Velliangiri Mountain Temple, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
"Vellingiri comprises seven hills and is a part of the western range of mountains. The Lord of Vellingiri resides in the seventh hill in the form of a ‘swayambhu’ (not man-made but formed by itself). It is situated at an altitude of 6000 feet. "
The devotees of Shiva consider it as one of the most important centres of pilgrimage. This hill is celebrated as ‘South Kailash’ for two reasons. First Lord Shiva Himself found this place congenial for his penance once. Second-the weather on this hill is similar to that of Kailash.
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| Velliangiri Mountain |
How to Reach
By Bus
The Transport Corporation ply buses between Coimbatore (Gandhi Puram) and Poondi every day. Special bus services are available during festive occasions like Maha Sivrathri.
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| Am : | 6.40, 7.45, 9.40, 10.35 | |
| Pm : | 1.05, 2.00, 4.00, 5.00, 6.50, 8.00, 10.10 | |
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| Am : | 6.15, 6.55, 8.45, 10.10, 11.40 | |
| Pm : | 1.20, 2.35, 4.15, 5.30, 9.10 | |
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| Am : | 6.15, 8.00, 9.00, 11.20 | |
| Pm : | 12.20, 2.20, 3.20, 5.20, 6.20, 8.20, 9.10 | |
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| Am : | 6.15, 8.00, 9.00, 11.20 | |
| Pm : | 12.20, 2.20, 3.20, 5.20, 6.20, 8.20, 9.10 | |
By Taxi
| Taxicabs (Gandhipuram to Poondi) |
Linga Cabs : 9443505336
Menaka Cabs : 9976955433
Ponnan Cabs : 9787473124
Shakthi Cabs : 9865373752
By Rail & Flight
Coimbatore is on the international circuit with flights connecting it to Singapore and Sharjah. On the domestic front it is well connected to Kozhikode, Chennai, Kochi, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi by both rail and road.
The Siva Temple
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. The hill ranges have abundant natural resources, which include rare herbs. Lord Panchalingesa and his Consort Manonmani Amman alias Parvathi, bestow their grace on the devotees who throng here annually between February and May.
Accommodation
The restaurants at the foothills allow people to sleepover on the floor. Nearby upscale Tamara Resort is one other option. These are the option for people who want to start climbing very early. There is no accommodation to stay at the hills. To stay at the hill, one has to carry tents and sleeping bags as it gets very cold at night.
Story of The Legend
History of Velliangiri Hills
Poondi is a small village. But it is the abode of Lord Panchalingesha. This place is filled with the vibrations of the five elements- water, fire, wind, the earth and the sky. It is the abode of the Lord of Velliangiri. Tamil nadu has thousands of temples with majestic gopurams, artistic mandapams, lengthy parikramas / prakarams, exquisitely carved sculptures and colorful festivals.
They are the living symbols of spirituality. They have also become inseparable parts of the people of this land. Even the small, ancient temples in the tiny villages are equally rich in their spiritual association. The sacred temple of Velliangiri Andavar and His consort Manonmani Amman, situated at the foothills of Velliangiri in Coimbatore district is one such. This acts as the threshold for Velliangiri, the abode of the siddhas.
Poondi is situated at the foothills of Vellingiri, which is a part of the Western range of mountains. Poondi village is 40 kilometers away from Coimbatore. Those who wish to climb the hill should begin from Poondi. They can have a darshan of the Swayambhu Lord, after climbing the seven hills. Saint Agasthya has lived here. Countless siddhas have walked around this place.
People usually carry the necessary articles including food and water while climbing this hill. Women do not allowed to climb this hill. One can climb this hill between the first of Thai till Vaigasi Visakam. Climbing begins usually at dawn is the best. Velliangiri hill has an altitude of 6000 ft and one has to trek a distance of 6 k.m. to reach the summit.
Devotees of Shiva believe that there is a Kailash in the north (Uttara Kailash), one in the centre,(Madhya Kailash) and the third in the south (Dakshina Kailash) Among them, Uttara Kailash is present only in the subtle form. Madhya Kailash is in Tibet. Velliangiri hill is the Dakshina Kailash. So it is referred to as‘Then Kayilayam’ or South Kailash.
It is believed to be the abode of Saint Agasthya and so his successors worship this hill with great devotion. People say that Adi Shankara came here and offered his worship to the Lord.This hill is considered as a symbol of Lord Shiva . It is also looked at as a symbol of penance as saints have been doing penance here since time immemorial.
Vellingiri has been sanctified by the presence of Mahayogi Pazhani Swamigal, Shivayogiyar, Sadguru Shri Brahma, Aghori Vimalanadaa, Azhukku Samiyar, Soundarapandi Samiyar, Kalathri Samiyar, Mysore Samiyar, Etti Kotta Samiyar, Milagaay Samiyar.
Velliangiri symbolically represents the seven chakkras ( Energy Centers ) in the human Body.
