Trip members: Karthik and family
Trip date: 29 and 30 Dec 2017
Trip Plan : Chennai - Vedanthangal - Uttiramerur - Thiruvannamalai - Thirukovilure - Chennai
Day-1
Started the day by 6:30 from home towards Vedanthangal. Around 7:15, we had breakfast at Hotel Ananda Bhavan near Mamundur in the highway. The ambiance of the restaurant was very good, so was the tiffen items - idlies, pongal and vadais. Dosa was not ready so early.
We took the route of GST till the Padalam - Vedanthangal road - the one next to Uttiramerur SH. Vedanthangal is around 60 kms from Tambaram and roughly takes a little more than 1 hour. Ensure you carry enough water, snacks, breakfast when you go there. There are local petty shops selling some basic things - but no meal. Vedanthangal is the home for migratory birds - particularly across October to February. They say it hosts around 40,000 birds every year. The entrance ticket is very minimal - Rs.5 per adult and Rs.2 per child. Rs.25 is collected for a camera. The whole place looks crowded in the sort of bushes and mangrove like small islands in the waters. We primarily cited painted storks, pelicans, pond herons and lots of egrets. There is a watch tower, which is a great sight seeing opportunity. There are few platforms well positions for us to have a great view of the wingers and take photos. The whole place is very well maintained with well laid walk way, water facilities and toilet facilities.
We spent around 75 minutes here. There are binoculars for rent - Rs.50 and Rs.100. We took one for Rs.100 - which was very useful. Suggest everyone to hire one, if you dont have one, when you visit here.
We, then started towards Uttiramerur. Uttiramerur is around 20 kms from Vedanthangal and is well known for the historical connect. Uttiramerur, an ancient Chola village hosts one of the most prominent evidences of Tamil culture. The Uthiramerur Inscriptions on Chola Kudavolai Election System have a significant contribution of how organized the systems were in early days. The inscriptions are evident in the Vaikundaperumal Temple near to the Uttiramerur bus stand. Parking of car was very difficult and had to sniff out a place in one of the narrow adjoining lanes.
We then went to Sundaravarada Perumal Temple - just close by the Vaikunda Perumal temple. Built by Pallavas, the Rajagopuram is quite tall and noticeable from around the town. The temple hosts three sanctums of Lord Vishnu - Nindraan (standing), Irundhan (seated) and Kidanthaan (sleeping) postures at 3 levels inside the temple. The 3 levels are accessible through narrow steps, little difficult for elders and kids, but can do with minimal assistance. We visited this temple on Vaikunda Ekadesi and it was crowded. We were on the queue and took close 30 minutes to have dharshan.
We then visited Sri Vyagapureeswarar temple at Thiruppulivanam - around 8 kms from Uttiramerur on the road towards Kanchipuram. The temple hosts main deity as Sri Vyagapureeswarar (Lord Shiva) and is around 2000 years old. The linga is said to be swaymbu and is the only temple in India with hosting Lord Guru (Dakshinamurthy) with lion. He is called Rajayoga Simha Dakshinamurthy in this temple. The temple is open from 6.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 4.00 PM to 8.00 PM.
We then tried to visit the Kailasanatha temple, but it was closed. It was exactly 12 noon.
We drove to Tiruvannamalai - 103 kms from Uttiramerur - through the route - Vadavasi - Chetpet - Mangalam. We reached Tiruvannamalai around 14:15 and had lunch at hotel Aryas - the meals was average and all we wanted was some rest after a long day. We checked-in at Hotel Sai Murugan - around 1.7 kms from the Arunachaleswar temple. The hotel is a proper pucca budget hotel - small rooms but very clean and all basic amenities. The service is super from the time of check-in to check-out. Perfect no frills rooms with optional AC, water heater, sufficient lights, TV and connection to STB and cot. We took rest for 1 hour and started to the temple.
