KOLLI HILLS

Kolli Hills is a major mountain range and is an outliner of the Eastern Ghats. It is eighteen miles ( 28 Kilometeres) long (north south) twelve miles(19 Kilometers) wide(east/west) and the Koll Block covers 441.4 square kilo meters. It falls within the following coordinates:- Rest Longitude 78º 17'05" to 78º 27'45" and North Latitude 11º 55' 05" to 11º 21'10". The name Kolli Malai refers to the mountain's once hostile nature; the unsuspecting and unaccamatised aliens, attracted by natural beauty. Viewed from plains of Namakkal the mountain appears as a flat-topped mass. The mountain has been inhabitated from prehistoric times. It is much celebrated in the Tamil Literature of the Sangam period; at least eleven poets mention it in their poems.

As per Census 2001, t he population of the Kolli Hills is 36852. There are 14 village panchayats and 275 hamlets. The population predominantly consists of scheduled tribes called Hindu Malayali whose spoken language is only Tamil. In two pockets SC population is found which is around 700.

Cultivation of Jack Fruit, Guvava, Hill Banana, Pineapple, Pepper, Coffee, Cardamom,topioca, honey and rice are the main agricultural activities.

The government reserve forests are seen in Ariyur, Puliyan Solai, Selur and Vazhavandhi Nadu. An area of 200 hectares is in the process of reforestation. Tigers and elephants which were once common in it are now extinct; only small animals such as black bears, hares, porcupines, and wild dogs are seen.

Legends have it that the hills were part of the famous Madhuvanam (Honey Forest) reserved by Sugriva of the epic Ramayana. The Maximum elevation ranges from 3500' to 4500' with the tallest peak Vettakaramalai, is rising to 4663' above sea level.

The hills formed a natural boundary between the Kongu Nadu and Chola Nadu. At the beginning of the Christian era the Mountain and its habitants were rules by Mazhavars and the King Vaivil Ori ws much celebrated among them. Legends have it that he was a great archer and released a arrow by him pierced first and elephant, then went through the open mouth of a tiger, then a deer and the a pig and then hit a monitor lizard killing instantaneously all. A statue was erected to honour the king in 1975 by Thiru Kalaingar M. Karunanidhi, Honorouble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the Government sponsored festival (VALVIL ORI VIZHA) every year named after him. Apart from known abode of the Saints, the Buddhists, the Jains set up a number of retreats, those fell prey to time. A stone image of Theerthangar reminds the existence of the earlier Jain influence. The famous Shiva Temple called Arappalleeswarar Temple dating back to 12th century situates at periakoviloor near the famous water falls Akasa Gangai. Reportedly an ancient and powerful deity called Kolli Paavai of Ettukkai Amman is also at Kolli Hills. It attracts large pilgrims on fiew moon days originally a Jain retreat.

The glory of Kolli Hills and the Charity of the King Valvil Ori is liberally sung by the Sangam literature like Agananooru, Purananooru, Kurunthogai, Pathitrupathu and Natrinai.

Numerous streams originate from Kolli Hills. The major rivers traversing the hills are Aiyar, Varattar etc.

At present Kolli Hills could be reached through a ghat road which was 70 hairpins bends. The village at the foot hill is Karavalli.. From Namakkal to Kolli Hills the distance is 55 KMs.. The ghat road alone 26 KMs. The district administration taking steps to form an another ghat road called Nariankadu-Mullukurichi road which, when formed will have only 2-3 hairpin bends.

For the convenience of the tourists the Panchayat Union has constructed six cottage at Semmedu. At near Arapaleeswarar Temple an Youth Hostel is also available which could accommodate up to 30 persons. This could also be used as a training center. An excellent lawn and a rose garden greets the visitors. The inmates can avail the tasty Kollihill food supplied from the canteen run by the Women Self Help Group. All these accommodations are available fro rent from the Commissioner, Kollimalai Panchayat Union, Semmedu (Phone No. 04286 247425). Apart from these at present two private lodges with boarding facilities are available.

Namakkal Anjaneyar

Lord Anjaneya temple, this temple has more than 500 Years history.

Namakkal - History on stone Places of Worship.



If it is temples, it has to be Tamil Nadu. True. If it is art, it has to be Cholas or Pallavas or Pandyas. Who said so? The artistic history of Tamil Nadu is not only confined to the Pallavas, Cholas and the Pandyas. There was another sect of rulers known as Adiamans, who of course were not as legendary as the rest. Namakkal, a temple devoted to Anjaneya can be attributed to a successor of the Adiaman clan.



