Cuddapah to Madurai Flights

  About Cuddapah

Cuddapah or Kadapa is a city nestled in the south-central part of Andhra Pradesh's Rayalseema region. With a district headquarters of Kadapa district, the city is famously known for holding the gateway to the sacred Tirumala Hills from the west. The popular route from Cuddapah leads straight to Tirumala Tirupathi Balaji Temple and hence, holds tremendous importance. The city also has some historical significance as it has been ruled by several dynasties including the Cholas, Khalji emperor Alla Uddin from the Mughal era, rulers from the Kingdom of Mysore and eventually, the British Raj. As per shreds of evidence extracted by the Archaeological Survey of India, it is also stated that the Mourya and Satavahana dynasty, Chalukya and Pallavas were also habitants of Cuddapah.

With so many various dynasties taking charge, the city's landscape does have some exciting architecture and cultural structures. Cuddapah's location between the Nallamala and Palkonda Hills on the Eastern and Western ghats have enabled the city to acquire some beautiful lush green landscapes. You will also find forts, mosques, dense forests and temples, which round off to be the top tourist attractions.

The city of Cuddapah has impeccable flight connectivity as well as rail and road transportation. Ahead of the trip, try to book flight tickets with some deals on Cuddapah. You can find a plethora of flight ticket options online. There are quite a handful of decent hotels in the city. Booking hotels in Cuddapah might be slightly challenging if you are looking at lavish accommodations. However, there are some modest hotels that you can choose from.

Best time to visit Cuddapah

Most of the cities in the South of India often face extreme summers. The temperatures range from 35 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius during peak season. Hence, it is recommended to avoid planning trips around this time. Cuddapah also falls under this category and has high temperatures during summer. Travelling during peak season between March to May would not be ideal for your itinerary as the scorching heat would tire you out. Plus, it is also quite unpleasant and should be avoided at all cost.

Winters though, are a treat. The city might not see frigid cold weather, but it would certainly have a charming appeal with all the greenery and cool breeze. The winter season starts from December and lasts till February. The lowest the temperatures would fall to is 25 degrees Celsius. This would enable you to step out during the day and explore more of the city without worrying about the consequences of excess heat.

Monsoons in Cuddapah begin in June and last up to October. The rains are quite moderate and don't wreak havoc in the city; the humidity following the rains could be annoying. You can always pack some extra cotton clothes to feel less hot if a trip to Cuddapah during monsoon is inevitable.

Places to visit in Cuddapah

Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary

Another important tourist attraction is the Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary. The green expanse boasts over 1500 motley of plants and trees that you've probably never heard or seen. The sanctuary is also home to a varied species of birds along with wildlife such as spotted deer, blackbuck, sambar, sloth bear, hyena and more. Established in 1989, the sanctuary is well-maintained and continues to see many visitors.

Ameen Peer Dargah

Constructed in 1683 by Sufi Saint Peerullah Hussaini, the Ameen Peer Dargah stands as a symbol of harmony in Cuddapah. The dargah's significance is how it brings forth a feeling of harmony among every individual that nullifies their religious descent. Made in good faith by the Sufi saint, the dargah continues to see a massive number of visitors who find the story and the structure, symbolic. Further, it is also believed that a person of faith's wishes is granted when asked from the Dargah premise.

Pushpagiri

For those heading to Cuddapah for a pilgrimage to Tirumala Hills, you can actually start your temple excursions from the city itself. Pushpagiri is one such famous location which has a handful of temples in the same vicinity. It is the largest temple region and is also known as the second Hampi of India. There are temples of Hindu faith ranging with shrines of Saiva and Vaishnava, to name a few. The temple complex also has Chennakesava Swamy temple which sees tremendous visitors all-year-round.

Sidhout Fort

Snuggled up on the banks of the Pennar River is the beautiful and artistic Sidhout Fort. The existence of the fort dates back to 1303 AD and covers a vast expanse of 30 acres of land. Right from the entrance of the fort with embellished pillars to intricate carvings on the wall, the fort promotes the flourishing architecture of the ancient era. You should definitely visit the place and take in all the astounding architecture.

Bhagvan Mahavir Government Museum

With a dynamic history, the Bhagvan Mahavir Government Museum has quite a lot of historical artefacts and scriptures from the ancient eras. Some of the artefacts exhibited are as old as 5th century. You will find some exciting stories from the antiques and displays. The museum came into existence in 1982, and the government has since then been preserving the institution by consistently adding more displays from their excavation endeavours. It will be quite an educational trip and ideal for travellers who are invested in the history and culture of Cuddapah.

