Valparai Bike Trip – May 18, 2008

More than me, my friend Anwar will never forget this trip. One of my colleagues was getting married on the above date in Valparai. With May 18th being a Sunday, what else one needs to go to Valparai. Till 17th night, I was the only person planning to go. At first, I thought I will go alone, but then thought will try my luck with Anwar. I gave an SMS to Anwar at 3 o’clock in the morning and owing to his bad luck or my good luck, he responded. It took a lot of coaxing to make him agree to come, and finally we left Coimbatore by 5:30 in the morning.

Poonjolai, Chinna Kallar Falls, Nirar Dam – These are places that I have heard but never been in Valparai, and going by bike is the best way.

Clean air, lush green tea estates, glorious landscapes, crystal clear water, least-explored places, and unforgettable moments – These are memories that you will come back with.

Route: Coimbatore=Pollachi=Azhiyar=Valparai=Nirar Dam=Chinna Kallar Falls.

Distance: 300 km (to and fro).

Expenses: Rs. 250/= per head (including fuel and food).

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Vellai Vinayagar (White Ganesh) temple in Valparai



Three beauties



Two beauties



Lush Green



Me at Poonjolai



Me, Myself, and Lakshmi



Anwar at Gajamudi Tunnel



Me at Nirar Dam

Valparai Bike Trip – May 18, 2008

Nirar Dam



Nirar Dam



Me at Nirar Dam



Anwar at Chinna Kallar Falls



Me at Chinna Kallar Falls



Me at Chinna Kallar Falls



Me at Chinna Kallar Falls



Lakshmi



On the way back



Lush Green, Again

Rangaswamy Peak Trek – Apr 26, 2008

Rangaswamy Peak is at a height of 5855 ft and is visible from the Kodanad View Point in Kothagiri. Legend has it that Lord Rangaswamy who lived in Karamadai, between Mettupalayam and Coimbatore, quarreled with his wife and came to live here alone. It is the most sacred peak in the Nilgiris, sacred to the Irulas, Badugas, and Kurumbas. The devotees come here mainly during the summer months, so if you want to trek alone and avoid intense heat, avoid May.

One has to take the road which goes to Kodanad View Point and take a detour halfway. You can find steps for most of way up to the temple at the top of peak and for a small portion of the trek you have to go through tea estates. It is an ideal place for a 1-day trek from Coimbatore.

There is also a small museum in Kothagiri which is housed in the bungalow of the first collector of Nilgiris, John Sullivan.

Distance: 200 km (to and fro)

Route: Coimbatore=Mettupalayam=Kothagiri=Kodanad View Point Road=Rangaswamy Peak

Expenses: Rs.450/= per head

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Thirumoorthy Hills Trip – Mar 30, 2008

Afraid that I might land up in hell due to my numerous sins, my mom was insistent that we should see Murugan to get salvation. Mom was sure that Chitragupta was working overtime for me. I too thought it’s a good idea to on a trip with my side of the family as only a week before I had gone on a trip with my wife’s side of the family (Eh!!! What all one has to do to balance everything, though as long as it is a trip I don’t mind joining any family).

After visiting the famous abode of Lord Murugan in Palani, as we had packed our lunch too, we thought we would go to Thirumoorthy Hills, which is around 25 km from Palani.

Thirumoorthy Hills form a part of the Anamalai range of the Western Ghats. It consists of 3 places of interest – Thirumoorthy Temple, Panjalinga Falls, and Thirumoorthy Dam.

Legend says that a few thousand years ago, sage Athari Maharishi along with his wife Anushiya Devi lived here. Moved by their prayer, Lord Shiva along with Brahma and Vishnu (3 moorthis or Thirumoorthy) came in disguise to test their devotion. Overwhelmed by their appearance the couple offered them their tribute. The 3 moorthis refused to accept their offerings as such and demanded that Anushiya Devi should make the offering in nudity. She accepted their demand, and with the power of her devotion, she changed the 3 moorthis into babies and fed them. On seeing the devotion of Anushiya Devi, the 3 moorthis blessed the couple and so the place gets its name. There is an old temple here on the foothill.

One has to climb around 2-3 km to reach the Panjalinga Falls, but it’s worth the climb as the water there is fabulous, but only during the winter and rainy months the falls will be in full force.

Thirumoorthy Dam is a nice place for a one-day outing from Coimbatore. It has boating, a nice place to have your lunch (of course, you should pack your lunch as there are no good hotels out there), and the drive there is ultimate. From Coimbatore, you can either go to Udumalpet and go from there or take my favorite, the more interior and scenic route that goes through the villages. The drive is simply great with the whole route surrounded by sunflower gardens, coconut groves, and paddy fields.

Distance: 160 km (to and fro)

Route: Coimbatore = Pollachi = Poolanginar = Thali = Thirumoorthy Hills.

Expenses: Again, depends on the size and appetite of the family you take :-)

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Vellore Trip - Mar 23, 2008

Temples of Tamil Nadu have never ceased to impress me and so does the Jalakandeshwarar Temple in Vellore. Situated inside the Vellore Fort, this is one of the finest pieces of Dravidian architecture in this temple of Shiva. Words fail when I try to bring out the beauty of this temple, hence I am putting up pictures.

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Vellore Trip - Mar 23, 2008