Monday 30 April 2012

Velliangiri Andavar Temple / வெள்ளியங்கிரி ஆண்டவர் கோயில் / “THEN KAILAYAM” - Velliangiri Hills, Poondi, Sri Patteeswarar Temple, Perur and Sri Subramania Swamy Temple, Maruthamalai, Coimbatore, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.

30 December 2012 
MY  VELLIANGIRI YATRA ( THEN KAILAYAM )28-04-2012 - DAY 1
After June 2011 Velliangiri Yatra, we want to do it again in  day time to enjoy the  beauty of  Velliangiri. So we planned the yathra on 28th April 2012, a week before Chitra pournami. Checked the availability of seats/ berths during Feb 2012, for Saturday and Sunday night   travel Trains. 

Since the night trains are full, decided to go through Coimbatore intercity express, which starts at 14.30 Hrs from Chennai central.  Booked   for Mr Vau and Mr Muthu  Arunachalam. In the mean time after seeing my previous post Mr Alex from Chennai ( Actually from Kumbakonam ) wished to join with us. Last minute Mr Muthu Arunachalam opted out and Mr Alex joined with us from Chennai and his Friend (from Kumbakonam ) joined from Coimbatore.

Stayed at our SPIC ABC Guest house and Started our Yathra on 28th April morning, after darshan of Shiva  at base temple. We could not purchase the bamboo sticks due to non availability at that time. To our surprise there was a heavy rush and checking was conducted for  plastic bags, match boxes by the forest officials. Provisions were made to drop the plastic bottles by the temple / forest authorities.

( Velliangiri Andavar Tempe at base of the hill ) 
 
 ( Velliangiri base temple )
( Navagrahas ) 

At the half of the first hill we could not manage to climb with out stick. So we have managed to make the sticks from the bamboo plants. ( How do we made our sticks is a different story ). After taking rest at Vellai Pillayar ie the end of the first hill, started climb through bamboo forest in the second hill. It will be  difficult to pass through this forest alone, due to sound of the insects. The steps in the first three hills are not uniform and step stones were missing in many places. After climbing 236 rock cut steps, called Vazhukku Parai and reached the third hill. High growth of grass found on both sides of the third hill.

The fourth and fifth hills are not so difficult with  small ups and down with out any steps. There are small shops with some eatables,   set up only for the season. The temperature was so pleasant and it was awesome sight to see the beauty of the  western  ghats. It was a wonderful sight to watch the clouds are moving through the hills, below us. Slowly climbed to the 6th hill top and  we could see the seventh hill and below Siruvani dam. It was an another wonderful sight to watch  the clouds / mist passes on the seventh hill,  which disappear and appear after the cloud passes.

 ( Clouds passing through hills and valley )

 ( Clouds passing through hills and valley )

 ( Clouds passing through hills and valley )

After crossing the Aandi sunai started climbing the seventh hill which took  us an hour with steep path, which also has no steps.  It took us almost 6 hours to reach the top of the seventh hill from base temple. During our journey we had spent  some time to take photographs  and rest. All our pain vanished on worshiping of  Lord Shiva. Stayed there for an hour and practiced meditation and recited Thiruvasakam.
     

 ( Sri Vinayagar sannadhi at the entrance  )

( Moolavar natural cave )

Started climbing down and aimed to complete within four hour. When we reached 2nd hill it was very dark and our speed slowed down due to failure of light. Moon light was not visible much due to trees and clouds. Since Mr Vasu’s torch light was not working, with one torch light found difficult to climb down. Due to mismatching  of the speed my  thigh and cough muscles started pain. Climb down took us 5 hours  to reach the base temple  Thanking Lord Shiva  for given us strength and courage to climb up and down reached Guest house around  23 .00 Hrs and  had a good sleep.

My sincere thanks to Mr R Vasu, Mr Alex and Mr Madhanagopal, who co-operated with me to make this yathra a memorable and enjoyable.

Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2011 : CLICK HERE
Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2013 : CLICK HERE
Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2015 : CLICK HERE
Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2016 : CLICK HERE
Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2017 : CLICK HERE
Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2018 : CLICK HERE
Velliangiri Yatra Experience 2019 : CLICK HERE

 ( Vasu Self and Alex )

 ( Vasu self and Madhan )

 (Alex and self )

( Alex, madhan and Vasu ) 

29-04-2012. - DAY -2
Left the guest house and  reached, Perur Shiva temple. The temple is very old and found many Tamil inscriptions dating back to 10th to 12th century.  Gana  bhairavar has a separate sannathi without dog.  The Sabha Mandapam ( Kanaka Sabai ) has beautiful   statues chiseled on the pillars. They are Lord Shiva in Urdhva thandavam, Kaali ( Thiru Alangadu ), Sri Arumuga Perumal and Ganapathi, Veerabhadra are to be watched very carefully. Minute details are finely chiseled.

Boarded the minibus to Maruthamalai from Perur. I went to this temple when I was studying at Coimbatore about 40 years before. Things has changed a lot. Went to the hill top through Taxi and after darshan returned through steps. Rajagopuram is under construction. Since the day happens to be Sunday, there are lot of devotees thronged the hill shrine. We could not spent much time at the temple due to want of time to catch the Train. Returned to Chennai around 23.00 hours through Kovai express with a wonderful experience.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

PERUR SRI PATTEESWARAR TEMPLE

( Moolavar vimanam )

( Rajagopuram )

( A Shiva temple near Perur Shiva Temple with Rishabam in place of Rajagopuram )

MARUDHAMALAI SRI MURUGAN TEMPLE

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
( Moolavar vimanam )


 --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

40 comments:

  1. Trip To Velliangiri Hills on 15th and 16th March 2014:

    We are 6 Peoples(Sundar(Myself), Manivannan, Vijayan, Vinoth, Sreenivasan, Mohan) reached the bottom of the hill (known as Poondi Velliangirinathar Temple) @ 12.30 am Saturday.
    There was lot of procedures before we have faced before starting the trekking. (Buying Bamboo Sticks for the trekking, general checkup by the social activists and officials to allow the peoples to Top without any plastic things).
    We Prayed Lord Ganesh, Shiva and Durga at the bottom of Hill.
    Finally we have started at 1.30 am. As per the visitors Instructions at website, we have filled our bags some useful things to save us. (Torch Light, Biscuits, Breads, Water Bottles, Some of tablets and etc…..).
    Steps in the 1st and 2nd Hills are not manually constructed; rocks are carved and those rocks are very hard to walk, because every step is varied by size, structure.
    After crossing 1.15 Hours we have reached the Vinayaka temple (Known as Vellai Vinayagar Kovil).Few Steps back from this temple, we can get drinking water from gaps between the groups of rocks. (Here they are using broken bamboo instead of using pipes (1st Water Source) This Water is known as Shiva Theertham). Better to fill water can here. Because, at the end of 3rd hill only we can get water source.1st Hill ended at this Temple.
    2nd Hill is also same as first hill, but here we can get some snacks (Biscuits, Mango and pineapple slices with Red chilli powder, fanta and Sukku Coffee).We have managed this hill by another hour.
    3rd Hill started with steps and when we went few meters deep in to the forest, we found that the rocks are more unshaped. At the end of this hill we filled our water cans by 2nd water source which is last. Due to unavailability of steps we struggled sometimes.
    4th and 5th Hills are very easy compared with all other 5. Land is so flat like normal road and it goes up and down. We are also faced some deep rocks here. We felt happy after watching some shops and got mango pieces and sukku coffee.
    We have started to climb the 6th hill. It’s a deep jungle. There is a small pond. It is a single one and only large water source. We have bathed in the pond. Water is so cool even our body became senseless. We have climbed the top of this hill and after we came to know, that we have to climb down to move forward. We have climbed down and walked nearby 10 minutes on the flat road and noticed the last hill.
    7th hill is too height and there is lot of chances to slipped down. We have walked slowly and reach the top. The Place is unbelievable in my life. We are so surprised by the surrounding, truly a heaven.
    There is no politics by the priests. The single man sitting nearby lord shiva and giving Thiruneeru and Vilva Leaves to the devotees. He does n’t allow us to put money on the Dheepam plate. He told that he is sitting nearby god, This thing is enough for my life.
    We have felt so blessed by lord shiva and that time they gave wheat upma as prasadam. We got and simply standing near god by at least 10 or 15 minutes. He also told, if you have camera means you can get photos and show to your family members. May some of them not able to come here and pray. We captured some clips and started to climb down at 10.05 am of Sunday and reached the bottom by 2.20 pm on the same day.
    The Day I have never forgets and felt so blessed by him (Lord Shiva).
    All The Best For Those Who Are Going To Visit.
    Regards,
    Sundar Chokkalingam,
    Kumbakonam.

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  2. Nowadays all sorts of eatables are available in Velliangiri Hills. Just roll back a few decades..... there were no proper path as just we have now..... no eatbles on the way....... not even drinking water (which we have to carry)..... no sophesticated torches like we have today...... but that was really an enjoyable one and thrilling also in the dense forest in the midst of wild animals..... so I expect the shops count must be lessened ( if possible zero is good)..... Because it is making the spiritual yatra into a commercial one. Even government will start making money out of this Velliangiri yatra. Then it will look like a picnic spot. I don't want this should be.... The sanctum of God is there. Dont allow anyone to make money in the name of Velliangiri Andavar. do you agree with me.....? - Ramesh.K, Coimbatore

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    1. You are correct Ramesh.
      Still I could recollect my first yathra to this temple in the year 1972 on a Chitra pournami day, while I was studying at Coimbatore. We climbed at night. Since I was young & energetic, I could make it very easily. During that time we ( four persons ) had carried some fruits ( grapes - I still remember ). Nowadays people are asking for a cable/rope car. Any way I could not make this year due to accident. Next year I have to make it with Lord Shiva's blessings.
      Thanks Ramesh for your comments.

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    2. Veluchamy sir,
      You are great. Your first yatra was two years before my birth.

      This year at the foot of the hills, forest department staff accompanied with few volunteers checked up thoroughly each and every person and their bag. Match boxes, cigarettes.... were take away from them. Eatables like biscuits... they removed from the plastic cover and covered the same in a news paper and given to the yatris. This is good which will avoid plastic bags in the hills. But what they will be going to do with the sellers all over the way to vellingiri hills...?

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    3. Thanks Ramesh,
      The checks are only during the season - Chithra Purnami. ( one week before and after one week ) Other period no body will be there. It is one way good. Creates awareness. Will you call me for the next year season. Would like to travel only during day time, to enjoy the beauty of the hill and clouds.
      Regards

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    4. we group of 14 members from 2 years we are travelling to velliangiri from chennai. we come feb and Sathuragiri by August

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  3. Hi Sir, My name is Umamaheswari. I am from Dindigul and I want to go for this Velliangiri Yathra, whether girls are allowed. Because I have seen in many blogs saying that age between 10 - 40 Womens are not allowed
    Thanks And Regards
    Uma

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    Replies
    1. Dear Uma, it is true that females between the age group 10 to 40 are not allowed. This system is similar to Sabari malai. This was followed more than 60 years ( from when I was young ) Ladies are allowed only up to the base temple. Ladies will be waiting at the base and get blessing from the the males, after they return from the hill.
      Regards

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    2. Thank You for the information.
      Regards,
      Uma

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  5. Sorry Ramesh,
    As I indicated in my earlier reply, not recovered fully from the accident. Hope it will take another 6 months to climb the Velliangiri Hills. I will be able to join with you only in 2015 April trip/next season. Thanks for the invitation. I will check with you at that time.
    Thanks and regards

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  6. Namaskarams, Wonderful narration. I'm offering my Prayers to Him to call me again for His Darshan. He has offered Darshan on 7th Hill twice, will be happy if He gives such Darshans few more times...!