First Hill Mooladhara The shrine of Velli Vinayagar
Second Hill Swadhishtanam Pambatti Sunai
Third Hill Mani Poorakam Symbol of Agni, Kai thatti sunai
Fourth Hill Anahatham Sidhar Ottar's Samathi
Fifth Hill Vishudhi Bheeman Kaliyurundai Hill
Sixth Hill Aagna Sethizhai cava, Aandi Sunai
Seventh Hill Sahasraaram Swayambhu Lingam, The Lord of Velliangiri
Greatness of Temple
It is strongly believed that feeding one person in Velliangiri temple is equal to feeding a thousand in Kasi-Varanasi. The hill is associated with stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata. There are seven hills here. It is said that Mother Sita performed penance on Lord Shiva at the fifth hill. According to Puranas, Velliangiri is the venue where Lord Shiva appeared as a hunter before Arjuna, fought with him as a play and granted him the Pasupatha weapon. The hill is 6000 feet high on the Western Ghats.
The Siruvani dam supplying drinking water to Coimbatore and the beginning of Noyyal river are in this place. It is a dense forest throughout the 5.5 Km from the first to the seventh hill. People visit this place only during Panguni and Chithirai Tamil months covering March to May. The first six hills from the ground are said to be the six Chakras in human body viz. Mooladara, Swadishtana, Manipooraka, Anakatha, Vishuddhi and Agnga. The seventh, the abode of Lord Shiva, is the Sahasrara visible to the wise. It is also known as Shiva Jyothi Dance Hill.
Only those with a well built physic and mental determination can take op the trekking. Those of 14-50 years of age and women worship at the foot hill temple. Daily pujas are performed here. The first and the seventh hill are difficult to tread.
Kaithatti Chunai is at the second hill and the Pambatti Chunai is at the third where devotees can quench their thirst. Passing over the fourth, the fifth is praised as Thiruneermalai containing a kind of sand as the sacred ash. The Andi Chunai in the sixth hill is praised as the Manasa Sarovar of the South Kailash. People proceed further only after a bath here. The seventh hill though appear easier at a look is indeed very steep to trek. There are two rocks on either of the shrine here as Dwarapalakas to Lord Shiva in the 6 feet wide cave in the form of Panchalingas. It is said that even today there are many Siddhas around the place invisible to human eye.
Special Feature
Lord Shiva graces the devotees from the 6 feet wide cave temple in the form of Panchalingas.There are two rocks on either side
of the Shrine appearing as Dwarapalakas. As the sand of the fifth hill is of scared ash, it is known as Thiruneer Malai - Thiruneer
means scared ash.
Simple Guide
Reach Coimbatore located at southern part of India by train/air/road. You can take a taxi from there. For buses, 14D is the bus from Coimbatore Gandhipuram Town Bus Stand to Isha Foundation which is approx 1 hour travel for approx 38 kms distance. Poondi Shiva Temple is just 2km away from Isha Foundation. People can walk or talk an auto/bus from there to Poondi Shiva Temple. People also can take direct Coimbatore-Poodi buses. There are buses to Poondi from Gandhipuram Town Bus Stand serviced atleast every 2-hour. Special buses are operated during festival times.
February – May is appropriate time to visit. Climbing the hill up during the night is advisable as by morning 10AM the rocky terrain turns scorch becoming hard for trekking. As the hill track is steep it is fatal to plan the trip during rainy seasons as the hill track again become slippery. If planned for night trek it is good to carry woolen cloths/jerkin, foot cover, torchlight etc along. Only women above 45 years can trek the hill. Bamboo stick used as support to climbing the steep terrain is bought back home by devotees. It is believed that the Devars what is said in Hindu myths trek along with the devotees to cleanse their curse given by the Almighty. The springs (sunai) at the end of 2nd paambaati hill, the kaithatti sunnai at the end of 3rd hill and Aandi sunnai at the end of 6th hill serve the devotes the drinking water. Taking a dip at Aandi sunnai gives the devotees the superior consequences. Don’t rest while in between the trek. Frequent resting block the free blood circulation of the legs that may make the trekkers feel exhausted. Don’t trek after taking heavy food and carry fruits that contain rich water source. Travel light with a backpack for a comfortable trek. As the landscape is surrounded by thick forest, wild animals move around the hilly terrain. And it is right to trek in groups. If alone, form/join a group while at base. Don’t litter the hill with plastic bottles and bags. If desired, while way back can carry back the spotted trash to the base and keeping the shrine clean is also a service to the almighty. The Thenkailaya Bakthi Perravai trust arranges trip with facilities like guide, food and accommodation for devotees who donate. Contact: 94331 45660 / 94431 35660. Please spread the word to the devotees required.   Key Words : Story of 12 Jyotirlingas, Jyotirlinga Slokam, Jyotirlinga Poem, Jyotirlinga Poem Meaning |
2 comments:
Excellent Write up.. very usefull
Very informative.
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