Siththannavaasal, Thiruvaanaikaaval, Srirangam, Kallanai Trip - Jan 20-21, 2007

“Un pugazh vaiyamum solla,
Siththannavaasalil ulla, siththiram vetkudhu mella uyire.”

(To speak about your beauty to the world, even the paintings in Siththannavaasal feel shy)

After hearing these words from Vaali, I was eager to see Siththannavaasal. If Vaali is comparing the beauty of Sonali Bendre to Siththannavaasal, then there surely must be something special about the place. In fact, to our surprise, the paintings at Siththannavaasal turned out to be more beautiful than Sonali Bendre.

Well, coming back to the point, my colleague and friend Suthersun, who has a similar taste (not on Sonali Bendre though), wanted to see Siththannavaasal. Both of us have read Sivagamiyin Sabatham by Kalki and naturally we were mesmerized by the classic lines of Kalki about Siththannavaasal being on the same lines of Ajantha and Ellora. With Siththannavaasal being accessible through Trichy, we decided that we will visit Thiruvaanaikaaval, Srirangam, and Kallanai (Grand Anicut) also.

Siththannavaasal has a rock-cut Jain temple of the early Pandya period (7th century AD). It consists of a square garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum) and a rectangular mukhamandapa. The rear wall of the garbagriha contains bas-relief figures of Jaina Tirthankaras in Aseena-Mudra (seated) posture. The side walls of the mukhamandapa contain bas-relief figures of Parsvanatha and Jain acharyas. The cave temple is decorated with mural paintings made of vegetable colours. The ceiling has depiction of a lotus tank with realistic figures of men, animals, flowers, birds and fishes. It recalls the Samavasarana faith in Jainism. The facade of the pillars shows a dancing girl, the king and the queen.

Photography of the paintings is strictly prohibited, so only memories remain.

What surprises us is that these paintings have survived for nearly 1300 years. So realistic and colourful the paintings are that one forgets he/she is seeing a 1300-year painting. But the highlight of Siththannavaasal is the sanctum sanctorum itself. The sanctum sanctorum is acoustically designed such that if one takes a deep breath during meditation, the whole sanctum sanctorum vibrates. But if one shouts, claps, or just speaks, nothing happens there, not even a single vibration is felt. The cave is carved out of a single big rock. The rock is so big that it runs around 1.5 km. Siththannavaasal also has around 12 beds carved on the rocks on the top of the hill. These beds were used by the saints to sleep. You have to climb around 250 steps to see the beds.

Siththannavaasal is 15 km from Pudukottai. Pudukottai is 60 km from Trichy and good bus facilities are available to Pudukottai. Staying in Trichy will be apt as it has lot of good hotels.

Day 2 was spent on visiting Thiruvaanaikaaval, Srirangam, and Kallanai. Thiruvaanaikaaval is a Shiva temple dedicated one of the 5 elements, water. The other temples being Kalahasti (air), Kancheepuram (earth), Thiruvannamalai (fire), and Chidambaram (ether). You need at least 5 hours to see the whole temple. It is an excellent piece of Dravidian architecture. Don’t miss out the carvings on the ceilings there.

Next, we visited Srirangam. Srirangam is an island encircled by Kaveri and Kollidam rivers. It is around 2 km from Thiruvaanaikaaval. It has the tallest Rajagopuram in Asia, measuring 236 feet. It is a massive temple covering an area of 156 acres.

Good bus facilities are available to both Thiruvaanaikaaval and Srirangam.

Finally, we visited Kallanai. You have to come back to Trichy (Sattiram bus stand) again to catch a bus to Kallanai. The route to Kallanai is through typical South Indian landscapes. Kaveri on one side and lush green paddy fields on the other sides accompany you all through the journey. Kallanai was built by Karikala Cholan and dates back to the 2nd century AD. It is considered the oldest water-diversion structure in the world still in use, though much of the structure cannot be seen as it is under water.

The northern channel is called the Kollidam; the other preserves the name of Kaveri and empties into the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar, a few hundred miles south of Chennai. On the seaward face of its delta are the seaports of Nagapattinam and Kaarikal. Cultivation is carried out in this delta for over 2000 years.

Route: Coimbatore = Trichy = Pudukottai = Siththannavaasal = Trichy = Thiruvaanaikaaval = Srirangam = Kallanai = Trichy = Coimbatore.

Cost: Approximately Rs. 750/= per head including food, travelling, and staying.

