A central spot to see it all in Tamil Nadu?

SitaParityaga · Sep 4th, 2006, 22:20

I'm getting ready to buy the tickets to Chennai this week. 4 weeks in TN starting in December.

I'll be hiring a car and driver in Chennai and heading south. Mahab to Tiruvannamali, and then to the Chidambaram area, then on to Trichy.

So the question is: what place or places are best to stay in that are located best to see the surrounding areas? Looking for the mid-range type of place...but may throw in a night or two at Swamimalai.

The places I want to see in that area are:

Vaithiswarankoil (can't miss the palm leaf library)
Kumbakonam
Thanjavur
Srirangam
Trichy

Wanting to avoid Pondicherry.

What do you think?

Jorge Reverter · Sep 4th, 2006, 23:29

Edsita,

It's a pity I'll be in north India next November-December. I've been in Vaitisvarankoil, is a small village with a quite impressive temple and a good hotel at the entrance coming from Chidambaram. The main street is plenty of astrologer of this palm-leaf variety. I remember prices were crazy.

On your way from Mahab. to Tiruvanamalai you should make a detour to visit Kanchipuram, is a must, and you can also have a look at a saree factory, you have plenty in town.

Take your time in Kumbakonam, there are a very nice night market and not far from the town you have plenty of marvelous temples hidden in the middle of nowhere like Dharasuram and Swamimalay.

In Trichy you must visit Srirangam, probably the most impressive city-temple in Tamilnadu. The fort is not very much interesting and I haven't enjoyed the city. Of course you mus visit Thanjavur and Chidambaram and after Vaitisvarankoil only 20 km south on the coast on the way to Nagapattinam you can have a look a Tranquebar a former Danish town, probably the only one in India with a curious fort and a good resort.

Pondicherry is only interesting for the french people, the city is not bad and you can have good food (indo-french cuisine), but the main reason is the famous ashram. Auroville is also a different place if interested in such a kind of things, otherwise avoid Pondy.

Best of luck

Jorge

SitaParityaga · Sep 4th, 2006, 23:47

Thanks, Jorge. Very helpful.

Is it possible to drive from Tiruvannamalai to Chidambaram in one day?

Looks like Chidambaram is close to Vaithiswarankoil...is it close to Tranquebar? (Does Tranquebar have another name? Can't find it on the map)

Also, is it possible to see Kanchipuram on a day trip from Chennai?

Jorge Reverter · Sep 5th, 2006, 02:46

Vaitisvarankoil is at about 20 km from Chidambaram, Tranquebar is on the coast in the middle of the way from Chidambaram to Nagapattinam. You must invest in new maps!!! Is only another 20 km from Vaitis..., but in another road (on the coastline). Vait.. is on the way to Kumbakonam.

Kanchipuram is only 72 km from Madras , more or less the same from Mahab. You can do it in a day trip. I was suggesting to do it making a detour in your way from Mahab to Tiruvanamalai.

Tiruvanamalai- Chidambaram is only 165 km going through Thirukovilur-Nellikkupam-Cuddalore-Chidambaram. You can even do it during the day, visit the Nataraja temple and continue to Vaitisv.

Jorge

SitaParityaga · Sep 5th, 2006, 03:45

Sounds good to me!

Invest in a map?

Here is my map barato

http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/plac...images/map.jpg

Jorge Reverter · Sep 5th, 2006, 06:11

I have since ten years the book from Lonely Planet India and Bangladesh travel Atlas. Is still very useful. The only problem is 163 pags. and for travelling sometimes is too heavy, but at home is really good.

It seems than Tranquebar is now called Tarangambadi, because is in the same place (they like to drive us crazy changing all the names, Tranquebar was a good name, not even a british name).

Are you going to Rameswaran??? I think, you must (if possible).

Jorge

Merchant · Sep 5th, 2006, 06:16

Do you have google earth? You can plot distances as the crow flies or with waypoints along a road.

