Kumbakonam to Madhurai to Coimbatore
I am going to Madhurai without a plan and without a proper mindset. I don't know what happened!
DAY 1
Afternoon 1:00 p.m. - I suddenly planned to go, so I checked the train time.
1:10 p.m. - Aduthurai to Madhurai train was departing, so I took a ticket from the RailOne app.
"I don't know what happened. My mindset for the last month - I am mumbling (முணுமுணுத்தல்) without anyone here. But I just talk alone without my control. I start speaking. My mind shows some of the past and recent days' events - all things come to my mind. Where exactly is in my past did I not answer something? At that place, I just hurt someone with words. So I just stayed silent without any reply. I moved.
All of this comes to my mind. I just answer now while alone. I am just checking Google why this mindset is called..."
This short post will explain my current mental issues. Just spend 3 to 5 minutes reading this.
Post - Overthinking and Rumination
After this, the same thought repeatedly came. I really got frustrated and just thought I needed to move from this place. That is why I started writing this blog and this solo unplanned Madhurai travelling.
And also...
Time currently - 2:01 p.m. afternoon
Day - Friday
I will update everything one by one.
Time currently - 2:49 p.m.
I am just checking some stays and itinerary places on Google.
I plan to stay in a hostel and found some interesting itinerary places. Before telling you the itinerary places, I want to share something about one incident.
Well, if you are a regular reader, you know this is not my first time in Madhurai. The first time I came for the book fair in 2025. That time I did not have any time to spend in Madhurai. I only spent the full day at the book fair.
Also, the second time we came with my friends. We reached Madhurai. But we had to return home.
If you have time later, read that blog. And now continue with this blog.
After spending some time on the internet, I checked some itinerary places in Madhurai.
1. Meenakshi Amman Temple (already visited). But planning to go in the morning when it's not very crowded. Saturday and Sunday will definitely have some more crowd compared to weekdays in the morning.
2. Nayakkar Mahal (this is also planned for tomorrow morning)
3. Kallazhagar Temple (lots of people recommend this)
4. Yanaimalai Hill (this I also checked. Good. Did not know about this place)
5. Thirupparankundram (this I also checked on Google)
6. Keezhadi Excavation Site (as a history reading person, I planned to visit this for more than a day)
7. Pazhamudhir Solai (new to me, just checked on Google)
8. Gandhi Memorial (this place I saw in one random Instagram post)
These 8 places are on my list.
But I am splitting this 2-day trip. First day - today afternoon to tomorrow afternoon in Madhurai. Second day - tomorrow afternoon to tomorrow afternoon in Coimbatore. I will explain the split journey below. Continue to read.
Suddenly thinking - last night, the 23rd, I was randomly scrolling reels on Instagram. I saw the Coimbatore Book Fair 2026. Started on July 17 and finishes on the 26th.
Why don't we go to Coimbatore?
So currently the train is moving at Trichirapalli Junction.
I will reach Madhurai at 5 o'clock in the evening.
Once reached, I have already checked a stay called Vilva Stay for 12 hours.
I did not call to check room availability. Also did not see any number they gave.
Another backup stay I got just now. 3:10 p.m. I checked Google.
Another one I found as a backup -
Each stay has a different check-in time and check-out time.
I think just 12 hours is enough. Once I reach the Madhurai junction, I can call each stay and check.
And my biggest doubt is: What can I do today after I reach Madhurai junction? I have lots of time to reach the stay. If the stay is not available, I will take any hotel or lodge or stay near a temple. I don't have any other choice.
If not, I will stay at a temple for one full night. I will take care and read my book so I can read the full night. I will tell you later about the book. It's really an interesting Tamil book. Also, a movie related to this book is coming.
Most people ask why are you traveling in the afternoon time? Why didn't you travel in the morning? For the last 2 days, I tried to convince myself to not go outside. I stayed home because of budget reasons. But again and again this morning, I kept thinking - something of rumination and overthinking. I can't control it. Just frustrated and moved out, and I took a sudden decision.
Usually I travel in the morning. But my current mindset is controlling me, not I am controlling it.
We reached Kudal Nagar Depot currently.
We almost reached.
I reached and spent time in Meenakshi Amman Temple Street shops and looked at some random shops - just a window customer, not buying anything.
After spending some time, at 8:27 p.m. I took a shared room.
This is the first time I stayed in this type of room.
I am currently in Velva Dom Stay.
I paid 350 rupees for 12 hours.
The stay is okay. They gave:
Free WiFi
AC room at this budget
Separate locker (very basic locker)
AC (but it's on but not running)
But common bathroom and toilet also. A little bit not clean.
Overall, this budget is okay.
And also this is very near to Meenakshi Amman Temple.
You see on Google they show (drop taxi Madhurai), but this current place is here. I also attached the front entrance video. Check below.
If you come, show this picture and videos to any auto driver or Rapido driver.
DAY 2
I checked out of the room at 6:10 a.m. morning. 12 hours before, I checked out 2 hours early. Before checkout, I took one chai. In front of the stay someone sells it. No 24/7 - it's only open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
And I asked the cafe woman. "How to reach the bus stand and which bus is going to Azagar Temple?"
They said, "No. 44 bus is going to Azagar Temple." I also searched online and saw the same number.
Nearby, there is Periyar Bus Stop, so it's within walking distance. One can see the bus stop, and the bus comes.
This universe helped me. That exact 44 bus came. So I entered the bus. The ticket price was 31 rupees. 35 minutes travel distance showing.
And I took the No. 44 government bus from Periyar Bus Stop to Azagar Temple.
1. Reached Azagar Temple
Come back to the temple entrance, and you will see the bus area entrance. Or ask someone where the Murugan Temple bus stop is.
