Visit to Madurai, Kanyakumari

Tamil Nadu Darshan

In the continuation to my last post - Visit to Rameshwaram, I am sharing the second part of my travel story with next destination - Madurai and Kanyakumari.

Meenakshi Amman Temple

Day 3: Rameshwaram to Madurai

So, I booked a cab for 6 people through GozoCabs.com which took ₹3550 from Rameshwaram Hotel to Madurai Hotel. 

TIP: You can take small cabs too & book through Makemytrip. Do mention your requirement for Carrier in the car. They charged extra ₹150 for carrier.

Driver was good and also cab was in good condition with effective AC.
We started at 9 AM and reached Madurai by 1 PM with one break mid way. Road condition is very good.
We also stopped the cab on the bridge to take pictures of Pamban bridge. 

~Stay at Purple Tree - Hotel West Marret~

Booked it through Makemytrip in ₹3500 for 2 nights. Charged extra bed/person for ₹1800.
Got a heavy discount in Makemytrip, else in hotel they mentioned that per night room charge is ₹3500.

Pros:

• Its a 3 star hotel with modern amenities. Club room is very big and spacious. Deluxe room is also good and decorated.
• Electric kettle is provided with tea/coffee kit.
• Effective AC. 
• Good sleep quality.
• Lift facility is available.
• Very near to main market.
• Temple is in walking distance (1/2 km).
• Various restaurants options.
• Opposite to railway station.

Cons:

• No in house restaurant.
• Cleanliness and Maintenance is not upto mark.

After a lot of recommendation, we had lunch in Sabarees restaurant. South indian meal.

It was over crowded and small space. We had to literally gulp our food because the people and the waiters were standing on our heads waiting to clean our table for next guest. I would not recommend this restaurant.

TIP: There is a restaurant inside the College House which is good and pocket friendly.

We visited Vishal de Mall on the same evening. There were few branded showrooms. It’s a small and simple mall. Not much eatery points.

It took 20 minutes to reach there in Uber. Don’t take auto there, its a long way.

Day 4: Kanyakumari

We decided to go for a day trip to Kanyakumari as it was only 5 hours drive from Madurai.

So I booked a AC Innova cab through Makemytrip in ₹6000 for 24 hours including 490 kms. Extra kilometer was ₹13.5/km. But whole journey was covered in 490 km only.

We started off by 5:30 AM in the morning and reached Kanyakumari by 10 AM with one stop for breakfast mid way. Roads are excellent with 4 toll gates. 

NOTE: Toll charges were not included in the cab price. Also, you should offer the driver for the meals.

NOTE: I will recommend our driver who is also the owner of that car (Innova). 

His name is Siva. Excellent and smooth driving. Well maintained car. And a wonderful human being. I will provide his number. He does trips to Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari and Madurai. I am confident that you will not face any issue with him.

Contact Siva:  7358-951234

You can contact him directly for bookings.

So, before entering Kanyakumari, you will start seeing many wind mills. The scenery is just mesmerising. Pleasant weather, hills, clouds, so many wind mills and greenery with zero pollution. I just loved the scene. Its a must to experience!!!

After reaching Kanyakumari we took a lodge for ₹600/day (Non AC) but clean. 

TIP: There are many options to get lodges, hotels directly there starting from ₹300.

After getting freshen up, we went for visit to Vivekananda rocks.

Ticket price was - ₹50 per head.

Its a boat ride to the island. Beautiful temple, meditation hall in the middle of the sea. You can stand and watch the blue sea far or near.

Panaroma View - Vivekananda Rock

TIP: Don’t forget to carry selfie sticks, sunscreen, scarf, umbrella, cap, wet wipes and water bottle.

We had our lunch at “The Curry Restaurant” which is good and reasonable. But food was good with not at all South Indian flavor.

After lunch we visited the Kanyakumari Beach, where you can enjoy and get wet. Collect different colored shells and sand.

TIP: Please carry another set of clothes if you plan to get wet.

Shells

 

After which you can visit Kanyakumari Temple which is located there only. 

You can have garma garam Pakores (hot fritters) in the evening and enjoy the time.

We started back from Kanyakumari at 5:30 PM and reached Madurai by 10 PM.

Kanyakumari Beach

Day 5: Madurai - Meenakshi Temple

Meenakshi Temple  (North Gate)

As we went on Ashtami (Navratri), we feared rush. 

We went for Darshan around 7 AM and took ticket for ₹50 per person for the Darshan of Lord Shiva. 

Then we again took ticket of ₹50 per person for Meenakshi Amman Temple. Only few people were there for ₹50 queue.

TIP: Few people might fool you by saying enter from a particular Gate, but do not listen. You can enter or exit from any of the 4 gates ( East, West, North & South).

TIP: You cannot carry mobile. There is a paid locker outside the Temple where you can safely keep your belongings.

TIP: First see the rush, if not needed don't buy tickets. Do free darshan.

After a mystical darshan of Maa Meenakshi, we went for breakfast outside the temple.

NOTE: There are many shops with imported materials. Like- Shoppers Shop etc. Where you can get imported chocolates and many things.

You can buy Attar at ₹50 in Madurai. Or Madurai Silk Sarees.

So, we had to check out on same day. Hotel staff were nice and helpful to let us stay for 2 hours extra. Then we waited in the lobby area as we had train in the evening at 8 PM. After few hours in the hotel lobby, we went to Madurai Railway Station which was so clean and well maintained.

Madurai Railway Station has paid AC Waiting room, which charged ₹20 per person per hour. Very comfortable to sit there with clean toilets.

TIP: Pack your dinner as you will not get anything inside the train.

By morning 5 AM we reached Chennai.

TIP: You can book a hotel through OYO (same day check in) which will cost you much less than normal.

Take a bath and leave for Airport.

Finally we took a flight back to Kolkata.

So, this was my latest travel story. Please do mail me your suggestions and queries at travelsphere@yahoo.com

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