Sambho Shiva Sambho @ 6000 FT

On the night of Maha Shivaratri, I 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(6000 Ft Height)? 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!!!!!

The Vellingiri Hill temple is situated some 40 kilometers away from Coimbatore city, Tamil Nadu. The temple is purely dedicated to lord Siva and the overall altitude of the hill is 6000 feet. The Vellingiri hill temple is considered to be the most famous worship place and a massive tourists group visits the hill temple to make their prayers.

Moreover the hill is familiar for its extravagant natural resources. People can find several different essential rare herbs grown on the hill, which could be used for medication. The Vellingiri hill temple has the deity of lord Shiva, and people visiting the temple can sense the pleasing atmosphere to worship.

Velliangiri Hills count amongst the lesser-known hill stations of Tamilnadu. 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.

About halfway up, I could feel the air become thinner and despite being reasonably athletic, my legs had turned to rubber. There were at least four hours of steady climbing left. “I don’t think I can make it,” my mind murmured. Then I remembered the mantra Sadhguru told us about. “Shee-va, Sham-bho, Shee-va, Sham-bho…,” I began chanting quietly to myself. I plodded on with slow, baby steps, ceaselessly chanting. I was committed not to stop even if it meant arriving in the middle of the night.

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!

My eyes were filled with tears when i submitted myself to lord shiva..!!

Wonderful Experience at 6000 FT.

--Sudhan