    Pranams
    Ram

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  7. Namaskaram, I viewed your old collections of photos taken at vellingiri. this year few changes like no one were allowed to enter the cave of manonmani, thrisulas were mounted at the entrance, we had the darshan of manonmani from outside the cave. so many bamboos tied with one another to safe guard the vinayagar at the hill temple entrance. and you can find many trishulas at the entrance of the cave. In Facebook my name is Ramesh Krishnamurthy, where you can find this year photos ( a few only i had posted).

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Manon Mani Ambal photo you can see in one of my post...
      On shivaya namaha....

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    2. Thanks Manon Mani Ambal photo you can see in one of my post...
      On shivaya namaha....

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  8. Any body planned For march 2016???

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  9. Any body planned For march 2016???

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  10. We are planning on 17th April , 2016..night..is 4 days before Chitra pournami...if you want to join , you are welcome ..contact me over my mobile 9444225646...
    On shivaya namaha..

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  11. Thanks for the info...
    Om shivaya namaha...

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  12. Sir,
    Am surya from chennai. Read your blog and found lots of interesting information. I work in a private firm which has only sunday has holiday.But love to know can i join with you on occasions possible. How can i reach you.

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    1. We are planning to start on 16th by intercity express and night climbing any returning on 17th to reach Chennai on Monday morning,,,contact 9444225646 for further details...

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    2. Sir, Thanks for the reply. I think you misunderstood my request. It would be better if you could post in the blog or facebook page your upcoming temple visits and if any(including me) finds the day and time suitable we can join you. Hope you don't mistake me.

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    3. நன்றி சூர்யா...முகநூலில் பதிவு செய்கின்றேன்....

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  16. Sir,
    Anyone is going on this Sep month 9/16. Is this good time ? I would like to join. Please let me know.

    Thanks
    Sudhakar A

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    Replies
    1. இது சரியான சமயம் அல்ல..மார்ச்,எப்ரல், மே, சூன் மாதங்கள் தான்..அதன் பின்பு செல்வது பற்றி பிரிதொரு சமயம் கேட்டு வந்து தெரிவிக்கின்றேன். மன்னிக்கவும்...

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    2. இது சரியான சமயம் அல்ல..மார்ச்,எப்ரல், மே, சூன் மாதங்கள் தான்..அதன் பின்பு செல்வது பற்றி பிரிதொரு சமயம் கேட்டு வந்து தெரிவிக்கின்றேன். மன்னிக்கவும்...

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  17. Sir m planning to go to vellaingiri on this year april/may .Is this the right time to b there.also want to know will people go there during the weekend. how about climbing there on pradhosam .

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  18. During march April and may all the days people used to climb both day and night.. especially the rush will be more on Saturday and Sunday.. all the best...

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  19. what is the best time to start climbing.

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  20. i mean is it better to start at morning or night.

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    1. The season is from March to May. During this period summer will be peak and hot..Trees shade will be there up to three hills. Hence it is advisable to start by Night and after dharshan and sunrise view climb down..You can reach base of the hill between 10 hrs to 11 hrs.

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  21. Sir we plan to go for next week. forest guards allowed me or not??? any possibilities to go for next week????

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  22. Please refer my 2017 post on Velliangiri.. up to May will be allowed...

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  23. Dear sir,

    Siva Siva! Really such a great work is you're doing.... Too many devotees (Adiyaargal) around the world are still struggling and begging to Almighty Shiva's holy feet to visit his great spiritual places to worship and get his incomparable blessings (Thiruvarul). Only few devotees (Who blessed by him) are getting these kind of great boon like you. But some times you're simply posting the Moolavar thirumeni picture in this kind of spiritual pages, it's not appreciable. Kindly avoid this in future. Without any hard fasting any true worshiping some people passing through this kind picture like anything. Apologizes if these words are makes you feel bad. Siva Siva ! Adiyaar Thiruvadigal Potri....

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    Replies
    1. Thanks
      Stopped taking photos of moolavar
      Regards

      Delete
  24. Your bog is so awesome bro, can you please start one new blog to teach the travel blogers, how to make money while travelling. here is our blog and this is my recent blog post - Jaipur Hanuman Temple

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