make your trip

Pichavaram Mangrove forests.

How to reach: If you are from Chennai or Pondicherry, go towards Chidambaram via Cuddalore and immediately after a small hamlet called Mutloor, take the by-pass road and drive slow. You will find a board directing you to Pichavaram. From the by-pass drive further for 10 more kms towards the coast. If you are from other parts of the state, just take a bus from Chidambaram and it will take 45 mins to reach Pichavaram.

Ideal time: August to October and January to March.

What to see:  Pichavaram Mangrove forests. Pichavaram the second largest Mangrove forest in the world is one of the unique Eco-tourism spots in South India. The backwaters, inter connected by the Vellar and Coleroon river systems, offers waterscape and back water cruises. Pichavaram consists of a number of islands interspersing a vast expanse of water covered with green trees. The area is about 2800 acres and is separated from the sea by a sand bar which is a patch of extraordinary loveliness. The Pichavaram mangroves attract an appreciable bird population of 177 species. You can take a boat from TTDC boat house. Rates will differ according to the no of persons. Usually they charge 260/- for four persons. (for manual boats)  Pl take a manual boat so that you can have the pleasure of watching the forests. If you take mechanized boats, the pleasure will be lost. Earlier there was a lake side Guest House run by the TTDC. Now it is not functioning. If you want to stay, you have to come back to Chidambaram.

Things to do: Go around 10-11 am (if the weather is alright) or after 3 pm (In summer). The information board says that the boating service starts at 8. am. But sometimes the water level will be very low and boatmen will have to wait for water level to increase. Have some eatables and a bottle of water. Have a good camera and take photos of your choice. Take a cap to cover your head.

Things not to do: Usually they stop the boat in the middle of the forest for a few mins. At that time, don’t try to step outside. The surface may look dry but if you step in then you will be in trouble. Take food if you want to spend the full day there. There is one restaurant but it is not advisable to take food there. Don’t spend time there after 6.30 pm.

Have a pleasant and safe journey.

Jammu.

How to reach: If you are from Chennai, take a flight to Delhi and then onward flight to Jammu. (No direct flight service from Chennai to Jammu). Once you reach Jammu airport, take an auto or prepaid taxi to Hari Market. Hari market is located at the heart of the town. Central bus stand, Raghunath Mandir and Hotels are located only near Hari Market. If you are new to Jammu, then take rooms in Hotel City Heart. Contact Mr.Naresh (09858634335) for booking rooms. Tariff will be 1000/-, 1200/- and so on. Rooms are good. Food is also good. Room Service is excellent. Even of you are not good at Hindi, persons in this Hotel speak good English. From the central bus stand or from a nearby mini bus stop called Jewel Stop, you can get buses to all major places.       

Ideal time: September to February. During other months it will be terribly hot.

What to see:  This depends upon your interest. If you are a religious person, then Jammu is really good. Raghunath Mandir (walkable from Hari market), Vaishno Devi temple (2hrs from central bus stand and a 13 km walk from the bus stop to the top of the hill. After walking for 6 kms, battery cars and horse riding are available but you need to wait for hours together. But it is religious to walk for the entire 13 kms. It will be ideal if you start around 4 pm from central bus stand so that you will reach the stop around 6 and it is easy to walk during night and get darshan around 12 0r 1 in the night. Temple is open 24 hrs. ) For non-religious persons, Rajindar park (just 10 mins from central bus stand. 6 rs ticket in mini buses), Bahu Fort (located adjacent to Jammu University-Just 15-20 mins and 6 rs ticket in mini buses) and Hari Niwas Palace (just 30 min if you take an auto). Some other tourist destinations are there but will take more time (50 and more kms from Jammu town)       

Things to do: Take a good binocular. Take shawls to cover your children during night. Don’t purchase things for the rate displayed. Bargain pl. There are some shops with the boards Jammu & Kashmir Handloom Corporation. But then these shops are also privatized and don’t be carried away by the name board. If you don’t know Hindi and even if you know Hindi, the shopkeepers try their level best to loot you. Beware. There is one super market where you can get things for a fixed price. It is Baniya Super market (0191-2570298) located in Raghunath Bazaar. You can purchase in this shop. And one thing you should purchase is dry fruits. Good variety of dry fruits available in most of the shops in both Hari Market & Raghunath Bazaar. Do make use of buses or mini buses for all the places you want to visit. It is very cheap and there are frequent services.

