On a monthly basis from Pradosham till Pournami (4 days) and from Pradosham unti Amavasai (4 days),devotees can visit the Hills. Trek is allowed from 6 am till 4 pm. During December, we reached Sriviliputhur by Pothigai Express from Chennai. After refreshments, took a bus straight to “Thaaniparai” – 35kms (goes via Vaathiraiiruppu) and reached in 50 minutes. Even if straight bus is not available, we can go to Vaathiraiiruppu and from there autos will be available to reach Thaaniparai, the entrance of Chaturagiri Hills, devotees are offered with “Annadhanam”. Few shops are available, where devotees can buy essential like torch, biscuits, water bottles, etc. Take Rs.5 ticket at the entrance.
Initially we will start with mud road, both sides covered by trees and greeny bushes. The journey starts with temples for Lord Ganehsa, Karuppannaswamy, etc . We have to climb a small rock and then the path is full of small, small rocks and stones. Then you can see Kuthiraiootru water crossing. One has to climb rocks most part of the journey. On the way, there are several places where one can see water flowing. Most of the places, water/small falls are used by the devotees for bathing, washing, etc. Most people walk with bare foot (mostly local and nearby people) and other with shoes/footwears. Even when one walks with barefoot, a person can wet his legs with the chill water that flows throughout the journey. Think during heavy rains, it could be tougher to walk/cross places.
On the way, there is Gorakkar Gugai/cave (slight deviation from the route, small distance). Water flows down there and a painting of Linga is done on the mountain. Also there is a Theepam at half the way of that mountain (where linga paint is there), which is lit. We continued the journey by praying Irattai/two lingam on the way. Throughout the way, both sides are greenish. Some places are narrow. Sometimes we climbed rocks, crawled, fast walk, water crossings. Some places, it is completely covered by trees and hence there will be slight dark. Almost half of the hills one can see light and darkness all over the places. Most places, we can see monkeys. They will take food from you. If they see you with food, they will grab it from you.
During Aadi Amavasai & Chitra pournami huge crowds throng here. Throughout the way at regular intervals, shops are available for these two days alone. Other days shops will be available only at the start and end point of the hills. One of the facility offered here is free food/annadhanam from morning till night/evening. Even shelter is available, for those who wish to stay at the top. Even at the starting point food is offered free. People call and offer food, which is very good activity/rare one. One more thin, people give information about the hill in a polite manner.
Once you reach top, you see shops offering flowers and all other required things for pooja. At the top, on the right we can go to Sundara Mahalingam temple and on the left Santhana mahalingam temple. Both statues will be leaning on the right. We have visited during the second day of Full moon day and hence very few people are there and hence there is no rush at all in the temple. We had a very calm darshan. Near to Santhana mahalingam temple, there is a way to ‘Sapdur’, which is closed by the Forrest Dept. due to wild animals. Information about 18 siddhars is available at the top, where one can learn about them. To visit, the Big Mahalingam, which some 4kms away from Santhana mahalingam temple, one needs assistance from a guide, without whom people could be lost. We thought to visit the same for next time. We completed the upward journey around three hours, with very few stops, here and there. We had hot meals at Agasthiyar madam and took rest for half an hour. We also donated a small amount to the madam.
We completed descend in less than 3 hours (reached around 6.30 pm). We completed the journey comfortably, within a day itself.
The hike and descend requires half the effort of Velliangiri Hills. But this will be a...
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