I was working at Coimbatore between 2003 and 2008. It was the golden period of my lifetime and the enjoyment we had were unlimited. Every weekends, we would plan of an outing and each trip would be a memorable one. One such trip was to visit Vellayangiri hills.
Velliangiri Hills count amongst the lesser-known hill stations of Tamilnadu. Of all the mountain shrines in Kongunadu, the Siva temple of Velliangiri in the western boundary is considered to be the most famous. Known as Rajathagiri, Velliangiri, Dakshin Kailash or Bhoolok Kailash, this sacred spot, according to legend, is where Siva performed his cosmic dance on the request of his consort Umadevi. The five faces of Lord Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Maheshwara and Sadasiva, are seen as Panchagiri and as Panchalingas pertaining to the panchabhutas, in Velliangiri.
I was not aware about the significance of Velliangiri hills when I visited it. I was only aware that there is a Shiva temple on top of the hills and we have to climb 7 hills to reach the shrine. Lakhs and lakhs of devotees visit this shrine during Chitra Pournami which is considered very auspicious for Lord Shiva and this is the only time we would be able to visit this shrine. The Climatic conditions of this hill is very hard that we will not be able to reach the shrine after the month of June.
We had planned our trip during the end of the visiting period and had a very tough experience in reaching the shrine. First 3 hills, we have to take the steps which we would feel comfortable. Then the adventure starts from the 4th hill. We started to fear when we reached 5th hill as it was very steep and slippery. We could see the strong wind blowing against us with the mists. Many of them who started climbing before us returned back saying the climate in the next hills are too risky to reach the shrine.
Some lost their hope on hearing this and rest encouraged them to proceed further. With brave hearts, we decided to move upwards. We were totally frozen to a level that we were not able to move our lips. On reaching the 6th hill, we were lucky to find a tea shop and the tea vendor helped us to warm a little with the fire he had. One of our friends body were full of leeches and we were not able to help him out in any way as our fingers were totally frozen. Tea vendor took a firewood and started to pull out all the leeches from his body. He gave us a tea which at that time made us to feel much better.
We again started to reach the shrine in 7th hills. The last hill were full of huge rocks and due the mist, they were wet and very slippery. We had a very tough time in reaching the shrine from the 6th hill. At last, we reached and we felt as though we have conquered Mount Everest. We had a very good view of the lingam which is made on its own, Suyambu Lingam thats what we call it in Tamil.
We had a very tough time returning down hill as all our legs had cramps and were not able to keep another foot on reaching the 3rd hill. No one were allowed to rest and rushed downwards to reach down hill and safely return back to our rooms.
We could feel the nerves inside whenever we discuss with other friends regarding this trip. Even though lakhs of devotees visit Vellayangiri shrine each year, our trip would be a very special and unforgettable one. I would surely visit again when i get an opportunity and definitely would visit again in my lifetime.
Velliangiri Hills count amongst the lesser-known hill stations of Tamilnadu. Of all the mountain shrines in Kongunadu, the Siva temple of Velliangiri in the western boundary is considered to be the most famous. Known as Rajathagiri, Velliangiri, Dakshin Kailash or Bhoolok Kailash, this sacred spot, according to legend, is where Siva performed his cosmic dance on the request of his consort Umadevi. The five faces of Lord Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Maheshwara and Sadasiva, are seen as Panchagiri and as Panchalingas pertaining to the panchabhutas, in Velliangiri.
I was not aware about the significance of Velliangiri hills when I visited it. I was only aware that there is a Shiva temple on top of the hills and we have to climb 7 hills to reach the shrine. Lakhs and lakhs of devotees visit this shrine during Chitra Pournami which is considered very auspicious for Lord Shiva and this is the only time we would be able to visit this shrine. The Climatic conditions of this hill is very hard that we will not be able to reach the shrine after the month of June.
We had planned our trip during the end of the visiting period and had a very tough experience in reaching the shrine. First 3 hills, we have to take the steps which we would feel comfortable. Then the adventure starts from the 4th hill. We started to fear when we reached 5th hill as it was very steep and slippery. We could see the strong wind blowing against us with the mists. Many of them who started climbing before us returned back saying the climate in the next hills are too risky to reach the shrine.
Some lost their hope on hearing this and rest encouraged them to proceed further. With brave hearts, we decided to move upwards. We were totally frozen to a level that we were not able to move our lips. On reaching the 6th hill, we were lucky to find a tea shop and the tea vendor helped us to warm a little with the fire he had. One of our friends body were full of leeches and we were not able to help him out in any way as our fingers were totally frozen. Tea vendor took a firewood and started to pull out all the leeches from his body. He gave us a tea which at that time made us to feel much better.
We again started to reach the shrine in 7th hills. The last hill were full of huge rocks and due the mist, they were wet and very slippery. We had a very tough time in reaching the shrine from the 6th hill. At last, we reached and we felt as though we have conquered Mount Everest. We had a very good view of the lingam which is made on its own, Suyambu Lingam thats what we call it in Tamil.
We had a very tough time returning down hill as all our legs had cramps and were not able to keep another foot on reaching the 3rd hill. No one were allowed to rest and rushed downwards to reach down hill and safely return back to our rooms.
We could feel the nerves inside whenever we discuss with other friends regarding this trip. Even though lakhs of devotees visit Vellayangiri shrine each year, our trip would be a very special and unforgettable one. I would surely visit again when i get an opportunity and definitely would visit again in my lifetime.
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