Namakkal is a sacred place that contains both charm and history. The fort of Namakkal is guarded by a giant Anjaneya. The idol is so famous that it has been known as Namakkal Hanuman. There is also another Anjaneya on the banks of the tank, Kamalalaya. The difference between both the idols is that while the former is massive the latter is a wonderful piece of art.

The offering made by devotees to this temple is mainly garlands of cakes made of gram or the vadai malais. The striking attribute of this temple is that there is no roof above the God. The sun dries Him and the rain drenches Him. But He stands there, tall and commanding. There is also a bell on His tail and a sword on His hips.

Also spotted is a Narasimha temple opposite to Hanuman. It looks as if Hanuman is under the direct praise of Narasimha. The Narasimha is eight armed holding a prayoga charka, a sword, a conch and a bow. Hiranyakashipu is seen on His lap being torn into pieces. Hiranya can be seen helpless before the claws of Narasimha. There is also another exquisite piece of art in the temple. It is that of Lakshmi Narayana. This sculpture has been very elaborately carved and even the conch and the discus look outstanding.

In this temple, Mahavishnu is not resting on the Adisesha but seated. On either side are Brahma and Narasimha. There is also a place for Lord Shiva in the temple, symbolising the Shiva-Vishnu unity.

The story behind the origins of this temple goes as follows. When Mahavishnu slew Hiranyakashipu His rage did not subside. He was all hot with anger that even the Devas were petrified. They thought that if Vishnu were to remain angry forever, then the world would son come to an end. They approached refuge at the feet of Lakshmi Narayana. In order to please the Devas, the Lord took the form of both Narasimha and Lakshmi Narayana, the latter being a sober manifestation.

There is an eye-catching piece of art in this temple of both Shiva and Vishnu in the same idol. The left side of the idol has Vishnu from the summit to the toe while the right has Shiva. The uniqueness of this idol is that Shiva holds a snake in His forehand. This sight is very rare as there is no other temple which exhibits this wonder. A blend of art, history and divinity - that’s Namakkal for you.

Namakkal Fort

This fort was build by ThippuSultan. This fort has worship place for both Hindus and Muslims. Till now both the peoples are going to this place for worship.

The fort is on the summit of Namagiri. It is one of a few naturally strong forts steeped in bloody history of the district. It was under Mysore until it was captured by the British in 1769. It was retaken by Hyder Ali a few months afterwards and was lost again to the British in 1792. It contains the ruins of a Vishnu temple dedicated to Ethirili(Peerless) Perumal with in inscription of Sadaiyavaraman Sundhara Pandiyan.

The fort covers an area of one and a half acres of flat surface and is accessible from the southwest by a flight of narrow steps.

The namam (mark) is the white and red graphic symbol of Vishnu. The symbol is depicted with two white and one red vertical lines. The Vaishnavites usually wear the symbol on their forehead.

On the hills and hillocks of Salem where Vishnu Shrines are situated, large namams are painted on the nearby boulders. On the Nama Malai , the northern spur(693 meters high) of the Jarugu Malai range, a conspicuous namam is painted on a rock on the hill side near a small Vishnu shrine. Each of the two prongs (representing the feet of Vishnu) of the namam is about 40' long and 6'eide, clearly visible from all parts of the city. Le Fanu commented.

On this enormous representation in colours of the sacred trident (which) can be seen by the worshipper some seven miles off. This mode of parading religious insignia is by no means peculiar of India.

The traveler by the Great Western Railway to oxfordshire (in English) will see the whole side of a hill stripped to the gravel in the shape of an enormous cross. I have seen in Salt Lake City, USA an enormous U painted on the hill signifying the University of Utah. Mountain of Nama. It is the name of rounded mass of gneiss rock (65 meters high and about a mile in circumference) at the center of Namakkal town. The rock expanse on the eastern base of the hill was where Mahatma Gandhi held a Public meeting in 1933.

Two rock-cut cave temples dedicated to Ananthasayi and Narasimha Swamy, are on the eastern and western sides of the rock. The temples and the images of Gods within the temples were hewn out of the living rock. As they grow naturally out of the living stuff of the earth and is sustained by the power of the rock and hill, these shrines are esteemed higher than the ordinarily built temples.

The rock also contains eight theerthams ( holy water springs) the biggest of which is the Kamalayam (Home of the Lotus) sacred to the Goddess Namagiri Amman. It was the chief source of water supply for the town until water from the Kaveri was brought. The other other Theerthams are Anantharama Theertham Narasimha Theertham and Serbha theertham. Another list includes the following : Hanuman Theertham, Lakshmana Theertham, Lakshmi Therrtham, Narayana Theertham, Rishi Theertham, and Seetharam Theertham.

Namakkal Fort