Monday, December 27, 2010

Tamil Nadu Itinerary ideas

Tamil Nadu Itinerary ideas

Three days

  • Kanchipuram
    • Shankara Madam
    • Kailasanatha: consider ASI guide
    • Vaikunta Perumal
    • Ekambaranathar
    • Kamakshi
    • Devarajaswami
    • Kanchi Kudil (local history): 53 A, VN Dillai St
    • Vegavathi River?
  • Marakkanam Siva temple
    • Kaliveli tank: migratory water fowl & pelicans
  • Uttaramrur
    • Two late Pallava temples by Dantivarman
  • TBD

Five days

Route 1: Coastal Tamil Nadu

  • Viluppuram
    • Kalrayan Hills
    • Thiruvakkarai
      • national geological park with petrified trees
      • Sivan Kovil (Special prayers every Pournami)
    • Marakanam Beach Salt field
    • Ginjee/Senji-Ramagiri/Krishnagiri
      • Venugopalaswamy temple
      • Mandagapattu Village rock-cut temple: archaelogical site
      • Sathru Malleshwara Alayam, Thalavanur village
      • Brahma Easalam: Kamalakanni Amman & mural paintings, Rajagiri hill
      • Fort (Rajagiri, Krishnagiri)
        • Kalyana Mahal tower
      • Venkatarama temple
      • Tirumalai Jain complex
    • Thiruvaamathoor Abhirameshwarar
    • Thumpoor Nagamman
    • Ennairam Narasimha Swamy
    • Thalavanur Shatru Malleswaralayam – Rock cut temple
    • Pachchaiamman Temple
    • Theerthangarargul Jain sculptures
    • Melmalayanur Angala Parameshwari
    • Singavaram Ranganathan
    • Mel Chittamur Jain temple
    • Thirunarungondai Jain cave & temple
    • Thirukkoilur
      • Ulagalanda Perumal
      • Kabilar Kundru
    • Mayilam - Arulmigu Subramaniya Swami Temple
    • Veedur dam
    • Gomukhi dam with 2 waterfalls
    • Megam falls 6 Km from Kachirayapalayam
    • Eesalam-Ramanatha Easwarar
    • Thiruvennainallur Sivan Kovil: Birthplace of Sadaiappar, patron of Kambar
    • Auroville
      • Garden: 10-1, 2-4:30 except Sunday
      • Matri Mandir with tickets?
  • Puducherry
    • Aurobindo Ashram
    • Beach
    • Museum
    • Manakula Vinayagar temple
    • Botanical gardens (10-5)
    • Beaches
      • Goubert Ave (Beach Road)
      • North: Quiet, Reppo, Serenity
      • South: Chunnambar: Paradise Beach: water sports, backwater boats
    • Boating: Mudaliar Kuppam
    • Arikamedu archaelogical site
    • Government Pondicherry park
  • Cuddalore
    • Pichavaram Mangrove forest: Parasailing, rowing, caneoing, boating
    • Vadalur: Sathyagnana Sabhai, Ramalinga Swamigal, Dec-Jan Thai Poosam festival
    • Srimushnam Bhuvaraha Swami Temple
    • Padaleeswarar Temple
    • Devanatha Swami Temple
    • Tiruppapuliyur Pataleswarar
    • Mannargudi Sri Rajagopalaswami
    • Thiruvahindrapuram Devanatha
    • Kalvarayan hills
    • Sethiarthoppu
      • Veeranam Lake
      • Bhuvanagiri Raghavendra Swami birthplace
      • Anaivari village (sugarcane/paddy): Kali Amman Kovil
      • Arulmigu Sree Madhurakaaliyamman in North Senninatham village
  • Chidambaram
    • Nataraja Temple
  • Ariyalur
    • Gangaikandachozhapuram
      • Jayankondam (originally Nellimagramam)-Sivan Kovil with Nellikai tree
    • Kaliyaperumal temple
    • Siva Temple is located in Thirumazhapadi. This Temple is called Sri Vaithiyanatha Samy Koil
    • Vettakudi - Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
    • Valikandapuram Temple
    • Perumal Kovil
    • hirumanur Temple, Keelapaluvar, and Melapaluvur Monuments
    • Elakuruchi church-Joseph Besky-Veerama Munivar
  • Dharasuram
    • Airavateshwara
  • Nagapattinam
    • Shri Kayahorana Swami Neelayathatchi Amman Temple
    • Sowriraja Perumal Temple
    • Poompuhar
      • Silappathikaram Art Gallery
      • Tharangampadi
        • Masilamaninathar (dilapidated)
    • Koothanur Sarasvati
    • Sikkal Singaravelan
    • Thirukkuvalai/Thiruvarur/Thiruvaiyaru
      • Thyagarajaswamy
      • Sri Murugan Temple is situated at Engan
      • Sri Kothandaramar Temple at Thillaivilagam in Tiruthuraipoondi Taluk
      • Sivan Temple at Alangudi
      • Bird Sanctuary at Udayamarthandapuram in Tiruthuraipoondi Taluk
    • Kilaiyur twin temples
  • Vedaranyam
    • Vedarnyeshwarar
  • Kodikkarai Backwaters/Bird sanctuary & Boating (Point Calimere)
    • Great Vedaranyam Salt Swamp: Dec & Jan: Flamingoes
    • Jeep/bus/walk
  • Muthupet Mangrove Forest & Lagoon
    • Go to Pettai village, get permission from forest department & get boats (Rs.700/day), Early morning is the best time
  • Anbil
  • Trichy
    • Mukkombu (Kollidam river branches off from Kaveri)
    • Pachamalai
    • Ucchi Pillaiyar/Thayumanavar
    • Jambukeshvara @ Thiruvanaikkaval
    • Kalanai (Grand Anicut)
    • Lower/upper cave temple
  • Srinivasanallur
    • Koranganatha
    • Punaji temple
    • Namakkal temple
  • Srirangam
  • Nartamalai
  • Mallaiyadipatti
  • Perambalur
    • Rajankudi Fort
    • Siruvachur Mathurakaliamman Kovil
    • Sathanur Fossil tree
    • Chettikulam village
      • Ekambareshwarar
      • Baladhandayuthapani
    • Pachamali hill station
      • Foothills Myluthu Falls
      • Akaya Gangai high up
    • Valikandapuram Sri Valeeswarar temple
    • Elambalur Brummarishi Malai
    • Ladapuram Natural Falls
    • Sri Thirumangali Amman Temple
    • Sri Viruthagreeswar Temple at Venganur
  • Karur
    • Kalyana Venkatramaswami temple @ Thanthonrimalai
    • Kalyanapasupathishwarar
    • Velayuthapalayam, Pugalur, Pugazhli Murugan temple
    • Thottakkurichi Shree Malaiyamman Temple,Karur
    • Nerur Sadashiva Brahmendra Samadhi, river side park
    • Mayanur - Kaveri bed regulator, River side park
    • Chettipalayam - Amaravathi bed regulator, park
    • Vennaimalai Shree Balathandayuthapani temple
    • Vangalamman Temple, Vangal
    • Sri Sellandiamman temple, Kadambankruchi, Near Kavery River
    • sri solliamman temple, Athur
    • kalliamman kovil, Manmagalam
    • Noyyal Shree Selaandiyamman Temple, Karur
    • Sree meghabhalishwar temple, Pugalur
    • Murugan temple,Paalamalai
    • Sri Sellandiyamman Temple, sanappiratti
    • Sri Sakkarathalvar temple, karur
  • Thanjavur
    • Brihadeeshwara
    • Bird Sanctuary at Vaduvur
    • Royal palace
      • Saraswathi Mahal Library
      • art gallery/Sangeeta Mahal
  • Pullamangai
    • Brahmapurishvara temple
    • Master silk weavers
  • SwamiMalai
    • Karpathishvara Temple
    • Sculptors
  • Tirumangalakkudi Pramanatheshvara
  • Kumbakonam
    • Sarangapani
    • Kumbeshwara
    • Nageshwara
    • Mahamaham tank

