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| Parvathamalai. - Hill of Hills |
Almost trekked four times, but every time this hill stresses me to limit. All the time, half-way through the path, I used to think "never again I'm going to trek this hill". Such stressful trek due to its steepness. But after few months, whenever some one plans to visit Parvathamalai, I raise my hands. That's the beauty of this hill. The Hill of Hills.. It attracts.
There are lot of blogs on how to reach the hill. From Chennai, one can reach Parvathamalai through Tindivanam-Tiruvannamalai Route or through Arcot-Polur route. The latter one seems to be good, considering the road condition of Tindivanam-Senji route. This time (Dec/2016), my spiritual partner whatsapp'd he wanted to trek Parvathamalai. Soon as I saw the message, I replied him with a NO. I did have some personal work on the day he asked for trekking and also my foot has recently developed some pains. I didnt want to take risk. But inside, I know i will miss trekking for sure. But then, one other friend (Reddy) opted to join, if my partner postpones the trip for a couple of days. The trip was postponed for his convenience and my schedule was free that day. Though I wanted to stay back, but cant resist. I said "I can also join".
Later that day, I was speaking with one other friend (Ela) on a different aspect, and I informed him about the trekking plan and asked if he was okay to join. He did agree and roped in one more colleague (Bose). Already 5 of us for a car and no more invites. Except once, most of the time we trekked Parvathamalai during night time to avoid heat. Since its December and the climate was cool, this was a day time plan. And what more blessed we could be than ending 2016 and starting 2017 with Shiva's blessings.
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| Bose, Me and MSK |
On Dec/29, we started around 5.30am from Chennai. Had a pit stop near Kanchipuram for breakfast. Talk and fun for the remaining journey, we reached Parvathamalai by around 9.30. This time, I wore sports shoe to keep my foot comfortable and decided not to carry any backpack. With two of us carrying backpacks, we stuffed a couple of water bottles in their bags. After parking the car, we started the 2km walk from the parking area to the foot of the hills. Parvathamalai stands majestic with a 400m crown on the top of her. On the top, Shiva resides in peace and silence.
One things that stands apart from Paravathamalai among other places is that we can perform pooja for the Shiva ourselves. Go inside garbagraha, sit for sometime in the vicinity of Shiva - that means a lot.
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| Ela in his standard Veshti. |
The hill starts with a 2km walk to the base and then foot-steps starts. Almost 1300 steps that can test your patience. Initially they are long paced and then short paced giving our calves time to accustom the path. On the way, around every 200 steps of so, there were shops selling lemon soda, water bottles, tender coconut, glucose, torch, snacks from paniyaaram till koozh. Most of them are seasonal shops, so ask the villagers near the parking area before trekking empty handed. If shops are there, we can just walk without carrying much luggage.
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| Mallikarjunar |
After 1300 steps, starts the hilly region with unorganized rocks that you need to climb at times. This will take another 1 to 1.5hrs to complete. Finally stands the 400m monolithic rock on which the temple is built. You can climb this using steps or the old adventurous route using iron grills/rods drill fitted in the rocks. The gadapparai paarai way of climbing. I'd prefer climing this adventurous way than steps, for this will ease up some muscle pain than regular step climbing. Also its quicker and entertaining to climb. Not to miss mentioning the chill breeze you feel when climbing this way. After around 4hrs, you can reach the temple to have a darshan of Mallikarjunar and Amman.
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| Renovated temple |
I too had a nice darshan and we returned back to foothills by around 5pm or so. On they way, we had some paniyaaram with red chutney. Cant resist. The only thing that tests our patience will be walking that 2km from foothills to parking area. There are some autowalas shuttling between parking area to foot hills. Get their number and call them during your return to parking area. That will ease up some walking distance. After refreshing near the parking area, we started our way back to Chennai. With a break for dinner, we reached Chennai by around 10pm. I really didn't think I could make this trip, but it all went so good and fine. When he calls, who can deny.
Some tips for first timers on how to prepare for the trek. Climbing the hill (normal paced with small break every 30 mins) would take around 3.5 to 4hrs. Considering that return will take around 3hrs, the total trek duration will be 7 to 8 hrs. Under normal conditions, you only need water now and then. Though shops are available throughout the path and near the temple, its best to carry one liter of water. If you plan to trek in night, torch lights are must. Along with water, plan to carry some fruits that can keep you refreshed now and then. Again, just one or two fruits, not dozens. Recently, lot of changes have happened in the hills. They have opened Annadanam hall in the top, so you can get food there. We didnt try yet, but I hope its functional. So dont pack much of food items for your journey. Even if food is not there, you can buy and eat some biscuits on the way till you reach down. Less weight on your back and belly is good for trek. Dont wear heavy cloth even during winter. Your body will heat up automatically while trekking. Lighter cloth is good. Slipper/Light weight shoes will be good, though bare foot is best. Never wear Woodlands type of hard trekking shoes.
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| MSK - gadapparai climb |
Earlier the gadappara paarai used to be a bit risky. But now with good hand support and concrete path laid at high risk areas, its no more risky to trek Parvathamalai. Also temple has developed a lot alongside came a donation counter. We have seen lot of kids and ladies trekking this hill. During our way down, few ladies were also trekking down. We all sat down for a break near a shady area. Happened to overhear (well, they were speaking loudly) their discussion. One of the lady said that her husband discouraged her from trekking the hill. He said she cant climb to the top and asked her to return after worshiping the temple at foot hills only. She way saying "Soon as my husband said I cannot trek the hill, I took it as a challenge to climb, and Im done now. If I cannot do it now, when can I..". She was visibly very happy for she succeeded in her challenge. She then called her husband and happily said "Im returning now. I did climb to the top and had my darshan". She was really proud of what she accomplished. In fact, she climbed bare foot wearing a saree. That was really more challenging. Somehow, I too felt very proud of her. When he calls, who can deny.
