Trek to Velliyangiri 7th Hill

I remember a trip I had made to Yercaud when I was in 9th or 10th grade. A casual remark made by my geography teach stuck to my mind firmly. She probably rued later making that comment. She said that clouds would pass through us at such heights. From that time, I kept pestering her to take me to the place where clouds would pass through me. Will it be cold? Can I touch it? Can I put it in my bag? These were some of the questions I kept asking her. Eventually, she resigned - "It's not the right condition today. I am sorry!"

Here, at 1750m (5750ft) above sea level, at the entrance of the 7th hill temple, winds where blasting at near gale force speed. The once-coveted clouds were seething through me. Misty sprays enveloped anything on their path. The temperature was probably close to 6-7 degrees (I am not sure). But all I could manage was a blank stare without emotion. My body and mind were totally worn down. There was no despair, elation or joy. Just empty hollow space inside. I still couldn't help wondering how the elemental forces of nature had conspired to form this grand space for the Adi Yogi. The entrance, naturally formed was an arch that comprised of three monolithic stones. From the stone on the top hung moss like adornments that were still fresh. The linga inside was suyambu - self formed. Indeed, we were in the space the Adi Yogi once trod.

We later visited the space where Sadhguru Shri Bramha had shed his body. Here the elements assumed fiercer proportions. Powerful misty clouds screaming through anything they met on the path - a dangerously placed precipice that fell five thousand feet below beyond with seating room for one or two at most - this was the spot. Of course, it was too dangerous that time - so we were asked to maintain a respectful distance from the spot.

This was the land - almost the place where very few humans tread - the land which Shiva walked upon once. Countless Yogis followed suit - Agasthya, Krishna, Arjuna and later Sadhguru Shri Bramha as well. This is the place where nature does her part to demonstrate the intensity of the people who once trod the place. Now, an organization called "then kailaya bhakti iyakkam" (South Kailash Devotional Movement) is trying to make more people realize the sacredness of the space. It is trying to establish basic infrastructure for people to stay here for a night or two along with other supporting necessities. Nothing exists now. So people have to come here, spend a couple of hours and then trek back - because the trek takes the remaining part of the day.

We were close to this place once - see here - and now I realize we had reached the top of the 6th hill the previous time. We couldn't have made it to the 7th. If you need a little more information on the terrain, look there. Some random and not so random notes below about this trek:

10 minutes into the trek, I stopped for a breather. I do not know what happened, but I was two steps away from passing out. My vision was blurring out and voices of people around me were growing fainter. We were instructed not to sit, the idea being that calf muscles could easily sprain. If I did not sit, people would have to carry me on a stretcher! So I sat and fortunately, things returned to normal. I still do not know why my body responded so aggressively. I was carrying a heavy load - 6kgs (13 pounds). I should travel lighter next time. Contrary to their instructions, sitting whenever I was tired and moving on later really helped! One liter of Gatorade also helped. It lasted until I reached the top of the 7th hill.

The hill, unlike Sathuragiri, is replete with water. At the top of the hill, its a blast! And literally!

My inspiration for the trip - not for, during actually - were two people. A 65 year old man, who I did not interact much with, walked with determination and his own load to the top and back with minimal help from the volunteers. Another was a 12 year old girl - who really should have been 36. She was quiet throughout the trek except to answer questions posed by fellow trekkers. No fuss, no elation, no emotions, no complaints - she just trekked. Once in a while, a volunteer or a fellow trekker took her bag. When returning, I asked her why she wanted to trek this mountain.
"I don't know."
"How was the trek?
"Good!"
"Did you ask to trek or did your parents ask you to go?"
"I wanted to come."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"Did you find it difficult?"
"No."
She wasn't being curt or rude - she was just answering. I am not sure if it is a credit to great parenting or for the way she was made!

The volunteers were amazing. I know one of them carried like 15kgs to the top. Contrast this to the guy who almost fainted carrying 1/3rd of it!

One participant later shared [not verbatim] - "I do not know any Shiva. I have no clue who he was or how he existed. All I know is that my Guru trekked this place. Every stop I took, I only wanted to remember that my Guru once passed this place."
The Swamiji later clarified - "I doesn't matter how you make the connection. As long as you make it its fine!"

The Swamiji also said something startling - but not surprising. [not verbatim]: "The divine may decide to close itself to you. But a Guru can override that decision. The divine is helpless to that." - I ALWAYS ALWAYS knew it. Except that this time it was so in-the-face. And add to it whatever was quoted by the Swamiji was from the Adi Yogi's mouth! Another enlightened one expressed this same sentiment like this. These verses have stronger import now:
"If You are too choosy as to who should cross the door
A mistake with Me You made!
This new sense has left me so senseless
That I will keep this door open
For every vermin that can crawl and cross.
Pardon Me My treacherous arrogance
As I am only You!"


I realized that true enjoyment of simple pleasures takes immense work. Cold breeze that wipes of sweaty beads or early morning tea to ward off biting cold. You have to earn the privilege of enjoying these things.

I am not sure if I did anything fruitful in the trek - but it appeared that some things that I had to do weren't possible in "normal" conditions. Like taking a dip at 8PM in the night in an ice cold pool or waking up at 5am in the morning at near freezing temperatures.

If there is one thing I truly realized in the trek - it is that I am still a fledgling. One volunteer later asked me how the trek was. I told him nothing touched me. He asked me why I was expecting something to touch me? I told him it is very difficult to put in so much effort and not expect anything. I then told him my preparation was insufficient. He smiled and answered - "I am so glad you realize your preparation is insufficient!" He meant to imply he was glad I hadn't concluded the mountain is ineffective. I am not that stupid. This has been a pathway, if not home for countless Yogis. Sadhguru mentioned that even pigs that used to stray at the top once could escape receiving the grace of the space. I was happy to hear that. At least that should have happened to me!

The Swamiji was very sick at the start of the trek. He was suffering - wrong word - going through hypertension. He still decided to take the trek AMA (American lingo - against medical advice). He was later commenting - "Given a choice, I would have taken his advice and stayed at the bottom. But there is no choice and that is the beauty of my life!"

I should see how long this humility lasts! I am just a man, imperfect lowly...