கொடைக்கானல்

கொடைக்கானல், இந்தியாவின் தமிழ்நாடு மாநிலத்தில் அமைந்துள்ள திண்டுக்கல் மாவட்டத்தில் இருக்கும் ஒரு நகராட்சி ஆகும்.
மேற்குத் தொடர்ச்சி மலைகளில் அமைந்துள்ளது. இதனால் இங்கு குளுமையான தட்ப வெட்பம் நிலவுகிறது. பொதுவாக இந்த மலைக் கூட்டங்களை பழனி மலைகள் என்று அழைப்பார்கள். தமிழ்நாட்டில் மலைகளில் இளவரசியாக உள்ள கோடை வாசத்தலம் கொடைக்கானல் ஆகும்.
பன்னிரெண்டு ஆண்டுகளுக்கு ஒரு முறை பூக்கும் குறிஞ்சி மலர் செடிகள் இங்கே பரவலாக வளர்கின்றன. அதனால் இம்மலையில் உள்ள முருகன் கோவிலுக்கு குறிஞ்சி ஆண்டவர் கோயில் என்றே பெயருண்டு. கடைசியாக இந்த மலர்கள் 2006-ஆம் ஆண்டு பூத்தன.
22 சதுர கிலோமீட்டர் பரப்பு கொண்ட இந்த மலை வாழிடம் கடல் மட்டத்திலிருந்து 2133 மீட்டர் (6998அடி)உயரத்தில் உள்ளது.

கி.பி.1821 ல் லெப்டினன்ட் பி.ச.வார்டு என்பவர் இப்பகுதியை நில ஆய்வு செய்தார். இந்தியாவில் அரசு பணியில் இருந்த ஆங்கிலேயர்கள் வசிக்க ஏற்ற இடம் என கருதினார். 1845ல் இங்கு பங்களாக்கள் அமைத்தார். போக்குவரத்திற்கு போதிய வசதியில்லாததால் அப்போது குதிரையிலே சவாரி செய்து மலைக்கு வந்து தங்கினர். பின் படிப்படியாக 1914 ஆண்டில் தான் முழுமையான சாலைவசதிகள் உருவாக்கப்பட்டது.ஆங்கிலேயர்கள் காலத்தில் வசதி படைத்தவர்கள் மட்டும் அனுபவித்துவந்த கோடை வாசத்தலம் தற்போது அனைவரும் சென்று வரும் சுற்றுலா இடமாக மாறியுள்ளது.

சுற்றிப் பார்க்க வேண்டிய இடங்கள்

குறிஞ்சி ஆண்டவர் கோயில்

1. பிரையண்ட் பார்க்
2. தொலைநோக்கிக் காப்பகம் மற்றும் கோக்கர்ஸ் வாக்
3. தூண் பாறைகள்
4. கவர்னர் தூண்
5. கோக்கர்ஸ் வாக்
6. அப்பர் லெக்
7. குணா குகைகள்
8. தொப்பித் தூக்கிப் பாறைகள்
9. மதி கெட்டான் சோலை
10. செண்பகனூர் அருங்காட்சியம்
11. 500 வருட மரம்
12. டால்பின் னொஸ் பாறை
13. பேரிஜம் ஏரி (24 ஹெக்டேர் பரப்புள்ள பெரிய அழகான ஏரி)
14. பியர் சோலா நீர்வீழ்ச்சி
15. அமைதி பள்ளத்தாக்கு
16. குறிஞ்சி ஆண்டவர் கோயில்
17. செட்டியார் பூங்கா
18. படகுத் துறை
19. வெள்ளி நீர்வீழ்ச்சி
20. கால்ஃப் மைதானம்

கொடைக்கானலில் Suicide Point எனும் பெயரில் ஒரு இடம் உள்ளது. இந்த இடத்திலிருந்து தற்கொலை செய்து கொண்டவர்கள் அதிகம். தற்போது இந்த இடம் முள்வேலியிடப்பட்டு பாதுகாக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த இடத்தினருகே சென்று பார்வையிட்டு வருபவர்களும் உண்டு.

கொடைக்கானலில் கிராமம் அதிகமாக இருகின்ரன.

