Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)

Known as the "Kailash of the South", this range involves a tough barefoot trek across seven hills to a Shiva shrine, open only during a set seasonal window.

Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple), Anaikatti
Practical guide

Plan Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)

Who's going?Tailor Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple) to your trip
Typeviewpoint
Nearest baseAnaikatti
DistrictCoimbatore
Best timeOctober to March is the cooler, drier…
Time neededAbout an hour
EntryPermits, fees and public access can change
Places to visit4

Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple) is planned from Anaikatti, one of the travel bases in Coimbatore district. Use Anaikatti for stays, food and local transport, then plan this place as a focused stop.

The story

Velliangiri Hills and Velliangiri Andavar Temple is worth planning for a demanding Western Ghats pilgrimage from Poondi, undertaken only in the authorised season and with realistic fitness and weather planning.

The story of Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)

the seven-hill route leads to a Shiva shrine high in the Velliangiri range; the landscape also lies within an ecologically sensitive forest belt.

Devotees call the range Thenkailayam, or Kailash of the South. That sacred geography is a living belief, distinct from measured route and safety facts.

Velliangiri Hills Velliangiri Andavar Temple deserves time for the details identified above rather than a rushed photograph. At Velliangiri Hills Velliangiri Andavar Temple, use the named visitor approach, check the current public boundary on arrival and concentrate on the feature that makes this place distinct within its town. For Velliangiri Hills Velliangiri Andavar Temple, any closure, worship restriction or safety barrier takes precedence over an older itinerary.

Legend & myth

Devotees call the range Thenkailayam, or Kailash of the South. That sacred geography is a living belief, distinct from measured route and safety facts.

Read the full history of Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple) 44 more words

History

the seven-hill route leads to a Shiva shrine high in the Velliangiri range; the landscape also lies within an ecologically sensitive forest belt.

Why visit

See a demanding Western Ghats pilgrimage from Poondi, undertaken only in the authorised season and with realistic fitness and weather planning.

What to expect

Highlights

Getting there

How to visit

  • Base yourself in Anaikatti or nearby in Coimbatore, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel.
  • If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
Timing

Best time

October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.

Weather in Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)Seasonal guide

Live forecast loads in your browser.

Today at Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)
Sunrise6:12 am
Sunset6:05 pm
Golden hour best light5:05 pm–6:05 pm
Blue hour after sunset6:05 pm–6:30 pm
Sun sets toward compass bearingW · 261°
Moon tonight🌒 Waxing crescent · 25%
Retreating monsoon. October and November still see spells of rain from the retreating monsoon, though it is usually lighter than mid-year. Conditions are generally good but worth checking.

Sun and moon are calculated for this location and shown in IST. Photography windows are the hour around sunrise and sunset; the sunset bearing is degrees clockwise from true north. Moon phase is accurate to about half a day.

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Stays, food & things to do near Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)

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Top experiences around Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)

3 more places around Anaikatti. Open a guide to plan the visit and onward journey.

heritageAdiyogi Shiva Statue

6.1 km · ~15 min by auto

The large steel Shiva bust at the Isha Yoga Center, in a different part of the campus from Dhyanalinga.

waterfallSiruvani Waterfalls and Dam

5.6 km · ~14 min by auto

A scenic waterfall and dam in the Western Ghats near the Kerala border, whose water is locally famed for its taste and was reputedly gifted to Mahatma Gandhi.

heritageDhyanalinga

5.4 km · ~13 min by auto

Dhyanalinga is a consecrated meditation shrine at the Isha Yoga Center in the Velliangiri foothills, established in 1999. It is a quiet meditation space on the same campus as Adiyogi.

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Before you go

Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple) — at a glance

TimingsEnter only during the currently authorised visitor window. Weather, fire risk, wildlife movement, water releases and road conditions can close access without notice.
Best timeNovember to February is usually cooler; ecology, waterfalls and festivals require a current seasonal check.

Entry: Permits, fees and public access can change. Confirm the current gate or booking arrangement before leaving the gateway town.

Getting here

How to reach Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)

  • ✈︎ By air Coimbatore International Airport is the practical airport; arrange the onward road transfer to Coimbatore.
  • 🚆︎ By train Use Coimbatore Junction; check the current train on IRCTC and arrange the final transfer.
  • 🚗︎ By road Use the Directions link for the practical visitor entrance to Velliangiri Hills Velliangiri Andavar Temple; follow current signs for the final approach.
  • 🚌︎ By bus Use TNSTC or SETC services toward Coimbatore, then confirm the final stop and last return.
  • ⛴︎ By boat No boat journey is required.
Getting around

Getting around Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)

Follow the signed public approach. Walk only where the distance, traffic, surface, gradient and daylight make the route comfortable and safe.

