Chennai to Kanchanagiri hills - A spiritual one day trip!

This Lockdown has made a great impact on our physical health and mental health as well. In these difficult times, we badly needed a hill station to take away all our stresses. Fortunately, we found Kanchanagiri hills, which are located near Chennai that satisfied our travel thirst. Kanchanagiri hills never failed to amaze us with their parrot green appearance and amazing weather that we never expected.  Kanchanagiri hills have a winter temperature ranging from 12 Deg to 24 Deg Celsius while the summer records around 24 Deg to 34 Deg Celsius. 

Overview

Kanchanagiri is one of the unexplored places near Chennai and it came to the limelight by some of the bloggers and YouTubers recently. Kanchagiri hills are located in Ranipet district and it is surrounded by a range of mountains. The height of the kanchanagiri hills is about 1500 feet and suits two-wheeler and lighter vehicles. Kanachanagiri hills are located 124kms from Chennai and it roughly takes 2hours to reach the mountain. Kanchanagiri is well known for its Shiva temple and bell rock that creates a bell sound when it is tapped. There are around 1008 suyambu lingams in Kanachanagiri hills and it is believed that they are formed by the explosion of volcanoes. Kanchanagiri has a memorial for Shri shivagnana Swamigal who was born in Trichy and grew up in Malaysia. He contributed a lot to kanchanagiri from laying roads to offering free meals which are still followed today. Now, Kanachanagiri hills have become both a tourist and spiritual place and attract a large number of people due to their scenic beauty. 

Kanchanagiri hills bell rock - The attraction!

Some researchers have guessed that Kanchanagiri hills bell rock might be used for sound therapy which is still practiced in many countries. It is believed that people who are sick were made to lay on the bell rock and it is tapped at a particular frequency to get rid of sickness. People believe that Lord Shiva might be using this rock as his own musical instrument.

There is another rock in Pennsylvania similar to kanchanagiri hills bell rock but people don’t consider it spiritual. Youtubers records live music on that place and upload it on YouTube. Since Kanchanagiri hills are considered a spiritual place, let us respect people’s beliefs, maintain dignity, and not encourage these activities.

 

How to reach Kanchanagiri hills from Chennai

To be honest, we did not witness any buses plying on the roads since we visited this place during the lockdown. Both the devotees and the tourists prefer their own vehicle to reach the kanchanagiri hills. Kanchanagiri is located 2 kilometers from the lalapet bus stop which is the nearest place to people who prefer public transport. The nearest railway station is Ranipet (10kms) and Mukundarayapuram (6 km). If you are visiting kanchanagiri hills bell rock from other cities or district here is the easy way to reach kanachanagiri hills. 

By Air: Chennai is the nearest airport. The total distance from Chennai to kanachanagiri hills is 124 kilometers.

By Train: 10 kilometers from Ranipet railway station and 6 kilometers from Mukundaryapuram.

By Road: Kanachanagiri is located 8 kilometers from Ranipet through Lalapet.

New roads have been laid from Lalapet to kanchanagiri hills which makes the place more beautiful and accessible to tourists. The best season to visit kanchanagiri hills is from October to November since this place will be completely green and a treat to watch.

An unplanned trek to Puligundu mountain!!!

Trekking in Puligundu rock mountain was one of the most spine chilling and challenging treks we had ever seen. Though the trekking time was less, puligundu trekking tops our list for testing our fear and patience. Puligundu Sivan temple is located in Andhra Pradesh at Chittoor district. Puligundu is a dual rock mountain with a height of 1000 feet from the ground. Because of its height, you can get a remarkable view of the surrounding hills. In this dual rock mountain, it is believed that one mountain is Lord Shiva (Puligundeeswarar) and the other one is Lord Parvathy. Every shivan temple has its own importance. Likewise, Puligundu mountain itself resembles shiva lingam and there is a Shivan temple on the top that makes it special. 

The history of Puligundu rock mountain

History says the British tried to capture this to use it as a watchtower. But the people from the nearby villages intercepted and saved it from the Britishers. As proof, there will be an Indian flag on the top of the Puligundu rock mountain. There is an iron bridge that connects both the mountains. you can see the bridge in the below image which looks tiny looking from the ground.

Puligundu trekking initial phase

Our gang of three members had no idea where the puligundu rock mountain is exactly located and how tedious it's gonna be to reach the top of the mountain. Puligundu is located 150kms from Chennai. Thanks to google maps for guiding and providing us the exact location of the mountain. 

On the way to Puligundu Sivan temple, we came across other small greenish mountains. It was very pleasant to watch those mountains along with mango groves. We were happy that we chose a bike over the car. We blindly followed google maps than asking for routes from local people. Trust me, maps brought us through beautiful routes than the route suggested by local people.

we reached the mountain by 10.30 am. Mountain looked more fascinating and gigantic than we thought. The naked eye view of the mountain can never be captured in any costliest camera. It was just wow!!!!. we parked our bikes below the mountain and were confused about where to start with. 

Puligundu Sivan temple - The journey begins

we just found our own way by climbing the small rocks to reach the mountain. We got exhausted even before reaching the base of the puligundu rock mountain. It took more than 40 minutes to reach the start of the mountain. It was indeed a hot climate and our body was dehydrating faster. Carry enough water to keep yourself hydrated until you reach the top of the mountain. After reaching the first phase of the mountain, the route becomes narrower. The rocks were extremely slippery as it rained the day before we started trekking. Don't seek the support of the small iron barriers as it is only for the namesake. Try to stick to the left and seek the support of rocks. 

Metal ladders were installed to climb up. These ladders were circular in design and we witnessed our legs shaking automatically. There were around 3-4 instances that tested our fear factor. As we proceeded further, the route became steeper and completely dark with a loud sound of bats. We three were the only people in the mountain with no help. We were about to give up!. We discussed with each other and finally decided we should worship lord Shiva today!! 

We started moving again with a better josh. My friend Sathish, who was leading us from the front kept moving in the dark. With the help of a mobile torch, we kept moving slowly by crawling over the ladder. we switched off the mobile torch after realizing there were more bats. After a thrilling moment, we saw some sunlight. Yes!!! we reached the top of the puligundu rock mountain!!! Words can't explain our feelings. we made it!! we worshipped Lord shiva.

Puligundu trekking Phase 1

After reaching the top, we felt like we reached Mars!!!. we rang the temple bell once. The sound of the bell was more soulful than Raja sir's music. We were filled with spiritual energy. The power of Lord Shiva!!!! It was a trip filled with fun, spirituality, and thrill. On a final note, If you love trekking which raises your heartbeat or which makes you tired, Puligundu rock mountain is your right spot. I am neither an atheist nor a religious person. The amount of spiritual and positive energy that the Puligundu shivan temple gave can't be described in words.  I request everyone who is depressed and needs some positive energy to drive the life further, I personally recommend you to visit puligundu shivan temple at least once in your lifetime. It is believed that whatever you pray to lord shiva in puligundu will become a reality in your life. Trust me, it happened to me. That is the reason why I am spending time writing about my experience.

Puligundu trekking phase 3

Five important takeaways from the Puligundu trekking:

1. Carry enough water and some snack to make yourself keep going.

2. Try to start the trip early morning, as the day is extremely hot which will make you tired.

3. If it is a rainy season, be careful with your steps. rocks are very slippery.

4. Don't use mobile phones while climbing. let one person reach above you and let him shoot.

5. Don't lean on any barriers. They are not strong and it's only there to satisfy your brain that you are safe.