Things not to do: In other airports, we are supposed to check in 2 hrs before departure but in Jammu you can be there even earlier. Unlike other airports, security check up takes more time because they check us at five to six levels. It takes more time. Then don’t purchase any electrical or electronic items for security reasons. When you purchase clothes like Kashmiri Shawls etc, pl make sure of the quality. Don’t purchase anything at the rates displayed. Don’t take food in hotels inside the bus stand as they are not hygienic. When you visit temples, pl don’t take your cameras or mobile phones. Even if you have, you have to deposit all these things in a locker at the temple gates and then you can enter. Don’t hire an auto unless it is badly needed because they will charge more. Stay alert always. Keep your valuables safe.

Have a pleasant and safe journey.

Alamparai Fort.

How to reach: If you are from Chennai, take bus to Pondicherry via ECR. After Kadapakkam inform the bus conductor to stop at Alamparai Fort Junction. From there you can take an auto to the Fort. (usually they charge 50 to 70 rs) Fort is located at the tranquil backwaters. If you are from Pondicherry you can take a bike or car. It is just 14 kms from Marakanam. Pl don’t fail to notice the board Alamparai Fort 3kms from ECR.  

Ideal time: Throughout the year. (after 4 pm)

What to see:  Alamparai Fort.    The ruins of Alamparai Fort on the land overlooking the sea. Constructed in the late 17th century during the Mughal era, the Alamparai Fort once had a 100-metre long dockyard stretching into the sea, from which cloth, salt, and milk products like ghee were exported. During 1735 AD it was ruled by Nawab Doste Ali Khan. In 1750, for the services rendered by the famous French commander Duplex to Subedar Muzarfarzang, the fort was gifted to the French. When French were defeated by the British, the fort was captured and destroyed in 1760 AD. More recently the structure was damaged in the 2004 Tsunami. Local fishermen assist tourists in a pleasurable boating experience around the fort.

Things to do: It is always better to plan your trip to this fort either in a bike or a car not by bus. Have some eatables and a bottle of water. Have a good camera and take photos of your choice. Take a cap to cover your head. Go in a group. Go around the fort and if you have the sense of appreciating the architectural excellence or the relics of the past, then you may perhaps enjoy the spot. If you don’t find it interesting go and sit in the beach. Take bath only with the assistance of local fisher folk.

Things not to do: Don’t go alone and don’t take your boy friend or girl friend alone. (Very dangerous place) Don’t take children into the backwaters. (very risky). And the most dangerous thing is to take bath in the beach where river water is merging with the sea. It has powerful currents and you will definitely be washed away. Even if you know swimming, there is no use. Villagers say more than a dozen tourists drowned and lost their lives. Just watch the serene beauty of the fort and the backwaters. Never dare to swim or take bath in the beach or the backwaters.         

Have a pleasant and safe journey.

Tranquebar Fort.

How to reach: Tranquebar is 280 kms from Chennai airport.
It is 32 kms from Nagapattinam and Chidambaram.
It is just 10 kms north of Karaikal, a part of Pondicherry Union Territory. 
There are no hotels in Tranquebar but persons who prefer luxury can stay at the Hotel on the beach or the one run by TTDC. It is better to stay in Karaikal which has a lot of Hotels that will suit your budget. Just take any bus from Chidambaram to Karaikal/Nagapattinam and get down at Karaikal. It will not take more than ten mins.  

Ideal time: September to February.

