Chennai to Kumbakonam - Route Options
Back to blogging after a gap of 5 years.. Relocated outside of India and not found enough time to do the blogs. To be honest, I should say that I lost interest in blogging after the relocation. I thought it is better to keep this hobby alive to keep the inner myself happy.
My native place is Kumbakonam and have a blog on the various route options from Bangalore to Kumbakonam. It is time from Chennai to Kumbakonam route options.
The Regular Route : Chennai - Tindivanam - Vikravaandi - Panruti - Vadalur - Sethiyathoppu - Anaikarai - Kumbakonam (283 kms, 7 hrs with 30 - 45 mins break)
This is the shortest route to Kumbakonam. This was a scenic route before and was disappointed to see that all the trees are down now, making way for a 4 lane road from Vikravandi to Kumbakonam. Another great advantage of the route is that you will get fresh produce like cashew fruits, Guava fruits from the nearby farms. Vendors who use to sell below the tree shade or now sitting in hot sun with cloth covering their head & selling them now. Number of people selling has greatly reduced.
Road condition is not so good till Anaikarai, with lot of potholes and traffic at towns like Panruti, Vadalur. However, the roads will be very good after Anaikarai till Kumbakonam. Watch news before travel to confirm whether Anaikarai bridge is open for traffic as the bridge is very old now & traffic will not be allowed if the water flow is high. If Anaikarai bridge is closed, alternate is to take right in Meensurutty and reach kumbakonam via Jayamkondan, Neerathanallur. Stretch between Meensurutty & Jayamkondan is in good condition. But the road between Jayamkondan in single lane road with local traffic and lot of speed breakers. Watch out will driving.
Alternate Routes :
1. Chennai - Tindivanam - Arasur - Panruti - Vadalur - Anaikarai - Kumbakonam (296 kms, 6.5 hrs with 30 - 45 mins break)
Difference between the regular route and this is - continue traveling in the four lane road towards Villupuram and in about 25 kms from the toll gate, take left (this is Arasur). Panruti is about 15 kms from this junction. Advantages of this route is you will travel another 25 kms in the four lane road & the condition of the road between Arasur junction to Panruti is also good. Watch out for local traffic and speed bumps in this section.
2. Chennai - Tindivanam - Ulundurpettai - Viruthachalam - Jayamkondan - Kumbakonam (297 kms, 5.5 hrs with 30 mins break)
You have to travel further in the four lane road towards Trichy for taking this route. After about 10 kms from the Ulundurpet toll gate, you will find an electrical substation. Right after the electrical substation, there is a left turn. Take the left turn & travel for about 4 kms in the small village road (well paved) and you will join the road from Ulundurpet to Viruthachalam near Mangalampet. You have to go through Viruthachalam town in this route which is the only pain point. There is no need to go into Ulundurpet for this route.
Food : Lot of food options in the NH to & fro from Trichy. Not much options once you leave the NH except for some restaurants in Neyveli & Virthuchalam. It is better to refresh & have food in the NH before taking the state highway.
My native place is Kumbakonam and have a blog on the various route options from Bangalore to Kumbakonam. It is time from Chennai to Kumbakonam route options.
The Regular Route : Chennai - Tindivanam - Vikravaandi - Panruti - Vadalur - Sethiyathoppu - Anaikarai - Kumbakonam (283 kms, 7 hrs with 30 - 45 mins break)
This is the shortest route to Kumbakonam. This was a scenic route before and was disappointed to see that all the trees are down now, making way for a 4 lane road from Vikravandi to Kumbakonam. Another great advantage of the route is that you will get fresh produce like cashew fruits, Guava fruits from the nearby farms. Vendors who use to sell below the tree shade or now sitting in hot sun with cloth covering their head & selling them now. Number of people selling has greatly reduced.
Road condition is not so good till Anaikarai, with lot of potholes and traffic at towns like Panruti, Vadalur. However, the roads will be very good after Anaikarai till Kumbakonam. Watch news before travel to confirm whether Anaikarai bridge is open for traffic as the bridge is very old now & traffic will not be allowed if the water flow is high. If Anaikarai bridge is closed, alternate is to take right in Meensurutty and reach kumbakonam via Jayamkondan, Neerathanallur. Stretch between Meensurutty & Jayamkondan is in good condition. But the road between Jayamkondan in single lane road with local traffic and lot of speed breakers. Watch out will driving.
Alternate Routes :
1. Chennai - Tindivanam - Arasur - Panruti - Vadalur - Anaikarai - Kumbakonam (296 kms, 6.5 hrs with 30 - 45 mins break)
Difference between the regular route and this is - continue traveling in the four lane road towards Villupuram and in about 25 kms from the toll gate, take left (this is Arasur). Panruti is about 15 kms from this junction. Advantages of this route is you will travel another 25 kms in the four lane road & the condition of the road between Arasur junction to Panruti is also good. Watch out for local traffic and speed bumps in this section.
2. Chennai - Tindivanam - Ulundurpettai - Viruthachalam - Jayamkondan - Kumbakonam (297 kms, 5.5 hrs with 30 mins break)
You have to travel further in the four lane road towards Trichy for taking this route. After about 10 kms from the Ulundurpet toll gate, you will find an electrical substation. Right after the electrical substation, there is a left turn. Take the left turn & travel for about 4 kms in the small village road (well paved) and you will join the road from Ulundurpet to Viruthachalam near Mangalampet. You have to go through Viruthachalam town in this route which is the only pain point. There is no need to go into Ulundurpet for this route.
Food : Lot of food options in the NH to & fro from Trichy. Not much options once you leave the NH except for some restaurants in Neyveli & Virthuchalam. It is better to refresh & have food in the NH before taking the state highway.
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