Things to do in Cuddapah

Explore India's Grand Canyon at Gandikota

Touted to be a replica of the famous Grand Canyon of the United States of America, the location of the Gandikota Fort is a little close to the Erramala Ranges in Andhra Pradesh. With the Penna River flowing through the natural wonder, experts have commented that the canyon is easily more than 1000 years old. What makes the place even more alluring is the fact that it has been untouched or exploited by excessive travellers. The area continues to maintain its natural serenity and blends with the rich heritage. As you reach the summit, you will find yourself in the Gandikota Fort. The structure was constructed in the 13-century with stunning red sandstone that continues to glisten to this day.

Some groups will take you through a tour of the canyon. You can take cycles and pedal up to the valley. You can also take up trekking as an option to reach the fort. Make sure that you take tour guide along with you for this trip though.

Aside from the Gandikota excursion, there are several hills around Cuddapah that you can explore by hiking or trekking. Although camping is not allowed due to safety reasons, one can always go on midnight treks to catch the sunrise or opt for a day trek to see the sunset.

Food and Restaurants in Cuddapah

Andhra food is known to be spicy. In fact, they love their colossal quantity of rice on the plate, bowl full of pickles and lip-smacking spicy food. Cuddapah is no different when it comes to the said cuisine. The city does have some variety in their food options, but the Nizam influence inspires much of it. Cuddapah's cuisine is a melange of various famous delicacies including Mughlai, South Indian and biryani binge. Some of the famous restaurants in the city are Mantra Family restaurant, Andhra Spice restaurant, Shahi Dharna and Chennur Dum Biryani, to name a few. These food joints have non-vegetarian food and are exceptionally good when it comes to biryani and Mughlai food. As for the vegetarians, Aaritaku restaurant, Rosayya Tiffin Centre, Aahar 2000 are some joints that only provide vegetarian food.

How to reach Cuddapah (Transportation)

By Air

Cuddapah Airport (also called Kadapa Airport) has decent flight connectivity from Hyderabad and Chennai. The only direct flights to Cuddapah are from these two cities, and hence, if you're travelling from different parts of India, you will have to change flights in Chennai or Hyderabad. There is one dedicated airline called TruJet that has regular flights to and from Cuddapah. There are a bunch of flight deals that you can acquire when looking for flights to and from Cuddapah. No specific international routes connect to Cuddapah as it is a small city in Andhra Pradesh. The presence of the airport simplifies travelling. There are some decent hotels in Cuddapah as well. The flight tickets to Cuddapah are quite cheap and affordable, even on peak season.

By Rail

The city has its railway station called Kadapa Railway Station. Interestingly, the busiest domestic routes that pass through Cuddapah is from Mumbai to Chennai. Often people who wish to reach Tirumala Hills get down either at the Kadapa station or the Guntakal station. The state is currently also working on constructing a Cuddapah-Bangalore line to make travelling convenient by train.

By Road

The road connectivity to Cuddapah from other cities is quite robust. There are buses and other forms of transport from major cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Nellore, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Kurnool and more, that pass through Cuddapah. Public and private buses take the domestic route from Cuddapah to reach other major cities.

  About Madurai

Touted to be one of the ancient cities in India, Madurai is especially recognised for its religious significance. The city has a lot of temples of which the Meenakshi Amman Temple is considered as the most important one. The temple also has a shrine for her consort, Sundareswarar. Madurai is also pretty close to hill stations like Kodaikanal, Thekkady, Munnar, Kumily and so on. Madurai is the perfect blend of natural beauty and heritage with a dash of urbanisation. It also plays a crucial role in preserving Tamil culture, Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam. People of Madurai are also known for celebrating all the key festivals with a lot of grandiose.

Best Time to Visit Madurai

Madurai is best visited during winters. The weather in Madurai is pleasant, and the city is buzzing with tourists and pilgrims. You can book a hotel room in Madurai closer to the Meenakshi Amman temple if that is your main purpose of the visit. Commuting in the city is not very difficult.

Winters in Madurai start from December and last till February. The temperature ranges from 20-29 degree Celsius. This is also when Pongal is celebrated across the city for three whole days. The harvest festival, that is celebrated across Tamil Nadu with a lot of grandeur, gets only better. However, since it is peak season, booking a hotel in Madurai can get a tad bit expensive. Do lookout for good flight deals to Madurai online. Since it is peak season, make sure you book your flight tickets to Madurai well in advance.

