I first heard about Kolli Hills back in my school days, when I had to learn old tamil poems which are known as Sangam literature. I was thrilled to learn about a maiden present in Kolli Hills called Kolli Paavai meaning Murderess Maiden, who would kill persons with just her smile itself. In tamil, Kolli Hills is called as Kolli Malai, and it is said that, the name of the Hills came from the maiden, Kolli Paavai.

The poems also tell us about a king named Valvil Ori, who ruled Kolli Hills and surrounding 18 regions including today’s Rasipuram and Senthamangalam areas around 2nd century AD. Valvil means skilled archer. One of the poem praises the King Ori’s archery skills that, he had killed an Elephant, Tiger, Deer, Wild boar and a Monitor lizard with a single arrow. He is also one of the seven ancient philanthropist kings of the Tamils. He is said to have died in a fearsome battle with a king named Malaiyamaan Thirumudikaari, whose troops have been supported by the Chera King Peruncheral Irumborai.

One year ago, I have read an article on The Hindu  about Kolli Hills, especially on the Agaya Gangai waterfalls and the 1025 steps descent to reach the waterfalls. Finally, I visited Kolli Hills on the last week of May this year with my family. It may be the wrong season to visit, But, I could no longer wait to see this place.

Kolli Hills is a small mountain range located in the heart of Tamil Nadu, India. One has to reach Salem or Namakkal to get to Kolli Hills. There are buses available from Salem up to Arapaleeswarar Temple atop Kolli Hills. If you are traveling from Namakkal by bus, you have to get down at Semmedu atop the Hills. The road which takes you from the foot of the Hill to the Top, have 70 hairpin bends.

We had prepared and packed Tomato rice and Tamarind rice for the breakfast and lunch from our home. We traveled from Namakkal by Bus and when the bus had stopped for a break in the town which lies in the foot of the Hill, we had Tomato Rice for breakfast. We also bought Poppins to avoid nausea when climbing the Hill. The 70 hairpin bend travel was a thrilling ride and at the end of the 70th hairpin bend, you can feel the intense flavor of Jack fruit was filled all over the atmosphere.

We got down at Semmedu which is a main town on Kolli Hills. There are taxis available for hire on Semmedu Bus Stand. We hired a Taxi there and the driver agreed to take us to some main places for 1100 rupees.

I had prepared a huge list of places to see on Kolli Hills. I know that, I will not have enough time to visit all the places, because, I only planned a one day trip. But, the Agaya Gangai Waterfalls, Arapaleeswarar Temple and the Ettukai Amman Temple, where the deity is believed as Kolli Paavai are a must visit places on my list. The full list is as follows:

1. Arapaleeswarar Temple.(There is also to be a Mini Falls near this temple.)
2. Agaya Gangai Water Falls. (The 1025 steps descent starts near Arapaleeswarar Temple)
3. Ettukai Amman Temple or Kolli Paavai Temple.
4. Solakkadu View Point.
5. Kaagabhujandar Ashram.
6. Siddha Caves.(It is said that a few Siddhas still meditate in these caves.)
7. Kurinji Mushroom Farm.
8. Fruit Processing Factory.
9. Punkulam Shiva Temple.
10. Thanni Maathi Perumal Temple.
11. Oorpuram Kongai Amman Temple.
12. Satdharma Ashram.
13. Maasi Periyasaami Temple.
14. Masila Falls.
15. German Saamiyaar.
16. Wireless Point.
17. MALCO Aluminium Factory. (The locals said that this is closed now.)
18. Herbal Farm.
19. Fruit Farm.
20. Government Gardening Farm.
21. Karaiyaangaatu Kaali Amman Temple.
22. Suicide Point. (Seeku Paarai)
23. Statue of Valvil Ori.
24. Naturally formed Kongalamman Deity.
25. Boating at Vaasalurpatti.
26. 9th Century Shiva Temple.
27. Rock Pillar View Point.
28. 2000 year old Grave.
29. Jain Temple (2000 years old)
30. Muthaan Kulam.
31. Selur View Point. (It is said that from this point, we can see the Srirangam Temple Gopuram, Trichy Rock Fort, Thalaimalai Perumal Temple and Cauvery-Amaravathi confluence)
32. Kolli Hills Park.
33. Sandhana Falls.
34. Namma Falls.