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Suthersun behind S'vaasal Hill















A local deity in the fields















S'vaasal cave















Palm grove















Dusk at S'vaasal

Thiruvaanaikaaval and Srirangam

Srirangam















Srirangam















Srirangam




















Srirangam















Srirangam















Thiru'kaaval















Thiru'kaaval















Thiru'kaaval















Thiru'kaaval















Thiru'kaaval

Team Bike Trip – Nelliampathy – Jan 7, 2007

As with all Saturday mornings, my miniscule brain was thinking about where to go for the weekend. Just then, Ganesh (my team guy) told that he is going home to Kerala for the weekend, and my roaming profile went into overdrive. We hatched up a plan to make a trip. A short and sudden meeting with the team guys happened and we decided that we will go on a bike trip to Nelliampathy on Sunday and return on Monday afternoon (before that I had to make them swear that they will return to work on Monday night).

We left on Sunday morning to Vadakancherry where Ganesh told he will meet us and from there we will go to Nelliampathy. Roads are exceptionally good till the foothills of Nelliampathy. The trip was uneventful except for the puncture to Anand’s bike tyre and the stopover in Pothundy Dam. New roads are being laid in hills of Nelliampathy, hence the ride was both adventurous and aching. If you planning a painless ride to Nelliampathy, better go after June 2007, the roads should be complete by then.

There are 2 must-see places in Nelliampathy – Seetharkundu and Mallampara. Seetharkundu is a great viewpoint. Legend says that Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita lived here. With we Hanumans being there, I started to believe the tail, sorry tale. Mallampara is the highest point in Nelliampathy and offers a great view of all the hills.

The best way to see both places is by jeep. You can hire a jeep for Rs. 500/= from Nelliampathy to Mallampara. The jeep accommodates around 8 persons. Beware, the jeep ride is bone-rattling. I bet it can relieve any severe degree of constipation.

We spent there till late evening and had a very chilly and scary ride back to Vadakancherry in the night. Ganesh gave us a scare in-between saying that the hotel guy in Vadakancherry won’t allow us to drink, but scare turned to joy when we saw the hotel guy himself carrying bottles.

The next morning, during breakfast, the guys got a real taste of Kerala. Akathi, Mohan, Andrew, Karthick, and Alex opened their eyes as wide as the plates on their table on seeing the girls coming out of a tuition centre in the same complex. They were already making plans fast for the next trip - same place, same time. I, as usual, had to reluctantly behave very mature.

All in all the trip was great and safe, and the guys enjoyed it thoroughly.

Route: Coimbatore = Palakad = Vadakancherry = Nelliampathy = Coimbatore (300 km approximately). Accommodation at Vadakancherry. Total cost: Rs. 350/= per head approximately including food, stay, and petrol.

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The Team in Pothundy Dam. (L-R) Akatheeswaran, Ganesh, Anand, Me, Mohan, Andrews, Karthick, Alex, Mahendran














We are the Kings of the World














Jeeping in the Jungle














Jeeping in the Jungle














3-Wheel Drive???














Loner in Seethar Kundu














In the Woods














Team Suicide???














Loner in Malampara














Trekking in the Hills

Uttar Pradesh ↓↓ -- Madhya Pradesh ↑↑

If you are wondering what this Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh business is, well I lost some scalp hair in my Uttar Pradesh region and gained a few centimeters to my tummy in my Madhya Pradesh region in 2006. One of my countless resolutions this year is to reduce Madhya Pradesh.

Apart from that, 2006 was a great year. To start with, I got transferred back to my hometown of Coimbatore and in a different role now. The year started with a bike trip to Coorg and ended with a bike trip to Athirapally-Valparai (both with my friend Kicha). I was lucky enough to go on trips in all the 12 months of 2006. Shakaleshpur, Thadiyandamol, Chennrayanadurga, Siddarbetta, BR Hills, Tirupathi, Wayanad, Trivandrum, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Avalanchi, Masinangudi, Valparai, Grass Hills, Tanjore, Athirapally are some of places which I visited.

Professionally too, it was a great year for me. I got transferred back to my hometown and in a new role now.

The best thing which happened to my in 2006 was my team. I just love them all. They are mix of young and middle-age people and are simply great to work with. The way they pooled together to celebrate my birthday spoke of their affection. I am sure many of them are going to get promoted in 2007 with their hard work, and I am sure we are going to have a great year ahead in 2007.

As with last year, Kicha and I decided to start the year with a trip and we decided on Athirapally-Valparai (Dec 29 and 30 were the dates). I had been in the same route before with Abdul in September, but decided to go there again to enjoy the beauty again. Last time it was rain, rain all the way. This time, it was totally dry and sunny. Though the beauty remains the same, I would always prefer to go in rains to see the freshness and green.

Route and other details available in my earlier blog in September 2006.






















