Parvathamalai / Parvatha Hills – the ‘Hill of Hills’ or ‘Queen of Hills’ in Thenmathimangalam Village, Polur in Thiruvannamalai District – Visit, Trekking & Travel Guide

– famous devotional and adventures, parvatha hills trekking visit photo coverage

Parvathamalai or the Parvatha Hills is a mountain range in the Thiruvannamalai district in the Kalasapakkam district, near the villages of Kataladi and Thenmagadevamangalam. Parvatamalai is about 3500 feet high from the sea level. The word Parvatham means mountain and ‘Parvathamalai’ as its called, ‘Hill of Hills’ or ‘Queen of Hills’.

Spiritual History of Parvathamalai:

Once Goddess Parvati asked Lord Siva the place of worship for all human beings born on earth to attain the four virtues of unity, virtue, material pleasure. Parvathamalai is the mountain that Lord Shiva identified with Parvathy’s question. The hill is named after the Goddess Parvati as a goddess penanced here for the welfare of all the people of the world. At the top of the hill resides the presiding deity Parvatha Rani or Parvathammal and Siva’s aspect is Lord Malligarjun. Parvathammal is also called Lordess Brahmarambika / Maragathambika. Due to Mother Parvati’s penance, the mountain named Parvathamalai which also means the highest mountain of all.

Another fascinating historical belief that at this mountain Siddar Bogar, who is one of the 18 Siddhas, built the Lingam – Mallikarjuna Swamy on top of this hill. And another well-known history is Parvatamalai is also said to be the place where Lord Shiva first set foot when he came to the south from the Himalayas. Lord Shiva first set foot here before it appeared as a fire in Thiruvannamalai.
There is a famous old saying,
“Adikkoru Lingam Thiruvannamalai Pidikkoru Lingam Parvathamalai”.

When Hanuman was bringing the Sanjeevi hill to Lanka, it is assumed that parts of it were scattered and dropped in many areas. One such location is Parvathamalai.

Unlike other hills, when viewed from various angles, Parvathamalai ‘Cliff’ offers a wonderful sight. From eight directions across the hill, which represents eight different shapes. One the specialty of this place is that devotees are able to Worship the Lord Sivalingam by themselves. So devotees carry over the required items for the pooja with them to make a special moment. As there are no priests for this temple and also with no doors. once entering the temple we can first see Lord Ganesha, Goddess Valli, Goddess Deivanai Sametha Lord Murugan, Lord Veerapathiran, and Lord Datsinamoorthy. The ‘Vilvam leaf’ is the best option for devotees who wish to perform the pujas to Lord Siva.

It is recommended that devotees wear cotton clothes as much as possible so that when they breathe in the herbal air Or when our bodies are touched, they can reap the benefits. This Parvathamalai grows many rare herbal plants. The Parvathamalai’s Herbal breeze can quickly smell the devotees when heading up or coming down the hill. It has the great god power to cure many illnesses.

Visitors will observe ‘Jyothi Dharshan’ at night on the top of the hill. And also we can witness the brightness of Jyothi on the cheeks of the goddess Brahmarambika. And when step back far from the goddess, the sanctum Instead of shrinking, the god seems to grow in size. We can feel the power of the positive spiritual vibration around the hill and presiding deities. Miracles have been encountered by the devotees and also more when devotees stay overnight at the hill.

We need have to take the needed food and drinking water with us. Better to have a small stick in hand to avoid snatching from monkeys. We can also witness Yogi is in a meditation state near the cave of the temple. He remains in silence for more than 15 years, called “Mouna Yogi” and blessing the devotees throughout the year. He also provides all the needed amenities to the devotees such as food, water, shelter, and also their required needs. Mouna Yogi also pays dharshan and blesses the devotees who approach him with various problems and also guided them to overcome. It is said that the beauty of the mountain began to spread when he lived there

The Parvathamalai or the Parvatha Hills is highly believed in several Siddhars still alive in the natural caves of Parvathamalai, it’s been witnessed by many devotees. Only sincere devotees can have the dharshan of siddhars because they move in ‘subtle bodies’ its difficult for normal human beings to witness them with their normal eye.

Siddhars also take mortal bodies to facilitate viewing them. Devotees can feel them from the smell of fragrance kinda camphor, agarpathi fragrance. People in the villages near to the bottom of the hill says that they are hearing ringing bells, drums sound from the temple exactly at midnight 12, is of it with siddhars visit the temple and performs poojas.

Different Trekking Routes to Parvathamalai or the Parvatha Hills:

We can reach the summit of Parvathamalai by 3 different routes. One is from Thenmadhimangalam Village (new way), another is from Kadaladi Village (old way) and the third one is from Kandha Palayam. Out of all three first route is most easy to climb, as half of the route was mostly plains and the rest also not very steep. This way, most devotees come. It is the route that was most recently built. we can take the darshan of the Pachaiamman, Veerabhadra, and Vana Durga shrines at the foot of Parvathamalai when we get this way.

