Depart from Mayflower Palmgrove Apartments after a quick vehicle check; pack bottled water, sunhat, and temple-appropriate shawls for the morning. Aim to leave early to avoid traffic and reach the first temple while it opens.
Breakfast enroute at Ayyanar Mess, Vellore Highway (or similar roadside favorite) - hearty idli, vada, filter coffee; use this bio-break stop to freshen up and refuel for temple darshan.
Arrive at Nerur Sadasiva Temple for morning darshan and photography; allow time for circumambulation and observing the shrine rituals (carry small offerings like fruits and flowers).
Short drive to Vayalur Temple; explore the temple complex, listen for morning puja bells, and take a 20-30 minute relaxed visit to admire local sculptures and architecture.
Coffee and restroom break at Sangeetha Coffee House or a clean highway café nearby; grab filter coffee and snacks, check vehicle fuel and tire pressure before onward drive.
Leisurely drive toward the Mukkombu area with a planned photo stop at scenic points along the way; play light music, keep water and sun protection accessible.
Lunch enroute at Sri Krishna Mess, Kumbakonam Road - try the sambar rice and paruppu podi; use this stop as a bio-break and quick rest before reaching Mukkombu.
Resume drive toward Mukkombu (Grand Anicut), with a short photography and tea-stop at Hotel Saravana Bhavan coffee stall near the dam entrance.
Arrive at Mukkombu for a relaxed riverside stroll and birdwatching; spend time at the viewing platform and small gardens, keeping sun protection on.
Drive the short distance to nearby viewpoints and take a coffee break at The Banyan Café (or similar café enroute) to recharge and use restrooms.
Begin the drive toward Thanjavur, with a planned fuel/top-up stop at Indian Oil, Thanjavur bypass and quick snack (banana/fresh coconut) for the road.
Check in at Hotel Times Square, Thanjavur; freshen up, store offerings for evening darshan, and relax briefly before stepping out for the temple view.
Walk or drive to view the Brihadeeswarar Temple (Tanjore Big Temple) for the dramatic evening light and initial night photography; purchase any required tickets or passes at the counter.
Return to Hotel Times Square, Thanjavur if you parked nearby; change into clean clothes and leave small offerings prepared for the temple darshan.
Attend the evening aarti/view the illuminated sanctum at Brihadeeswarar Temple (Tanjore Big Temple) - allow 30-45 minutes for darshan and temple photography under lights.
Dinner at Sri Sabarees (Courtallam Mess) or Hotel Gnanam - try traditional Thanjavur thali or parotta with mutton kurma; use this stop also as a restroom and rest break.
Leisurely walk around the temple precincts to enjoy nighttime ambiance and local street vendors selling souvenirs; pick up a small brass or wooden keepsake.
Return to Hotel Times Square, Thanjavur; freshen up, store purchases, and prepare clothes/offering items for next day's early start.
Relax at the hotel-order hot chai or dessert from room service if desired, confirm next day's transport plan and friend's wedding timings, and set alarms for an early wake-up.
Wake-up call and freshen at Hotel Times Square; offer light water and change into temple-appropriate attire, keep shoes and phone in a small bag for darshan.
Drive to Punnai Nallur Mariamman Temple to catch the morning puja (temple opens early); allow 45-60 minutes for darshan, prasadam, and photographing the gopuram details.
Breakfast at Murugan Idli Shop near the temple - try soft idlis, pongal and filter coffee; use this stop as a bio-break and to buy bottled water for the day.
Return to the hotel to pack belongings, check out and store luggage in the car; quick restroom and refresh at Hotel Times Square before departing for the wedding venue.
Drive to Tamil Arasi Mahal for the friend's wedding arrival and pre-ceremony rituals; arrive early to locate parking and greet family, leaving time for brief photos.
Attend the wedding's initial ceremonies at Tamil Arasi Mahal-participate respectfully in rituals and expect a short break afterward for refreshments provided at the venue.
Lunch at the wedding feast inside Tamil Arasi Mahal or nearby catered buffet; use this time to rest, enjoy traditional Tamil wedding food, and take a restroom/bio-break at the venue facilities.
Short drive to Hotel Ponni Residency for check-in and to drop off luggage; freshen up and change into comfortable clothes for the afternoon sightseeing.