Kicha and me




















Shouting in joy














Biking in the shrubs














Dangerous curve ahead!!!




















Back to the past

Travelling - It's my cup of tea














Athirappaly in the morning














Beautiful road in the jungle














Sunbath in the forest














Chalakudy River

Who is God?

Grass Hills Trip, Oct 29-30, 2006

Grass Hills, this was one place I wanted to visit desperately. I had heard about the place the last 3 times I visited Valpari. Luckily, my colleague Ramanan had worked in Valparai for 20 years and had enough connections to make the trip happen. And like that we started on Oct 29th morning by bus.

To say about Grass Hills, this is one outstanding place and still a virgin territory. Very few people go there except the occasional trekkers and forest guards (I hope it remains that way). Words fail if one were to describe the beauty of the place, Mother Nature has been very generous with Grass Hills. There is a small hut in Grass Hills where you can stay overnight, but be ready as there is no electricity there. Food and other necessary items have to be carried there. But the best part is the travel to Grass Hills, which is possible either by trekking or by a Sumo. In case you are opting for a Sumo, better be prepared to push the vehicle as in some parts the ground is so muddy that it is impossible for the vehicle to move without pushing from behind (which is what we were doing for the most part). And, of course, you can expect lots and lots of leeches there.

Staying was at a place called Mudis Club, of which Ramanan was a member - a very nice and cosy place. The trip culminated with a visit to a tea factory the next day. All in all, it was a very memorable trip.

Route: Coimbatore = Pollachi = Valparai = Grass Hills.

You can catch buses from Coimbatore to Valparai via Pollachi. From Valparai, Grass Hills can be accessed by a Sumo (rent will come around Rs.1800/= for a round trip). It is a 5-hour trip.

Athirapally Trip - Sep 17-18, 2006

Abdul, my friend, heard about the famed girls of Kerala and was pestering me for a trip there and Lakshmi (my bike) too was dying to go for a trip, it's been more than 2 months since I went on a bike trip, so thought it would be a good idea to go to Kerala. We planned we will start on Sunday (Sep 17) morning, but the day started off with a heavy rain, but we felt we should stick on to our plans and so we started with the rains. This is my first trip where I started off drenched and came back dry (by the way, my wallet too was dry by the end of trip :-)).

Going to Athirapally via Palghat and returning via Valparai in Tamil Nadu side will be a good idea as the route from Athirapally to Valparai is simply an outstanding one. For nearly 60 km, you drive through thick forests and the greatest artist of all times, Nature.

Going to Kerala in rainy season has its own advantages, everything seems fresh and green, especially the forests look beautiful in rains.

Athirapally consists of 3 falls - Athirapally, Charpa, and Vazhachal. Each one is around 2 km from each other.

As with all trips, some interesting things happened in this trip too. The first one, we were looking out for a place to stay in Athirapally and what all resorts and names we could see. They had names like Oakvalley, Riverview, Hillview, Greenvalley, Lakeview, etc. And captions too like "You stay with us once, we stay with you always." I was seriously doubting whether they give complimentary HIV which stays with us always. We were terrified on seeing those as we were doubtful of the rates, but it turned out only the names were hi-fi, most of the resorts turned out to be shabby ones. In fact, one resort was behind a grocery store and one was a single room in a house, which they call a resort. And none of those places had power. Finally we ended up staying in Hotel Araam, which is run by KTDC, which turned out to be good with excellent food.

Statutory warning to drinkers: You won't get any liquuor in Athirapally - you have to drive back 30 km to Chalakudy or drink country arrack or stay sober. I decided on the third option even though the hotel guy told the arrack is good.

My camera suddenly started behaving funnily, that is, it stopped working and I missed out capturing the beauty of the forest from Athirapally to Valparai (Oh God!, how beautiful it is). And the most interesting part was there was a shooting going on in Charpa falls and my heartthrob of 2002, Sherin, was acting in it. No need to say that it was for a song sequence in the waterfalls. Abdul and I literally had to drag ourselves out of the place.

Except the road from Athirapally to Sholayar, all the roads are good, but beware of the mist in Valparai. Visibility is hardly 5 feet.

Route (400 km approx): Coimbatore = Palghat = Chalakudy = Athirapally = Sholayar = Valparai = Pollachi = Coimbatore.

Expenses = Rs.500 per person including food, staying, and petrol for 2 days.














Abdul on the road to Thrissur















Thinking of Whom?















Me in my natural setting















Athirapally in her Full Glory















The beautiful road from Athirapally to Vazhachal




































Chalakudy River















Athirapally Falls















Chalakudy Road















Athirapally Falls