Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Monday, November 17, 2008

Varanasi Tour- Remembered

Some suggestions for those who want to perform Varanasi / Kasi Tour from Tamil Nadu:

Accommodation:
In Varanasi you can stay in Kumarasamy Madam (also called Thirupanndal Madam).For confirmed accommodation you have to got letter from Thirupanndal Madam,Which is near Kumbakonam in Tanjore District,Tamil Nadu and phone to Varanasi Kumarasamy Madam about your tour plan and requirement of rooms.In normal days( other than Ammavasai or festival days) you can get rooms With out letter from Madam.You can request by phone itself.

Kumarasamy Madam ( Thirupanndal Madam) is near Kedar Ghat and Kedareeswar temple.It is very convenient and clean room.24 hrs water supply avilable.Generator is switched ON during power cut.Tamil Nadu food ( Meals at noon,tiffin Idly,Pongal vadai, Uppma, Chappathi,Poori at morning and night)is available opposite to Madam itself. Shops to purchase daily ( soap,shampoo,paste,brush etc)needs are nearby located nearby to Madam.

There is a Nattukkottai Nagara Satram in Kasi which is also very good.It is located near the temple.You have to phone and give your requirement.For this Satram , if you get recommendation of any Nattukkottai Chettiyar you will get assured accommodation.

The auro/rickshawal knows the locations if you mention natcot satram or Kumaraswamy matt.There is no language problem in Varanasi.

In both the places rooms with attached bathrooms and family halls are available. There is no problem for food as well as for transport.They will help to get Gurukal for doing all poojas.

As our main purpose is taking taking bathe in Ganges several times during our stay ,if we stay in Kumraswamy mutt which is very near to Kedar ghat will be very convenient.

Motor Boats are avilable near Kedar Ghat for rent to visit all the 64 Ghats and back. On the way we can visit Viswanathar temple and Bindhu madavar temple.

Hence staying at Kumaraswamy Mutt is recommended.


1. Sri Kasi Nattukkottai Nagara Satram,
Godowlia, Varanasi, Mr. Muthukaruppan
Phone: 0542-2451804

2. Nattukkottai Nagara Satram,
No. 171, Chand Chowra, Gaya,
Mr. Jeyamkondan - 09973436309

3. Nattukkottai Nagara Satram,
( 149 ) 1/91, Mori, Daraganj, Allahabad,
Mr.Annamalai- 05322501275
Mobile- 09305562457

Sri Kumaraswamy Matt,
B/13/156, Sonarpura, Kedar Ghat,
Varanasi-221001,
Ph:0542-2454064,
Agent: V.P.Shanmuga Sundaram.


It is helpfull to follow my suggestions.

1.Get confirmed train tickets for all your journeys well in advance.

2.Phone to Madam or Satram and inform your requirement of rooms.

3.Take your kattusathams,Chappathis for train journey and ooruhai ,milahai podi, thengai thuvaiyal etc for journeys( onward and return )

4.Bring Panner ( 500 ml) and Vipoothi ( 500gm) ( Palani Siddhanathan sons) for abisheham at Viswanathar temple from your native place itself as they are not available and costly in Varanasi..You can do abisheham by yourself and then collect vipoothi as prasatham .

Things to be carried for the tour are as follows

1.Paste, brush, oil, soap, comb, shaving kit

2.Water mug, plate, tumbler, spoon, water bottle

3.Small umbrella, torch light, spare battery,

4.Plastic bags, cloth bags, plastic rope,

5.Camera,battery for camera

6.Specks and speck's box

7.Cell phone and cell phone charger

8.Regular Medicines and emergency medicines

9.Train tickets, ID Card, ATM cards

10.Sand collected from Rameswaram

11.Chain & lock for suitcase and lock for bags

12.Books,brouchers,maps,address book

13.Idly powder, ready mix powders, pickles

14. Dresses, towels, Hair clips