The temple had long queues. We entered the temple by 4:30 and took Rs.20 dharshan. In 45 minutes we had excellent dharshan and came out. The temple is one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas, representing fire. Ensure you visit all shrines in this temple - Lord Muruga at the entrance, Lord Arunachaleswar - the main deity, Unnamalai Amman (Goddess) and rest 4 Pancha Bhoota stala main deities. Another important sanctum is that of Pathala Linga - hosting the place where Ramana Maharishi performed his meditation. We came out of the temple after 90 minutes. It was 18:15 by then.
We then went around the Girivalam road - 14 kms stretch to see prominent places - Ashrams of Seshadri swamigal, Ramana Maharishi and many more ashrams and Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. We visited most of them along with the most important of all - Adi Annamalayar. This temple is just perfectly behind the temple across the hill and regarded this linga is one of the most important temple to see.
We had dinner at hotel Ramakrishna - the service and tiffin were excellent. The paneer pakoda was outstanding so were the chutneys for dosas. By 9 we were back at the room and to a nap.
Day-2
We started to Thirukovilure by 6:30. It is 36 kms from Tiruvannamalai. Enroute, we enjoyed the beautiful sunrise and basking glory all around.
At Thirukovilure, we visited 2 temples only because of lack of time. Tirukoilur is one of the Ashta Veeratanams. First, we went to Veerateeswarar Temple - dedicated to Lord Shiva - built by Cholas. The temple is open from 6 AM - 12 PM and 4 PM - 8:30 PM. The Goddess sanctum is in adjacent premises; outside the premises where the Lord is hosted. We completed the dharshan in 30 minutes and came out.
We then, visited Ulagalantha Perumal Temple - 1 km from the Veerataneswarar temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu - one of the 108 Divyadesams. The temple has massive gopurams - visible few kms from outside the town itself. This is the 3rd tallest tower after Srivilliputhur and Srirangam temples. The main deity is in the avatar of Vamana - with reference to the history of king Bali.
Post dharshan, we had breakfast at Hotel Ariyaa Bhavan in Thirukovilure - a budget restaurant but excellent south Indian food. After breakfast, we drove back to Chennai via Edapalayam, Villupuram, Tindivanam, Tambaram. The roads connecting to NH are excellent apart from a small stretch were roads are being constructed.
Trip date: 29 and 30 Dec 2017
Trip Plan : Chennai - Vedanthangal - Uttiramerur - Thiruvannamalai - Thirukovilure - Chennai
Day-1
Started the day by 6:30 from home towards Vedanthangal. Around 7:15, we had breakfast at Hotel Ananda Bhavan near Mamundur in the highway. The ambiance of the restaurant was very good, so was the tiffen items - idlies, pongal and vadais. Dosa was not ready so early.
We took the route of GST till the Padalam - Vedanthangal road - the one next to Uttiramerur SH. Vedanthangal is around 60 kms from Tambaram and roughly takes a little more than 1 hour. Ensure you carry enough water, snacks, breakfast when you go there. There are local petty shops selling some basic things - but no meal. Vedanthangal is the home for migratory birds - particularly across October to February. They say it hosts around 40,000 birds every year. The entrance ticket is very minimal - Rs.5 per adult and Rs.2 per child. Rs.25 is collected for a camera. The whole place looks crowded in the sort of bushes and mangrove like small islands in the waters. We primarily cited painted storks, pelicans, pond herons and lots of egrets. There is a watch tower, which is a great sight seeing opportunity. There are few platforms well positions for us to have a great view of the wingers and take photos. The whole place is very well maintained with well laid walk way, water facilities and toilet facilities.
We spent around 75 minutes here. There are binoculars for rent - Rs.50 and Rs.100. We took one for Rs.100 - which was very useful. Suggest everyone to hire one, if you dont have one, when you visit here.
We, then started towards Uttiramerur. Uttiramerur is around 20 kms from Vedanthangal and is well known for the historical connect. Uttiramerur, an ancient Chola village hosts one of the most prominent evidences of Tamil culture. The Uthiramerur Inscriptions on Chola Kudavolai Election System have a significant contribution of how organized the systems were in early days. The inscriptions are evident in the Vaikundaperumal Temple near to the Uttiramerur bus stand. Parking of car was very difficult and had to sniff out a place in one of the narrow adjoining lanes.
