Kodaikanal To Munnar Trek - Day3

Today is Day 3 of the trek and todays agenda is to trek from Berijam to Kavunji.

Have a look at the previous days.

Day1

Day 2

Day 3 - Berijam lake

Berijam camp :



British time building:

There was a road from Kodaikanal to Munnar constructed by the british, which was named as the Escape road because it was constructed to help the british escape via cochin in case of a japanese invasion. Berijam lake is right on the road.



Extent of civilisation







Konalaru river :





Kavunji village :

Kodaikanal To Munnar Trek - Day3 - Berijam lake

Have a look at the photos from the previous days here.

Day1

Day 2

Morning walk in Berijam Lake :

We had reached Berijam lake from Kodaikanal the previous evening and today our plan is to trek from Berijam to Kavunji village. But before the main trek, we had a morning walk along the Berijam lake and it turned out be one of the most beautiful place. Amongst the 50 who were part of the trek, we 4 of us were the only ones who visited this place at the right time and I was the only one with a working camera when we went. Hence I got to click the most beautiful place in the trek without any competition. And below are those photos.






























Srini was the only one and hence the most lucky one to get himself photographed at this place.



After the morning walk came to an end, we readied ourselves to start the days trek.

YHAI Nilgiris Trek 2010

Just FYI.




I did this trek in 2007 and the photos from it are available here.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4 - Murugamalai

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Did S.Ramakrishnan or Anantha Vikatan plagiarise my Photo ?

The answer very well might be NO :-). The title was just to grab attention :-).

But someone from the vikatan editorial team seems to have used my photo from my blog in the issue of Anantha Vikatan (30-9-09) for Ramakrishnans article "Sirithu Velicham", instead of going to the place and taking a photograph.



My Photo from the post Thiruvalluvar temple







Though this is not uncommon for individuals, a publishing house like Vikatan must be more cautious.

Though the photo in the vikatan article looks uncannily similar to mine, appearances can be deceptive. Please compare the photos and let me know your views also.

Apart from that its great to know that my photo has been used in S.Ramakrishnans article.

For people who dont know S.Ramakrishnan, he is one of the most respected tamil writer now. He is an inspiration for all people who wish to travel to obscure and forgotten places and pen down their thoughts. I drooled over his writings in "Thunaiezhuthu" and "Deshandhri" , both of which came as a series in Vikatan and later were published as a book.

S.Ramakrishnan

His site is at sramakrishnan.com

If you havent encountered him till now, "Thunaiezhuthu" and "Desandhri" will be a good place to start.

Kodaikanal Munnar Trekking Expedition 2009

Kodaikanal To Munnar Trekking :

Just FYI.

Hills in/near Chennai - 5 - Kottai Malai

Kottai Malai

Date : 1/11/2008
People : Mega, Arivoli and Thannoli
Vehicle: 2 Pulsar's

When searching for interesting places near vellore, Kottai Malai was suggested by my friend Raju from Onnupuram and hence it was decided that we will go to Kottaimalai when we came down to Vellore for his marriage.

If you havent looked at the previous posts on hills, click on

Hills

Name Board :

This was the name board that spelt the way for Kottai Malai and the 2160 feet doesnt convey much in the board.



Path:

The Path to the top of the temple consists of a mixture of Tar Road till the bottom of the hill and then alternating Sand road and cement roads till we reach 90% of the top. After that there
are the steps.

The Roads are very steep once we start to climb and hence utmost care is needed. 2 Wheelers are the best choice but even then it was tough terrain all the way.

I dont remember the last time that I was so focussed on a single task continously for more than half an hour.It was so demanding that I even forgot to take photographs on the way :-)

What you see below is a Bridge inbetween the rocks.




Temple :

The temple is on top of the hill and has a view worth dying for.







Godowns:

These seem to be old constructions most probably like some godown or something.






The Surrounding Hills :

The hill itself is surrounded by a whole range of mountain ranges and all you get on the top is view of undulating mountains.





Kids:



These people were trying to listen to the sound of silence at the edge of the mountain. Their presence there tempted me to go to the place where they were sitting and it was good to be there.



Village:

When we began our journey to the top of Kottai Malai, we came to a place where there were roads that went left and right with Temple path being the centre one.

The left was to go to Shenbaga thoppu, a dam and the right to "Elandhampattu" a village, that you can see below as a group of huts.




How To Go :

Go To Vellore and from there to Padavedu. In Padavedu ask for Kottai Malai.

If you are fit and you have the time, you can walk from the bottom of the hill. It will take you a whole day if you plan to do it by walk even for a fit (by Village standards) person.

Best option is to travel in 2 wheelers for each person. Doubles wont help.

If you travel by a 2 wheeler, make sure that you are very good at handling it and I mean it.

Cars are not of any help here.


Cheers

Temples in Chennai - 5 - Thiruneermalai

Date : 23/3/2008
People : Mega,Arivoli and Srini

This is the Fifth post in the series Temples in Chennai. Have a look at the previous posts at

Temples in chennai

Thiruneermalai is one of the 108 Divya Desams and is near Tambaram in chennai.
There are two temples in thiruneermalai , Ranganathar Temple and the Neervanna perumal temple.

View of the hill from the Road



The theppakulam



Temple Entrance



The Temple Gopuram



Gopuram amidst the clouds







View of the Temple Tank from the hill



View of the hill along with the Temple tank




How to Go:

On the way from Guindy Kathipara junction to Tambaram, take the right opposite Lakshmi Theater after Pallavaram Bus stand and go straight.