16th March 2019.
Based on the previous years experience decided to trek the Velliangiri Hills otherwise known as “Then Kailayam”, the abode of Lord Shiva, immediately after the Maha Shiva Rathiri. Even-though it was planned 2 months before, I am not sure of making this year due to pain in the right Knee. ( trekked 4 years / times with a metal plate with 7 screws to give strength to broken right leg... . ) . Finally boarded the train to Coimbatore from Chennai. We 5, peoples reached Poondi, the base temple of Sri Velliangiri Andavar, around mid night. Purchased the bamboo sticks, depositing the Camera in the clock room and started our trekking at 00.30 hrs. At the beginning of steps to hill forest officials checks the baggage for any plastic items. ( Carry bags, water bottle labels, match boxes, etc are not allowed to carry). After taking rest on many places finally reached the 7th hill and had the dharshan of Sri Velliangiri Andavar around 07.00 hrs.
Had our breakfast, at vattaparai on the return path of the 7th Hill and started our return trekking. Group got separated and the youngsters trekked down faster. We two alone trekked down slowly taking rest and sleep on many places. The sun above us didn’t showed any mercy on us. The temperature of the black powdered soil, the slippery of the powder soil due to walking of the Shiva devotees, the hot vazhukku parai steps, the un even steps, scattered boulders path, the sleepless night, made the trekking more difficult. The most importantly the knee pain, made me to trek down loading my body weight on the left leg alone. This leads to the pain on the thigh and cough muscles. It was around 15.30 hours when we reached the Poondi base temple.
SOME OF THE IMPORTANT POINTS TO THE NEW TREKKERS..
Even-though the Velliangiri hill is comprises of 7 hills, actually they are not separated. The 7 hills are counted as, Up to “Vellai Pillayar” as 1st Hill, the bamboo tree forest on both sides as 2nd Hill, Lemon grass on both sides as 3rd hill, 4,5 & 6 has small peaks and 7th is the natural cave with Shiva Linga.
About 25 steps from the base, there is a path on the right side leads to a small cave temple. On the way the interesting places are Pampatti Siddhar cave, Kaithatti sunai , 236 Vazhukku parai Rock cut steps in the second hill, Vibhuthi 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), “Bheman 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 sun rise view will be awesome from the 7th hill top where Lord Shiva’s cave exists. It will be auspicious to trek on “Chitra Pournami ”, night and watch the Sun rise from top of the Hill. The Sun rays used to fall on the Natural lingas ( 3 Lingas).
Devotees are allowed to trek from Maha Shivarathiri ( Which usually falls during Feb last to March first week ) to May 31st. It is not advisable to trek form June 1st since, in Coimbatore district the rainy season will be started. Allowed to trek day and night during the season. After the season, Devotees are allowed to trek during day time only on “No moon day” ie -Amavasai . From 2018 onwards ladies of all age group are allowed to trek.
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 Chill climates during the trekking. From the 4th hill onwards the temperature will be low and on the 7th hill it will be very low, hence it is advised to carry, blanket, sweater or shawl.
Do’s AND Don’ts
Do’s.
Please do carry at least 2 liters of drinking water.
Carry the required medicines.
Carry Torch lights with spare batteries, in case if the trekking is done on night time.
Carry food for one time at-least, fruits, 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 sells bamboo stick @ a cost of Rs 30 per stick ).
90%of the devotees used to trek on bare foot considering this as holy hill. But some people used to trek with slipper, Chappal/ sandal and shoes.
Don’ts
Heart patients are advised to keep off from trekking.
Please avoid to carry plastic bottles ( Water bottles labels to be removed ), plastic bags, match boxes, polythene bags etc,.
Please do not feed monkeys ( It will make them as beggar and they will forget to search their food on their own)
Less luggage more comfort. There is a clock room where you can deposit the luggage ( Charge is Rs 20 per bag.)
Cameras are not allowed to take beyond the base temple.
THE DETAILS OF MY PREVIOUS VISITS ARE….
The sun rise
The back side of the cave
The entrance to the cave
The Main Cave -Shrine swayambu Shiva Lings 
A small shrine near the 6th hill
The final destination - the 7th hill
The Samadhi of Ottan Siddhar, believed to be responsible for the construction of the steps
The path with boulders
The path side shops
Pambatti siddhar cave
The un-even steps
The Vazhukku parai steps
not the snake.. the twisted fallen tree on the foot path
The un-even steps
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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