Mannargudi is 45 km south of Kumbakonam and about 300 km from Chennai. The nearest major railway junction is Kumbakonam, which has direct trains from Chennai, Bangalore, and Madurai. From Kumbakonam, frequent local buses run to Mannargudi (about 1.5 hours). Thiruvarur, the district capital 25 km away, also has a railway station with connections on the mainline.
The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), about 130 km west. Taxis from Trichy airport to Mannargudi cost around 2,500-3,000 rupees. If you are travelling from Chennai, the overnight train to Kumbakonam or Thiruvarur is the most practical option — arrive in the morning, catch a bus to Mannargudi, and be at the temple by mid-morning.