The city experiences monsoon from June to August and Madurai experiences very heavy rainfall. Though the rains add to all the beauty and charm of the city with the greenery, the climate is gloomy, and the rains stop you from venturing out.

March to May is summer in Madurai, and the temperature can rise up to 34 degree Celsius. Not only does it get hot, but the weather is quite dry, making it a less favourable time to visit the city. Since it is off-season, you will also find it easier to get cheap flight tickets to Madurai.

Places to Visit in Madurai

The Meenakshi Amman temple is one of the major tourist attractions in Madurai. A lot of tourists and pilgrims visit the temple throughout the year. The Amman temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. According to mythology, Lord Shiva came to Madurai to marry Goddess Parvati, who was residing in a human form here and was called Meenakshi. Madurai is considered sacred primarily because it is believed to be the birthplace of the Goddess. Not only is the temple huge, but the architecture will leave you stunned. Adding to this is the divine feeling that you experience in the temple. Do not miss the morning and evening aarti at the temple. You can also embrace your spiritual side at the Saint Mary's Cathedral in Madurai.

Another magnificent place to visit is the Thirumalai Nayak Palace which was built in the 17th century. It was built by King Tirumala Nayaka who was a King then. The Jain Caves is yet another top-rated tourist attraction in Madurai. You can also explore the Thiruparankundram Murugan temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It's a beautiful temple and a masterpiece in every way. While you are in this part of the city, do also visit the Pazhamudhir Solai. This is easily one of the best places to spend with yourself in solitude.

Meghamalai and Samanar Hills are also two popular locations in the city. You can go hiking to one of these mountains and reach a spot from where the entire city looks absolutely breathtaking. It's the perfect getaway from all the city hustle-bustle. Make sure you go to these places during the right season. You'll even be able to take the best pictures of yourself and nature over here.

Things to do in Madurai

The Meenakshi Amman temple is a must-visit when you are in Madurai. The queue can be pretty long depending on what time you visit the temple. Not to mention, you will also have to adhere to a few rules like wearing traditional clothes and not carrying your phones, cameras or gadgets inside the temple. It is believed that the kumkum you get after offering your prayers here is auspicious and blesses your marital life. After visiting the temple, you can stop by Puthu Mandapam, which is right opposite the temple. It is a popular place to shop for clothes, accessories, handicrafts and different kinds of art work. Go for a hike at the Samanar Hills and make sure you also stop by the Jain Caves. You might come across the Keelakuilkudi village that is famous for its Jain sculptures and painted mud horse collection.

Madurai is pretty close to the Vaigai Dam, and a lot of tourists visit the dam when they go to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary since it is on the way. It is one of the architectural marvels in the city and a very popular picnic spot, too. The sunset here is simply mesmerising. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the Alagar Kovil, recognised for its exquisite beauty. It will make you want to spend at least 10 minutes in solitude to just admire it. If you are visiting Madurai during the Chithirai Festival, you must definitely attend it. The locals celebrate the festival for over a month, and you can also be a part of the ceremonies that take place to celebrate the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped at Sundareswara here.

Food and Restaurants in Madurai

Even though Madurai is a city that has a lot of religious importance, you will find restaurants in the city that serve non-vegetarian food, a little away from the temples. Of course, you can blindly trust and have the traditional South Indian food like Idlis and Dosas here. But Madurai is known for delicacies like Paruthi Paal, Jigarthanda, Kuzhi Paniyaram and Appam. Jigarthanda is a very popular beverage here, and you'll find it almost everywhere. You can even try some outside the Meenakshi Amman temple. Just a few streets away from the Amman temple is Murugan Idli Shop. You'll get the fluffiest, most delicious idlis here with four different types of chutneys. You can also order the Onion Uttapam and Sweet Pongal here. You can also head to Kodaikanal from Madurai since it is not very far from here. Ooty is quite far by road, but you can make a trip to Ooty, too, if you have the time and if you are planning the trip during winter. Both the hill stations are worth visiting during the cold season. You'll get buses and taxis to Kodaikanal very easily from Madurai. You might have to negotiate the fare a little bit if you are taking a private taxi from Madurai.