கோடை காலங்களில் அதிக பட்ச வெப்பநிலை 19.8 டிகிரி சென்டிகிரேடும், குறைந்த பட்ச வெப்ப நிலை 11.3 டிகிரி சென்டிகிரேடும் இருக்கும்

How to Reach

By bus

From Dindigul city, kodaikanal is located at a distance of 90 kms approximately and there are plenty of buses plying from various parts of the state. Buses available from Madurai (Arapalayam) to kodaikanal at regular timings

Berijam Lake - perhaps the most pristine of the three lakes in Kodai. This is a plastic free zone and it is beautiful and serene. The lake lies within a reserved forest region. You need to get permission to visit this lake. Permissions need to be obtained on the morning of the intended day of visit from the forest office. Usually the person who arranges the vehicle will arrange the permit. Moreover, in peak season, a limited number of vehicles are allowed in per day.

Chettiar Park- a bautiful park with many coloured flowers and greenery. An area of reclining back at peace with nature. It is a pretty place for clicking pictures; and also has swings for kids.

Coakers Walk- If you wish to catch the scenic valleys, the best time to visit the place would be before 2PM. But if you want to watch snow-like clouds (only in winter) beneath you form an ocean, reach the place between 3PM and 6PM. Try and catch the sunrise here or in the nearby Greenlands Hostel. A marvel. Also try out the telescope near the main gate. This place is very near the bus stand.

Bryant Park - A must see. Its main entrance is on the road surrounding the lake and is a 10-minute walk from the entrance to the boat club. Nicely maintained and a huge park. Their flower shows during summer are very famous.

Kodai Lake- If you are going in winter, go boating in the evening, as it's an amazing experience to boat through fog settling on the lake. The lake is very near the bus stand. This is a star shaped lake and walking around it during the night is one of the best walking experience you can have in your life. Be cautious that there is lot of dogs around this lake and some places are extremely dark. Walk between 6 and 7 pm, and then head back to your room.

Kurinjiandavar Temple - about 4 km from the lake is a temple whose presiding God is Lord Muruga. The flowers inside the temple bloom once in 12 years. One can get a view of the Palani Hills and the Kodaikanal Town from this temple. During the winter, the view of Kodai city and Palani from the two ends of the temple is blocked. However, in summer, the visibility is good and hence the experience, too.

Flowers of the Kurinji plant that bloom once every twelve years

Green Valley View/Suicide Point- has a more than 5000 ft steep drop from this point. The monkeys are a good attraction at this point. Renamed Green Valley View, apparently to prevent people from being lured to commit suicide. * Pillar Rocks - huge steep cliffs. Watch out for the cross at the top of the mountain hoisted by an English adventure enthusiast.

Silent Valley View

Devil's Kitchen - a cave known more to the locals, first being "Green Valley View" and "Pillar Rocks" and then finally "Guna Cave". Watch out for the deep hidden ravines. What would appear like mere dark gutters are actually a deep fall. Many unsuspecting people have fallen prey to the "devil's trap". So, watch your step!

Guna Caves - a cave which became very famous after the movie GUNA. Very steep and risky to get in. The public may not be allowed to enter this cave nowadays, though it's a very good place to take pics. But if you are not a professional spelunker, a trip to this cave may be your last. Getting back will be problem as it's very dark and there could be about a 90% chance of suffering a free fall.

Pine Forest -It's on the way to the guna cave. A great view of long, pine trees. You can go a little deep into the forest and be surrounded with numerous pine trees one after the other. Opportunities for some interesting photo shoots available! You can also buy fresh carrots and plum and local fruits from there.

Shanthi Valley - another pine forest nice place.

Silver Cascade - it's a nice waterfall on the road side from kodai road to kodai kanal, just before 4-5 kms from kodai kanal. The cold water flows and it's really super to bathe in the cold water and travel in between the eucalyptus trees. If you are going to kodai kanal by private vehicle on the way, you can visit the place. Buy fresh carrots and some exotic veggies around here.

Old Suicide Point This place is about 5 minutes before the pine forest (the main/old pine forest I mean. In recent days tourists get down to see the pine forest in many places as an entire stretch is full of pine trees) while driving from the observatory side. You need to get down and walk towards the cliff. Here you will see a small pathway on the left side. If you take this path and walk for about 10 minutes you will reach the old suicide point. The view from there is simply breathtaking.

Bear Shola falls This is a really beautiful waterfall. But during some seasons there may not be any water there. But climbing up the falls is a good trek.

Wax Museum Recently opened wax museum is situated near Green Valley View/Suicide Point.

Yelagiri and Yercaud

Yelagiri

 

The hill station of Yelagiri in Tamil Nadu is a cluster of 14 hamlets or villages spread across 29 square kilometres, 3,460 feet above sea level. The drive to the picturesque idyll winds through 14 hairpin bends that open up to spectacular mountain landscapes; after every twist and turn, the city seems to fade away a little more.

