Velliangiri Mountains
Encyclopedia
The Velliangiri Mountains, (Tamil: வெள்ளியங்கிரி மலை) a part of the Nilgiri Nilgiri mountains Biosphere
, are situated at the western border of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. Known as the "Thenkailayam (Tamil: தென்கயிலை) - Kailash of the South", these mountains are held and revered on par with spiritually most powerful place on the planet - Mount Kailash
, the legendary abode of Shiva
. On the top of the Velliangiri Mountains, Shiva is worshipped as Swayambu, one who is self-created and in this form, he graces the devotees. In the past, many Siddhas, Siddhar
and Sages http://www.cosmicharmony.com/Av/AVmain.htm have practiced severe austerities Asceticism
, Tapas
and attained Self-realization on these mountains.
Besides, the Shiva Temple
of Velliangiri, the presence of the Dhyanalinga
is another reason why people throng to the Velliangiri Hills.
Her devotion and austerities crossed all levels of sanity and she remained absolutely focused upon him every moment.
This stirred Shiva's compassion and love. So he started making his journey to South India. She set up this deadline: "If I am not married to him by sunrise on this day, I am going to leave my body."
Shiva came to know of this and was hurrying down but he could not meet the deadline due to false setup was created by a few who does not like his marriage. He was close but since he felt the time crossed he sat there itself. So she left her body standing. Even today she stands there as Kanyakumari
. There is a shrine on the very tip of this landmass which is known as Kanyakumari or the 'Maiden's Shrine.'
Shiva felt very disappointed with himself that he could not make it on time. He started walking back and needed a place to sit and work out his despondency. So he climbed up this mountain and at the peak of this mountain he sat. Wherever Shiva spent a little time, people call that place 'Kailash' due to the mountains imbibe his presence and reverbrate it eternally. So they called the Velliangiri Mountains the 'Kailash of the South'. The mountain peak is 6000 ft above the sea level, and its chillness, wind force, cloudy mist, and the steepness gives hard climbing for a devotee.
and the Isha Yoga Centre. Shiva is known as Swayambhu, the source of the creator. Any one who experiences the source of creation, there is nothing more in this planet for him to experience. Only because of this, Kailash pilgrimage has been kept as highest than any other pilgrimage.
Normally pilgrimage to a place is unlike trekking, considered as a spiritual tool to subdue one's ego and enhance one's perception and life experience. That is why great masters offered this tool to humanity with the process of preparation to imbibe the sanctity of the place in to one's life.
Even today going for Kailash is not possible for many. When one powerful sthana is reverbrated in the same dimension, which is easily accessible for people who are born in this land it is really a great boon. So in this sense, Thenkailaya yatra has become significant and great possibility for one
Apart from Shiva, many great beings bestowed their energy and wisdom in Velliangiri peak makes the mountain more significant for one to pilgrimage. The places like Pambatti Siddhar
Gugai (cave), Ottar Samadhi
, Sadhguru Shri Brahma's Samadhi and many more Saints and Sages, Yogis and Siddhas made this mountain more powerful for one to imbibe this great dimension in his life.
The seven mountains reverbrates the seven basic Chakras of human body shows its sacredness. So any one who pilgrimages to these powerful sthana with proper preparation and guidance can receive all the 7 basic dimensions of life.
This is a traditional and an ancient tool in this culture, which has strong and long history of Bhakthi yoga (path of devotion). Many great beings such as Agasthiya, Adi Shankara
, Vivekananda keep on walking in this sacred land just to impart this highest possibility to the people in the society so as to enhance their life.
We can hear many stories of many great beings who travelled to Kāśi
or Rameshwaram or other significant places just to imbibe this higher dimension.
The story of the great Nayanmar Tirunavukkarasar Swamigal and Karaikkal Ammeiyar
would express how they took Kailash Yatra in their life. When someone undertakes a pilgrimage to Kailash, with proper preparation and guidance, cannot be stopped from receiving since the journey itself cleanses the body, openes up the Nadis apart from being connected the basic five elements.
So one can receive the fullest benefit when he undertakes the trek as pilgrimage with devotion and proper preparation will yield physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
The Iyakkam (Movement) offers a rare guidance for the devotees in order for them to prepare themselves to make them receptive by making them aware of the purpose of the yatra and place that they going to Darshan
.
