Madurai - Rameshwaram - Kodaikanal

nilesh.shete

Hello All,
I am planning to visit World Famous Madurai Menakashi Temple and Rameshwaram Temple. Also few days in Kodaikanal.
1. I am starting from Pune to Madurai and would like to know which is good time to visit Madurai Temple. Normally there are special Pooja arrange early morning in most of the temple and guess it will take few time to take proper darshan.
2. How to reach Rameshwaram from Madurai By Road or By Rail which is best transport option. I am not able to find any train from Madurai to Rameshwaram. It is possible to within 1 day from Madurai ? I am not much interested in other nearby places.
3. How to reach Kodaikanal ? Is it near from Rameshwaram or Madurai. As far I know it is near from Madurai around 80 KM by road.

Sama

I was in Madurai-Kodaikanal-Rameswaram in 2006.

I would advise you to travel to Kodaikanal after Madurai as it is closer to Madurai....if you went Madurai-Rameswaram-Kodaikanal you would be backtracking.

When I was there there was no direct train from Madurai to Rameswaram, so I hired a car from Kodaikanal to Rameswaram and the ride took about 7 hours.

enjoy! I love Rameswaram!

__________________
My India, 2005-2008
BE THE REVOLUTION

n kumar

Hi nilesh,
Take a direct train to madurai and a train to rameshwaram(rmm) from madurai or a bus to rmm which is 4 hours journey, a taxi will cost you 1800 for single day visit to rmm and back to madurai. Catch a train to kodai road from rmm and a bus or a taxi to kodai.
If you need any further information please post

n kumar

Hi nilesh.shete
1) I assume to will be boarding the train (6339) which departs from pune at 16.00 and you will be reaching madurai at 21.40 on day 2.
Please avoid visiting the temple on fridays or tuesday as it will packed by the local crowds.
2) Their are passenger trains from madurai to rameshwaram, and the train ( no7613) which originates from chennai, arrives at madurai at 01.45 hrs and reaches rameshwaram at 5.15 hrs, which is not advisible.
Their are plenty of local buses from madurai to rameshwaram which is around 165 kms and normally it takes 4 hours,
Their are local 20 seater tourist buses from madurai to remeshwarm which leaves in the morning at 8.00 am and back to madurai at 6 pm after visiting the rameshwaram temple which would cost you 275/= per head.
Finally you have indica cars who would charge you 1700/- madurai-rameshwaram-madurai single day.
3)Kodai is nearer to madurai, and their are plenty of buses both hi-tech and ordinary from madurai, I would advise you to catch the bus from madurai as it will be the starting point.
for any more information please post

nilesh.shete

Hello n kumar,
Many thanks for the detail reply. Yes I am travelling by the same train which you mentioned. Now I will make my detail trip plan accordingly. As I am reaching Madurai on Sunday midnight, I will plan to visit Madurai Temple on Monday morning and city visit during day time. One Night stay in Madurai and next morning start to Rameshwaram by Car. Visit Rameshwaram and return to Madurai. If possible I will start to Kodaikanal on Tuesday evening and stay at Kodaikanal. But I am not sure how safe the drive at Kodaikanal from Madurai in the evening.

Once again I want to thank you to make my trip easier.

Many thanks
Nilesh

n kumar

Hi nilesh
You might be reaching madurai at appxm 7 pm from rameshwaram and it might another 4 to 5 hours jounery to reach kodai. Please plan accordingly.
wish you a happy and safe jounery.