What to see:  Tharangambadi (or Tranquebar) is a serene coastal hamlet 10 km north of Karaikal, near the mouth of Nandalar, a distributary river of the Cauvery River. It is a part of Nagapattinam district. It was a colony of the Danish from 1620 to 1845. There is a danish fort on the beach. The Fort was first based in 1620 A.D. Another attraction of the place is the beautiful church of Bartholomaus Ziegenbalg. A museum is there to cater your academic needs. 

Things to do: Go after 4 pm. If you want to spend more time in the fort, then go a little early beause the fort is open for public only up to 5 pm. After 5 pm, you can sit and relax in the beach. Then move gradually to the church and then perhaps to your hotel in Karaikal. Have some snacks and a bottle of water. There won’t be any shops near the fort. But on weekends there will be a few wagon venders selling nuts, ice-creams etc. Tranquebar is also environmentally healthy in that it is considered an 'Ozone Rich Beach' due to the presence of profuse amounts of ozone. Sit in a straight position and take a deep breath. If you know meditation or yoga, it will be useful for you. Even if you have splitting headache, sit and breathe, you will be relieved within minutes. No magic. Sheer geographical advantage.  

Things not to do: If you travel by car or bike, don’t keep any valuables in your car or bike box. At any cost, don’t try to take bath or swim in the sea. Don’t spend time there after 6.30 pm.

Have a pleasant and safe journey.

Vailankanni.

How to reach: Vailankanni is well connected by roads and not perhaps by rail or air. Buses are plying to this holy shrine from all parts of Tamilnadu. From Chennai, every ten mins there is a bus and from Trichy or Madurai also bus services are frequent. By train you can reach Nagapattinam and take a bus. Just ten min drive from Nagapattinam.        

Ideal time: September to February. During the Annual Car Festival (approx August end or September first week) there will be heavy rush.

What to see: Shrine of the Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni & the beach.  

Things to do: Visit the church in the early mornings or late evenings. Take food in a good hotel. Usually in this place food is not good in any hotel including the church canteen. Rarely a hotel that provides good food and somewhat better hygienic atmosphere is Hotel Dravidar, just opposite to the Shrine Office. But the best option is Hotel Palace inside Nagapattinam bus stand. If you have a vehicle then you can just drive and take delicious non-veg food(Paraotta/Naan+Butter Chicken, Biriyani+ chicken/prawn fry) in Hotel Palace. Having food there will be a life time experience. If you are new to the place and searching for good rooms, the best choice is Hotel Welcome just adjacent to Hotel Dravidar.      

Things not to do: Don’t take fish on the beachside restaurants. Hotels in this place are really bad and unhygienic. If you travel by car or bike, don’t keep any valuables in your car or bike box. At any cost, don’t try to take bath or swim in the sea. In this part of the sea, there are many poisonous water snakes/sea creatures which may harm you. In fact, there is a warning board in the beach. Hundreds take bath ignoring the warning. But don’t dare to ignore the warning. Then you will be trouble.

Have a pleasant and safe journey.

Mumbai.

How to reach: No need to give tips. Everyone knows.        

Ideal time: August- September & January- March.

What to see: India Gate, Hotel Taj, Elephanta Caves (from India Gate you can take tickets for boating to Elephanta. Then you have to walk for 2 kms and then climb a hill for another 1 km. (for the first 2 km stretch there is a heritage train service which is usually crowded. Old age persons and sick persons can avoid visiting Elephanta), Bombay Natural History Museum, Nehru Science Centre, and Taraporewala aquarium.

Things to do: Immediately after reaching the Mumbai airport take a call taxi or auto and move to Villa Parle, a place where you can get somewhat good hotels. In Mumbai, hotels will be very expensive and very much congested. So choose the right hotel to stay. Don’t fail to visit museums.           

Things not to do: Pl be careful when you travel by Mumbai trains which will be overcrowded always. People will rush to enter trains. Keep your purse and mobile phone safe.  

Have a pleasant and safe journey.