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Namakkal - Kolli Hills



On the Republic day after watching flag hoisting on TV at around 12:30 PM left Chennai and travelled towards south TN, post the Jallikattu protests. We wanted to get a feeler on the Jallikattu fever and dry farming.

We reached Namakkal via Vizhupuram - Trichy by 8 PM. Near to Salem, this town is famous for egg and poultry business. Namakkal Anchaneyar brings lots of pilgrims to this place. Being densely populated with business community the place is buzz with shopping centers.  We checked in to Hotel Sanu international, booked online before starting from Chennai. Room was decent enough for the cost while food was not up to the quality. 
Thathathreya Temple
The next day saw us leaving to Kolli hills after the very simple complimentary breakfast at the hotel. Driver Mani became our driver-cum-guide for the day. He took us first to the Thathagiri Murugar temple. Its takes one to climb 50 steps to reach the temple. This temple houses - Thathathreya (Brahma, Vishnu and Shivan together) and Murugar. After that spiritual start to the day we headed towards Kolli while Mani provided info about Namakkal and how people there participated in the week long Jallikattu protests like any other place in TN.
Kolli hills

Solakkadu
Ettukai Amman temple
















After 1.5 hours and 70 hairpin bends we reached Solakkadu market the main place atop the kolli hills. After a quick refresh in the form of tea we went first to the Ettukai Mariamman temple. This Amman is the main deity of the kolli population. It was quiet crowded and half a kilometer path to the temple from the road was occupied by small time seller. Amman has a smiling face in her manjal kappu, no wonder she is called the 'kollipavai'. Local produce fruits like papaya, jackfruit, sundakkai and seethapazham were sold. You can see some elders sitting there just to sell one papaya.

Our next place of visit was Masila falls. Being off-season we could only witness a thin flow of fall from top after having walked for a kilometer to the falls region. Very few visitors were seen here. Had to leave the place after few snaps.
Arapaleeshwarar Temple

We then reached Arapaleeshwarar temple; the structure showed its an ancient one. Its now under the Hindu Aranilaiyathurai. The main deity Arapaleeshwarar showers his blessing to the mountain in the form of Lingam. The Goddess is Thayammai. This temple also houses Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga. Devotees pour their wishes in the stones places in the outer prahar. Outside the temple, small shops are set up selling local farm produces. Ram seetha fruit and jackfruit were in abundance.
Botanical Garden












 
Sikkuparai view point

Valviloori Statue
















Opposite to the Arapaleeshwarar temple is the path leading to Akash ganaga waterfalls which is said to fall from 200 meters above. Again due to off-season it was a disappointment. We next reached the Botanical Garden. Inspite of the ticket issuer's warning we went inside after paying Rs.10 per head. The 38 crore property wore a deserted look. Workers there  blamed it on the dry weather for the past 2 years. Its not just the agricultural lands, huge gardens have also been affected.

Local Market














Our lunch was at a local veg mess. Meals was priced at Rs.60 and dosa was for Rs.25. All commodities were to be procured from the plains and brought up to the hills was the reason they sell at an high price, even minimal quantity of food. It was a  simple and home made lunch. We then left to the market place to buy local fruits before heading down the hill.



 
 By 4 PM we reached the foothills of kolli. Mani drove us to the Anchaneya temple and we waited there till 5 PM and came to know that darshan is possible only at 7 PM as Vennaikappu for the Lord was in-progress. So we left from there to the Namagiri fort. Built on just a single rock called Namagiri, this fort has a Vishnu temple and tank at the bottom. While 200 small or narrow steps takes you to the top of the fort. After a grueling climb we witnessed the only old and broken fort structure under the archeological survey of India. This fort is also said to have a secret passage that will lead further away from the town. From the top of the hill we get a magnificent view of this town called Namakkal. Kolli is seen at the further distance while nearby temples and highways are clearly visible.

Namagiri Fort













Namagiri Fort
Namagiri Fort
































By 7 PM we reached Anchaneya temple only to get a glimpse of the Lord at the entrance itself. We also got to view the Lord in gold chariot come around the temple. The 18 feet deity inside the no roof sanctum in vennaikappu was a glorious darshan to one's eyes. The Vinayaka temple at the entrance is a never to be missed. With this we closed the visits for the day after a good dinner at Brindhan hotel, highly recommended by Mani and it lived up to.
Namakkal
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Location: Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India

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