Route 2: Central Tamil Nadu

  • Hoggennakkal waterfalls
  • Salem
    • Yercaud
      • Lake
      • Kiliyur Falls
    • Mettur
  • Kalrayan hills?
  • Rasipuram
  • Namakkal
    • Thayar Kovil
    • Botanical Garden, Semmedu, old Tampcol site
    • Rock fort
      • Narasimhan
      • Ranganathan
    • Tiruchengode/Thirukodimadachengondurur: Ardhanareeshwara
  • Kolli Hills (Namakkal district)
    • Arapaleeshwarar
    • Akasha Ganga
    • Masila Falls
    • the Horticulture Farm, the Herbal Farm, Boat house, Peryaswamy Temple, View Point and the Telescope House
    • Boat house @ Vasalurpatty, Sollakadu-Thinnanurpatty road

Route 3: Western Tamil Nadu

  • Coimbatore
  • Indira Gandhi National Park
  • Trichy

Near Tirupathi

  • Tirupathi
    • Rock formation: Serpent hood, conch, discus
    • Akasa Ganga
    • Papa Vinasam Dam
  • Sri Venkateshwara national park
  • Chandragiri Fort
    • Sound & Light show: Nov-Feb 7:30 PM
    • museums (10-5, Sat-Thu)
  • Govindarajaswami
  • Venkateshwara museum of temple arts
  • Kapileshwaraswami temple
    • Kapila Theertham waterfall
  • Thiruchanur
  • North Pulicate Lake
  • Neelapattu Lake
  • Nellore
    • Mypadu Beach
  • Horsley Hills

