Virudhachalam (also written Vriddhachalam) is a temple and railway town in Cuddalore district, known locally as “Virudhai” and as the ceramic city of Tamil Nadu. It is also where Bakkiya Tours & Travels has been planning journeys since 2010 — from a taxi to the station to two-week holidays abroad.
In and around the town
- Virudhagiriswarar Temple — the ancient Shiva temple at the centre of town, also called Pazhamalainathar, sung in the Thevaram hymns and known for its sculpture.
- Srimushnam — the Bhuvaraha Swamy temple, a short drive away.
- Neyveli — the lignite township, with its lakes and parks, under an hour by road.
- Vadalur — Vallalar’s Sathya Gnana Sabha, especially on Thai Poosam.
- Chidambaram — the Nataraja Temple and the Pichavaram mangroves; read our guide to places to visit in Cuddalore district.
Getting in and out
Virudhachalam Junction has trains towards Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, Salem and Cuddalore. By road, Chennai airport is roughly four to five hours away and Trichy airport about three; we run airport transfers to both every week. For local and outstation trips, see our car rental with driver in Virudhachalam and tempo traveller rental.
Where people from Virudhachalam travel
- Temple trips: Kumbakonam and the Navagraha temples, Thanjavur, Srirangam, Tiruvannamalai, Rameswaram and Tirupati.
- Hill stations: Kodaikanal, Ooty and Yercaud — see our seasonal guide.
- Kerala and Karnataka: our Kerala tour and Mysore Ooty tour can start from your doorstep here.
- Abroad: Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai and Sri Lanka are the favourite first trips; we handle passports, visas and flights.
Why a local travel agency helps
We pick you up from home, start early without a long empty drive, and are a short call away if anything changes. Elders and first-time travellers in particular like having someone nearby who knows them. Our office is on Ulundurpettai Road, opposite the Thiru. Kolanjiyappar Government Arts College — drop in, or message us on WhatsApp.