The Burmah Idiyappa Kadai is a local eatery that serves Idiyappam only. There is no seating here, but the outlet sees a lot of customers on a regular basis. The Idiyappams are served with tomato chutney and sweetened coconut milk. Chandran Mess at the Alagar Kovil main road is another popular restaurant that you can visit. Its speciality is Kola Urundai or mutton balls. It is owned by a family that overlooks everything that goes into making the best dishes. Not only do they grind their masalas using a mortar pestle like the olden days, but the members of the family also supervise the kitchen at all times. You will also find a lot of restaurants that serve other Indian dishes, Chinese and Continental cuisines, too.

How to reach Madurai (Transportation)

By Air

The nearest airport is Madurai Airport, which is about 10 km away from the city. The airport connects Madurai to domestic routes in the city like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi. The flight connectivity from Madurai to these cities within the country is excellent. However, the nearest international airports are the Coimbatore International Airport and Tiruchirappalli International Airport. You can either change flights from these airports or take a taxi from outside the airport. You will also get taxis from Madurai airport to your hotel or wherever you wish to go first.

By Rail

Trains run regularly to and from Madurai Junction. Trains run quite frequently from the city, and it is also well-connected to other major cities in the country. It is advisable that you make your ticket bookings done well in advance during summer since it is a holiday season and a lot of people travel to Madurai for the summer vacation with their families and kids. In any case, booking tickets in advance will help you find better coaches.

By Road

There are quite a few buses, both government-run and private, that are connected to Madurai. You will also get buses from Madurai to other major cities of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. Getting around the city and to the city by road is also quite convenient. The NH 44 is a popular route to Madurai.

  About Madurai Airport

The Madurai Airport is touted to be a customs airport that majorly serves the city and its neighbouring districts in Tamil Nadu. It is located close to State Highway 37, which is about 12 km from the Madurai railway station. The airport stands at the 32nd position as the busiest airport in India. This includes in terms of passenger handling as well as aircraft movement. Established in 1957, the airport was originally used as an airfield by the Royal Air Force of the British during the Second World War, back in 1942. Later after independence from the British, the airport chartered its first passenger flight which was a Fokker Friendship aircraft that followed the Madras - Madurai - Trivandrum - Madurai - Madras route. This took place in 1956. The airport soon found recognition for being one of the 35 non-metro airports chosen for modernisation. Much recently, the airport received a revamp from the government as a new integrated terminal building was constructed. Madurai airport also has international flights that fly to Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

About Madurai Airport Terminals

The Madurai Airport has two terminals placed in an adjacent direction to connect the old and the new unified terminal. The integrated terminal is presently being used for all domestic and international activities. Meanwhile, the old terminal has been reserved as a Cargo Terminal. The growth in the demand for flights to and from the Madurai International Airport, there are plans to separate the two terminals into individual domestic and international. The terminal with the area of 189,000 ft has the capacity to handle about 250 passengers on arrival and departure. The airport's parking bay can accommodate 375 cars and ten buses. The new terminal also includes features such as 16 check-in counters along with 12 immigration booths. There are two security counters, too, with five customs counters. The new terminal also entertains two lounges for passengers, a VIP lounge managed by AAI and a CIP lounge (Commercial Important Persons) handled by the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. There are three aero-bridges too.

About airport authority

The Madurai Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India. The AAI is a statutory body that ensures to handle the infrastructural development, maintenance and management of various airports, including the Madurai Airport. Much recently, the airport proposed to create a new terminal building specifically for the Madurai International Airport, as the airport has been witnessing an increase in passenger traffic. The new building will also have a control tower and plans to erect seven new aprons at the Madurai Airport. This is due to the airport's current capacity to handle only 250 passengers at their arrival and departure halls at once. A proposed site is going to extend the runway to 12,500 ft, enabling the efficient functioning of overseas services. Work to extend the airport has already begun with plans to disconnect the Ring Road at the Mandela Junction and divert the route to Perungudi and Avaniapuram, which would eventually connect to the Tuticorin Road.

Top airlines flying from Madurai Airport

Madurai Airport is one of the small airports in the state of Tamil Nadu. As the airport does have two adjacent terminals, one is for the domestic, and the other is for international airlines. There are only two international airlines that fly from Madurai Airport. The Srilankan Airlines, which flies to Colombo–Bandaranaike and SpiceJet, which flies to Dubai-International, are both available at the Madurai airport. Air India Express also has a flight to Singapore, available at Madurai Airport. Aside from these three airlines with cities to international connections, the rest of the airlines are domestic. Domestic airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, Alliance Air, IndiGo and SpiceJet, fly from the Madurai Airport. The airlines connectivity is a little limited as they only fly to cities such as Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Tiruchirapalli and Hyderabad.

