Re: Unplanned Temple Run

Travelogue Approved

Waiting for more sir

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

Thank you for the approval Sirji.

Being my first travelogue, I will appreciate if readers can give me feedback's and suggestions.

We (me and my wife - Anu) wanted to visit Rameswaram and Kanyakumari for a long time. Finally, got a reason to visit as my in-laws were also travelling to the Kanyakumari. We both have applied for leaves on 25 Jan, so we had four days (23 Jan - 26 Jan) with us. Initial plan was to reach Kanyakumari on 23rd Jan and later visit Poovar & Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

But things never execute as planned, destiny had a different plan for us. Due to some unavoidable circumstances my in-laws had to return to their hometown. Since we have already applied for leaves we thought of riding to Madurai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari and if time permit then to Poovar, Kerala or Kodaikanal, Tamilnadu. As destiny had a different plan for us. On 19 Jan, Anu informed me that she needs to finish few important work in her office and the whole plan was about to cancel. For the next couple of days, I motivated her to finish the work. With the fear of trip getting cancelled, I started looking for destination near to Bangalore which we can cover in a day or two.

On Friday 22 Jan, just a day before the trip Anu told me that work is almost finished. On Saturday morning she need to send a mail and we can go for the trip. A night before the trip I was not sure if we will be able to go. Because of the unsurety, I didn't even packed the Saddle bag.

On 23 Jan morning, we woke up 6 AM. I asked her, if she can check her mail and check if we can go, else I can go for another peaceful round of sleep. After 5 mins, she came and happily informed me that we can go for trip. I was happily jumping around. Immediately it stuck that I need to fill the tank and engine oil checked. Thanks to the Shell petrol bunk near to my home which is opened 24 hours. Got the engine oil changed and tank filled up.

Returned home at 7 AM. Anu have already taken out the saddle bag and started packing things. Within half an hour all the necessary things were packed and riding gear was ready. After having breakfast around 8 AM we started our journey. Thanks to the easy access to NICE road, after 2km we were cruising on the road. Once we reached Electronic City, we faced the usual city traffic started till we crossed Attibele. After Attibele it was a smooth ride.

Few picture we took on the way.

































As we started approaching Madurai, we need to decide if we want to stay in Madurai and visit Meenakshi Temple or move to Rameswaram. All thanks to LS2 FF-310 Bluetooth helmet, we were able to communicate with each other without stopping or slowing down. We decided to stay in Madurai for the night. Around 3PM, we were about to enter Madurai city, used google map to find our way to Meenakshi temple. In the mean time it was Anu's responsibility to look for the hotel, soon she found a business hotel - Weshtern Park. Tariff was quite high still we choose to stay there as we were tried and didn't wanted to look for other hotels as it was very hot outside.

After getting freshened, we left the hotel to visit temple around 4:30PM. As we were about to enter the temple, we found a long queue of the devotees. On enquiring found that it was a free darshan line. Since we were not in a mood to stand in the queue for a long time. We decided to take special darshan ticket, so that we don't have to wait in the queue for long time. Took a special darshan ticket of Rs 100 and mobile camera ticket of Rs 50. By 5:30 PM we had our darshan.

Pictures of the temple

South Gopuram


One of the many corridor inside temple


Don't know why they have dragon on the pillars.




Entrance gate lit with diyas


Hall of thousand pillars - Main corridor


Hall of thousand pillars


North Gopuram




South Gopuram during a full moon

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

Good nice ride. waiting for rest of the details.

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

Cool.. Looks interesting bring on the rest.

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

Things are their natural best when they are unplanned. very nice thread indeed and keep up the rides!

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

Nice ride and temple pics.

The colours / paintings on the ceiling and the natural granite colour of the pillars look wonderful.

Waiting for the rest.

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

Nice trip and wonderful captures.

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

Thank you
Really appreciate it...

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By the time we were out of the temple it was already around 7 PM and we started feeling hungry as we have skipped our lunch. Instead of roaming around we directly went to our hotel and ordered dinner. After roaming around hotel for some time. We again started feeling hungry and decided to go in the hotel's restaurant to fill our tummy. After another round of delicious food. Now we have decide which place to next, Rameswaram or Kanyakumari. Both of us started reasoning about the place and decided to go to Rameswaram, as NH7 connects Kanyakumari to Bangalore making return journey faster and easier.

Next day plan was to visit Rameswaram, we woke up at 6 AM. Packed and ready with our saddle bag by 7 AM. Went to Hotel's restaurant for the breakfast buffet. They had a very nice spread. After breakfast we started our journey to Rameswaram.

As we were trying to navigate our way to Rameswaram, saw a huge crowd of pedestrian. Later found that they are going to a Temple, which is in the middle of a pond.





On the way found a small dam, stopped there for a quick photo session as the weather was getting hotter by every minute.







As we were approaching Rameswaram, the climate became more pleasant. Soon, we were able to see the train track on our left hand side and were excited to see the famous Pamban Bridge. As soon as we reached Pamban Bridge we stopped to enjoy to cold breeze and photo shot.







