Thavalagireeswarar Venkundram

Thavalagireeswarar Venkundram is a hill temple that is very difficult to climb. The elevation is about 230 meters above msl. The climb is arduous as the second half is very steep and sheer vertical in places. There are two pathways leading up both of which join half way up. One climbs up the southern side and the other takes a slightly roundabout route from the north west side. The latter route is relatively easier as rough hewn stones act as steps. A little way up this route is the large Temple Tank followed by shrines for Sri Vazh Muneeswarar and Amman. The southern side route has an ancient shrine with a Shivalingam below and is being set right with stone steps as on March 2020 to be ready in a few months. Both routes can be very good and enjoyable treks if undertaken in the mornings. The place is very lonely. The hill is said to have many medicinal plants and the water springs are said to be medicinal too. An ancient small viaduct conducts water from the top and conveys it to the base below. Some miscerants set fire to the dried up hill in early March 2020 and we could see the burnt up sections as we climbed up. The east facing stone temple on top is a small and beautiful one which has been recently white washed. There are several depressions in the rocks that collect rain water. Be very careful as you climb the last stage as there are again two pathways through vertical slopes going through rocks. People with altitude sickness are advised not to look down from these paths. Take great care as any injury can make it really difficult to reach down.