Facilities at Madurai Airport

Airport lounge – The airport has a few lounges including a retiring room for passengers who are waiting due to a layover. Madurai Airport also has a lounge called the Golden Chariot Lounge. It is essential for passengers to get access to hang out at the lounge space. The same can be availed through membership programs.

Foreign exchange – The foreign exchange counters are available at the arrivals of the international terminal. The counters have been placed to enable passengers travelling from abroad to exchange currencies and even make money transfers.

Restaurants and cafes – There are a few restaurants and cafes available in the premise of the airport. There is a dedicated food court present in the departure while the arrivals section has small food joints. These include some local food establishments which service tea, coffee and other beverages. Similarly, the airport also has restaurants and joints such as Subway, KFC, to name a few.

Baggage – Madurai Airport provides excellent baggage services. These include provisions of trolleys, baggage wrapping services and storage facilities. As Madurai Airport has flights connecting to domestic and international destinations, they have proper facilities to help ease the transit. You can get your bags wrapped in plastic. This would ensure that the luggage is not mishandled or the contents are affected. Trolleys are available at all intervals until the security check.

Smoking room - Smoking is prohibited in the airport, and hence, the airport has installed dedicated smoking lounges. The smoking room is available in the domestic terminal's Gate 6. Lighters and cigarettes can also be found at the terminal.

ATMs - ATM kiosk of Indian Bank has been placed in the airport's entrance. As the airport caters to domestic and international flights, the ATM kiosks would help withdraw money and exchange currencies.

Medical services - In order to help out with emergencies, the airport has installed medical rooms and services. There are first aid centres in the airport and details on the same can be received at the airport. The terminal manager would be the best to guide the passenger through the process. Pharmacies are also installed at Madurai Airport to help with last-minute medical purchases.

Special assistance - Madurai Airport provides special assistance for passengers who need the same. There are trolleys and wheelchairs available at the airport that the passenger can avail. In fact, it would be best to inform the airline beforehand to avail the services. The airport will provide staff to help passengers travel within the airport and even help them with the check-in and security check procedures.

How to reach Madurai Airport

Madurai Airport has excellent connectivity with buses operated under the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC). There are many routes that directly connect to the Madurai airport. In fact, Madurai Airport is known to be one of the few airports in the country that has dedicated government transport services to enable connectivity. Within the city, you will find bus stops with regular buses to help reach Madurai Airport. You can find them at the Periyar Bus Stand, Thirupparankundram, Arappalayam, Krishnapuram Colony, Mattuthavani and Park Town. Plus, these buses have services at the most convenient timings. It is considered to be one of the best ways to reach Madurai Airport.

Another convenient way to reach Madurai Airport is by hailing a taxi. Prepaid taxis are available in the city. The city of Madurai has prominent call taxi services that operate within the city as well as to the airport. These taxis also have services that traverse to neighbouring cities from Madurai. Auto-rickshaws are also considered to be one of the easiest and affordable means of transport to reach Madurai airport. They are widely available within the city to the airport. However, the only concern here is to ensure that you can haggle with the rickshaw. The auto rickshaws do not function on the meter system, so a fixed price needs to be agreed upon with the drivers before you start the journey.

About Madurai

Formerly known as Madura, the city of Madurai is recognised as one of the major cities in the state of Tamil Nadu. In fact, it is actually known to be a cultural capital of the state and is the third largest city after Chennai and Coimbatore. Madurai is also known to be the hub for Tamil Sangam, a congregation of Tamil scholars which is held in the city on an annual basis. Madurai has seen some flourishing history with several big empires taking leadership. The city was ruled by Pandyas, Madurai Sultanate, Madurai Nayaks, Cholas, Vijaynagar Empire and British East India Company, to name a few.

The city's major highlight is the famous Meenakshi Temple as well as the Tirumalai Nayak Palace. These two historical monuments have played a vital role in shaping the cultural heritage of the city. Apart from the historical sites, Madurai also has essential educational institutes run by the government. Madurai Medical College, Madurai Law College, Homeopathic Medical College and Agricultural College and Research Institute are some of the important educational institutes.