Depart for Gangai Konda Cholapuram; enjoy the scenic drive and plan a 60-75 minute visit to inspect the temple ruins and inscriptions with time for shaded rest and photography.
Tea and snack break at Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Kumbakonam Road (enroute) - grab filter coffee, vada or biscuits and use their restroom before continuing to Kollidam.
Arrive at Kollidam (Lower Anaicut) / Kollidam Dam for riverside views and birdwatching; take a leisurely walk along the embankment and enjoy sunset-approaching light while keeping to designated safe areas.
Drive back toward Thanjavur; stop for a quick photo and refresh at Vadakkurangathudurai (if enroute and time allows) or continue directly to town to prepare for evening museum visit.
Visit Thanjavur Maratha Palace & Art Gallery / Tanjore Museum (check closing time) for a brief tour of bronze and painting exhibits; allocate 45 minutes to an hour and use museum restrooms if needed.
Return to Hotel Ponni Residency to rest and change for dinner; collect any offerings or items needed for next day's early start.
Dinner at Hotel Gnanam or Sri Sabarees to sample a Thanjavur-style vegetarian thali or non-veg specialty; enjoy a relaxed meal and finalize plans for the next day's departure.
Leisurely post-dinner walk near Brihadeeswarar Temple precincts (if desired) to enjoy evening ambiance and street-side snacks, then return to Hotel Ponni Residency to rest for the night.
Dinner at Hotel Gnanam or Sri Sabarees - order a Thanjavur-style vegetarian thali or mutton kurma with parotta; use this stop as a final bio-break and to sample local sweets like mysore pak.
Leisurely evening walk near Brihadeeswarar Temple precincts (if well-lit and open) to enjoy night ambiance and street-side snack stalls selling murukku and banana chips.
Return to Hotel Ponni Residency; prepare clothes and small offerings for the next day's early departure, charge phones, and set alarms for morning checkout.
Relax in-room at Hotel Ponni Residency with hot tea or room service dessert, confirm tomorrow's driving route and fuel plan, and get a final bathroom/rest break before sleep.
Depart Hotel Ponni Residency after a quick freshen-up and pack small offerings; drive toward Needamangalam Venar Dam with bottled water and sunhat ready for the short morning walk.
Arrive at Needamangalam Venar Dam for a peaceful riverside stroll and birdwatching; use the dam-side toilets and enjoy filter coffee from a nearby stall if available.
Drive to Srivanjiyam Temple (Srivanchiyam) to catch early morning puja; allow 45-60 minutes for darshan and circumambulation while respecting temple timings.
Breakfast at Annapoorna Bhavan, Needamangalam or a local mess - try idli, pongal and filter coffee; use this stop as a bio-break and to refill water bottles for the day.
Head to SCN074 Sri Veeratteswarar Temple, Thiruvirkudi for a calm mid-morning visit; plan 30-40 minutes to view the shrine and take photos of the temple architecture.
Short drive to Sri Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukollikadu and spend about 30-45 minutes exploring the sanctum and local sculptures before continuing toward Mannargudi.
Coffee and restroom break at Hotel Saravana Coffee Stall enroute to Mannargudi; grab filter coffee and a quick snack (vada or banana) to recharge before the main temple darshan.
Arrive at Mannargudi Rajagopalasamy Temple; plan for a relaxed darshan of 60-75 minutes to attend mid-day rituals, savour prasadam if offered, and photograph the towering gopuram.
Lunch at Sree Annapoorna Mess, Mannargudi or Hotel Rajeswari - choose the thali for a quick, local midday meal and use the clean restrooms before continuing temple activities.
Stroll around the outer prakaram of Mannargudi Rajagopalasamy Temple to watch afternoon rituals and musicians; buy fresh flowers from the nearby stall if you wish to offer them later.
Visit the nearby Elephant Stable / Mandapam area (local landmark often called elephant popcut sengamalam) to see traditional temple elephant caretaking spots and take photographs while respecting local rules.
Tea and snack break at Sri Saravana Bhavan / Sangeetha Coffee Stall in Mannargudi - enjoy filter coffee and a banana fritter, and use this time for a restroom break and to check messages.
Short drive to explore the local markets around Mannargudi Temple for brass idols, temple prasadam, and sakkarai pongal stalls - pick up a few souvenirs like temple bells or betel boxes.