We then went to Sundaravarada Perumal Temple - just close by the Vaikunda Perumal temple. Built by Pallavas, the Rajagopuram is quite tall and noticeable from around the town. The temple hosts three sanctums of Lord Vishnu - Nindraan (standing), Irundhan (seated) and Kidanthaan (sleeping) postures at 3 levels inside the temple. The 3 levels are accessible through narrow steps, little difficult for elders and kids, but can do with minimal assistance. We visited this temple on Vaikunda Ekadesi and it was crowded. We were on the queue and took close 30 minutes to have dharshan.
We then visited Sri Vyagapureeswarar temple at Thiruppulivanam - around 8 kms from Uttiramerur on the road towards Kanchipuram. The temple hosts main deity as Sri Vyagapureeswarar (Lord Shiva) and is around 2000 years old. The linga is said to be swaymbu and is the only temple in India with hosting Lord Guru (Dakshinamurthy) with lion. He is called Rajayoga Simha Dakshinamurthy in this temple. The temple is open from 6.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 4.00 PM to 8.00 PM.
We then tried to visit the Kailasanatha temple, but it was closed. It was exactly 12 noon.
We drove to Tiruvannamalai - 103 kms from Uttiramerur - through the route - Vadavasi - Chetpet - Mangalam. We reached Tiruvannamalai around 14:15 and had lunch at hotel Aryas - the meals was average and all we wanted was some rest after a long day. We checked-in at Hotel Sai Murugan - around 1.7 kms from the Arunachaleswar temple. The hotel is a proper pucca budget hotel - small rooms but very clean and all basic amenities. The service is super from the time of check-in to check-out. Perfect no frills rooms with optional AC, water heater, sufficient lights, TV and connection to STB and cot. We took rest for 1 hour and started to the temple.
The temple had long queues. We entered the temple by 4:30 and took Rs.20 dharshan. In 45 minutes we had excellent dharshan and came out. The temple is one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas, representing fire. Ensure you visit all shrines in this temple - Lord Muruga at the entrance, Lord Arunachaleswar - the main deity, Unnamalai Amman (Goddess) and rest 4 Pancha Bhoota stala main deities. Another important sanctum is that of Pathala Linga - hosting the place where Ramana Maharishi performed his meditation. We came out of the temple after 90 minutes. It was 18:15 by then.
We then went around the Girivalam road - 14 kms stretch to see prominent places - Ashrams of Seshadri swamigal, Ramana Maharishi and many more ashrams and Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. We visited most of them along with the most important of all - Adi Annamalayar. This temple is just perfectly behind the temple across the hill and regarded this linga is one of the most important temple to see.
We had dinner at hotel Ramakrishna - the service and tiffin were excellent. The paneer pakoda was outstanding so were the chutneys for dosas. By 9 we were back at the room and to a nap.
Day-2
We started to Thirukovilure by 6:30. It is 36 kms from Tiruvannamalai. Enroute, we enjoyed the beautiful sunrise and basking glory all around.
At Thirukovilure, we visited 2 temples only because of lack of time. Tirukoilur is one of the Ashta Veeratanams. First, we went to Veerateeswarar Temple - dedicated to Lord Shiva - built by Cholas. The temple is open from 6 AM - 12 PM and 4 PM - 8:30 PM. The Goddess sanctum is in adjacent premises; outside the premises where the Lord is hosted. We completed the dharshan in 30 minutes and came out.
We then, visited Ulagalantha Perumal Temple - 1 km from the Veerataneswarar temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu - one of the 108 Divyadesams. The temple has massive gopurams - visible few kms from outside the town itself. This is the 3rd tallest tower after Srivilliputhur and Srirangam temples. The main deity is in the avatar of Vamana - with reference to the history of king Bali.
Post dharshan, we had breakfast at Hotel Ariyaa Bhavan in Thirukovilure - a budget restaurant but excellent south Indian food. After breakfast, we drove back to Chennai via Edapalayam, Villupuram, Tindivanam, Tambaram. The roads connecting to NH are excellent apart from a small stretch were roads are being constructed.