"To see the grandeur of a mountain, one must keep one's distance; to understand its form, one must move around it;
to experience its moods, one must see it at sunrise and at sunset. However, to truly know it, one must journey
to the mountain with the Grace and Blessings of a Master, an Enlightened Being" - Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
is a tool of devotion, to enrich and enhance our life with new dimension. That is why in this tradition, pilgrimages were created and offered to people by great Sages and Saints.
The Thenkailaya Bhakthi Iyakkam guiding the devotees as how to prepare, how to receive so that they can get benefit of what they come for. It organises yatra, for those who contacted them, in order to make them experience the glimpse of the magnificent mountains where many masters pour their grace and wisdom.
Thenkailaya Bhakthi Iyakkam http://groups.google.co.in/group/thenkailayam-yatra is a bhakthi or devotional movement run by independent non-profitable charitable trust called Thenkailaya Bhakthi Peravai, created by devotees of Velliangiri mountain. The iyakkam creates awareness among public and Velliangiri devotees, about the sacredness of Velliangiri mountains, and make them to opt for yatra instead of trek or of tour. Apart from creating the awareness about the path of devotion, the iyakkam plans to work and mobilise support from all sects of people in order to create basic facilities such as information stalls, medical aid centres, sanitation facilities, etc.
The Iyakkam also plans to mobilise general public, devotees along with corporate sector in order to preserve the sanctity of the place and cleanliness (by removing plasitics thrown from the forest) by organizing Sivanadiyar sevaks.
The Thenkailaya Yatra, the 2-day program with one night stay in the dense forests of the hills gives an exposure about the natural world, along with the spiritual dimension to a participant by various sessions in order to experience the mountains.
The poondi temple, the adivaram http://www.poondivellingiriandavar.com/index.htm and Dhyanalinga
(Isha Foundation
) on both sides of the foot hills reflects the sacredness. The best season to go for pilgrimage is from Jan 14th to May 31 (Tamil month: Thai 1st to Vaikasi 31st). However, one devotee has to bring winter clothes and torch light since the hill always famous for its chillness and people will go to the trek mostly in night.
Also it is very much necessary for one to pack his food and snacks but natural water resources are available at Pambatti Chunai (at the end of second hill), Kai Thatti Chunai (at the end of third hill) and Andi Chunai (sixth hill).
The iyakkam welcomes support from all individuals and corporate sectors in order to create facilities for the devotees who opt pilgrimage during the season.
A spiritual person should use all the tools, all the four wheels, body, mind, emotion, energy to enhance their perception and experience the unlimitted.
“A pilgrimage is not an achievement but an opportunity to subdue the sense of
who you are and an access to the beyond” - Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
Biosphere
The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems. It can also be called the zone of life on Earth, a closed and self-regulating system...
, are situated at the western border of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. Known as the "Thenkailayam (Tamil: தென்கயிலை) - Kailash of the South", these mountains are held and revered on par with spiritually most powerful place on the planet - Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash is a peak in the Gangdisê Mountains, which are part of the Himalayas in Tibet...
, the legendary abode of Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
. On the top of the Velliangiri Mountains, Shiva is worshipped as Swayambu, one who is self-created and in this form, he graces the devotees. In the past, many Siddhas, Siddhar
Siddhar
Siddhars are saints in India, mostly of the Saivaite denomination in Tamil Nadu, who professed and practised an unorthodox type of Sadhana, or spiritual practice, to attain liberation. Yogic powers called Siddhis are acquired by constant practice of certain yogic disciplines. Those who acquire...
and Sages http://www.cosmicharmony.com/Av/AVmain.htm have practiced severe austerities Asceticism
Asceticism
Asceticism describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various sorts of worldly pleasures often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals...
, Tapas
Tapas
Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold or warm ....
and attained Self-realization on these mountains.
Besides, the Shiva Temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
of Velliangiri, the presence of the Dhyanalinga
Dhyanalinga
The Dhyanalinga is a Yogic temple located from Coimbatore, India. The temple was consecrated by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, a yogi and mystic. The temple is consecrated using prana prathista and is dedicated for meditation. Silence is maintained inside the temple. Dhyana in the Sanskrit language,...
is another reason why people throng to the Velliangiri Hills.
Story of Velliangiri
These mountains became sacred because a long time ago, there was a young maiden at the southern-most point of the Indian peninsular who aspired to hold Shiva's hand as a wife.Her devotion and austerities crossed all levels of sanity and she remained absolutely focused upon him every moment.