First we headed straight to Agaya Gangai Waterfalls though the driver had said that there is no water in the falls at that time. The driver had pointed to a direction where there is two hills and said that, the Siddha caves and the Agaya Gangai falls are located there. He also told us that two faces resembling Siddhas is visible from here. We are awestruck by looking at the two rock formations which resembled exactly like faces of Siddhas, that too in meditating pose. Could you spot the Siddha faces on the following image?

For those who find it difficult to spot the faces, I have highlighted them in the following image.

Nice. Isn’t it? But, the surprises does not end here. There are still more to come.

Following are more images which shows the Siddhas Rock formations in detail.

We reached Arapaleeswarar Temple, and after buying enough water bottles, we started the 1025 steps descent to reach the Agaya Gangai waterfalls. The entry ticket was 10 rupees for adults. The steps looked easier at the start and as we descended it got steeper and steeper and steeper…

From the viewpoint, which lies midway, we can see the Siddha Rock Formations more closely.

While we walk down the steps to the waterfalls, there are a few caves on our left on the rocks.

We saw a rock resembling a Dolphin. See the Image below:

And there was a Rock resembling a Tortoise a few steps below. See Image below:

Finally, there was a comfortable flat path to walk.

It was from here, across the valley on the right, there is a rock resembling three lions in a sitting position side by side. Could you spot the lion figures on the following photo?

Here is the Highlighted Image of the Lions Rock Formations.

We can also see the tiny strip of water flowing down on the falls from here. To reach the waterfalls, we need to walk on the boulders a few steps and pass the small water pool, holding the rope which is available there.

The tiny water on the Falls was enough to have a freshening bath. And then starts the arduous climb back to the starting point. When your physical strength slowly diminishes on the climb, only your sheer mental strength can bring you back to the top. When we reached the top, we had Hot Herbal Soup which costs for ten rupees. This herbal soup is said to be prepared from a variety of Potato called Attukal Kizhanghu and other local herbs. This herbal soup was very much soothing and tasty that we had them once more.

We visited the Shiva Temple called Arapaleeswarar Temple located there. Arai means mountain and Palli means Temple in Tamil. So, the name Arai-Palli Eeswarar became Arapaleeswarar. This temple is said to be 500-1000 years old. The saivite tamil poets Appar and Sambandar is said to have visited this temple and sung songs praising the lord of the Temple.

Just opposite the temple, there are two stones carved with male figures with swords. I believe this should be a tombstone(Nadukal) which is placed on the spot, when a soldier die on a battle. But, I am not sure why these stones were placed in front of the temple. May be these are figures of persons who had built this temple.

We visited the Ettukai Amman Temple or Kolli Paavai Temple. There are a few deities which are outside the Main Temple and It is said that these deities protect the Main Deity. As the legend says, the smile on main deity(Kolli Paavai) can still be seen and it was as mysterious as the Mona Lisa smile. We had our lunch there. There is also a small shop where a local woman sells Paniyaram and herbal soup. But, this herbal soup is not as good as the one we had near Arapaleeswarar Temple.

On our way back to Semmedu town, the driver stopped at a newly constructed view tower. The view of the hills and valley was spectacular from this tower.

We also stopped at Namma Falls, But, it was completely dry.

The driver took us to a viewpoint behind the Governments Guests House, and the sunset view from this point is awesome.

From here we can see another rock formation resembling a face, which is like a pharaoh. I would call it an Alien Siddha. See Images below:

We bought Jack fruit and Pineapple in a shop at Semmedu and went to the suicide point or Seeku Paarai, but it was completely dark when we reached there. But, we enjoyed the night view of the towns below. We saw the Valvil Ori statue which was erected in 1975 before catching the last bus on Semmedu which leaves to Salem around 9 pm.

If you catch a Salem bus from Kolli Hills, and want to reach Namakkal, you have to get down at a town called Kalappanaiyakkanpatti and change the bus.

Kolli Hills definitely provides us a visual treat whether we visit it on season or off-season. It is an equal match to the place called Marcahuasi in South America in having stunning and various rock formations. Someday I will visit Kolli Hills again and to see the remaining places on my long list. May be there are even more rock formations to explore on these mysterious Hills.