Near Guruvayur

  • Jan 17: Chennai to...
  • Jan 18: Guruvayur
    • Punnathoor Kotta temple elephants
    • Sri Maheswara Temple, Koorkancherry Jan-Feb Utsavam
    • Cheruthuruthi
      • Kerala Kalamandalam
      • Thauryathrikam festival? (January)
      • Shiva temple
    • Thrissur Archaelogy museum (9-1, 2-4:30) in Sakhthan Thampuran Palace
      • Royal Chariot
    • Guruvayur Devaswom Institute of Mural Painting
    • Thypooya Mahotsavam festival in Jan/Feb
  • Jan 19: ...to Ernakulam
    • Tirupunitra
      • Hill Palace Museum
        • Deer park, cashew trees
      • Cherai Beach
        • Goureeswara Temple
          • 9 day Utsavam with traditional dance (Jan/Feb), 2nd day: Elephant procession
      • Purnatresan
    • Vadakkunnatha temple
    • Museums
    • Durbar hill road Shiva temple Utsavam (Jan/Feb)
    • Netoor
      • ENS Kalarippayattu school, opp Mahadevar temple: demos: 6-7 PM, Sun (3-7 PM)
    • Mattancherry palace & Parikshit Tampuran Museum (10-5 except Fri & national holidays)
    • Kalady
    • Cochin Cultural Center
    • Kerala Kathakali Center (6:30-7:30 PM, make-up 5:00PM, check timings)
  • Jan 20: …to Chennai

Near Hoggenakkal

  • Hoggenakkal
  • Kolli Hills
  • Yercaud & Shevaroy Hills?
    • Shevaroyan temple
    • Lady’s seat
    • Bear cave

List of Places

  • Chennai
  • Kanchipuram?
  • Mahabalipuram?
  • Pulicat Lake?
  • Yelagiri Hills?
  • Yercaud?
  • Anbil
  • Kaveri?
  • Kolli Hills?
  • Swami Malai?
  • Chidambaram?
  • Point Calimere Sanctuary, Kodigeri/Kodikkarai?
  • Vedaranyam?
  • Guruvayur
  • Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary/Indira Gandhi National Park? Coimbatore District
  • Erivakulam National Park? Munnar?
  • Silent Valley National Park?
  • Coonoor?
  • Ratnagiri Murugan temple?
  • Marudhamalai?
  • Ooty?
  • Mukurthi National Park?
  • Mudumalai National Park?
  • Annamali Hills?
  • Thekkady, Periyar National Park?
  • Tirupathi
  • Thiruthani?
  • Vellore: Sripuram Golden Temple, Jalagandeshware Temple?
  • Puducherry?
  • Kodumbalur Muvakoil temple


Other wishlist:
  • Coorg, Thala Kaveri, Madikeri
  • Nagarhole National Park
  • Bandipur National Park

Local places near Chennai

  • Crocodile Bank
    • Night Safari: 7-8:30 PM weekends
  • Pulicat?
  • Muttukadu
    • DakshinaChitra
    • Boating
  • Marina Beach & other beaches
    • Chepauk Palace
  • Covelong Beach
  • Guindy/Vandalur? Vaguely remember a zoo here. If so, reject.
  • Elagiri hills?
  • Vedanthangal?
  • Mahabalipuram
    • Shore temple, Arjuna’s/Bhagiratha’s Penance/Descent of Ganges, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Pancha Ratham, Mahishashuramardhini Mandapam, Ganeha Ratha, Krishna’s butter ball, Kotikal Mandapam, Ramanuja Mandapam, Dharmaraja cave: consider hiring ASI guide
    • Tiger cave in Saluvankuppam
    • Trimurthi cave, Adivaraha temple, Varaha Cave temple
    • Mammalapuram Dance festival
    • Beach away from the shore temple
    • New lighthouse, Old lighthouse temple/Olakaneshvara
  • Vedagirishwara Eagle temple in Tirukkalunkundram: Bhaktavatsaleshvara
  • Injambakkam Cholamandal Artists’ village
  • Vivekananda House
  • Ramakrishna Mutt temple
  • Theosophical Society
  • Fort St.George
    • Museum
  • Chennai Government Museum, Pantheon Road
  • Kalakshetra
  • Music Academy, Krishna Gana Sabha, Sangita Vidyalaya
  • GeorgeTown
    • Chennakesavara
    • Chennammallikesvara
    • Esplanade Lighthouse
  • Burma Bazaar
  • Sriperambathur: Ramayana friezes
  • Thiruttani
  • Vellore
    • Sripuram temple
    • Fort
    • Museum
    • Jalakanteshwara
  • Vrinchipuram Marghabandhu temple
  • Thiruvannamalai
    • Arunachala temple
    • Ramanashram
    • Virupaksha/Skandashram Caves
  • Panamalai Talagirishvara temple
  • Chengalpet
    • Vallam
      • Three Pallava cave temples

2 comments:

Suneel Gudipati said...

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स्वामिनाथन् said...

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