After worshiping Pachaiyamman Temple and we can also worship the Sapta Munis which is in front of Goddess pachaiyamman temple and have to walk about 2 km from here to reach the foothills. There are about 1300 stairs when going from here. Lord Veerabhadra and Goddess Vana Durga temple is located at foot of the hill. At the bottom of Parvathamalai, one can visit Swami Mouna Vithoba Ashram is accessible if we take through the Kadaladi Village route. Kataladi, Thenmagadevamangalam the two merge together in Pathimalai.

The village of Kandha Palayam has located 10 km from Kadaladi Village. A saint who used to live in that village would climb up the hill daily. There is a path now, but it’s very steep. In this village, there is an Ashram and a temple. The slope is noticeably steeper, and iron rods and chains embedded in the rocks support the last 2000 feet of the climb. White arrow markers painted on the rocks mark the path to the top of the hill. It takes about 4 hours to climb the first route, while the last one takes just 3 hours to climb. Most devotees take the first path for climbing and prefer the Kadaladi path when trekking down.

To reach the top of Parvathamalai, which is the seventh, one has to walk through six small hills. It is said to be synonymous with the six ‘Chakras’ in the subtle body of Humans. The trekking starts with Kundalini or Mooladhara chakra, after crossing six chakras the Sadasivam’ or Sahasradhara chakra the seventh one is reached. Approximately 3/4 of the hill route is via dense forest through a trodden footpath where the fragrance of ‘Himalaya’s rare herbs’ is abundant on both sides. As the route is rocky and almost vertical, the last 1/4 portion of the trek is a little hard to ascend. It is called ‘Kadapparai Malai / Mountain’ as there are no normal steps to climb, accessed only with the aid of Iron rods.

This last portion of trekking is more like mountaineering and one has to come armed with ‘kits’ similar to mountaineering. we have to be hand free and to carry all over on the back of the shoulder since it’s easy to grip the “Kadapaarai Rock” one behind one. People of any age with no gender bother can climb up the hill with their own will power. Deep chanting and praising of “Om Namasivaya” will make us climb the mountain without any difficulty.

On the full moon day every month of the year as similar to Thiruvannamalai here also Girivalam took place, especially at Margazhi, which comes in between December 16th to January 14. The path covers almost 25 km and it took 8 hours to complete. It is a must place to visit at least once in our life time.

How to Reach Parvathamalai / Parvatha Hills:

Parvathamalai is near to Thenmathimangalam village, is about 20 km from Polur in Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. Where polur is 35 km from Thiruvannamalai District.

By Road: State government-run buses connect Parvathamalai base to other places in Tamil Nadu, and also along with neighboring states.
By Air: The nearest airport is Puducherry Airport and Chennai International Airport.
By Rail: Tiruvannamalai Railway Station and polur Railway station.

Special thanks, Photo credits to my good friend Mr. Muthukumar.

Check out and enjoy the photo captures of the Parvathamalai / Parvatha Hills – the ‘Hill of Hills’ or ‘Queen of Hills’ in Thenmathimangalam Village, Polur in Thiruvannamalai District- Visit, Trekking & Travel Guide

Similar Famous Lord Shivan Temples you may like to Visit:

Kanchi Kailasanathar temple, Kanchipuram – Best & Famous Shiva Temple In India – Visit, Travel Guide

Jurahareshwarar Temple, Kanchipuram – Best & Famous Shiva Temple In India – Visit, Travel Guide

Papanasanathar Temple, the Nava Kailasam in Papanasam, Thirunelveli, Best Lord Siva Temple to Destroy Sins – Visit, Travel Guide

Mylai Kapaleeshwarar Temple Panguni Peruvizha Festival, Mylapore, Chennai – Best & Famous Shiva Temple In India – Visit, Travel Guide

Ekambaranathar Temple (Pancha Bhoota Stalam – 5 Shiva temples for Five Elements, Kanchipuram – Best & Famous Shiva Temple In India – Visit, Travel Guide

Shivoham Shiva Temple Bangalore / Bengaluru – The World’s Largest Lord Shiva Temple – Visit, Travel Guide

Thiruthalaiyur Saptharisheeswarar Temple, Thiruthalaiyur, Tiruchirappalli, Oldest Lord Siva Temple – Visit, Travel Guide

Thiru Kutrala Natha Swamy temple, Courtallam / Kutralam – the Oldest Lord Siva Temple Near Courtallam waterfalls, Tenkasi – Visit, Travel Guide