[tharian]

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

Google maps suggest via Salem, Vriddhachalam by pass, Jayamkondan, Kumbakonam by pass, Nachiyar Koil, Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam to Velankanni.
Should I ask my friend to stick to the above route as suggested by Google Maps ?

The faster option would be via Salem-Namakkal-Musiri-Trichy-Thanjavur.

I have taken inner roads on the return from Velankanni couple of times and they slow you down since they pass through many villages and fields, although the distance is shorter

[ampere]

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

Google maps suggest via Salem, Vriddhachalam by pass, Jayamkondan, Kumbakonam by pass, Nachiyar Koil, Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam to Velankanni.
Should I ask my friend to stick to the above route as suggested by Google Maps ?

This route is fantastic!

Salem-Attur-Veppur-Vridhachalam bypass- Jayamkondan-KMU is good as usual.

KMU Bypass : Work is going on a few section but nothing to worry.

KMU-Nachiyar Kovil-Thirvarur-Thiruturaipoondi is again awesome!


Dont know about the last section. I dont think it would be bad. You can stick it to it.

A 4AM start : 2.5 hours to salem another 3/3.5 to KMU, An hour to Thiruvarur another 45minutes to Thiruthuraipoondi. (KMU-Thiruvarur is quite a twisty proposition)

Food Options:
- Known till Salem
- Salem-Thalai Vasal: A2B
- KMU bypass : Madhanam Inn

[ravib]

Originally Posted by ampere

This route is fantastic!

Salem-Attur-Veppur-Vridhachalam bypass- Jayamkondan-KMU is good as usual.

KMU Bypass : Work is going on a few section but nothing to worry.

KMU-Nachiyar Kovil-Thirvarur-Thiruturaipoondi is again awesome!


Dont know about the last section. I dont think it would be bad. You can stick it to it.

A 4AM start : 2.5 hours to salem another 3/3.5 to KMU, An hour to Thiruvarur another 45minutes to Thiruthuraipoondi. (KMU-Thiruvarur is quite a twisty proposition)

Food Options:
- Known till Salem
- Salem-Thalai Vasal: A2B
- KMU bypass : Madhanam Inn

+1 Agree with ampere. Upto Thiruvarur, the road conditions are good.
Thiruvarur to Nagapattinam is always bad and with heavy traffic too.
Given that NE monsoon arrived and heavy rains are battering almost all TN districts, for sure there will be bad roads and flooding in some places.

Nagapattinam to Velankanni road conditions are good.

-Ravi

[ampere]

Originally Posted by ravib

+1 Agree with ampere. Upto Thiruvarur, the road conditions are good.
Thiruvarur to Nagapattinam is always bad and with heavy traffic too.
Given that NE monsoon arrived and heavy rains are battering almost all TN districts, for sure there will be bad roads and flooding in some places.

One option can be to drive halfway to Thiruthuraipoondi and exit to Thirukavalai and join the ECR at Thirupoondi

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by ampere

KMU-Nachiyar Kovil-Thirvarur-Thiruturaipoondi is again awesome!

Is this for real? 2-3 years back KMU-Nachiyar Koil was a disaster.

KMU-Kollumangudi-Karaikal-Velankanni was a much better evil.

Originally Posted by ravib

Given that NE monsoon arrived and heavy rains are battering almost all TN districts

The current rains are overrated Yes it is raining, and it is time of the year. But it is still seasonal sub-100 mm rains in the plains, that too overnight/early morning spells. If you are temple hopping or mostly indoorsy business, it should not be a huge deal.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Is this for real? 2-3 years back KMU-Nachiyar Koil was a disaster.

Its a belter these days! Fully resurrected all the way up to Thiruvarur. Even the Thiruvarur-Thirthurapoondi is awesome.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Is this for real? 2-3 years back KMU-Nachiyar Koil was a disaster.

KMU-Kollumangudi-Karaikal-Velankanni was a much better evil.



The current rains are overrated Yes it is raining, and it is time of the year. But it is still seasonal sub-100 mm rains in the plains, that too overnight/early morning spells. If you are temple hopping or mostly indoorsy business, it should not be a huge deal.

Yes, KMU-Natchiar Koil roads are excellent winding roads. I visit 3 to 4 times a year and is always good.
In fact, i feel its other way. KMU to Karaikal via Kollumangudi is always not good whenever i traveled.

-Ravi

[BigWheels]

Does anyone have any latest updates on fastest and best route from Bangalore to Velankanni?

How is the BLR-Salem-Attur-Virundachalam-Neyveli-chidambaram-karaikal-Velankanni route?

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by BigWheels

Does anyone have any latest updates on fastest and best route from Bangalore to Velankanni?

How is the BLR-Salem-Attur-Virundachalam-Neyveli-chidambaram-karaikal-Velankanni route?

BigWheels - Since you have bigwheels, you can try this - BLR - Salem - Atuur - Vridachalam - Bhuvanagiri - Sivapuri -Thirukadaiyur - Tharangampadi -Karaikal - Velankanni.

This way you will bypass Chidambaram and Sirkazhi (bottlenecks) on the way. It is all state highways and the last time I came by this route, it was good.

[BigWheels]

Thanks Prowler. So to Bhuvanagiri do we go via Neyveli or stay on state highway?

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by BigWheels

Thanks Prowler. So to Bhuvanagiri do we go via Neyveli or stay on state highway?

No. You can take SH 70 after you bypass Vridhachalam to Bhuvanagiri.


Here is the Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/GKcevPtQFcgbEmYU7

[ramanan.skr]

How is the road condition between Virudachalam and Chidambaram? One of my friends who recently went to Chidambaram used the road and said it is very bad between Bhuvanagiri and Chidambaram. Please clarify

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by ramanan.skr

How is the road condition between Virudachalam and Chidambaram? One of my friends who recently went to Chidambaram used the road and said it is very bad between Bhuvanagiri and Chidambaram. Please clarify

I did the route I mentioned in last November and it was ok. Unless something happened in the last couple of months, it should remain so. What did your friend say exactly ?

[ramanan.skr]

Originally Posted by Prowler

I did the route I mentioned in last November and it was ok. Unless something happened in the last couple of months, it should remain so.

I will go with your claims, as I would only trust a tbhpian than anyone else when it comes to moto-travel discussions.

Originally Posted by Prowler

What did your friend say exactly?

• Between Vridachallam to Bhuvanagiri, the road is ok-ok with rough surface and occasional potholes.
• Beyond Bhuvangiri till start of Chidambaram bypass, one needs to go through the pain of frequent potholes and is best described as negotiation than driving.

This was what my friend told me.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by ramanan.skr

I will go with your claims, as I would only trust a tbhpian than anyone else when it comes to moto-travel discussions.

Ramanan sir, as TeamBhpians we have had a share of awful roads everywhere. To tell you the truth, the roads near Chidambaram have potholes but manageable. Same way the roads after Sirkazhi, Tranquebar (Tharangambadi) are narrow. Some approach roads to Kumbakonam are again so narrow that you will have to get off the road if you face a larger vehicle.

It depends on the vehicle - size makes a difference.
Bigwheels seems to have bigwheels (SUV/MUV) and so potholes shouldn't pose much of an issue - I would hazard a guess.