Survey on Tamil Nadu

fdrca

Dear all,
after all the useful hints received here on IndiaMike I've finally decided to spend some time in the South!!!
I am flying to Chennai at the end of July and then have 10 days (a few I know, but I cannot do anything about that) to spend in Tamil Nadu.
I would like to get some advice on which places deserve best ..
e.g. Madurai for sure. Tricky as well.
but what about rameshwaram? and Pondicherry? And Chennai? does it deserve a whole day or is it too big and chaotic?
Thanks again...I always trust on you!!!


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radz

Chennai oneday u can spend .Rameshwaram dont miss.

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aghori

Kannikumary (or how it spells), most down to the south.
Although to me it looks more like Malta then India.
There is a nice beach 6 km away from town, but for the place itself 1-3 days is enough.

Merchant

I love Rameswaram. The Hotel Tamil Nadu will give you an AC room with a view of the beach for about 700 rupees. In addition to the temple and all the activity there at the beach, Dhanoskodi is a good place to visit. It's the eastern tip of the island and the ruins of a town that was destroyed by a hurricane in 1964. There are some fishing villages there now in the ruins. You have to pay a relatively large sum to get transport in a four-wheel-drive truck to get all the way out there, but it's worth it for the strange lunar landscape you have to cross and the odd gothic ruins.

butterball

Thanjavur !

Mahabalipuram is worth a stop on the way to Pondicherry which is 'fun' ( not the ashrams - the actual town itself ) then Trichy & Madurai. Haven't been to Ramesawaram - but have heard differing reports & as it's the furthest & potentially time consuming option, may be worth doing some more research. There are MANY interesting small places around TN which unfortunately you may not get to see on this trip. The train connections are a little awkward ( see Steven Ber's map somewhere on this site - I think it's a copy of the Southern Railways Map & it's excellent )

You may want to consider getting a flight BACK from Trichy to Madras to save time - it's pretty cheap ( Indian Airlines I beleive ) but expect complications ! I encountered a "snag" with our plane which was eventually "delayed indefinitely" ! The clues were there... about 30 mechanics under the bonnet ( hood ) of the aircraft in the distance madly working away. First the tea urn appeared in the departure lounge - with biscuits.. An hour later an upgrade, a coffee urn with crumbled dry bits of cake ( you had to produce your boarding card for the privilage ! ) and then another hour later, the inevitable.... Funny in retrospect, but a day lost from my tight 14 day scedule.. Don't cut it too fine on a 10 dayer !

I found the Hotel Pandian in Madras thouroughly adequate and efficient - and took a booking by email. Handy A/C bar attatched ( "Permit Room" ! )

Have lots of fun.. I'm completely envious... Am looking to spend at least 6 months in the South towards the end of the year myself.. 'in between careers'.... Any female companions out there who want to join me ? ( I'm a guy ! )

Merchant

Rameswaram is five hours from Madurai by train and three by car. The train trip is very easy and very cheap.

Bryan

Old Pondi is very French ...Not sure how impressed I'd be if I only had 10 days but after a couple of months it was refereshing as was the baguettes and coffee
Nice beach up at Auroville

Thanjour is amazing ...
Mallabalipuram ...Loved it on my first visit some 12 years ago but returned 2 years ago and didnt like it at all
MAdurai is fabulous

Chennai ...Wouldnt spend longer there than I really had to
If I remember right Chidambaram is amazing for the temple

Rameshwaram ...is that the tip of India? ...cant remember now if it is ...I was disappointed in it

Hope that helps
Bryan

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Merchant

Rameswaram is an island off the SE coast, India's closest point to Sri Lanka. There's a rail and road bridge connecting it to the mainland.

bijapuri

Tamil Nadu vies for having the most amazing number of temples to visit of any state in India! Pick a few, and then pick a beach, and maybe a hill stn, and you'll have a blast. Me, I'd skip Pondy, but I'm a spiritual pigmy . . . . Also, Maduari is the Toutiest of the Titanic Temples, Rameswaram, Tiruchi, Chidambaram all far more friendly and just as interesting. Some lesser known spots are Vellore, Tiruvanmalai, Gingee, Yercaud. My vote for best temple is Thanjavur, although it's pretty laid back as far as temple activity goes. A few KM from Mahabs is Tirukalikundrum, often passed over. And there's a Crucodile farm and a snake park (Guindy) between Chennai and Mahabs. Many people take a taxi to mahabs from the Chennai airport. I am usually one of them, but if you must see Chennai, it has a superb museum.
Can you tell I live TN???

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bijapuri

L O V E TN, not live. I'd rather live up on the Deccan, lol