Velliangiri Mountains

The Velliangiri Mountains, (Tamil: வெள்ளியங்கிரி மலை) a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, are situated at the western border of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. Known as the "Thenkailayam (Tamil: தென்கயிலை) - Kailash of the South", these mountains are held and revered on par with spiritually most powerful place on the planet - Mount Kailash, the legendary abode of Shiva. On the top of the Velliangiri Mountains, Shiva is worshipped as Swayambu, one who is self-created and in this form, he graces the devotees. In the past, many Siddhas, Siddhar and Sages [1] have practiced severe austerities Asceticism, Tapas and attained Self-realization on these mountains.

Besides, the Shiva Temple of Velliangiri, the presence of the Dhyanalinga is another reason why people throng to the Velliangiri Hills.

Story of Velliangiri

These mountains became sacred because a long time ago, there was a young maiden at the southern-most point of the Indian peninsular who aspired to hold Shiva's hand as a wife.

Her devotion and austerities crossed all levels of sanity and she remained absolutely focused upon him every moment.

This stirred Shiva's compassion and love. So he started making his journey to South India. She set up this deadline: "If I am not married to him by sunrise on this day, I am going to leave my body."

Shiva came to know of this and was hurrying down but he could not meet the deadline due to false setup was created by a few who does not like his marriage. He was close but since he felt the time crossed he sat there itself. So she left her body standing. Even today she stands there as Kanyakumari. There is a shrine on the very tip of this landmass which is known as Kanyakumari or the 'Maiden's Shrine.'

Shiva felt very disappointed with himself that he could not make it on time. He started walking back and needed a place to sit and work out his despondency. So he climbed up this mountain and at the peak of this mountain he sat. Wherever Shiva spent a little time, people call that place 'Kailash' due to the mountains imbibe his presence and reverbrate it eternally. So they called the Velliangiri Mountains the 'Kailash of the South'. The mountain peak is 6000 ft above the sea level, and its chillness, wind force, cloudy mist, and the steepness gives hard climbing for a devotee.

Sacredness of these Mountains - The Seven Hills

Kailash is considered as Shiva himself. "Many many great masters of all tradition deposited their wisdom and energy in this peak made it as a spiritual library of the world" says Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, the founder of Isha Foundation and the Isha Yoga Centre. Shiva is known as Swayambhu, the source of the creator. Any one who experiences the source of creation, there is nothing more in this planet for him to experience. Only because of this, Kailash pilgrimage has been kept as highest than any other pilgrimage.

Normally pilgrimage to a place is unlike trekking, considered as a spiritual tool to subdue one's ego and enhance one's perception and life experience. That is why great masters offered this tool to humanity with the process of preparation to imbibe the sanctity of the place in to one's life.

Even today going for Kailash is not possible for many. When one powerful sthana is reverbrated in the same dimension, which is easily accessible for people who are born in this land it is really a great boon. So in this sense, Thenkailaya yatra has become significant and great possibility for one

Apart from Shiva, many great beings bestowed their energy and wisdom in Velliangiri peak makes the mountain more significant for one to pilgrimage. The places like Pambatti Siddhar Gugai (cave), Ottar Samadhi, Sadhguru Shri Brahma's Samadhi and many more Saints and Sages, Yogis and Siddhas made this mountain more powerful for one to imbibe this great dimension in his life.

The seven mountains reverbrates the seven basic Chakras of human body shows its sacredness. So any one who pilgrimages to these powerful sthana with proper preparation and guidance can receive all the 7 basic dimensions of life.

Significance of Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage to a sacred place is considered as so significant since it becomes a tool for one to experience and enhance the higher dimension in his life.

This is a traditional and an ancient tool in this culture, which has strong and long history of Bhakthi yoga (path of devotion). Many great beings such as Agasthiya, Adi Shankara, Vivekananda keep on walking in this sacred land just to impart this highest possibility to the people in the society so as to enhance their life.

We can hear many stories of many great beings who travelled to Kāśi or Rameshwaram or other significant places just to imbibe this higher dimension.

The story of the great Nayanmar Tirunavukkarasar Swamigal and Karaikkal Ammeiyar would express how they took Kailash Yatra in their life. When someone undertakes a pilgrimage to Kailash, with proper preparation and guidance, cannot be stopped from receiving since the journey itself cleanses the body, openes up the Nadis apart from being connected the basic five elements.

So one can receive the fullest benefit when he undertakes the trek as pilgrimage with devotion and proper preparation will yield physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

The Iyakkam (Movement) offers a rare guidance for the devotees in order for them to prepare themselves to make them receptive by making them aware of the purpose of the yatra and place that they going to Darshan.

Velliangiri Yatra or Thenkailaya Yatra

Yatra is a tool of devotion, to enrich and enhance our life with new dimension. That is why in this tradition, pilgrimages were created and offered to people by great Sages and Saints.

The Thenkailaya Bhakthi Iyakkam guiding the devotees as how to prepare, how to receive so that they can get benefit of what they come for. It organises yatra, for those who contacted them, in order to make them experience the glimpse of the magnificent mountains where many masters pour their grace and wisdom.

Thenkailaya Bhakthi Iyakkam [2] is a bhakthi or devotional movement run by independent non-profitable charitable trust called Thenkailaya Bhakthi Peravai, created by devotees of Velliangiri mountain.

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.

Festivals

A unique feature of Dakshina Kailash is the annadhanam organised by the Arya Vaisya jewellers for the past two centuries, for four days during Mahasivaratri. It is now carried out with all earnestness and enthusiasm, by the jeweller community and the Lala group.

Getting There

The Transport Corporation ply busses between Coimbatore (Gandhi Puram) and Poondi every day. Special bus services are available during festive occasions like Maha Shivrathri. Coimbatore is on the international circuit with flights connecting it to Sharjah. On the domestic front it is well connected to Kozhikode, Chennai, Kochi, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi by both rail and road.

Location

30 km from the commercial center Coimbatore district and near Siruvani, Altitude: 6000 ft.

Staying

Tourists can unpack at the economical standard hotels available in Coimbatore

References

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