Trek to Velliangiri hills

Velliangiri 7th Hill

In the Month of April-2009, we had a first time opportunity to trek Velliangiri hills. I was so apprehensive with many questions to myself- will I be able to climb such a tall mountain? Whether the mountain has riskiest cliffs? Will my foot bear the barefoot walking? Somehow I decided to climb the hills. Believe it - I enjoyed the climbing and after climbing down, I decided to come again to get the lovely experience. Great Experience!!!!!

My kids relaxing at end of 1st hill.

We climbed in a group of around 10 guys including my both kids( 10 years & 13 years). Everyone was carrying some food and 1 small bottle of water. Except us others all have travelled many times and they advised not to take more water( only a small bottle is enough). We can refill the water from mountain creaks in several places.

Fetching water from creeks

We started climbing around 8:30 AM in the morning. My friends told me there are 7 hills. But I could not distinguish the hills except for th 7th one( where the Deity presides). My guess is that the distance would be almost same as Tirupati except that the steps are not proper here. I think Tirupati would have been in the same state several years back. But the steps( and the way) in this hill will remain the same since the area comes under the Forest department. I too wish the same so as the ecosystem will not get spoiled.

The difference between normal trekking and here is that we need to walk barefooted. In certain days you need to face a huge crowd also. Anyway this gives us a great experience.

The first hill was very steep, but shaded with trees and good steps made with stones. At the end there is a Ganesha temple. Everyone offer Puja here and continues up. There are some shops here where very good lemon soda available and also some snacks like biscuits. All over the way we could find similar shops in 5 to 6 places. One can also get good stream water at this point.

Rough terrain

At least in 3 to 4 places we have water source where the water can be refilled. The second hill to 6th hill has mostly sandy ways and some places have steps carved out. At the end of 6th hill one can reach a small Pond with crystal clear chill water. However our devotees change this to murky water often by taking bath here. I was told that all the wild animals come here for drinking water when there is no crowd.

Holy pool

After having a brief relaxation, our group started to climb again. The 7th hill was almost bare without any trees all our way. However I can see trees on other side of the same hill where the wild animals dwell. I was little bit anxious of this hill - whether is it possible complete till the top or will I slip somewhere. But the Lord Velliangiri provided all confidence and strength to make it comfortable. We reached the top around 4:00 PM. The group seniors performed Puja for the Thorana Vaayil Ganesha( Ganesha under Arch way - the rocks formed as an arch above Ganesha). No pundits available here. One has to do puja self only.

Thorana Vaayil Ganesha

After that we can climb down to the other side where the Lord Velliangiiri Nathar presides. Here a pandit(poojari) available who would also not allow you to any photographs. He sells lot of Thaayathu( Magical strings). Now your mission accomplished here.

Lord Velliangiri

Now there is another way to climb down which is a shorter way down(difficult climb up this way). AT the foot of this hill we had our dinner( at 5:00PM). Then all started climbing down.

At this point onwards the team splits and the younger and strong guys climbed down faster and old guys like me were trailing back. My son and other guys reached down by 7:00( they reached in 2.5 hours approximately) while we reached around 8:30 PM. Climbing down in the dark is really a challenge. There are many small stones and you may always end up stamping it and get hurt. Your thighs, joints will be worst affected. But believe me - all these will be cured in a week's time. You would start longing for next trip!

See more photos in http://www.flickr.com/photos/27324862@N04/