The first thing that hits you on arrival in Yelagiri is the lack of noise. The beautiful rustic surroundings are extraordinarily quiet and when someone rings a temple bell somewhere on the hill, you can hear it as clearly as if you were right there. The smells of mango and jackfruit plantations are diluted by the subtle fragrances of fresh foliage. You suddenly realize how close you are to nature.

The most popular landmark of Yelagiri is the centrally-located Lake Punganoor. Pedal and manned rowing boats offer a chance to watch the beauty of the surrounding hills during a leisurely curise.

The hills of Yelagiri are also very popular among adventure enthusiasts in Tamil Nadu for trekking. Swamimalai, the highest peak in the Yelagiri hills at 4338 feet, is a breathtakingly beautiful 1-hour trek from Yelagiri. Paragliding is another sport that's drawing visitors. The hill station was recently chosen the second best natural spot in India for the sport, next only to Panchgani in Maharashtra.

Yercaud

 

But apart from all of this, it is the morning walks, the evening strolls, and guided jungle sojourns at night that epitomise the true charm of Yelagiri. As you gradually slow down to match the pace of the surroundings, a sense of wellbeing settles over you.

The resort town of Yercaud is a lake surrounded by a forest. Located at the centre of the town, the beautiful Yercaud Lake shimmers in the midst of forests of teak, sandalwood and silver oak; expansive plantations of coffee, cardamom and black pepper; and orchards of oranges, guava, and jackfruit. Meandering boats stir the lake to life and the aroma of hot chilli bhajjis (giant green chillies fried in gram flour) and steaming masala (spiced) tea cuts through the cool air.

Situated 4,700 feet above sea level in the Servarayan Hills of Tamil Nadu, Yercaud is a quiet hill station with largely undisturbed natural beauty. There are no malls or entertainment arcades. Shopping involves fresh horticultural produce and most of the activity is centred on nature via trekking, camping, boating and dirt biking.

Yercaud is famous for its coffee plantations and orange groves. However, one stumbles upon a thrilling diversity of flora and fauna during trips around town. The orchidarium run by the Botanical Survey of India nurtures 35,000 sets of orchids, including 249 rare and endangered species. There is also a rose garden with delightful varieties of the flower. At the silk farm, you can see the fascinating process of silkworms being fed on mulberry leaves and their cocoons turned into silk threads.

You get a mesmerizing view as night falls and the city of Salem lights up at the foot of the hills. For a moment, it looks like there’s a glittering sheet of stars both above and below.

Velankanni

Velankanni is a small holy town located in Nagapattinam. Located 12 km to the south, this town sits on the Coromandel Coast in Tamil Nadu. The most significant place at Velankanni is the Shrine of Virgin Mary which is dedicated to the Madonna of Velankanni often called Our Lady of Health.

Velankanni is a Parish or a Panchayat Town in the district of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu. This small town shares its borders with Bay of Bengal and is easily reached from Chennai. This is situated to the south of Chennai at the distance of 350 km. 

History of Velankanni

Velankanni has a long history that dates back to 1560, when Virgin Mary is said to have visited this place. According to the tale, Mary asked for milk from the shepherd in order to quench thirst of the baby, the baby she had was known to be Lord Jesus. This site was then marked with the construction of a thatched chapel.

Virgin Mary reappeared in the 16th century and this incidence further lead to the construction of the church, which is ever increasing in popularity and is emerging as a strong religious centre among people of all faiths and religions.

Things to do in Velankanni

The shrine here is commonly known as the Sacred Arogya Matha Church. The Virgin Mary is alleged to possess magical healing powers which attract many pilgrims from different religion coming here to what is called the Lourdes of East.

The church has been constructed intricately and displays an exquisite facade with many large spires and wings that are created in the appearance of a cross. In the alter, nestles the statue enshrined as Our Lady of Health.

This was once a trading port for the Romans and Greeks, but eventually lost its significance to Nagapattinam. Vellayar, a small protruding of Cauvery River runs to the south of this town. Velankanni holiday packages can be opted for by travellers to know a lot more about this historical town. 

Shopping in Velankanni

At Velankanni handlooms and silks are produced in the villages and are also found in surplus in the villages. Attractive hand made products can be shopped from here.

Travelling to Velankanni

The nearest airport to Velankanni is in Tiruchirappali which is at a distance of around 165 km. Velankanni is well connected to Chennai airport with major airline plying regularly. Taxi services are also available from Tiruchirappalli to Velankanni.