This stirred Shiva's compassion and love. So he started making his journey to South India. She set up this deadline: "If I am not married to him by sunrise on this day, I am going to leave my body."
Shiva came to know of this and was hurrying down but he could not meet the deadline due to false setup was created by a few who does not like his marriage. He was close but since he felt the time crossed he sat there itself. So she left her body standing. Even today she stands there as Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari is a town in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is also sometimes referred to as Cape Comorin. Located at the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula, it is the geographical end of the Indian mainland. The district in Tamil Nadu where the town is located is called Kanyakumari...
. There is a shrine on the very tip of this landmass which is known as Kanyakumari or the 'Maiden's Shrine.'
Shiva felt very disappointed with himself that he could not make it on time. He started walking back and needed a place to sit and work out his despondency. So he climbed up this mountain and at the peak of this mountain he sat. Wherever Shiva spent a little time, people call that place 'Kailash' due to the mountains imbibe his presence and reverbrate it eternally. So they called the Velliangiri Mountains the 'Kailash of the South'. The mountain peak is 6000 ft above the sea level, and its chillness, wind force, cloudy mist, and the steepness gives hard climbing for a devotee.
Sacredness of these Mountains - The Seven Hills
Kailash is considered as Shiva himself. "Many many great masters of all tradition deposited their wisdom and energy in this peak made it as a spiritual library of the world" says Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, the founder of Isha FoundationIsha Foundation
Isha Foundation is a non-profit, spiritual organization founded in 1992 by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. It is based at the Isha Yoga Center near Coimbatore, India and at the Isha Institute of Inner Sciences at McMinnville, Tennessee in the United States. The foundation offers various yoga programs...
and the Isha Yoga Centre. Shiva is known as Swayambhu, the source of the creator. Any one who experiences the source of creation, there is nothing more in this planet for him to experience. Only because of this, Kailash pilgrimage has been kept as highest than any other pilgrimage.
Normally pilgrimage to a place is unlike trekking, considered as a spiritual tool to subdue one's ego and enhance one's perception and life experience. That is why great masters offered this tool to humanity with the process of preparation to imbibe the sanctity of the place in to one's life.
Even today going for Kailash is not possible for many. When one powerful sthana is reverbrated in the same dimension, which is easily accessible for people who are born in this land it is really a great boon. So in this sense, Thenkailaya yatra has become significant and great possibility for one
Apart from Shiva, many great beings bestowed their energy and wisdom in Velliangiri peak makes the mountain more significant for one to pilgrimage. The places like Pambatti Siddhar
Siddhar
Siddhars are saints in India, mostly of the Saivaite denomination in Tamil Nadu, who professed and practised an unorthodox type of Sadhana, or spiritual practice, to attain liberation. Yogic powers called Siddhis are acquired by constant practice of certain yogic disciplines. Those who acquire...
Gugai (cave), Ottar Samadhi
Samadhi
Samadhi in Hinduism, Buddhism,Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools is a higher level of concentrated meditation, or dhyāna. In the yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali....
, Sadhguru Shri Brahma's Samadhi and many more Saints and Sages, Yogis and Siddhas made this mountain more powerful for one to imbibe this great dimension in his life.
The seven mountains reverbrates the seven basic Chakras of human body shows its sacredness. So any one who pilgrimages to these powerful sthana with proper preparation and guidance can receive all the 7 basic dimensions of life.
Significance of Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage to a sacred place is considered as so significant since it becomes a tool for one to experience and enhance the higher dimension in his life.This is a traditional and an ancient tool in this culture, which has strong and long history of Bhakthi yoga (path of devotion). Many great beings such as Agasthiya, Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (IAST: pronounced , (Sanskrit: , ) (788 CE - 820 CE), also known as ' and ' was an Indian philosopher from Kalady of present day Kerala who consolidated the doctrine of advaita vedānta...
, Vivekananda keep on walking in this sacred land just to impart this highest possibility to the people in the society so as to enhance their life.
We can hear many stories of many great beings who travelled to Kāśi
KASI
KASI is a radio station licensed to serve Ames, Iowa. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications and licensed to Citicasters Licenses, Inc. It airs a News/Talk radio format....
or Rameshwaram or other significant places just to imbibe this higher dimension.
