Yesterday turned into a surprising road trip adventure across South India. It all started with my friend asking if I could join him on an official trip to Trichy and Pudukottai, where he was accompanying another friend. Since I already had a task to pick up some belongings from my aunt in Trichy, I figured, why not? We set out from Madurai at 10:30 AM, driving through the scenic routes of Madurai-Dindigul-Trichy.
By 12:40 PM, we made our first pit stop at Agathiyar Tea Shop in Karumandapam. Nothing sets the tone for a trip like some good tea and snacks. I treated myself to a sandwich and their famous stuffed bun — delicious and perfectly spiced. Energized, we then headed to my uncle’s house in Tillai Nagar. I arrived to a pleasant surprise: my cousin was there with her kids, and it was a heartwarming reunion with my family. It felt great to catch up, even if only for a short while.
Around 1:30 PM, my friend decided to meet up with his childhood friend, who happened to be nearby at the Airtel office in Tillai Nagar. We joined him and then wandered over to Chellammal Mess for a proper South Indian lunch buffet. Between 1:45 PM and 2:30 PM, we dined on a hearty spread of organic vegetables, spinach, and wholesome traditional dishes. A satisfying meal to fuel us for the long drive ahead.
After lunch, we made a quick stop at Padma Coffee to pick up some freshly ground filter coffee powder. This little side trip made us laugh as my friend started reminding us of our “official” purpose — though, in truth, it was shaping up to be more of a memorable day of spontaneous stops and laughs.
Just as we were ready to head back to Madurai, our friend mentioned he needed to buy crackers for his kids, sparking an impromptu detour to Sivakasi, famous for its firecracker shops. From Alangudi, we mapped out a route that led us through Pudukottai, Manamadurai, and Narikudi, which also happens to be my friend’s ancestral village. By this time, night had fully settled in, casting the route in darkness. The roads felt mysterious, winding through unfamiliar, dimly lit stretches with barely any signs of life. It added a sense of quiet adventure to our trip, navigating by headlights alone. We paused for a quick tea break in Tirumayam around 6:15 PM, briefly savoring a warm cup before pressing on through the shadowy roads toward Sivakasi.
After the long drive, we stopped for a late dinner at Karuppiah Nadar Mess in Ettuvattam around 9:45 PM. Once we’d refueled, we arrived at the cracker shop in Sivakasi by 10:30 PM, where we stocked up on fireworks, making sure each of us left with something for Diwali.
Finally, we drove back to Madurai, reaching home around midnight. Our friend was dropped off by 12:15 AM, and we arrived home, exhausted but happy, by 12:45 AM.
In total, it was a 500+ kilometer journey through cities, highways, and countryside. My friend drove the initial leg, but I took over after the tea stop and handled the rest of the trip. It was a day filled with laughter, unexpected stops, and family reunions — truly an unforgettable adventure on the road.
AnandNataraj 