Velankanni has its nearest railhead at Nagapattinam, which is just 12 km at distance from the holy city of Velankanni. Nagapattinam is well connected to all major south Indian cities through Chennai and Tiruchirapalli.  

Velankanni is well accessible by bus from all the major cities and towns in Tamil Nadu and also to cities in neighbouring states such as Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Regular buses ply from Madurai, Kanyakumari, Chennai, Trichy, Pondicherry, Trivandrum and Thanjavur to reach Velankanni.  

Accommodation

There are a range of hotel options in Velankanni for tourists to choose from. These range from resorts, budget hotels and lodges as well as a few bed & breakfast places. 

Nagoore Dargah

 

                               The Nagore Dargah of Meeran Sahib Abdul Qadir Shahul Hamid Badshah is a spiritual shrine in South India. The Dargah is located in a small town, Nagore, in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu, on the coast of the Bay of Bengal.

The Nagore Dargah shrines are situated at three locations, Nagore, Vanjur and Silladi. The main campus is at Nagore, spread over an area of about five acres, which is enclosed by compound wall, with four impressive entrances, one each on the north, south, east and west. In front of the western gate, just outside the compound, is a large tower, 131 feet tall, called ‘Periya Minara’. Nagore Dargah literature discloses that Tanjur King Pratap Singh built ‘Periya Minara’ around 1760 AD, about 200 years after the death of Meeran Sahib. He is said to have built it in appreciation of having received the grace of Meeran Sahib.

Inside the compound of the main campus, the golden dome building houses three tombs in three separate chambers. The doors of these chambers are made of silver. In the tombs lay buried the mortal remains of Meeran Sahib, his son Syed Mohammed Yusuf and his daughter-in-law Saeeda Sultana Biwi. Aside the tomb of Meeran Sahib is placed a golden box. The contents of the golden box unexpectedly are a pair of wooden slippers, believed to have been used by Meeran Sahib. On enquiry an astounding story was revealed. Once a carpenter suffering from disease approached Meeran Sahib requesting him to cure him which Meeran Sahib reportedly did by the grace of Allah. The gratified carpenter made from the finest wood a pair of soles for slippers.

Adjacent to the golden dome building is the ‘Peer Mandap’ where the ‘Peer of the Dargah’ stays fasting for three days during festive season of the Dargah. Further away is a mosque where prayers are held regularly. Friday congregations in this Mosque are massive. About two kilometres away due north from the main campus is the Vanjur Shrine where Meeran Sahib reportedly stayed in meditation for 40 days inside an underground cave. About a kilometre east of the main campus is located the Silladi Shrine, overlooking the Bay of Bengal.

Every year, during the lunar month of Jumada al-Thani, the Nagore Dargah Shrines celebrate a festive season known as ‘Kandhuri Urs’. Pilgrims, including non-Muslims, from far and wide come for ‘ziyarat’. It is obnoxiously painful to note that the votaries worship him, instead of respecting and revering him. Kandhuri Urs marks the death anniversary of Meeran Sahib. The urs commences on the first of Jumada-al-Akhira’ when pilgrims assemble at Meera Pally (17th century mosque) in Nagapattinam. They proceed towards Nagore in procession with a Rath that carries flags of the Dargah. On reaching Nagore Dargah Complex, the flags are hoisted marking the inauguration of Kandhuri Urs. Votaries of Meeran Sahib start performing their troth (pledged word). On the tenth day a grand procession again starts at Nagapattinam; this time from ‘Koottadi’, an open ground solely retained for this festivity. The procession carries Koodu, a pot containing Sandalwood paste. The procession ends at the tomb of Meeran Sahib and the sandal paste is spread over his tomb. On the fourteenth day the flags are quietly pulled down marking the end of the festive season.

In the history of Nagore Dargah shrines, one name that shines forth is that of SV Syed Mohammed Hussein Alim Sahib Washathari (1909 -1982). He claimed that he was the fifteenth generation descendent of Meeran Sahib. Pilgrims visiting the shrines regarded him as a great Peer. He organized the activities of administration and maintenance of the shrines under a registered ‘Dargah Trust’. Presently his son, V.M.Shahul Hamid Sahib Washathari, is the Khalifa -al-Qadari and his two son-in-laws are trustees. Alim Sahib Washathari has played a significant role in propagating the tales of Karamat (miraculous deeds) of Nagore Meeran Sahib. He published a Tamil book The Ocean of Mercy in 1963. The book was written by AR Syed Haja Mohideen alias Ravinder, who works as a dialogue-writer for the Madras film industry. The Ocean of Mercy has gone for seventeen reprints since.

