In the Western Ghats near the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, lie the hills which are commonly known as ‘Kailash of the South’ or ‘Seven Hills’. The Velliangiri Hills are popular amongst travellers for spiritual, adventurous, and aesthetic reasons. The 7 hill trek leads to the Shiva Temple, making the trek sacred and auspicious among the pilgrims. Have you ever wondered why most of the saints and monks went to the mountains? Has the thought of leaving everything behind and going to the hills to find yourself ever crossed your mind? Trek the Seven Hills and find the answer yourself.
This blog is a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about the Velingiri Hills. The distance, the height, the best time to visit, rules, things you can do, weather conditions, and what all you should be carrying for the trek. So, if you plan for it, you are at the right place.
About Velliangiri Hills
Velliangiri Hills are a popular pilgrimage tourist destination and one of the best historical places to visit in Tamil Nadu. Located in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the hills attract tourists and pilgrims from different parts of the country for scenic and adventure reasons. The significance of these hills can be rooted in the Hindu Mythology. It is believed that Lord Shiva performed the tandav here after Punyakshi left her body. So the hills got the name ‘Dakshin Kailash’. There’s a natural Shivlinga located at the top, making it a place of great spiritual and religious importance and an important pilgrimage site with seven hills symbolising the 7 chakras of the human body. The Isha Yoga Centre is situated at the foothills of the Velliangiri Hills, making the mountain even more popular among the pilgrims.
Velliangiri Hills Location
The Velliangiri Hills are a part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, Western Ghats of the Coimbatore region. These hills are 30-35 km from Coimbatore. These hills are bounded by Coimbatore on the east, Palakkad on the west, Nilgiri Highland on the north, and the Siruvani hills on the south. The Velingiri hills height between 520 m and 1540m, with the 7th hill being the largest.
How to Reach Vellaingiri Hills
There are multiple ways to reach Vellaingiri Hills. Travellers and tourists from all over the world usually take the following routes:-
By Air: The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport (CJB). It is 30 to 40 km from the Velliangiri Hills. You can hire a taxi or take any local bus to reach the starting point of the trek.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is Coimbatore Junction(CBE). It is 40km from the Velliangiri Hills. From the station, you can take a shared ride or an auto to the hills.
By road: If you’re travelling in Coimbatore using a private car, you can take your car to the hills. Being a popular pilgrimage destination, the Velliangiri hills have good road connectivity.
Best Time to Visit Velliangiri Hills
Anywhere between October and May is the best time to visit the Velliangiri Hills and the best time to visit Coimbatore region overall. The velliangiri hills trekking season officially begins in February around Mahashivratri and is at its peak till April. The pleasant winter of the South makes it easier to trek compared to the April-May period, when the humidity is unbearable.
The onset of spring (Feb-March) starts the pilgrimage trekking season. The monsoon season restricts trekking due to slippery hills, and it is advisable not trek during the monsoons. April-May might be a good time, but the intense heat during the day makes the nighttime trek more feasible.
Along with the best season to trek, you should be mindful of the Velliangiri Hills weather. It is very hot and humid during the day. To avoid the heat, most people trek at night. As it is a spiritual trek with a lot of religious importance, it is often advised to trek barefoot, which would almost be impossible when the rocks heat up due to the scorching sun.
The Velliangiri Hills Temple
The Velliangiri Temple consists of two temples, the downhill temple (Poondi) and the uphill temple. The challenging 13km trek of the Velliangiri hills leads you up to the 7th hill, where the Velliangiri temple, also known as Velliangiri Andavar Temple, is located. Inside the uphill temple lies a naturally formed shrine of Shiva, a shivlinga. These hills are often referred to as Kailash of the South, as it is believed that Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance here. Each hill has its own significance, which you would feel as you move uphill. Trekking the seven hills and worshipping the linga would fill you with a warmth and wholeness that you might have never experienced before.
The Velliangiri Hills Trek
The trek starts from the Isha Yoga Centre. From there, you’ll be trekking 3 km to the first hill, where the Poondi Temple lies. The next part of the trek is from Poondi temple to Velliangiri Temple, located on the 7th hill, a challenging 8km trek. The last part of the trek is the shortest amongst all treks. It's from the uphill temple to the Siva temple, which is at the highest altitude of the other two temples. Along with the temples, the trek consists of Pambatti Sunai, a natural spring which lies 3km into the trek. 6km into trekking you would be mesmerised by the distinctive rocks of Beeman Kali Urundai Hill, the wildflowers, and the lushness of the sacred hill. At the 7th km lies the Arjuna Head Rock, popular for its resemblance to a human face.
