Day 1 (16-10-2025)
Vijayawada - Chidambaram
Along with three people I made this road trip.
Reached Chidambaram in the evening and visited Sri Natarajarajar Temple
Day 2 (17-10-2025)
Chidambaram - Gangaikonda Cholapuram - Kumbakonam - Darasuram - Tanjavur - Rameswaram
Bruhadeeswara Temple in Tanjavur built by Raja Raja 1 in 1010, another Bruhadeeswara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram by his son Rajendra Chola 1 in 1035 and Airavateswara Temple at Darasuram by Raja Raja 2 in 1166 AD are UNESCO World heritage sites designated as The great living Chola Temples. This tag itself tells what they are and how they will be. Those are massive structures with elaborate sculptures dedicated to Lord Shiva.
In Darasuram there are musical steps. A flight of 10 steps that sound 7 Indian musical notes and last 3 steps sound OM. They were now enclosed in a protective cage to safeguard from ruiners.
In Kumbakonam we visited Adikumbeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Sarangapani Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Reached Rameswaram which lies in Pamban Island in heavy rain and retired for the day.
Day 3 (18-10-2025)
Rameswaram - Dhanushkodi - Tirunelveli - Kanyakumari
In the morning visited Ramanatha Swamy Temple an adobe of Lord Shiva.
After darshan checked out of hotel to reach Dhanushkodi. This 24 Km long road takes us to the end point of mainland India on Pamban Island. After visiting Kodandarama Temple the journey continues on a road with water on both sides. When I went last time we were permitted to go into the sea from the circle where the road ends. We roamed for a while on what was belived as Rama Sethu. Now it was entirely closed with wire mesh fence preventing people to enter into the sea. First timers enjoy a lot here.
On our way to Kanyakumari we visited Nellaiappar Temple in Tirunelveli dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It was a massive structure with many mantapas comprising huge pillars with intricate decorations were nothing less than human excellence. Very fascinating. The two pillars infront of main entrance attacted us. They were carved out of monolith and each one was having 48 round sub pillars, which can produce musical notes when we struck on them rythamically. Vibrant, vivacious and lovely place to visit.
Rain was chasing us like last evening. Reached Kanyakumari at night.
Day 4 (19-10-2025)
Kanyakumari - Tiruvananthapuram - Jatayu Earth Centre - Punalur
Our plan for the day was to reach sunrise point an hour before sunrise to comfortably accomodate us at a vantagepoing. Rain slashed our ideas. Unable to see any thing with thick clouds and rain and had a darsan at Sri Kanyakumari Temple.
Had a glimpse of Our Lady of Ransom Church. A white, Gothic style structure was a beautiful one.
Checked out of the hotel to reach Thiruvananthapuram to have a long awaited darsan of Sri Ananthapadmanabha Swamy. We stopped at Sai tiffins in Nagercoil for breakfast. Drizzles intensified the beauty of the surrondings. There was a hillock at a distance on which St Xavier's Catholic College of Engineering was established. One of my friends thought about joining in that college for a one year diploma or so just to enjoy the beauty of the place. We pushed hard to go before it's closing time of 12 noon. If not we have to wait upto 5 PM to reopen. Male persons had to wear traditional dress for darsan.
Jatayu was a bird heard in epic Ramayana, fought for Rama, against Ravana during Ma Sita's kidnapping and succumbed to its imjuries. Jatayu Earth Centre was constructed on the very place where Jatayu belived to be fallen on a rocky mountain. Hopped onto cable car to reach the top, the only cable car in entire Kerala state. Jatayu sculpture here is world's largest bird sculpture made of concrete. Sculpture is magnificent and worth visiting it. Views from all over the mountain were excellent.
From here our destination was Kodaikanal. A scenic drive. At Punalur we stopped our journey for the day.
Day 5 (20-10-2025)
Punalur - Kodaikanal
In the morning after breakfast continued to Kodai. Stopped at Erimeli to visit the Temple. Sabarimala route bifurcates here. We went on that route for a while and then came back to join our route. After Erimeli saw so many beautiful Pineapple plantations. Drive was slow because of traffic and drizzles.
Upon reaching foothills of Kodaikanal weather changed to typical "Kodai weather". Weather was exactly what I expected.
It was pleasent, drizzling and foggy. Cant see the valleys and hills in the distance because of cloudy weather. Outside temparature was 17 degrees C. Traffic was moving slowly. Taking longer time to clear short distance. Our accomodation was in Pallangi, 10 KM from Kodai Lake, opposite Pallangi falls. We were hearing water sound all over the night. I enjoyed ride and stay at kodai.
Day 6 (21-10-2025)
Kodaikanal - Palani - Pollachi
We want to visit some places here in Kodai but rain didnt permit us to do so. So we began our journey to our next destination Pollachi. Drive was like yesterday till we came on to plains. Another good raid.
Lord Subrahmanya Swamy at Palani blessed us darsan enroute. We went up on foot and came down on Winch car.
Reached Pollachi in the evening.
Day 7 (22-10-2025)
Pollachi - Topslip - Aliyar Dam - Isha Foundation - Erode
Our plan for this day was to visit Top Slip in Tamilanadu and adjoining Devikulam Forest in Kerala. Because of continuous rains forest officials cancelled all safari programs in forests of both the states. Upon our request officials of Top Slip permitted us to go inside. We went upto Devikulam Forest entrance but Kerala officials denied our plea to go in. So went back all the way to see Aliyar Dam. A road beside Aliyar Dam reservoir was leading to Monkey falls and view point. Went upto view point and came back Pollachi, packed things and went to Isha Foundation and then to Erode for the night stop.
Day 8 (23-10-2025)
Erode - Kolli Hills - Chidambaram
Proceeded to Kolli Hills in the morning. To go to the top of Kolli Hills there is a famous winding road with 70 hairpin bends. It gives a thrilling experience to the drivers on mobikes or cars. At 29th bend one can see the road windings. Reached the top and missed a turn to Chidambaram and roamed for while. Descending Kolli Hills was also a great experience. Stopped at a view point and enjoyed it. Reached Chidambaram in the evening.
Day 9 (24-10-2025)
Chidambaram - Vaiteeswaran Koil - Pitchavaram
Today after visiting Vaiteeswaran Koil went for Pitchavaram boating.
Day 10 (25-10-2025)
Chidambaram - Puducherry - Vijayawada
In Puducherry had a darsan of Lord Manakula Vinayagar and nearby places. Reached Vijayawada in the evening.
Overall it was a great drive. Because of rains we enjoyed beauty of nature during hill raids, especially in Kodai.
Tripmeter read 3566 KM
