Kolli Hills

It was in the road of Old Mahabalipuram road/ECR Prathiyankara Devi temple, that the poojari used to talk a lot about kula deivam. I used to wonder who was our Kula deivam and learnt it was in Kolli Hills. That was in 2006. From then onwards I had been clamoring to go to Kolli Hills and I got the chance at last only this Sunday. This Sunday was off for mom and she was working other Sundays. So this was the day I had to catch.

I had kept the alarm at 1:45 to board the 2:30 am early morning bus, but could not get out of bed despite waking up. When I kept the alarm for my swimming timings at 4:15, I realized I had forgot to save the alarm, so I woke up lazily at 9:30 am. We boarded the 11:30 bus to Namakkal and boarded the last 2:15 bus to Kolli Hills that took the roundabout route. Am glad it took that route.

70 Hairpin bends
We had our packed idlies and groundnut chutney in the bus, at the base of the Hill, where the bus stopped for 30 minutes. Then started the fairy tale trip. It was simply fantabulous. It was full of lush greenery. There were huge bamboo trees on either sides. So many small monkeys.

In between there was a meat feast going on at a roadside temple where a small rivulet was flowing melodiously. There were guys standing in groups here and there with liquour in their hands on the way. There was one family having its lunch outside the parked car sitting on the small stone walls. Surpassing all that was the breathtaking scenery around 4:30 – 5:00 pm. Sun was making its descent and the dwadashi moon was peeping on one side. There were hazy grey blue hills in the background and in the valley lush fresh green paddy fields with a small stream of water flowing in between the fields. Plantain trees were planted along the border of those paddy fields. That was simply amazing. That image is still so fresh in my inner eye. The sheer exquisite beauty of nature was simple breathtaking. All this with a fresh soothing breeze made it an awesome experience.

Arabaleeshwar Temple
It was small cute, neat temple that had the main deity along with Aram valartha naayagi sanniddhi. Had a peaceful darshan and we returned by the same bus, we took. It was close to 3:00 am when we reached back home. Next time, we will hire some cab and visit the 2 falls as well.