Return to Six Boutique Collection, Mannargudi to check in (if not already), freshen up, and rest briefly before evening visits; charge cameras and keep footwear ready for dusk darshan.
Walk back to Mannargudi Rajagopalasamy Temple for the evening aarti; arrive early to find a good viewing spot and observe the lamp ceremonies and devotional music.
Evening snacks at Hotel Saravana Bhavan or a street-side stall - try sweet pongal or murukku while enjoying temple precinct ambience and doing a final round of souvenir shopping.
Return to Six Boutique Collection, Mannargudi for dinner (ask the hotel for local home-cooked options) or head to Hotel Lakshmi Vilas for a fuller meal; rest and prepare offerings for next day's departure.
Attend the full evening aarti at Mannargudi Rajagopalasamy Temple, watching the lamp procession and devotional music; arrive early to secure a good vantage point near the sanctum.
Pick up temple prasadam and sweets from the nearby stall at Temple Prasadam Counter and sit at the temple courtyard to taste it while soaking in the night atmosphere.
Walk through the lit temple precincts and browse local stalls for brass idols and betel boxes at the Mannargudi Temple Market, bargaining politely for souvenirs.
Dinner at Hotel Lakshmi Vilas (recommended) to try a homely Tamil meal or at Six Boutique Collection if you prefer room service; use this stop for a restroom and to change into comfortable clothes.
Leisurely evening stroll or short drive to the Mannargudi Bus Stand area to see local night life and pick up packaged snacks like banana chips for the next day's travel.
Return to Six Boutique Collection; lay out clothes and offerings for the next morning, charge devices, and confirm vehicle fuel/toll receipts kept in the car.
Final bathroom/bio-break and light tea in-room at Six Boutique Collection, then relax with a brief review of tomorrow's timings and set alarms for an early checkout.
Check out from Six Boutique Collection and load luggage into the car; quick bathroom break and collect temple offerings or souvenirs bought earlier.
Drive toward Thanjavur with planned fuel/toll check at Indian Oil, Mannargudi Bypass; stop for a short stretch and bottled water if needed.
Breakfast at Sree Annapoorna Mess, Thanjavur or Murugan Idli Shop - choose a light idli/pongal meal and filter coffee, and use the clean restroom before museum visits.
Arrive at the Thanjavur Doll & Tanjore Painting Centre (e.g., Mani Gopal Art or Chola Craft Emporium) to begin guided viewing of Tanjore paintings and traditional dolls; allow time to ask the artist about techniques.
Visit a nearby specialty shop such as Krishna Tanjore Arts or Tanjore Dolls Corner to see live painting/doll-making demonstrations and purchase boxed dolls or small paintings as souvenirs.
Coffee and bio-break at Hotel Gnanam Café or a road-side clean café; pack purchased fragile items safely and confirm package sizes for bus/train or car transport home.
Quick stop at Brihadeeswarar Temple precincts outskirts (brief viewpoint only) to photograph any remaining temple scenes and stretch legs before proceeding to Trichy.
Depart for Trichy Chathiram Bus Stand; plan arrival allowing time for shopping in the bus-stand markets and grabbing packaged snacks (banana chips, murukku) for the return trip.
Lunch at Hotel Gnanam near the museum area - try the Thanjavur thali or masala dosa; use this stop as a bio-break and to pack fragile purchases safely for travel.
Return to Krishna Tanjore Arts or Chola Craft Emporium for any last-minute purchases or to collect framed Tanjore paintings; ask for bubble-wrap and a cardboard box for safe transport.
Drive toward Trichy Chathiram Bus Stand, with a quick fuel/toll check at Indian Oil, Thanjavur Bypass enroute; stretch legs at a highway rest area if needed.
Arrive at Trichy Chathiram Bus Stand area; explore the market stalls for packaged snacks (banana chips, murukku), brass utensils, and textile shops - use public restrooms for a bio-break as required.
Stop for coffee and refreshments at Sri Saravana Bhavan (near Chathiram) or a clean café in the bus-stand precinct; finalize purchases and tape/secure fragile items for the drive home.
Begin the drive home from Trichy Chathiram Bus Stand, keeping toll receipts and parked-route notes handy; plan a short stretch and restroom break enroute at a clean highway plaza.
