traps for troubadours Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Priustan Posts: 2,601	the original poster, K53, asked if there was a train to Mahabs. There is.

Jan 2nd, 2006, 10:38	#6
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 1,689	Dear Bijapuri, ""Mahabalipuram"" (or) ""Mamallapuram"" (or) ""Mahabs"" (**as you are calling it) is YET to come into the Indian Railways System. ------ Chengalpattu-Mahabalipuram Road is State Highway No.58 and the distance is 35 Kms. This does not mean that there is a Train to Mahabalipuram. ---------- The authorities are toying with the idea of laying a new railway line from Tiruvanmayur to Pondy via Mahabalipuram. It is NOT known when this would materialise and transform into reality!!!!! ----------- The Chennai-Pondy Bus Services are also being operated via Mahabalipuram which is called East Coast Road and the distance from Mahabalipuram to Pondy is 90 Kms. ----- On the other hand, the distance from Pondy to Chengalpattu in the train route comes to 38+103=141 Kms. and then again 35 Kms. Road Journey and the grand total would be 176 Kms. ------- V.Srinivasa Prasad 2.1.2006/9.40 hrs.

Jan 2nd, 2006, 16:40	#9
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 1,689	Dear Gopal, Your observation:- ""I dont think MG services are operational from KMU towards MY."" --------------- @@@You are right Sir. This Section had been closed for Gauge Conversion w.e.f. 1.4.2005 and it is understood, this may open around February,2006. ============== V.Srinivasa Prasad 2.1.2006/15.45 hrs.

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