Nainamalai - Varadaraja Perumal.

For some time I was out of station and hence there were no blogs.  The blog today I am writing about is a Hill temple called Nainamalai.

Location and history:  Nainamalai Varadaraja Perumal Temple is situated off the Salem-Namakkal highway.  There is a small village called Puthan Santhai from here you have to take a deviation.  If you are travelling from Salem towards Namakkal, then you have to take a left turn and from Namakkal towards Salem, then a right turn.  It is just 3.5 kms from the turn.  At the end of 3rd km you get a sign board towards your left "way to Nainamalai Varadaraja Perumal".  From the bottom of the hill you have to climb around 3300 steps to reach the top.  In the midst of one of the hills of Nainamalai reserved forest, this temple is situated.  You have to climb 492 metres height from a base of 229 metres to 721 metres. 

History:  Traditionally this temple is known as Tirupathy of Salem district.  Incidentally after bifurcation of Namakkal district separately this is now coming under Namakkal district.  Conservatism always plays with an iron hand and no one dares to call this as Tirupathy of Namakkal district. 
Naina Rishi, the guru of Thirumalai Naicker king did penance here, due to which the hill got the name of Naina Malai. Another legend is that Indra the lord comes once in 12 years to do worship the Lord here in the form of thunder.  The temple is opened during the entire month of Purattasi(September 15 to October 15 roughly), during which a large number of people come here.  At that time when the door is opened the fresh flowers' smell and fragrances fill the temple which is believed to be that of Lord Indra's pooja to the deity.
The deepam lit during Karthikai month (15th November to 15 December roughly) is visible in the entire surrounding villages.  This year it  had happened on 11.12.2019.

My experience: Whenever I go towards south Tamil Nadu via Namakkal, in the evening twilight with the sun lighting it beautifully, the view of this temple and its height always created an urge in me to climb it. So finally made up my mind to do it on 21.12.2019.   At a distance of 36 kms from the Salem Bye Pass towards Namakkal Pudansanthai is situated.  I have to take deviation from here for the temple.  I started my journey from Bangalore at around 4.00  a.m. and reached the starting point of climbing the hill at 8.45 a.m.  Plenty of small shops are available in the base point.  Anyone can buy all the pooja items from here.  Being a reserve forest, it is natural to come across few bunch of monkeys on the way up.  There are few people who buy bananas in bulk for feeding them.  I started my climbing at 9.00 a.m. After around 288 steps you get a left deviation from here it is 3000 steps.  Being December is no excuse for the scorching sun after midway.  The occasional cool breeze and scenic views down below keep me moving further.  There is a small Mantapam first I have come across.  This is devoid of any statutes but with a room.  Purpose is not known but I can surely take a needed rest here.  I also come across a small pond between two rock structures.   Almost at the fag end of the life, a stream is supplying water to this pond.  Definitely not potable, but can be used for freshening up.  When we reach around 2700 steps I get another Mantapam definitely for resting as it is devoid of any statues or specific rooms for any statue.  From here it is around 600 steps.   Another small resting place in between is also seen from here other than the temple peak.  Finally when I reached the hill top, the government wireless transmitter room welcomes me.  I am starting here with the Veera Anjaneyar.  Few steps above I also get the old Adi Kesava Perumal.  Then comes the Kuvalayavalli Thayar to the left of the main temple and Nainamalai Varadaraja Perumal finally at the hill top.   There are also Rama, Lakshmana and Krishna statues beautifully carved out.  The pillars are adorned by Yali head and there is a stone chain at the top of the hall at all four sides like those present in Tharamangalam near Salem which is famous for architecture in granite.  After seeing the Lord, finally I came down to drive back to Bangalore.  While it took 2.30 hours to climb with a deliberate extension of 30 minutes, it took just an hour to come down.  I reached back Bangalore by 7.15 p.m.

The view from the top is magnificent and being in December greenery fills the sight in which ever direction I look.  The haze typical to December obstructed the infinite view but still it does fills your hearts' content to enjoy the nature. 

The entrance to the Hill.

The small mantapam without a deity

Beautifully carved Gajalakshmi left unused enroute

The small pond between rocks and the dripping water

Not any flowers except this one.

Half way view. The hill on whose peak the temple is in the background.

When it is around 600 steps more this shelter to take rest.

Water saving trough by its side.

Both viewed from a distance

Another very small mantapam 8' x 8' with just four pillars and a roof.

The final base wall of temple reached.

Entrance to the temple

Veera Anjaneya at the entrance

The small cute temple just on the cliff of the solid rock.

Venugopalan statue

Lakshmanar statue

Ramar Statue

Seetha Devi statue

Yali as pillar head

Chains carved out of stone base as snake head

Kuvalayavalli Thayar by the left side of Perumal in a separate temple.

View through which I came up.

Main deity Varadaraja Perumal with Sridevi Boodevi.

Adikeshava Perumal 

This is the landmark after getting down 1k steps.

The land mark for 2k steps while climbing down.