It's the greatest program in the world:

http://earth.google.com/

SitaParityaga · Sep 5th, 2006, 09:35

I'll give the google earth map a try...have only used it for fooling around, looking at the giant magazine in Las Vegas desert, Mumbai harbor, my back yard.....

I'll definately consider Rameshwaram....looks like easy access from Trichy.

Merchant · Sep 5th, 2006, 10:23

I love Rameswaram, though the economy has been wrecked by the Sri Lankan war and the locals often seem edgy and desperate.

Nick-H · Sep 5th, 2006, 13:13

Google Earth is wonderful!

But it can be hard to find one's way around, even with a map on the desk.

Have a look at www.wikimapia as well: based on Google Earth, but with many, many place names added by the community (OK, a lot of them are silly, like "My House"; but it is a help)

fsg · Sep 5th, 2006, 17:06

Why oh why has no one mentioned Velanganni,,, a MUST see, near Nagore Nagapattinam

Jorge Reverter · Sep 5th, 2006, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsg

Why oh why has no one mentioned Velanganni,,, a MUST see, near Nagore Nagapattinam

fsg,

Have never been in Nagore/Velanganni. There are so many nice and interesting places in this area!!!!, anyway in my next trip there, I'll pay a visit to the place.

Jorge

fsg · Sep 5th, 2006, 18:27

Hope you make it to TVM for Kartigai

Sensi · Sep 5th, 2006, 18:38

i don't think you need a car and driver. better to take the train and then a taxi as need be.
one of the best place is gingh fort near tirvanamali. also Kodia is great unless your scared of little cool temps.

SitaParityaga · Sep 5th, 2006, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsg

Why oh why has no one mentioned Velanganni,,, a MUST see, near Nagore Nagapattinam

I have not heard of Valanganni....what have you seen there? Also, is Nagore Nagapattinam the same place as Nagapattinam?

Unfortunately, I'm not getting to TN early enough in December to get to TVM for Kartigai, but I will be there for the full moon Jan. 3.

I'd love to hear from those of you who have a story to tell about Tiruvannamali.

Thanks to you too, Sensi

But what is the gingh fort?

Sep 4th, 2006, 22:20	#1
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 908	A central spot to see it all in Tamil Nadu? I'm getting ready to buy the tickets to Chennai this week. 4 weeks in TN starting in December. I'll be hiring a car and driver in Chennai and heading south. Mahab to Tiruvannamali, and then to the Chidambaram area, then on to Trichy. So the question is: what place or places are best to stay in that are located best to see the surrounding areas? Looking for the mid-range type of place...but may throw in a night or two at Swamimalai. The places I want to see in that area are: Vaithiswarankoil (can't miss the palm leaf library) Kumbakonam Thanjavur Srirangam Trichy Wanting to avoid Pondicherry. What do you think?

Sep 5th, 2006, 13:13	#10
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Google Earth is wonderful! But it can be hard to find one's way around, even with a map on the desk. Have a look at www.wikimapia as well: based on Google Earth, but with many, many place names added by the community (OK, a lot of them are silly, like "My House"; but it is a help) __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Monsoon in Tamil Nadu	BWINDI	Tamil Nadu	6	Jan 9th, 2006 06:38
Less well known Tamil Nadu	robing	Tamil Nadu	51	Nov 1st, 2005 05:31
Tamil Nadu in August?	gianni66	Tamil Nadu	6	Oct 19th, 2005 20:44
Two weeks in Tamil Nadu	klowe	Tamil Nadu	6	Dec 1st, 2004 02:16
Info on Tamil Nadu	keshav	Tamil Nadu	4	Nov 4th, 2003 03:43

