Vaniyar dam - Salem

On a Sunday, I and my friend decided to spend some time together. We planned to go to Vaniyar dam, which is located in the foothills of Shevaroys. We started by bike after having the breakfast and took the Salem-Tirupattur road. We reached the dam after some inquiries with some local people for exact way.

Vaniyar dam

Other side of dam

Vaniyar dam with almost to its full storage level and Shevaroys as perfect backdrop is a great scenery. The climate was also pleasant at that time and we had a great time enjoying the scenery. We trekked in the Shevaroys for some distance and had a great view from there, nearby villagers were also trekking as it is a short cut to their home. 

About Vaniyar dam:

Vaniyar dam is located in Pappireddipatti taluk of Dharmapuri district. It is built across the Vaniyar river with storage depth of 65ft. The dam receives the water during the monsoon season and reaches the maximum level during Oct - Nov.  Nearly Ten thousand of acres of cultivation land is irrigated through the water supplied from canals. One can trek from there into Shevaroys forest to reach the Yercaud. 

Vaniyar dam

After taking some snaps and having good time we left and took the same route. In the middle, we stopped in a place called Manjavadi pass. It is a small pass in eastern ghats which stretches some two to three kilometers.  The road has two to three hair pin bends and more importantly the area is covered thick with bamboo trees. Forest department has a check post there and nearby a temple is there where nearby villagers worship. 

After slowing down there for a moment for some snaps, we reached the home.

Manjavadi pass

Nearby Manjavadi pass

How to reach Vaniyar dam:

From Salem, proceed to Ayodhyapattnam, take left in the Railway crossing, Which is the Tirupattur road. After around 30kms, diversion is there in left which will take you to Pappireddipatti. From there you can reach the dam easily. Total distance from Salem will be around 45kms. 

The best time to visit is between Oct to Jan as the dam will be upto its full level.

Sri Chakra Maha Meru Temple - Yercaud

Yercaud, the nearest hill station for me which is about 30kms only from my home. After celebrating the Diwali, the next day on Sunday our family started to Yercaud exactly during noon. Reached the Yercaud lake by 1 p.m. The climate was alternating, sometimes cloudy and sometimes sunshine and hot.

After enjoying the view of lake and spending sometime in the park, we had our lunch in the Waterfront restaurant, which is just opposite to the lake. Then we proceeded to the Nagalore to visit the Sri Chakra Maha Meru temple. I have been to Yercaud with my friends several times and visited most of the places, but this is my first visit to the less known temple.

We reached the temple in Nagalore by 3.30 p.m. People were waiting inside to have a darshan of main deity Lalitha Tripurasundari but sannadhi remain closed till 4 p.m. The first thing you will notice here is the atmosphere and the peace. It is an ideal place for doing meditation.

Some facts and beliefs about Sri Chakra Maha Meru

It is believed that the almighty wanted to create several forms of himself. Almighty created the female part called Devi, then Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, who protects the Universe and Shiva, the destroyer. It is believed that Devi is more powerful than Trinity and called Parashakthi.

Maha means 'Big' and Meru means 'Mountain'.

Lord Shiva created 64 Tantras to safeguard all the living beings in the Universe. Lord Shiva preached the 64 Tantras to the Devi, which is called as 'Sri Vidhya'.

Lord Shiva (Buddha in front)

The Sri Chakra is believed as Shiva-Shakthi. It Consists of series of Triangles around a small central circle called 'Bindu', which represents the Shiva-Sakthi in Union , rest represents the Cosmos.

The three dimensional pyramid on temple, when viewed from top will give the look and form of Sri Chakra. It is believed that worshiping the Devi with Sri Chakra is equal to worshiping the ultimate force. 

This is the World's biggest Sri Chakra Maha Meru temple.

Three Dimensional Pyramid
Photo Courtesy :Sri Chakra Maha Meru Temple, Yercaud

Note: More details is given in the temple. If found anything wrong in content, please correct me.

The temple is governed by a private body. The Temple is so serene because it is only couple of years old. Some people in temple told me that actor Rajnikanth is often visiting this temple whenever he finds time. I thought to myself that devotees will throng the temple soon.

Photo collected from Internet 

After an eyeful of darshan and archanai, we left the temple and took some snaps outside the sannadhi (Please note that camera and cell phone is prohibited in sannadhi). After finishing the temple visit we opted for view points. We had a great view from Gents, Ladies and children' seat. The rain lashed heavily and sudden drop in temperature is felt and climate changed drastically. Everywhere fog and mist so we decided to get down from hills as quick as possible because soon it will turn dark and driving a car will be tough one.

Sri Chakra Maha Meru

Temple Timings:

Temple is open for darshan from 6 a.m to 1 p.m. After that reopens at 4 p.m  and stay open till 7 p.m

How to Reach:

Temple is located at Nagalore, which is exactly at 7 kms from Yercaud lake. After reaching Yercaud lake from Salem, take left in roundtana, Which will take you to the famous Shevaroyan temple road. After some two or three kms, a diversion at right is there which will lead to the Shevaroyan temple, but go straight to reach Nagalore. Lot of buses from Yercaud are running to Nagalore. The road is good but bit narrow and you can enjoy some great view of Valleys while driving.