Velliangiri - Shivas Silver Mountain One of southern Indias least known hill stations, Velliangiri appeals to the nature enthusiast and spiritual seeker alike Among the least known of Indias hill stations, Velliangiri has a shrine to Shiva atop its summit.. Yahoo Lifestyle/Sunil Daman - Among the least known of Indias hill stations, Velliangiri has a shrine to Shiva atop its summit. Forty kilometers from the hustle and bustle of Coimbatore stand the lush, forested slopes of the Velliangiri Mountain. Located less than 100 kilometers from the coast and topping nearly 6,000 feet in elevation, it’s no surprise that this mountain is capped by a near-permanent curtain of mist blowing in from the Arabian Sea. In fact, the name Velliangirimeans “Silver Mountain,” and refers to this misty veil. One of the lesser known hill stations of Tamil Nadu, it offers a “two-in-one” package – a fantastic nature reserve with a spiritual twist. Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that is spread over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, Velliangiri is also a significant pilgrimage destination for Shiva devotees. It is known as Dakshin Kailash or “The Kailash of the South,” and the legend goes that Lord Shiva retreated to this mountain to grieve, when he failed to fulfill a devotee’s appeal to marry him! The maiden was none other than Kanyakumari, and she attained samadhi at the tip of the Indian subcontinent when Shiva didn’t turn up. Hearing of this, a distraught Shiva headed to Velliangiri to settle himself. Over the ages, many saints and yogis are said to have made this mountain their abode. In July, I made a yatra or pilgrimage to the mountain’s peak, which is known as the Seventh Hill because the mountain’s contours give you the impression of having crested seven peaks by the time you get to the top. Of course, to my city-bred legs and “built for sea-level” lungs, it felt more like seventy peaks! Still, it was truly a remarkable experience. The seven-kilometer trek took me about four hours to complete, but it wasn’t just getting to the top that made for an enriching and fulfilling experience. Throughout the trek, the mountain exudes its own ambience and it almost feels like a natural temple. At every one of the seven “hills” or crests, a small temple with a shiva linga inside and a trishul outside marks the spot. Just after crossing the third hill, I was invited by other pilgrims to stop over and refresh myself at a small cave where a crack in the wall spouts fresh, cool water. Drinking and washing myself with this water from an underground stream rejuvenated and transformed my sweaty, weary body. Two more hours of climbing got me to the top, to be greeted with the fierce winds that roll in from the Arabian Sea, travelling a hundred kilometers to meet their first obstruction – tiny, little me on a peak barren of any vegetation to shelter behind. With the winds came the mist and fog, and I noticed little droplets of water accumulating on my stubble. As I trudged on a few more steps heading to the little Shiva temple there, a sight greeted me that completely took my breath away. Three immense boulders, each the size of a house, had come together in the most improbable fashion. Each stood supported by the others, leaving between them a small pathway that wound under and through the hundreds of tons of precariously balanced rock. Through this little opening I walked and on the other side, paid my respects to the linga that stood within a small cave. I spent a couple of hours meditating under those massive boulders, and it was such a powerful experience. Wind, mist, physical effort and mental calm came together to give me a sense of what spirituality really is. The Velliangiris have another pleasant surprise for the spiritual seeker. At the foothills is the Isha Yoga Center, an ashram established by yogi and mystic Sadhguru. I had booked my stay at this wonderful place, which also houses the Dhyanalinga temple, and spent a couple of days there after my trek. I relaxed with some Ayurvedic massage therapies and learnt a short and simple meditation called Isha Kriya. It was a great place for me to chill out and revitalize after my tiring climb. As I headed back from the ashram to the airport to catch my flight, I knew for a fact that my tryst with the Silver Mountain had only just begun. I plan to head back there on Mahashivratri next year, on the “Great Night of Shiva.”
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 04:07:34 +0000
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