Parvathamalai Trekking

Parvathamalai, located in Tiruvannamalai district, is around 200 Km drive from Chennai. The Sithar Malai is full of herbs, known for its medicinal value. There is a Shiva Temple and Vitoba Swamigal tomb at the top of the hills, which is estimated to be at a height of 3500 ft. Anyone can do their own spiritual rites to God here, whereas everywhere else it is carried out only by a priest. 

There are 3 routes to Parvathamalai:

Chennai, Chengalpet, Melmaruvathur, Vandavasi, Polur, Parvathamalai

Chennai, Kanchipuram, Arcot, Arni, Polur, Parvathamalai

Chennai, Chengalpet, Tindivanam, Gingee, Tiruvannamalai, Parvathamalai

In the first 2 routes, Polur is the nearest town to Parvathamalai for a pitstop for food, whereas Tiruvannamalai is for the last route. One would need to drive into the Polur town (~2 Km) for hotels from the Vandavasi & Arni SH intersection. Parvathamalai is around 15 Km from Polur.

Vandavasi - Polur SH

On reaching Parvathamalai, there are 2 routes one can take to the top of the hill.

Steps: Thenmathimangalam route

Trekking (Adventure): Kadaladi route

Kadaladi is around 10 Km from Themathimangalam. Normally the locals would guide thro' the Thenmathimanagalam route, if simply asked for Parvathamalai. There are 3 temples en route while taking the steps. 

If adventurous trekking is the preference, then the route should be asked specifically for Kadaladi. Kadaladi is known for (Late) Mouna Guru, who has an Ashram at the foothills, as well as on the top of the hills and offers food (Annadhanam) to the devotees. The vehicle can be parked at this Ashram to begin with the trekking.

The locals estimate the trekking distance to be around 5.5 Km to the top. The average time for a normal person to trek to the top is around 3.5 Hrs (purely depends on the fitness of the person) and the trek downhill is around 2.5 Hrs. 

Some of the tips to load the backpack before starting:

• Select a light weight bag
• Carry app. 2 litres of water. Shops are available only after half the distance to buy water, lemon soda, tender coconut after crossing most of the very steep distance.
• Prefer more of fruits to keep yourself hydrated rather than snacks like chips, cakes & biscuits
• In rainy season, prefer a Rain coat than a Jerkin
• Torch Light is required, if it gets dark downhill
• Don't keep any of your things in plastic covers and carry it visibly, as the monkeys will snatch them brutally

The trek consists of muddy path for a 1/4 distance. Then comes the rocks and boulders with a very steep slope for 1/2 distance and for the last 1/4 distance, is the rock climbing part with supportive iron rods & chains. A good pair of shoes is required for the trek, but the last stretch has to be climbed bare foot only. The shoes can be either left at a nearby shop or it can carried in the backpack. The entire route is guided by white arrow marks painted on the rocks and one has to follow them to be on the right path. Beware of snakes en route. Surprisingly dogs may accompany you thro' out the trek route guiding the way, leading in the front. The first shop will be encountered only at the junction where the trek route (Kadaladi) meets with the steps route (Thenmathimanagalam) and this is almost at the end of the rocks and boulders part. The shops here sell Lemon soda, Water Bottles, Cola drinks, Tea & some shops may have Tender Coconut.

Direction Board 

 The Beginning - Muddy Terrain

The Middle - Rocks & Boulders

View en route

The Direction marks on Rocks

The First Shop en route

The Middle - Rocks & Boulders (contd..)

View Point

The last 1/4 distance consists of "Kadappaarai padhai" (the path supported by iron rods) and "Aghaaya padhai" (where the gap between the rocks is bridged by iron plates). There is an option to select between the steps or the Kadappaarai padhai. One has to be very careful thro' out this part of the trek, especially during rains, as it may get slippery.

The Steps

The End - Kadappaarai Padhai

The Kadappaarai Padhai - Balcony

The End - Aghaaya Padhai

Views

The peak offers a wonderful panoramic view, with the Tiruvannamalai hills on the right and the Javadi Hills on the left.

 The Top

Panorama View - Javadu Hills

Panorama View - Tiruvannamalai

The Temple

A wonderful trekking trip which gives a feeling of accomplishment after successfully scaling the 3500 ft steep hill both ways. A test for physical and mental strength and definitely fitness, endurance and courage is a mandatory requirement.