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 the June 2011 Velliangiri Yatra, we want to do it again in day time to enjoy the beauty of  Velliangiri. So we planned the yatra on 28^th 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 the Coimbatore intercity express, which starts at 14.30 Hrs from Chennai central.  Booked for Mr. Vau and Mr. Muthu  Arunachalam. In the meantime after seeing my previous post, Mr Alex from Chennai ( Actually from Kumbakonam ) wished to join us. Last minute Mr Muthu Arunachalam opted out and Mr Alex joined us from Chennai and his Friend (from Kumbakonam ) joined from Coimbatore.

Stayed at our SPIC ABC Guest house and Started our Yathra on the 28^th of April morning, after the darshan of Shiva at the 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, and matchboxes by the forest officials. Provisions were made to drop the plastic bottles by the temple/forest authorities.

( Velliangiri Andavar Tempe at the base of the hill ) 

 

 ( Velliangiri base temple )

( Navagrahas ) 

At half of the first hill, we could not manage to climb without a stick. So we have managed to make the sticks from the bamboo plants. ( How we made our sticks is a different story ). After taking a rest at Vellai Pillayar ie the end of the first hill, started climbing through a bamboo forest on the second hill. It will be difficult to pass through this forest alone, due to the 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 is found on both sides of the third hill.

The fourth and fifth hills are not so difficult with small ups and downs without any steps. There are small shops with some eatables,   set up only for the season. The temperature was so pleasant and it was an awesome sight to see the beauty of the western ghats. It was a wonderful sight to watch the clouds moving through the hills, below us. Slowly climbed to the 6^th hill top and we could see the seventh hill below Siruvani dam. It was another wonderful sight to watch the clouds/mist pass on the seventh hill,  which disappears and appears after the cloud passes.

 ( Clouds passing through hills and valleys)

 ( Clouds passing through hills and valleys)

 ( Clouds passing through hills and valleys)

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

     

 ( Sri Vinayagar Sannadhi at the entrance  )

( Moolavar natural cave )

Started climbing down and aimed to complete it within four hours. When we reached 2^nd hill it was very dark and our speed slowed down due to the failure of light. Moonlight was not visible much due to trees and clouds. Since Mr. Vasu’s torch light was not working, one torch light found it difficult to climb down. Due to mismatching of the speed my thigh and cough muscles started to pain. Climb down took us 5 hours to reach the base temple Thank Lord Shiva for giving us the strength and courage to climb up and down reached the 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 yatra 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 many Tamil inscriptions date back to the 10^th to 12^th century.  Gana Bhairavar has a separate sannidhi without a 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 ago. Things have changed a lot. Went to the hilltop by Taxi and after Darshan returned by steps. Rajagopuram is under construction. Since the day happens to be Sunday, there are a lot of devotees thronging the hill shrine. We could not spend 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 ---