The story of the great Nayanmar Tirunavukkarasar Swamigal and Karaikkal Ammeiyar
Karaikkal Ammeiyar
Karaikkal Ammaiyar , one of the three women amongst the sixty three Nayanmars, is one of the greatest figures of early Tamil literature. Her birth name was Punithavati. She was born at Karaikkal, South India, and probably lived during the 6th century...
would express how they took Kailash Yatra in their life. When someone undertakes a pilgrimage to Kailash, with proper preparation and guidance, cannot be stopped from receiving since the journey itself cleanses the body, openes up the Nadis apart from being connected the basic five elements.
So one can receive the fullest benefit when he undertakes the trek as pilgrimage with devotion and proper preparation will yield physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
The Iyakkam (Movement) offers a rare guidance for the devotees in order for them to prepare themselves to make them receptive by making them aware of the purpose of the yatra and place that they going to Darshan
Darshan
or Darshan is a Sanskrit term meaning "sight" , vision, apparition, or glimpse. It is most commonly used for "visions of the divine" in Hindu worship, e.g. of a deity , or a very holy person or artifact...
.
"To see the grandeur of a mountain, one must keep one's distance; to understand its form, one must move around it;
to experience its moods, one must see it at sunrise and at sunset. However, to truly know it, one must journey
to the mountain with the Grace and Blessings of a Master, an Enlightened Being" - Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
Velliangiri Yatra or Thenkailaya Yatra
YatraYatra
' , in Hinduism and other Indian religions, generally means pilgrimage to holy places such as confluences of sacred rivers, places associated with Hindu epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and other sacred pilgrimage sites. Tīrtha-yātrā refers to a pilgrimage to a holy site, and is...
is a tool of devotion, to enrich and enhance our life with new dimension. That is why in this tradition, pilgrimages were created and offered to people by great Sages and Saints.
The Thenkailaya Bhakthi Iyakkam guiding the devotees as how to prepare, how to receive so that they can get benefit of what they come for. It organises yatra, for those who contacted them, in order to make them experience the glimpse of the magnificent mountains where many masters pour their grace and wisdom.
Thenkailaya Bhakthi Iyakkam http://groups.google.co.in/group/thenkailayam-yatra is a bhakthi or devotional movement run by independent non-profitable charitable trust called Thenkailaya Bhakthi Peravai, created by devotees of Velliangiri mountain. The iyakkam creates awareness among public and Velliangiri devotees, about the sacredness of Velliangiri mountains, and make them to opt for yatra instead of trek or of tour. Apart from creating the awareness about the path of devotion, the iyakkam plans to work and mobilise support from all sects of people in order to create basic facilities such as information stalls, medical aid centres, sanitation facilities, etc.
The Iyakkam also plans to mobilise general public, devotees along with corporate sector in order to preserve the sanctity of the place and cleanliness (by removing plasitics thrown from the forest) by organizing Sivanadiyar sevaks.
The Thenkailaya Yatra, the 2-day program with one night stay in the dense forests of the hills gives an exposure about the natural world, along with the spiritual dimension to a participant by various sessions in order to experience the mountains.
The poondi temple, the adivaram http://www.poondivellingiriandavar.com/index.htm and Dhyanalinga
Dhyanalinga
The Dhyanalinga is a Yogic temple located from Coimbatore, India. The temple was consecrated by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, a yogi and mystic. The temple is consecrated using prana prathista and is dedicated for meditation. Silence is maintained inside the temple. Dhyana in the Sanskrit language,...
(Isha Foundation
Isha Foundation
Isha Foundation is a non-profit, spiritual organization founded in 1992 by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. It is based at the Isha Yoga Center near Coimbatore, India and at the Isha Institute of Inner Sciences at McMinnville, Tennessee in the United States. The foundation offers various yoga programs...
) on both sides of the foot hills reflects the sacredness. The best season to go for pilgrimage is from Jan 14th to May 31 (Tamil month: Thai 1st to Vaikasi 31st). However, one devotee has to bring winter clothes and torch light since the hill always famous for its chillness and people will go to the trek mostly in night.
Also it is very much necessary for one to pack his food and snacks but natural water resources are available at Pambatti Chunai (at the end of second hill), Kai Thatti Chunai (at the end of third hill) and Andi Chunai (sixth hill).
The iyakkam welcomes support from all individuals and corporate sectors in order to create facilities for the devotees who opt pilgrimage during the season.
A spiritual person should use all the tools, all the four wheels, body, mind, emotion, energy to enhance their perception and experience the unlimitted.
“A pilgrimage is not an achievement but an opportunity to subdue the sense of
who you are and an access to the beyond” - Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev