Kolli malai Trip (Kolli Hills)
Hi, everyone.
This blog is about the kolli malai trip that we took and I share my experience.
The bus route to Kolli malai is available from Salem, Rasipuram and Namakkal. Only 3 bus timings are from Salem, but from Rasipuram or Namakkal buses are there for one or one and half hour. For all the routes, the entry point from the main road is the Town Panchayat "Kalappanaickenpatti" .(காலப்பநாயக்கன்பட்டி)
From there to reach the foothill about 45 minutes of bus travel. About 70 hairpin bends are there in the hills. There are many stops on the route to kolli hills. The travel from the foothills to reach semmedu a main stop in the hill takes around two hours (by bus). From the semmedu stop, only the cars are hired to visit the places in the hills. About Rs. 1500 per car for a day to visit the spots and a maximum of 7 persons can afford. From there to about half an hour travel the bus reaches to the last stop of kolli hills, Arapaliswarar temple (அரப்பாளிஸ்வரர் கோயில்). There lies the temple of Kolli hills.
Reaching the Falls
To reach the falls of the hills, 1086 downstairs of about one kilometer has to be reached by walk, out in the hill forest. Really a daunting task to complete it in a single walk. There we able to see the main waterfalls Agaya gangai (ஆகாய கங்கை நீர்வீழ்ச்சி). As it name shows the waterfall is really coming from aagayam (from space). The water from the falls will come in full force and everyone enjoyed a good massage bath. Before going to the place, check whether the water is coming in the falls. As there is no rain, no water in the falls.
Excitement of seeing Sithar kugai (Saint Caves; சித்தர் குகை)
While in the travel to the falls, a way is opened up in the hill forest to see the sithar kugai, where sithar is believed to be lived and living there. To reach out to the place, one needs a very good stamina and determination in mind. The way stretches out to about 6 km long (as approx) in the forest, which is an unusual and pleasant experience, the way crosses the forest land, rivers, and stone path. While in full rain, the path is difficult to pass out. Once we have crossed all the hurdles, we reach out to the Korakkar sidhar kugai (கோரக்கர் சித்தர் குகை), where Korakkar sidhar lived and meditated. Those are spirituous moments for the crew, as we spent time there. Another challenging task is the return journey. One need utmost energy to walk for another 6 kms long. One the way to our return, there is an another way that follows the Agathiyar kugai (அகத்தியர் குகை), where Agathiyar lived there. That way leads to the Agaya Ganagai falls also. But as for our very low energy level, we ended up in returning our trip to the downstairs of kolli falls.
Other site seeings
One of the car hire drivers explained us about the places there. Including Agaya gangai falls, there are three falls in the hills. There are other viewpoints and a boating is available in the hills. While travel by bus, to reach all the spots is very hard, as they are at very distant.
Buyings
There are many things that we can buy form the hill. The mudakan kizhangu soup (don't know correct pronunciation) is available and is very healthy. There are many spices and grams available in and around the shop near temple. Many herbal hair oils and shampoos are available. Fruits are sold there and we bought a special fruit called Poo nellikkai (பூ நெல்லி) that we never eat before and its taste is really amazing.
Food
There are many hotels available in the hills. Vegetarian is available and Egg is predominantly available. Rest Non-veg depends on time and hotel.
Bus timings
Buses form the hill top is the only concern. The return bus down to any place is advisable. Because when we reach Kalappanayakanpatti, we can have regular buses to Namakkal, Rasipuram or Salem. From the Arapaliswarar temple, a few buses are there, but sometimes the bus won't come to the temple stop (which is the last stop), as it is very crowed in sunday and other leave days. The bus depart from the stop before the temple stop.