I added the image below. Check that. They have a separate bus for the Murugan Temple.
The bus ticket is 10 rupees only. They said return is a separate bus; you can take a ticket. Only cash, no online payment.
separate bus; you can take a ticket. Only cash, no online payment
Inside bus view video attached. Just 3.5 km only.
Check this video - Click Here
Once the bus is full, they will start.
2. Murugan temple
Don't have signal in this place. So be careful. I am using Jio. Completely no signal.
Special Darshan - 100 rupees.
But free is enough.
I also bought two Panjamurtham packs. They sell inside:
300 grams - 30 rupees
500 grams - 60 rupees
It finishes quickly. When you have time, spend some time near by the temple side. Because this is a mountainside.
Also take the return ticket on another bus, not the same bus. Same price: 10 rupees. Most important - they don't have online payment. They have only cash.
I started traveling to the next destination.
I took a bus from inside Azagar Temple.
I asked the conductor, "How to reach Yanaimalai Temple?"
They said, "Drop at Outpost Stop and then take bus No. 75. But the ticket mentioned Thallakulam." Just now, before I searched Google. Thallakulam is another name for Outpost Thallakulam. Full name of the stop.
The ticket price was 29 rupees.
Google is showing 22 km.
Sometimes the km may change, low or high, depending on the bus route.
I dropped off at Outpost Stop and went to the opposite side, exactly Indian Oil. The bus stop is also nearby here. But I will take a Rapido. 65 rupees charge on Rapido.
When you come with family, just ask where the exact location is.
Sorry, I did not give proper information about this place.
3. Yanaimalai
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10:45 a.m. reached in Yanaimalai.
And I finally reached.
In my opinion, don't go to Yanaimalai if you come with family - go, but take an auto because it's a very remote area. If you come solo, take a Rapido.
Also, they don't allow climbing the mountain. I had planned to go to the mountain. I saw on Google Maps that location someone went there. That's why I will try to climb. But I asked local people, and they said they did not allow it.
Don't go if you come with friends.
But if you come with family, just go. Two Gods are here. One is Narasimha, and the other is Perumal God.
After spending some time at that exact Narasimha Temple, outside, lots of shared autos are there. Just take them. They asked me 15 rupees to go to Oothakada. That auto driver exactly stopped at the bus stop. So I took a bus to Periyar Bus Stop. After reaching Periyar Bus Stop, walking distance to Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. Also, take that place share auto, or if you come as a single person, take a Rapido.
Time currently - 12:06 p.m.
4. Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal
Check this video - Click here
I spent 40 rupees per person. 10 rupees for the ticket and an extra 30 rupees for the camera.
I am not impressed. That means the structure and look are so big that only here. Also, that place will soon to spoil from tourism and local people.
I have attached the image. Just see that.
Almost the time has reached 2 o'clock. So I don't have time to visit balance places. If anyone comes, make a 2-day plan in Madhurai.
Next, I am planning to go to Coimbatore because tomorrow is the last day of the book fair. That's why I'm leaving.
After I started traveling, I booked a Rapido to Mattuthavani. And took an omni bus for 785 rupees. From Madurai Mattuthavani to Coimbatore.
Please don't take any intermediate person because they claim an extra 100 rupees.
And also, I am currently traveling with Sri Muthukumar Travels.
Not a good deal for a sleeper coach. At least they need to give a water bottle, but they did not give. Also, for the last 30 minutes, they stopped at a phone charger point. At the last minute, I searched for a stay and hostel. Lucky I got one.
Stay name: Decostel Backpackers Hostel
And all the stay is so beautiful and very clean and neat. I paid 485 rupees. I booked this backpacker hostel on the Agoda app. Non-AC shared room.
After reaching Gandhipuram stop, walking distance to that hostel.
Just 10 minutes to reach.
Free WiFi
Bed with blanket
No outside food is allowed.
But they have a travel desk where you can sit and eat outside the room.
The water supply and bathroom are clean and neat.
No hot water till now, I see.
I have attached the hostel images and videos below.
Check-in/check-out time is following must:
Afternoon 1 p.m. to the next day morning 11 a.m. before checkout.
DAY 3
Wake up at 6 o'clock. I still feel tired.
And had lemon tea in a tea shop.
Today planned only book. It's doubt to go to the Isha Temple.
Because I will spend half of the day in a book shop.
Afternoon I take bus to Kumbakonam. The train is not available.
Hey, I am leaving the hostel at 9:45 a.m. and taking a Rapido to the book fair place. This is the last day of the book fair.
And I reached. It's very big. More than 400 stalls are here. I planned for the day, but it took up my full day. In the morning, I ate inside the book fair place at Codissia Fair Complex.
In the afternoon, at almost 3:20 p.m., I finished visiting all the stalls.
All publications were here. 95%.
And also I bought some books.
After leaving the book fair, I took Rapido to the Omni bus stand in Coimbatore. After I realized this time, there was no bus to Kumbakonam. So I booked a Red Bus, and the only available one is at night, 10 p.m. So I took that.
After taking lunch from a nearby hotel and currently sitting in the waiting area. Time currently 5:14 p.m.
My final notes :
Last 3 days mumbling (முணுமுணுத்தல்) I don't know. Last night suddenly controlled. But again it came this morning in the hostel. I read a book, but my mind cannot focus on the words. It's focused on what my mind thinks.
Overall, I feel okay. Total budget spending: 3000 rupees.
You can travel by local bus. Don't take Rapido or an auto. Also, book a train in advance or take a train. This is my suggestion. My travel way is not suitable for everyone.
Anyway, this is the longest and biggest blog post I've written.
Thanks...
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