Evening tea/snack stop at A2B / Hotel Saravana Bhavan (highway outlet) - refresh with tea and light snack, check tyre pressure and fuel level, and confirm estimated arrival time at home.
Quick dinner enroute at a recommended highway hotel (for example Sree Krishna Comforts or similar) to avoid late-night hunger; use this stop for a final bio-break before the last leg home.
Arrive back home; unload fragile purchases and paintings carefully, note mileage and toll receipts for travel-cost reconciliation, and rest after the road trip.
Quick photo and stretch at the scenic spot near Kallanai / Grand Anicut viewpoint (if on route) to enjoy river views and evening light before proceeding to Trichy; short 10-15 minute walk and restroom use if available.
Dinner stop at Sree Krishna Comforts (Highway/Trichy outlet) or Hotel Saravana Bhavan (Trichy bypass outlet) for a hot Thali or dosa; take a proper bio-break and relax before the final shopping leg.
Arrive at Trichy Chathiram Bus Stand market area for evening shopping - pick packaged snacks like banana chips and murukku, and look for small brass items; use public restrooms in the bus-stand complex if needed.
Pack and secure all purchases with extra tape/blankets in the car at a lit parking area near Chathiram; verify toll receipts and note mileage for final cost tally.
Arrive home, unload fragile items carefully and store souvenirs; settle travel receipts (tolls/fuel) for expense reconciliation and take a final bio-break before resting.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Mayflower Palmgrove Apartments (start point) | Free |
| Ayyanar Mess (breakfast enroute / typical roadside mess) | ₹120 |
| Nerur Sadasiva Temple (darshan) | Free |
| Vayalur Temple (darshan) | Free |
| Sangeetha Coffee House (coffee break) | ₹80 |
| Sri Krishna Mess (lunch enroute) | ₹180 |
| Mukkombu (Grand Anicut) - entry/viewing | Free |
| The Banyan Café (coffee near Mukkombu) | ₹120 |
| Indian Oil (fuel/top-up stop) - service cost excluded | Free |
| Hotel Times Square Thanjavur - per person (single-share approximation split) | ₹900 |
| Brihadeeswarar Temple (evening visit) | Free |
| Sri Sabarees / Hotel Gnanam (dinner) | ₹300 |
| Punnai Nallur Mariamman Temple (darshan) | Free |
| Murugan Idli Shop (breakfast near Punnai Nallur) | ₹120 |
| Tamil Arasi Mahal (wedding venue - no ticket) | Free |
| Hotel Ponni Residency - per person (single-share approximation split) | ₹700 |
| Gangai Konda Cholapuram (entry/viewing) | Free |
| Hotel Saravana Bhavan (tea/snack enroute) | ₹80 |
| Kollidam Dam (Lower Anaicut) - viewing | Free |
| Thanjavur Maratha Palace & Art Gallery / Tanjore Museum (entry) | ₹50 |
| Sree Annapoorna / Hotel Rajeswari (lunch in Mannargudi area) | ₹180 |
| Needamangalam Venar Dam (viewing) | Free |
| Srivanchiyam (Srivanjiyam) Temple (darshan) | Free |
| SCN074 Sri Veeratteswarar Temple, Thiruvirkudi (darshan) | Free |
| Sri Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukollikadu (darshan) | Free |
| Mannargudi Rajagopalasamy Temple (darshan) | Free |
| Elephant area (elephant popcut sengamalam) - local viewing | Free |
| Six Boutique Collection Mannargudi - per person (single-share approximation split) | ₹800 |
| Hotel Lakshmi Vilas (dinner option) | ₹250 |
| Thanjavur Doll & Tanjore Painting Centre (e.g., Mani Gopal Art / Chola Craft Emporium) - demonstration and small purchase | ₹500 |
| Krishna Tanjore Arts / Tanjore Dolls Corner (souvenirs) | ₹300 |
| Trichy Chathiram Bus Stand market (shopping snacks) | ₹200 |
| Sree Krishna Comforts / Highway dinner stop | ₹250 |
| Snacks / miscellaneous (banana chips, murukku, small souvenirs) | ₹300 |
| Car travel cost (i20 petrol) - fuel estimate per person | ₹700 |
| Tolls (total) - per person | ₹150 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | ₹7,090 |