Sep 4th, 2006, 23:29	#2
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,213	Edsita, It's a pity I'll be in north India next November-December. I've been in Vaitisvarankoil, is a small village with a quite impressive temple and a good hotel at the entrance coming from Chidambaram. The main street is plenty of astrologer of this palm-leaf variety. I remember prices were crazy. On your way from Mahab. to Tiruvanamalai you should make a detour to visit Kanchipuram, is a must, and you can also have a look at a saree factory, you have plenty in town. Take your time in Kumbakonam, there are a very nice night market and not far from the town you have plenty of marvelous temples hidden in the middle of nowhere like Dharasuram and Swamimalay. In Trichy you must visit Srirangam, probably the most impressive city-temple in Tamilnadu. The fort is not very much interesting and I haven't enjoyed the city. Of course you mus visit Thanjavur and Chidambaram and after Vaitisvarankoil only 20 km south on the coast on the way to Nagapattinam you can have a look a Tranquebar a former Danish town, probably the only one in India with a curious fort and a good resort. Pondicherry is only interesting for the french people, the city is not bad and you can have good food (indo-french cuisine), but the main reason is the famous ashram. Auroville is also a different place if interested in such a kind of things, otherwise avoid Pondy. Best of luck Jorge

Sep 4th, 2006, 23:47	#3
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 908	Thanks, Jorge. Very helpful. Is it possible to drive from Tiruvannamalai to Chidambaram in one day? Looks like Chidambaram is close to Vaithiswarankoil...is it close to Tranquebar? (Does Tranquebar have another name? Can't find it on the map) Also, is it possible to see Kanchipuram on a day trip from Chennai?

Sep 5th, 2006, 02:46	#4
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,213	Vaitisvarankoil is at about 20 km from Chidambaram, Tranquebar is on the coast in the middle of the way from Chidambaram to Nagapattinam. You must invest in new maps!!! Is only another 20 km from Vaitis..., but in another road (on the coastline). Vait.. is on the way to Kumbakonam. Kanchipuram is only 72 km from Madras , more or less the same from Mahab. You can do it in a day trip. I was suggesting to do it making a detour in your way from Mahab to Tiruvanamalai. Tiruvanamalai- Chidambaram is only 165 km going through Thirukovilur-Nellikkupam-Cuddalore-Chidambaram. You can even do it during the day, visit the Nataraja temple and continue to Vaitisv. Jorge

Sep 5th, 2006, 03:45	#5
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 908	Sounds good to me! Invest in a map? Here is my map barato http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/plac...images/map.jpg

Sep 5th, 2006, 06:11	#6
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,213	I have since ten years the book from Lonely Planet India and Bangladesh travel Atlas. Is still very useful. The only problem is 163 pags. and for travelling sometimes is too heavy, but at home is really good. It seems than Tranquebar is now called Tarangambadi, because is in the same place (they like to drive us crazy changing all the names, Tranquebar was a good name, not even a british name). Are you going to Rameswaran??? I think, you must (if possible). Jorge

Sep 5th, 2006, 06:16	#7
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Do you have google earth? You can plot distances as the crow flies or with waypoints along a road. It's the greatest program in the world: http://earth.google.com/

Sep 5th, 2006, 09:35	#8
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 908	I'll give the google earth map a try...have only used it for fooling around, looking at the giant magazine in Las Vegas desert, Mumbai harbor, my back yard..... I'll definately consider Rameshwaram....looks like easy access from Trichy.

Sep 5th, 2006, 10:23	#9
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	I love Rameswaram, though the economy has been wrecked by the Sri Lankan war and the locals often seem edgy and desperate.

Sep 5th, 2006, 17:06	#11
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 238	Why oh why has no one mentioned Velanganni,,, a MUST see, near Nagore Nagapattinam

Sep 5th, 2006, 18:27	#13
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 238	Hope you make it to TVM for Kartigai

User Name		Remember Me?
Password

Sep 5th, 2006, 18:38	#14
Sensi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: in a bungalow Posts: 118	i don't think you need a car and driver. better to take the train and then a taxi as need be. one of the best place is gingh fort near tirvanamali. also Kodia is great unless your scared of little cool temps.