I would like to share my one day trip to Kumbakonam among the members. we were very particular to go on a week day as there will not be much crowd. We took the morning Cholan SF Express (22675) from Egmore Station at 8.00 A.M and reached Kumbakonam at 1.30 P.M. On the main road, opposite to the Station, we took a bus to Sri Nachiar Kovil. At Nachiar Kovil, there is Sri Ahobila Mutt with rooms etc for pilgrims stay. Since the day time was very hot, we went to the Sri Uttaratadi Mutt(very near to the temple on the opposite side of the road) , took permission from the in-charge and stayed in their spacious hall till 4.15 P.M. They are very particular about keeping the place very clean.
The temple is scheduled to open at 4.30 P.M in the evening , but to our pleasant surprise, it was opened well before that time and there was no crowd at all. Sri Prasanna Bhattar performed the archanai and explained in detail about the temple, Kal Garudan etc. Later he arranged an auto to go to Oppiliappan and Kumbakonam. We were fortunate to have an excellent Auto Owner, Sh.Selvam (8940770136), who took us to Oppiliappan temple, Raghu Sthalam and finally to Kumbakonam, Sri Chakrapani, Sri Adhi Varaha Perumal , Sri Ramaswami and finally dropped us at Sri Sarangapani Kovil.. In all the places there was no crowd at all except at Sri Adhi Varaha Perumal where we had to wait for sometime, due to the Tuesday crowd. Mr.Selvam spoke very softly and never made us to hurry up or anything. He also owns Honda Amaze. During our previous many trips to Kumbakonam, we had bitter experience with the auto drivers. and it was indeed a pleasant experience with Mr.Selvam. He is based at Nachiar Kovil.
At Oppiliappan Temple, Just opposite , there is a corner shop, where they sell Pooja Material etc. The owner will greet you as if he knows you for the past so many years. He was trying to sell a Ghee bottle (M.R.P. Rs.90 /-) for Rs.140/- My son after seeing the M.R.P. Rate and questioned him and he immediately retracted with a vague excuse and accepted Rs.90/- So we, pilgrims should not fall for the sweet greetings etc.
At Sri Sarangapani Temple, they gave us plenty of Prasadam and our pilgrimage to Kumbakonam Shetram is over by 8.30 P.M. We had bitter experience in engaging Auto to go to the Station in the night time, so we took a bus and the conductor dropped us at a place from where the Station is 15 minutes walk. As we had plenty of time in our hand to catch the Uzhavn Express at 10.25 P.M. we opted for the bus.
In the month of February, 2026, when we went to Kumbakonam, we stayed for two days at Sri Andavan Ashramam. We had home made food at Mrs. Saranayaki, 38, Gokulam, Swaminathan Nagar, Old Palakkarai, Kumbakonam-612001. (Mob: 9941431273)
The temple is scheduled to open at 4.30 P.M in the evening , but to our pleasant surprise, it was opened well before that time and there was no crowd at all. Sri Prasanna Bhattar performed the archanai and explained in detail about the temple, Kal Garudan etc. Later he arranged an auto to go to Oppiliappan and Kumbakonam. We were fortunate to have an excellent Auto Owner, Sh.Selvam (8940770136), who took us to Oppiliappan temple, Raghu Sthalam and finally to Kumbakonam, Sri Chakrapani, Sri Adhi Varaha Perumal , Sri Ramaswami and finally dropped us at Sri Sarangapani Kovil.. In all the places there was no crowd at all except at Sri Adhi Varaha Perumal where we had to wait for sometime, due to the Tuesday crowd. Mr.Selvam spoke very softly and never made us to hurry up or anything. He also owns Honda Amaze. During our previous many trips to Kumbakonam, we had bitter experience with the auto drivers. and it was indeed a pleasant experience with Mr.Selvam. He is based at Nachiar Kovil.
At Oppiliappan Temple, Just opposite , there is a corner shop, where they sell Pooja Material etc. The owner will greet you as if he knows you for the past so many years. He was trying to sell a Ghee bottle (M.R.P. Rs.90 /-) for Rs.140/- My son after seeing the M.R.P. Rate and questioned him and he immediately retracted with a vague excuse and accepted Rs.90/- So we, pilgrims should not fall for the sweet greetings etc.
At Sri Sarangapani Temple, they gave us plenty of Prasadam and our pilgrimage to Kumbakonam Shetram is over by 8.30 P.M. We had bitter experience in engaging Auto to go to the Station in the night time, so we took a bus and the conductor dropped us at a place from where the Station is 15 minutes walk. As we had plenty of time in our hand to catch the Uzhavn Express at 10.25 P.M. we opted for the bus.
In the month of February, 2026, when we went to Kumbakonam, we stayed for two days at Sri Andavan Ashramam. We had home made food at Mrs. Saranayaki, 38, Gokulam, Swaminathan Nagar, Old Palakkarai, Kumbakonam-612001. (Mob: 9941431273)
