Velliangiri Andavar Temple / வெள்ளியங்கிரி ஆண்டவர் கோயில் / “THEN KAILAYAM” - Velliangiri Hills, Poondi in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. YATRA 2013.

08, April 2013

I was instructed by our Chairman to inspect the maintenance jobs carried out at his personal Ooty Guest house. Since the inspection was planned during first week of April, decided to undertake this Velliangiri Yatra. When I called my friend Mr Azhagesan, to join this trip, he readily accepted and some of his office friends also expressed their willingness to join with us. When we announced our plan of  going  during day time others withdrawn from the yathra.

As usual I stayed at our Company’s guest house  ( Now I retired from SPIC )  and by 07.00 hrs , on 6^th April 2013, started our yathra. Up to Isha  Yoga centre We could able to get the bus and from there 1.5 KM we walked to Poondi, the foot hills of Velliangiri. When we reached the base temple there were lot of devotees returning  from top after darshan, who had under taken their yathra on the previous night. After base temple darshan we started climbing up  around 08.00 Hrs. 

It took 1 hour to reach Vellai Pillayar sannadhi at the  top of the first hill. After crossing the bamboo forest in the second hill and reached the third hill. There were tall grass on both sides  of the third hill. There was no shade to rest on the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th hills. But about 20 shops were put on the en-route. The path was up and down and we are able to get the first sight of THENKAILAYAM SHIVA’s CAVE from the 5^th and 6^th hills.  It was too hot than we expected. We could see the plastic papers, biscuit covers chocolate wrappers strewn along the route up to 4^th hill. ( Too bad ).

 View of  Top hill from 6th hill with greenery on the background

We found extremely difficult to climb  the 7^th hill in the scorching sun and we exhausted completely. Around 13.00 Hours finally reached the top. There was no crowd on the top. The temperature was also normal. Usually it will be too chill and cold breeze will be  from western Ghats. After peaceful darshan and a  rest of about 30 minutes, started climb down and reached to the foot hill around 19.00 Hours. ( planned to reach by 18.00 hrs ). While climbing down also we had taken the same time of 5 Hours due to halt at many places.  I got pain in the left leg, otherwise it was okay. We had seen  few birds,  squirrels and lot of monkeys during our yathra.

 Route on 6th hill

 Vinayagar  temple in the 7th hill route open to sky

View of temple entrance from 7th hill route

  Vinayagar sannadhi

 Ambal sannadhi

 Velliangiri Andavar

 Top hill view  from down side

SOME USEFUL TIPS FOR THOSE WHO WISHES TO UNDERTAKE THIS VELLIANGIRI YATRA.

• Take at least 2 litres of water  in case if you take day time yathra or otherwise 1 litre of water is okay. ( Water is available at Aandi sunai ( spring ), Kaithatti sunai and at 6^th hill – water may contains some contamination hence it is not preferred. But many people consumes – I had a severe stomach disorder during my 3^rd Yathra, after that I avoid that  murky water)
• Some Fruits to boost energy ( Grapes is okay ).
• Food – may be curd rice will reduce the heat of the body.
• Some chocolates ( Candy man will do.)
• Glucose powder one packet.
• Torch light ( a small 2 battery cell torch will do ) .
• A practice of walking without chapel for about 15 days at-least will help for smooth climb ( Some peoples climb with foot wear, and shoes – It will be your belief – nobody stops you climb with foot wear ).
• Bamboo stick, which is available at the base temple at a cost of Rs 20.00 ( difficult to climb up/ down without that)
• There are about 20 shops on the en-route, where you can get Soda, Lemon soda ( opposite to Vellai pillayar ), Mango, snacks, Sukku Coffee with out milk,  Kambu ( a millet ) koozhl. Shops are available up to base of the seventh temple. These shops will be open  only during season of 15 days before and after Chitra pournami ( Full moon day ) ie APRIL .
• There are some shops sells the medicinal herbs /plants too.
• Wants to do abhishekam & archana ?, materials has to be taken from the base temple.
• A mandapam is there at the base temple to take rest, wants to stay in the night also possible.
• Head tonsuring and bathing is possible at the base temple.
• Please do not throw plastics covers on the hill please bring back to base.
• Many people take bath at the starting of seventh hill. ( It is your choice ).
• Many people likes to take yathra during night to avoid sun heat. ( Sun rise will be a beautiful from the top hence it may be preferred).
• Wishes to enjoy the beauty of the hill, cloud floating under your feet may like to travel during day time.
• People undertake yathra during Maha Shivaratri and less during monthly Amavasai ( No moon day )
• Try to take knife, bandage cloth, band aid -  may not help for self, but may be helpful for the other devotees.
• Ladies – ( Like Sabarimala) are restricted to undertake the yathra.
• The yathra will be pleasant if you carry less luggage. The back bag is preferred, since the hands will be free.
• Try to undertake yathra in group, which will be helpful  during emergencies. 

Velliangiri Yatra 2019  My Experience : CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra 2018  My Experience : CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra 2017  My Experience : CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra 2016  My Experience : CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra 2015  My Experience : CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra 2012  My Experience : CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra 2011  My Experience : CLICK HERE

Velliangiri Yatra 2011  My Experience : CLICK HERE 

 Devotees dig for vibhuthi

Devotees dig for Kungumam ( The soil colour changes within 10 meters )

Wayside shops -Medicinal herbs for sale 

Sparrow - very cute  

 Nature's twist

--- OM SIVAYA NAMA ---