@All : Thanks a lot Guys for your wonderful and informative responses. Each bit of information posted here has helped me a lot.

I was really busy for the past 2 days, so was unable to post
Due to Professional commitments will not be able to visit Chennai till mid January, So that automatically solves Mansoon problem.

I have more or less have my travel plan ready, still there are few missing links due to lack of knowledge about places and routes. Although Google Earth helped a lot but still will need some help of you guys for final version of plan
Here is what I have prepared till now

Day 1
10 AM Reach Chennai
10-12 have breakfast (Need to find some good restaurant near airport)
Check in hotel (Which hotel where ???) I need some good Budget hotel near IIT or Old Mahabalipuram road
Visit : Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore (unsure about temple timmings)
See Sunset at : Elliots Beach
Dinner at : Rain forest - Gandhi Nagar

Day 2
Would like to Leave early for Pondicherry


Now I need help here Like

• From where to catch bus (Name of place/Bus stop)
• How Early in the morning I can get the bus (6AM-9AM ???)

I am thinking about a bus via ECR Road ,non-AC but with comfortable seating , will AC be a better option
Reach Pondi hopefully by 10-11,
Lunch, Check in Hotel (still to find???)
Visit Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville
Evening: stroll along the Pondy beach, dinner.


Day 3
Sunrise at Karaikal Beach
By 10 leave for mahabalipuram
Visit places at Mahabalipuram
7PM : Leave for Chennai

Day 4
Early Morning : Marina Beach
Parthasarathy Temple - Triplicane
Basilica of San Thome, Santhome Beach (Still confused, can someone suggest something )
6 PM Leave for Delhi

Missing Links are highlighted in Bold, Will be very thankful if someone recommend good budget(Rs 500-1000) Hotels in Chennai (near Old mahabalipuram road) and in Pondicherry (Budget can exceed a bit for this one)

Any other sugestions are more than welcome...

The rains have subsidized now. However, glad that you are making it in Jan.

Day 1 plan looks cool. Have an early breakfast before you start from DEL.

Hotel: You have pointed out that you want to stay near Adayar/Tharamani area. Will get you the details at a later date.

Kapalishwar temple, Mylapore
Temple timings: 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m; 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m

Sounds great! All TNSTC and SETC buses depart from Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT), Koyambedu. This is something like the ISBT in Delhi. You have buses from Adayar that will take you to CMBT. From CMBT, board the Pondy bus that displays 'Via: ECR'. You have buses leaving every 15-30 mins (from early morning - 5am). You don't need an AC for an early-morning, 3.5 hour ride. If you are not comfortable with the seats (you don't get push-back/reclining seats), you can try for some private omni buses too.

Since all these are in the same vicinity, you can visit these places. However, you need to check Santhome Basilica timings. For a 6pm flight, you need to be at the airport by 5pm, latest. That means leaving for airport by 3:30pm.

Will get you the hotel details a little later.