Online taxis: Ola and Uber availability varies by location and time. Use a verified local taxi or auto, agreeing the complete fare, waiting time and pickup before departure.

Do

Things to do

  • Read the principal structure, collection or landscape
  • Identify dated historical layers
  • Observe living tradition respectfully
  • Combine only with genuinely nearby experiences
Plan

Good to know

  • Check access and opening that morning.
  • Carry water and sun or rain protection.
  • Follow dress, footwear, worship, museum or conservation rules.
  • Arrange return transport before entering.
  • Obey barriers and staff instructions.
Facilities

On site

  • Food, cash, fuel and pharmacies in Coimbatore
  • Site facilities depend on the operating session
  • Accessible toilets require direct confirmation
  • Use the town for dependable medical support
Stay safe

Safety

  • Stay behind barriers and away from exposed edges.
  • Avoid heat, lightning, flooding and slippery surfaces.
  • Keep children close in crowds, near roads and beside water.
  • Never enter restricted worship, rail, forest or conservation zones.
  • Call 112 or 108 in an emergency.
Getting around Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)

If you need step-free access, contact the site before travelling. Ask about a level entrance, steps along the route, the nearest drop-off point, seating and accessible toilets.

If you need help at Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)
112All emergencies (police · fire · medical)The single number to call in any emergency (ERSS).

Emergency numbers are verified against official government and state tourism sources. 112 works anywhere in India.

Eat nearby

What to eat in Anaikatti

Carry water and a simple meal from the last service town. Protected landscapes, dam roads and trailheads may have no dependable food counter.

Explore food in Anaikatti →
01

Packed idli or lemon rice

Travel well for an early start; pack without single-use litter and take every wrapper back out.

02

Tamil vegetarian meals

Eat in the gateway town before the return leg rather than depending on an isolated roadside stall.

03

Bananas, fruit and nuts

Useful on long approaches; keep food sealed and never feed wildlife.

04

Tea and local snacks

Buy only at an authorised or established shop and confirm when it closes before entering the reserve or hill road.

Nearby

What’s near Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)

heritageDhyanalinga

Dhyanalinga is a consecrated meditation shrine at the Isha Yoga Center in the Velliangiri foothills, established in 1999. It is a quiet meditation space on the same campus as Adiyogi.

5.4 km · ~13 min by auto · straight line
waterfallSiruvani Waterfalls and Dam

A scenic waterfall and dam in the Western Ghats near the Kerala border, whose water is locally famed for its taste and was reputedly gifted to Mahatma Gandhi.

5.6 km · ~14 min by auto · straight line
waterfallKovai Kutralam Falls

The Siruvani waterfall visitor site west of Coimbatore, with seasonal Forest Department access.

5.7 km · ~14 min by auto · straight line
heritageAdiyogi Shiva Statue

The large steel Shiva bust at the Isha Yoga Center, in a different part of the campus from Dhyanalinga.

6.1 km · ~15 min by auto · straight line
N
Nilgiri Biosphere Nature Park
Place
heritageNilgiri Biosphere Nature Park

This managed nature park at Anaikatti conserves a large collection of native and medicinal plants, reportedly over 400 species, within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve landscape. Laid out with trails, a herbal garden and interpretation displays, it functions as an eco-education and recreation destination. It offers visitors a convenient way to experience the biodiversity of the Western Ghats foothills.

15.7 km · ~26 min by cab · straight line
templeMarudhamalai Murugan Temple

A hilltop Murugan temple on the western edge of Coimbatore city, reached by road or a flight of steps, popular for its panoramic views and daily abhishekam rituals.

19.1 km · ~32 min by cab · straight line
S
Sengupathi Falls
Place
heritageSengupathi Falls

Sengupathi Falls is a seasonal waterfall in the Western Ghats foothills roughly 35 km from Coimbatore, often visited in combination with the nearby Vaideki Falls. It flows strongly during and after the monsoon and is a quiet nature and picnic spot. Its forested setting keeps it a lesser-crowded alternative among the district's cascades.

