I went to Kumbakonam last weekend with my DH. It was a road travel by car.I thought I would share my travel experience and guide you by giving the restaurant names and travel account. So my trip went on like this.
We started on the day of Avani Avittam(Saturday) and thus, were able to start only in the afternoon after finishing our elaborate lunch at home. We started around 1:20 pm. Headed towards Koyambedu.It was two thirty when we came out of city.So we thought we will take a break at Thindivanam. Though my dad suggested Mani Iyer Mess in Acharapakkam for coffee(it is not for people who are concerned about ambience, I am a little particular) We took a break at a motel before Tindivanam (Motel Highway). Where you get an average kind of tiffin.Since it was Pandigai(festival) day, we thought we will avoid onion and so ordered vazhaikai bajji. Yes, you can have coffee and something to eat there, but not really recommended for lunch.
We, then headed towards Mayavaram.Since we didn’t have much time to locate Kaliyakudi (famous hotel in Mayavaram).We went to Archanas.And yes, it was fairly good. Then we went to kumbakonam straight.We stayed in a hotel which is next to Arya Bhavan. Please do not make the mistake of going for breakfast at 9 am in Kumbakonam,especially on Sundays.You will have to wait and not only wait but will have to grab the seat to sit. (Most of us are not be used to that).We waited for a long time to finsh our breakfast. Then we headed to Opiliyappan kovil, Thirunageswaram, Thiruvidaimarudur and came back for lunch.If you want to have a good and peaceful lunch, then I recommend going to Hotel Green Park.There was no mad rush(atleast the time we went).Lunch was good with two side dishes, kootu,sambar,rasam,vethakozhambu,thayir,sadam ,aplaam,karudaan(vethal).We had a good sumptuous lunch and came back to hotel.
In the evening, we went to Govindapuram.It was a long queue and we waited for one and half hours to get Vittal and Rukmani Darshan.It was really a memorable moment.When you enter the main hall and get to see Vittal.You think as if you are really in front of him.Fantastic Darshan though it was only for few minutes after the long wait. We, then went to Swamimalai Murugan Kovil.It was as usual a nice temple to visit.Since it was nine o clock in the night by then, we thought we will finish our dinner there.People there told us to go to Saravana Bhavan.We thought of our Chennai Saravana Bhavan, however, it was not that,.Instead it was Saravanna’s. They have yummy yummy dosas and uthappams(they had only dosa at that time).But it was really tasty. Next day, we started from kumbakonam.So went to Arya Bhavan at 7:20 am.There was not much of a rush.We had our breakfast peacefully(I feel they should add some more salt in their items) Then we went to Rajagopala Swamy Kovil in Manargude.You can have Santhana Gopal(bal gopal) in your hands.God it was so cute and nice to hold him.Dont miss that temple if you happen to go to Kumbakonam. We came back to kumbakonam because we just couldn’t miss Venkataramana Hotel there.My dad is a big fan of the place.So we thought we will also give it a try. Food was awesome.Ambience was good.They have pandi type for lunch(meals or thali).So you dont get a seperate table.We didn’t get special lunch(manpower shortage it seems).But I would surely recommend it for people who like sadarna aathu saapadu after having varied hotel food.So it was almost like i have gone to my place.Had full sapaadu and headed back to Chennai. You can have kumbakonam degree coffee on the way back(I saw it on the bye pass after crossing Tindivanam).We didn’t have so cannot comment on that. It was a wonderful trip on the whole.
