A Photo Travelogue and Nature Wanderer: October 2016

Sathuragiri or Mahalingam Temple is a 'Lord Shiva' temple located in western Ghats near Srivilliputhur.

Best way to reach is - Sri Villiputhur - Thaniparai - Sathuragiri

we should climb from Thaniparai to Sathuragiri into the forest. A really tough trekking with bare foot. It will take an average of 3 to 5 hrs to climb up and 3 to 4 hrs for climbing down.

Temple is open for public only during Full moon day, No moon day and Pradosha days( Pournami, Amavasai and Prathosha natkal)

Sambrani from Sathuragiri Hills

There are two shiva's on the top - Santhana mahalingam and Sundara Mahalingam.

There is another interesting place above this temple called Thavasi paarai.

Its a long time dream to go for a long bike ride and it came true this time with my desert storm.

Asusual, i had planned many times to go for a bike ride and failed everytime to execute it.

This time i planned to go for a solo ride, since nobody can change the plan or complain about it .

Plan is to cover as many places as possible.

Day 1: Started from Chennai - Trichy - Dindugal - Batlagundu - Theni .

Stayed in Theni for a night and planned to leave early to Munnar.

Day 2: Theni - Bodi mettu - Munnar

It was really a pleasant ride into the Bodi mettu plains and look at the scenic view.

Though Day-1 ride was just on roads and with vehicles, Day 2 started well with a early morning ride, saying hello to the clouds and mountains.

After Bodimettu, you will reach Poombarai and thats where the road part to Munnar and Thekadi.

Poombarai to Munnar is a mystic journey with green tea estates, narrow and curved Ghat roads, Chilled breeze and misty clouds following all over.

Enroute to Munnar, you will see Chinnakanal Waterfalls on the roadside and a nice view from both sides of the mountain.

Chinnakanal to Devikulam and To Munnar is literally heaven of South India. Such a pleasant and mesmerising view and the climate makes it a cloud nine moment.

I reached Munnar around 10 Am and had breakfast. I decided not to waste time by visiting the Rose Gardens, dams or view points (though i have seen them already in my last Munnar trip).

Now the plan is to reach Athirapally falls before 5 PM.

Now the route is Munnar- Cochin road- Aluva- Chalakudy - Athirapally

I drove without clicking any pics to save time:) . Reached Athirapally (Periyar River around 3PM)

This is such a humangous waterfalls and treat for your eyes. You can take bath in the upper place if there is less water or no flood.

You can also climb down to watch the waterfalls near by and its really worth it.

One of my all time wish list was achieved. visiting Athirapally was over. This was the original plan for me. Reach Athirapally somehow.

Now with all excitement, had tried to explore the Athirapally - Vazachal - Vaalparai Ghat road.

This is Ghat road into the forest allowed only from Morning to evening.