Distance of the trek - 13kms
Duration of the trek - Anywhere between 7 and 10 hours, depending on the level of your fitness.
Things to Do in the Velliangiri Hills
Velliangiri Hills are one of the must-visit places amongst the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu. Here are some of the things to do in Coimbatore and Velliangiri Hills:
1. Trekking:
The Velliangiri Hills are renowned for their trekking paths that present stunning vistas of the Western Ghats. The trek to the summit of Velliangiri is the most well-known and is regarded by many as a spiritual experience.
2. Visit the Isha Yoga Centre:
Situated at the foothills of Velliangiri, the Isha Yoga Centre. The centre is celebrated for its exquisite architecture, tranquil ambience, and yoga and meditation sessions.
3. Meditate at the Dhyanalinga:
Dhyanalinga, situated at the Isha Yoga Centre, is a meditative temple with the world’s largest mercury-based live linga and is believed to take you a step further on your spiritual journey. The shrine attracts tourists from all over the world.
4. Visit the Adiyogi Bust:
The Adiyogi Bust situated at the Isha Yoga Center is one of the key attractions and top places to visit in Coimbatore. The bust is 112 feet long steel structure of Lord Shiva and symbolises the origin of Yoga. The bust attracts pilgrims and meditators from all over the world.
5. Explore Flora and Fauna:
The Velliangiri hills, lying in a biosphere reserve, have a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Some of the rarest medicinal herbs, leopards, different species of insects, birds, etc., can be found here. The hills are a great place for nature walks.
Places to Visit Near Velliangiri Hills
There are many wonderful and amazing Coimbatore tourist places near Velliangiri Hills. To make your trip even more memorable, you can also visit -
1. Siruvani Waterfalls
Located 17 km away from the Vellaingiri, in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu and 35km from the main city. They offer a picturesque view and are a great place for nature walks, making them popular amongst nature lovers.
2. Nilgiri Biosphere Nature Park
It is the largest protected forest area in India. It is famous for its huge biodiversity of birds, flora, and fauna. The park is also home to some of the endangered species, like the Bengal Tiger, Black Buck, and numerous amphibians in the country.
3. Vaidehi Falls
Located 30-35 km away from Coimbatore near Narasipuram, Vaidehi Falls offers scenic views and a thrilling trek through lush green forests. The falls have been named after a popular Tamil film, Vaidehi Kaathirundhal. You need a permit from the forest authorities to visit here.
4. Gedee Car Museum
Just 37km from the Velliangiri lies this iconic car museum. Gedee Car Museum is one of the most popular vintage car museums in India. It has a collection of over 100 vintage cars from different corners of the world.
5. Marudhamalai Temple
It is a 12th-century temple located at the top of a hill in Coimbatore. It is famous for its intricate architecture, rare herbs, and panorama. The temple is roughly between 800 and 1000 steps up the hill.
Tips for visiting Velliangiri Hills
Pre-planning your trek can make your visit more comfortable. Here are a few things that you must consider while visiting the Velliangiri Hills:-
Wear comfortable footwear, preferably trekking shoes to climb the hard rocks.
Most of the tourists prefer to trek at night to avoid the humidity and the hot rocks during the day, so ensure to carry a torch.
Carry eatables and drinking water to avoid being dehydrated and running out of energy while climbing the heights of the Velliangiri Hills.
Do not carry anything made of plastic. Carrying plastic to the hills is strictly prohibited by the forest department of Tamil Nadu.
Travel in groups, even if you are on a solo trip; join groups of other trekkers, as the journey can be very challenging and demanding.
Carry bamboo sticks to give yourself some support while trekking. You can easily get these sticks at the start of the trek.
Conclusion
Trekking the Velliangiri Hills is not just a trek, it's a journey from whoever you thought you were to the real you. Visiting the Isha Yoga Center, Dhyanalinga, the Adiyogi bust, Velliangiri Andavar Temple, and the downhill Velliangiri Temple would bring you peace and bring you closer to God. With proper planning and taking care of the weather, height, and distance, the Velliangiri Hills are a perfect blend of adventure, nature, and spirituality. The challenging trek offers scenic views, humbles you, energises you, and leaves you wondering about the fragility of life. You must plan to trek these hills with your friends and make a lifetime memory.
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