Brave men who are maintaining the Railway Bridge for us.






Other side of the Pamban Bridge




We spotted a boat crossing the railway track bridge. As the boat approached the bridge, people in boat realized that due to high tide they cannot stand straight and everyone in the boat bent. As the boat crossed the bridge, the cabin roof of boat was gone.







Soon it started drizzling, after enjoying the cold wind and rain. We resumed our journey to Rameswaram. On the way to Rameswaram city, we found many boards of Tamilnadu Hotel without any direction marking. When we searched for it in google map, we were not able to get any location. Google (mata) came for rescue, as she rescue us in our professional life. In google maps it is marked as TTDC hotel. On reach the hotel we found that all the AC rooms were sold out. Since the location of hotel and view from the hotel was good for us, we booked a non AC room. After getting freshen up we went out to have lunch.

During lunch we were discussing which places we can visit. Only place we wanted to visit was Dhanushkodi, soon after finishing our lunch we started our journey towards Dhanushkodi. On the way we saw a temple which was on an island connected by road. From the distance we could see that on both side of the road we have sea. Later, found that it is Kodanda Rama Temple. As we approached near the junction we stopped to enjoy the beauty of the place. After clicking few photos we started proceeding to the temple. Since the temple was crowded we took a U-turn and resumed our journey to Dhanushkodi, as we wanted to send more time in there.







On reaching Dhanushkodi, saw few barricade erected, with all the vehicles parked on the either side of the road. We saw a bike going through the barricades, we also crossed along with him. On reaching the end of the road, we parked it on a side and took our long walk on the beach.










Sea gulls






Patterns made by the wave.












TV tower.


After coming back to hotel, we had rest and went to visit Rameswaram temple. While returning from the temple we had our dinner. Later in the night we went for a small walk along the beach, as we wanted to see Sun rise next day.

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

This is the place about which many t'logs have been written. Still always seems new.
Beautifully written and captured!

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

thanks buddy

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

As it was Monday, our body clock and alarm clock forced us to wake up at 6 AM. The hotel where we were staying have a very huge campus near to Sea, from where we saw the sun rise.



As we were not in a mood to return back to our room as the view was so mesmerizing. We decided to take a boat ride. The view of shore from boat was very nice, clicked few pictures during the boat ride.





Soon the boat ride was over and we were inside our hotel campus. Went straight to have our complimentary breakfast. By 8:30 AM we were ready for the next destination. As we left the Rameswaram town, we enjoyed the cold breeze. Soon we were greeted again by the Pamban Bridge. Stopped there for some time to enjoy the beauty of it.







As we crossed Ramanathapuram, stopped on a railway flyover to see the beautiful golden field. Soon heard the whistle of a train and in no time saw a train passing by. Clicked few photo of the train passing by the field.

















Riding on ECR was of great pleasure. No potholes, properly marked speed breakers (without any hump :P). By the time it was lunch time, we were at the outskirts of Thoothukudi. Instead of taking the by-pass we went in the city, hoping that we will get something nice to eat. Ended up eating veg meals.

After lunch again we were back on the saddle, and started out journey towards Kanyakumari. With water break at Tirunelveli. As we were approaching Kanyakumari saw few windmills from a distance. We decided that we will stop near the windmill. Soon few windmills turned into few hundred. It was looking as if we are inside the windmill farm, with windmills on both the side of road. Both of us were very happy as we have never seen a windmill so close and so many.









Soon we reached our destination of the day, Kanyakumari. After getting freshen up, we went to the sunset point, to found it was already too crowded. Found a Kaps beach nearby, thanks to Google map, went there hoping it not to be crowded. As expected it was not crowded. Stayed there till the sun set.











After returning from Kaps beach went to visit, Bagavathi Amman Temple. While returning from Temple, went to Aqua World - Fish Exhibition.

Next day woke up early to see the Sun rise. There were hundreds of people waiting for sun rise at the view point. Clicked many photos of the sun rise. Had breakfast after the Sun rise photo session.















As we approached to the ferry ticket counter for Vivekananda Rock Memorial, saw a huge line and decided to visit it later when the queue size reduces. After few hours again went to ferry ticket counter and the line was almost doubled. Saw few people walking towards the direction of ticket counter and was immediately stopped by the guards. They informed us that, they have special ticket counter which will allow us to board the ferry quickly. As we had to leave for Bangalore on the same day, we took the special ferry ticket and boarded the ferry. The visit to Vivekananda Rock Memorial was very peaceful.













After returning from Vivekananda Rock Memorial, we quickly packed our bags and started our return journey. Soon we were again in the middle of the Windmill farm. Stopped near a windmill which was next to the road. Rest of the return journey was not as exciting as the onward journey was. Few pictures of the return journey.

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

Nice clicks mate!

Sent from my Xperia L.

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

Thank you for the appreciation

Re: Unplanned Temple Run

Really nice clicks and interesting log