Swamimalai Hill, situated at an altitude of 4338 ft, is the highest point in Yelagiri—a quaint hill station in Tamil Nadu. I’ve heard a few of my friends talk about it … about the steep trek through dense foliage … about the flowers and the butterflies that accompany you along the way … and about the idol of Shiva under a Champa (Magnolia champaca) tree at the summit.
Finally, a long weekend gave us the opportunity to visit Yelagiri. And in a matter of a few hours, as dusk rolled in, we were standing on the shores of Nilavoor Lake … looking with anticipation at Swamimalai hill in the backdrop … framed by the pink flowers of Tabebuia rosea that seemed to merge with the pink sky at the yonder.
Next day, at dawn, a fifteen minute drive from Nilavoor Lake got us to Mangalam village at the base of Swamimalai Hill. The village was yet to wake up … apart from a rooster that was about to sound his wake up call. We parked our car next to Mariamman temple, meandered through the by-lanes between a cluster of bright-colored village houses that opened up to the vast expanse of a paddy field, and was greeted by the beauty of first light.
As my wife walked past the paddy field toward the base of hill, I paused a bit to witness the beautiful sunrise that kissed the earth to wake her up.
With my heart filled with joy, I quickened my pace to catch up with my wife. And there she was … strolling through the stunning shades of a dense canopy of trees.
The flat trail soon transformed into a steep elevation of man-made stairs. Though it’s a short trek (about 5 km both ways), the continuous ascent toward the summit isn’t quite a walk in the park.
A great thing about the trek is that all throughout it’s pretty much covered by the thick forest. So for the most parts you’re not exposed to the overhead sun until you reach the summit. I took some time to appreciate the brilliance of the sun one last time before we reach the summit.
The trees along the trail are equally vibrant and the sweet smell of spring flowers filled our hearts with joy.
Almost at the end of the trail the forest was so dense that I could barely see the trail … or the sky … or anyone else. All I saw were leaves, flowers, and butterflies.
Finally, almost at the end I did see light … above the branches, the twigs, and the leaves.
And then we saw Shiva and the Champa tree.
I meditated for a while under the Champa tree. Each breath inward carried the essence of Shiva to my soul and each breath outward carried my reverence for the cosmic dancer who creates everything and consumes everything in an unending cycle of time.
It seemed time too paused for breath … the unmoved hills that merged with the horizon … being the only observer.
