South India Tour – Namakkal – Srirangam – Thanjavur – Kumbakonam

We did a roadtrip from Mumbai – Trichy – Chennai recently in the month of November 2016. We did in an Alto K10. This blog will cover the trip from Namakkal, Srirangam, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam. This was my wife’s first trip to proper South India.

Namakkal

Namakkal is famous for its Narasimha (Half Lion & Half Human Avatar) temple and Anjaneyar Temple (Hanuman). Narasimha temple is carved out of a mountain and located below. Anjaneyar temple is open roof. These temples are hardly crowded so it is very peaceful.

Photos of Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India 1/4 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India 2/4 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India 3/4 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India 4/4 by Prahlad Raj

After Namakkal, our next destination was Srirangam. We crossed a town called Thottiyam which is famous for Bananas.

Photos of 1/2 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of 2/2 by Prahlad Raj

Srirangam

The must do list in Srirangam below:

1. Srirangam Temple – Amazing prasad you get in the temple. You can have your dinner here. Tamarind Rice, Curd Rice, Sweet Pongal, Dosai & Vadai. Ideal time to visit: 7PM. See pics below.

Photos of Sri Ranganathar Swamy Temple, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India 1/2 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Sri Ranganathar Swamy Temple, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India 2/2 by Prahlad Raj

2. Venkatesa Bhavan – Located just on the way to the main entrance of the temple. Timings: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM. Try to reach here early. Dishes to try: Sambhar Vada, Idly, Rava Dosai, Coffee & Sweet

3. Cauvery River – If there is water, go to Amma Mandapam or Mukkombu (Tourist view point – 20kms from Srirangam)

4. Thiruvanaikaval – Shiv Lingam soaked in water (2kms from Srirangam temple)

5. Gunaseelam – Balaji temple in Salem road – 20 kms from Srirangam.

Photos of Gunaseelam Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Kovil, Gunaseelam, Tamil Nadu, India 1/3 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Gunaseelam Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Kovil, Gunaseelam, Tamil Nadu, India 2/3 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Gunaseelam Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Kovil, Gunaseelam, Tamil Nadu, India 3/3 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Kallanai, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India 1/1 by Prahlad Raj

We then proceeded towards Thiruvaiyaru – samadhi of Saint Thyagaraja by the river Cauvery. Famous for Asoka Halwa (Urad dal halwa) soaked in Ghee (Clarified butter).

Photos of 1/1 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India 1/1 by Prahlad Raj

Thanjavur Brihadeeshwar Temple – Visit for the architectural beauty

Photos of 1/1 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Thanjavur Big Temple Fort, Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India 1/3 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Thanjavur Big Temple Fort, Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India 2/3 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Thanjavur Big Temple Fort, Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India 3/3 by Prahlad Raj

Kumbakonam

Must do things here:

1. Degree Coffee @ Sri Venkatramana

Photos of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India 1/1 by Prahlad Raj

2. Banana Leaf lunch @ Sri Venkatramana

Photos of 1/1 by Prahlad Raj

Some other things on the way which we experienced:

Photos of 1/1 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India 1/3 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India 2/3 by Prahlad Raj
Photos of Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India 3/3 by Prahlad Raj

Thank you for reading my blog. Please do message me if you require any guidance for touring in South India.

Here’s a simple pricing breakdown for a South India Tour covering Namakkal, Srirangam, Thanjavur, and Kumbakonam:

Duration: 5-6 Days

Pricing (Per Person):

  1. Budget Package: ₹8,000 to ₹12,000
    • Accommodation: Budget guesthouses or 2-3 star hotels
    • Inclusions: Sightseeing in Namakkal, Srirangam, Thanjavur, and Kumbakonam, local transport, and a guide
    • Meals: Breakfast included
  2. Standard Package: ₹15,000 to ₹20,000
    • Accommodation: 3-star hotels or resorts
    • Inclusions: Private transfers, guided sightseeing, meals (breakfast and some lunches/dinners)
    • Activities: Visits to Sriranganathaswamy Temple, Brihadeeswarar Temple, Airavatesvara Temple, and local cultural experiences
  3. Luxury Package: ₹30,000 to ₹45,000+
    • Accommodation: 4-5 star hotels or luxury resorts
    • Inclusions: Private guided tours, luxury transport, meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), entry fees to temples
    • Activities: VIP temple access, cultural performances, and premium experiences at historical sites

Best Time to Visit:

  • October to March (ideal weather for temple visits and cultural exploration).

This tour provides a deep dive into the cultural and spiritual heritage of South India, offering both religious experiences and historical exploration!

Here’s a simple pricing breakdown for a South India Tour – Namakkal, Srirangam, Thanjavur, and Kumbakonam:

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights

Pricing (Per Person):

  1. Budget Package: ₹10,000 to ₹15,000
    • Accommodation: Budget hotels or guesthouses
    • Inclusions: Local transport, basic meals (breakfast and some meals), and guided sightseeing
    • Activities: Visits to Srirangam Temple, Brihadeeswarar Temple, Airavatesvara Temple, and local attractions
  2. Standard Package: ₹18,000 to ₹25,000
    • Accommodation: 3-star hotels or resorts
    • Inclusions: Private transport, meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and guided sightseeing
    • Activities: Temple tours, local culture exploration, visit to Kumbakonam’s Chola temples, Thanjavur Palace, and Srirangam’s ancient temples
  3. Luxury Package: ₹30,000 to ₹45,000+
    • Accommodation: 4-5 star hotels or luxury resorts
    • Inclusions: Premium transport, luxury meals, and exclusive cultural experiences
    • Activities: VIP tours of historical temples, off-the-beaten-path cultural experiences, and local workshops

Best Time to Visit:

  • October to March (for pleasant weather and comfortable temple visits).

This tour provides a deep dive into the rich history, culture, and stunning temples of South India, making it an ideal choice for culture enthusiasts and spiritual travelers.

“To get an itinerary prepared for your trip, connect with me on Whatsapp @ +91 95945 58457.”

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