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

16^th March 2019.

Based on the previous year's experience decided to trek the Velliangiri Hills, otherwise known as “Then Kailayam”, the abode of Lord Shiva, immediately after Maha Shivaratri. Even though it was planned 2 months before, I am not sure about making it this year due to pain in my right Knee. (trekked 4 years/times with a metal plate with 7 screws to give strength to the broken right leg....). Finally boarded the train to Coimbatore from Chennai. We 5, five people reached Poondi, the base temple of Sri Velliangiri Andavar,  around midnight. Purchased the bamboo sticks, deposited the Camera in the cloakroom, and started our trek at 00.30 hrs. At the beginning of the steps to Hill Forest, officials check the baggage for any plastic items. (Carry bags, water bottle labels, matchboxes,  etc., are not allowed to carry). After taking a rest in many places, I finally reached the 7^th hill and had the darshan of Sri Velliangiri Andavar around 07.00 hrs.

 The final destination - the 7th hill, a panoramic view

 The back side of the cave 

 The path with boulders 

  The path-side shops

  Pambatti Siddhar Cave 

 The uneven steps

The Vazhukku parai steps

Not the snake... the twisted fallen tree on the footpath

The uneven steps

 A small shrine near the 6th hill 

Had our breakfast at Vattaparai on the return path of the 7^th Hill and started our return trek. The group got separated, and the youngsters trekked down faster. The two alone trekked down slowly, taking a rest and sleeping in many places.  The sun above us didn’t show any mercy to us. The temperature of the black powdered soil, the slipperiness of the powdered soil due to the walking of the Shiva devotees, the hot Vazhukkuparai steps, the uneven steps, the scattered boulder path, and the sleepless night made the trek more difficult. Most importantly, the knee pain made me trek down, loading my body weight on the left leg alone. This led to pain in the thigh and calf muscles.  It was around 15.30 hours when we reached the Poondi base temple.

SOME OF THE IMPORTANT  POINTS FOR THE NEW TREKKERS.

Even though the Velliangiri hill comprises 7 hills, they are not actually separated. The 7 hills are counted as: up to “Vellai Pillayar” as the 1st hill, the bamboo tree forest on both sides as the 2nd hill, lemongrass on both sides as the 3rd hill, 4,5 & 6 have small peaks, and the 7th is the natural cave with Shiva Lingas.

 

About 25 steps from the base, there is a path on the right side that leads to a small cave temple.  On the way, the interesting places are Pambatti Siddhar cave, Kaithatti Sunai, 236 Vazhukkuparai Rock cut steps in the second hill, Vibhuti Hill, Kungumam Hill,  “Aandi Sunai” at the end of 6th hill (like a pond – may be a source of drinking water to the animals during non-seasons),  “Bheeman Kali Urundai”, “Siruvani Dam View”, Vinayagar Temple, and "Ottan Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi", who is believed to be responsible for building the steps on the 7th hill.

 The samadhi of Ottan Siddhar is believed to be responsible for the construction of the steps

 The entrance to the cave

 The main cave- Shrine Swayambhu Shiva Lingas

The sunrise view was awesome from the 7th hilltop, where Lord Shiva’s cave exists. It will be auspicious to trek on “Chitra Pournami” at night and watch the sunrise from the top of the hill. The sun rays used to fall on the three natural Shiva Lingas.

 The sunrise

Devotees are allowed to trek from Maha Shivaratri  (Which usually falls from the last week of Feb to the first week of March) to May 31^st. It is not advisable to trek from June 1^st since, in the Coimbatore district, the rainy season will start. Allowed to trek day and night during the season. After the season, Devotees are allowed to trek during the daytime only on “No Moon Day,” ie, Amavasai. From 2018 onwards, ladies of all age groups are allowed to trek. 

A special Transport facility is being arranged by the Transport Corporation during “Chitra Pournami” days from Coimbatore City to Poondi, the base Temple.

We will be facing both hot and chilly climates during the trek. From the 4^th hill onwards, the temperature will be low, and on the 7^th hill, it will be very low; hence, it is advised to carry a blanket, sweater, or shawl.

Do’s AND Don’ts

Do’s.

• Please carry at least 2 liters of drinking water.
• Carry the required medicines.
• Carry Torch lights with spare batteries, in case the trekking is done at night.
• Carry food for at least one meal, fruits, and Chocolates. Biscuits, Glucose, (there are about 20 shops on the trekking route, where you can get some herbal tea, snacks, Cucumber, Dharpoosini, raw Mango, etc.)
• Carry a stick (Temple authorities sell bamboo sticks @ a cost of Rs 30 per stick).
• 90%of the devotees used to trek on bare feet, considering Velliangiri as a holy hill. But some people used to trek with slippers, chappals/sandals, and shoes.

Don’ts

• Heart patients are advised to stay off trekking.
• Please avoid carrying plastic bottles (Water bottle labels to be removed), plastic bags, matchboxes, polythene bags, etc.
• Please do not feed monkeys (It will make them beggarly, and they will forget to search for their food on their own)
• Less luggage, more comfort. There is a cloakroom where you can deposit the luggage (Charge is Rs 20 per bag).
• Cameras are not allowed beyond the base temple.

THE DETAILS OF MY PREVIOUS VISITS ARE….

2011....2012....2013....2015....2016....2017....2018

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---