21.3 km · ~35 min by cab · straight line
V
Vaideki Falls
Place
heritageVaideki Falls

Vaideki (Vydehi) Falls near Narasipuram in the Thondamuthur area lies about 35 km from Coimbatore amid the forested foothills of the Western Ghats. It is a seasonal cascade set among boulders and greenery, popular for short treks and monsoon-season visits. Access is regulated by the forest department as it lies within a reserve forest.

21.9 km · ~37 min by cab · straight line
K
Kovai Kondattam
Place
heritageKovai Kondattam

Kovai Kondattam is an amusement-cum-water theme park on the Siruvani Main Road at Kalampalayam, on the western edge of Coimbatore. It offers water rides, wave pools and dry amusement attractions and is a popular family and group outing. It is one of the main recreational parks within easy reach of the city.

22.1 km · ~37 min by cab · straight line
A
Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple
Place
heritageAnubhavi Subramaniar Temple

This hill temple to Lord Murugan sits on Anuvavi Hills at Periya Thadagam, about 19 km from Coimbatore city, reached by a long flight of steps. It is best known for a natural spring within the sanctum that flows perennially through all twelve months, tied by legend to Hanuman striking water from the rock. The perennial theertham and forested hill setting make it a popular local pilgrimage and picnic spot.

23.4 km · ~39 min by cab · straight line
templePerur Pateeswarar Temple

An ancient Shiva temple on the banks of the Noyyal river, known for its intricate Dravidian architecture and the Kanaka Sabha hall with its gold-plated roof.

24.9 km · ~41 min by cab · straight line
A
Anaikatti Hills
Place
heritageAnaikatti Hills

Anaikatti lies in the Nilgiri foothills on the Coimbatore–Anaikatti road near the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border, surrounded by tribal hamlets, streams and reserve forest. The cool, green hill country is a popular short getaway from Coimbatore and hosts research institutions such as SACON. Its scenery and proximity to the Nilgiri Biosphere make it a favourite drive and picnic destination.

25.9 km · ~43 min by cab · straight line

All 4 places to visit in Anaikatti →

On the map

Where Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple) is

Good to know

Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple) — frequently asked

Why visit Velliangiri Hills and Velliangiri Andavar Temple?

Visit for a demanding Western Ghats pilgrimage from Poondi, undertaken only in the authorised season and with realistic fitness and weather planning. It works best as a considered stop with time to read the setting.

How long should I allow?

Keep most of a day available, including the approach and a safe return before dark.

Do I need to confirm access?

Yes. Confirm the gate, permit, weather and return arrangements on the day; older reports may describe access that is no longer available.

Is the whole visit wheelchair accessible?

Do not assume so. Confirm drop-off, gradients, thresholds, steps, surfaces, toilets, seating and assistance before travelling.

Are photographs allowed?

Follow current signs and ask staff before photographing interiors, worship, students, security areas or other visitors.

What should I combine it with?

Choose one or two nearby guides from this page and check their opening and transport independently.

Can I rely on app taxis for the return?

Do not rely on availability without a confirmed pickup. Agree a return with a local driver or use scheduled public transport where practical.

When is the best time to visit Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)?

October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.

What are the entry fee and timings at Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)?

Entry: Permits, fees and public access can change. Confirm the current gate or booking arrangement before leaving the gateway town. Timings: Enter only during the currently authorised visitor window. Weather, fire risk, wildlife movement, water releases and road conditions can close access without notice.

How do I reach Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)?

Base yourself in Anaikatti or nearby in Coimbatore, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel. If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.

How much time do I need for Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)?

About an hour.

What else is near Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple)?

Nearby you can pair Dhyanalinga (5.4 km), Siruvani Waterfalls and Dam (5.6 km), Kovai Kutralam Falls (5.7 km), Adiyogi Shiva Statue (6.1 km).

Read before you go

Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple) guides, stories & itineraries

We have not published a story about Velliangiri Hills (Velliangiri Andavar Temple) itself yet. These cover Anaikatti and the wider district, with separate journeys between stops.

Around Anaikatti

These guides explore Anaikatti and the surrounding area. Choose a visit that fits your interests, allowing separately for travel between stops.

Tamil Nadu-wide guides & itineraries

Route-level itineraries and practical guides for the rest of Tamil Nadu.

See all 44 Coimbatore guides & stories →

Image credits

Photographs: Silvershocky (CC BY-SA 4.0), D momaya (CC BY-SA 3.0). Wikimedia Commons.