The Dargah Trust calls its spokesman and official orator as Dargah Vidvan. Presently the Dargah Vidvan is VKM Ariff Navalar. He has written a preface, a masterpiece in eloquent Tamil, to the The Ocean of Mercy. Narrating the authenticity of the book, he claims that the biographical account of Meeran Sahib was originally found in the Tamil epic Kanjul - Karamat, which was written in 1898 by Gulam Qadir Navalar and published in 1902 by Syed Mohideen Sahib Maraikar - 340 years after the death of Meeran Sahib.

The Ocean of Mercy describes in good length the unwieldy Karamat that were supposed to have been performed by Meeran Sahib. Scattered over this lengthy revolting description could be found glimpses of biographical accounts of Meeran Sahib.

The book reiterates that Meeran Sahib was born at Manikapur near Ayodhyapuri in the decade 1490-1500 AD. His parents Syed Hassan Quddus and Saeeda Ali Fatima were descendants of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him). He became Hafiz-al-Qur'an at the age of five. He learnt Arabic and Persian. When he turned 18 years of age, he went into the Gwalior kingdom in order to become a student of Syed Mohammed Houdu Shathari, who was a Teacher and Social Reformer, known in the Gwalior Kingdom to have worked for reforming the prisoners. He stayed for ten years with this teacher and worked to civilize the criminals. On the demise of his teacher he continued his work. As part of this social reformation, he took his students to Ajmer in order to visit the tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. Later he undertook a journey with his students to Mecca and Medina. He performed Hajj.

On his way back to India, he, with his students boarded a ship, travelled across the Arabian Sea and reached the shores of Kerala. He landed at Ponnali Harbour of Malabar area. He started Islamic Tabligh and kept moving east across the peninsula until he reached Kayalpattinam of Thanjavur Kingdom (presently in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu). The King of Thanjavur, Achuthappa Nayakar, heard about the works of Meeran Sahib and was much impressed. He was suffering from an incurable disease. From Meeran Sahib he sought the cure. Meeran Sahib cured him from his illness. The gratified king donated, among other endowments, five acres of land at Nagore (where the present Dargah Shrines are located) to Meeran Sahib and requested him to stay in his kingdom. The book The Ocean of Mercy informs us that Meeran Sahib did not marry. It is surprising particularly because the tombs of his son and daughter-in-law are found at the Dargah Shrines. The book claims that it is by an act of ‘Karamat’ that Meeran Sahib begot a son

It appears that Meeran Sahib is one among the many holy men who have been maligned by their descendants and followers. His followers have concocted denigrating stories about him in order to keep themselves in the Dargah business. There is no doubt that it is by the hard work of people like Meeran Sahib and Syed Sultan Ibrahim of Erwadi that Islam spread in the remote corners of the Indian Peninsula. Meeran Sahib undoubtedly came into this country for Tabligh. He learnt the unfamiliar ‘Tamil’ language in order to propagate the Word of God. And his works have today borne fruit. An estimated ten million Tamils today profess the faith of Islam. This by all standards is the irrefutable ‘Karamat’ that Meeran Sahib has performed. The Tamil Muslims should appreciate this Karamat; instead of vainly and wickedly implicating this holy man in the ‘Ocean of Mercy’.

Tamil Nadu is a fair playfield for Tabligh work. It has remained so throughout the past century, mainly because Tamil Hindus do not suffer from ‘Islamophobia’, a term recently coined to denote ‘hatred for Islam’. The reason for the prevalent favourable conditions for Tabligh in Tamil Nadu is that the Tamil Muslims, during the early part of the last century, did not involve themselves in the pre-Partition politics of the Muslim League, and thus refrained from creating ‘Islamophobia’ in Tamil Nadu. One other reason is that the Tamil Muslims, unlike the North Indian Muslims, were not rulers of their country in the past. They do not suffer from resentment for having lost their ‘ruler’ status.

Even the half-heartedly Tabligh work carried out recently by Tamil Muslims in Madurai District has helped hundreds of people to accept Islam at South Kilappatti village. It must be admitted that Tamil Nadu is not free from anti-Muslim activities. A closer look at these activities would reveal that the anti-Muslim activities are aimed to provoke militancy among Tamil Muslims. It is at such testing times that the Tamil Muslims should stand up tall, should be willing to make sacrifices and practice the acumen (Hikma) preached by the Prophet of Islam (PBUH). There is however hope for the better as the recently formed Tamil Muslim Munnetra Kazhakam (TMMK) is determined to strive for the upliftment of Tamil Muslims. The TMMK must not restrict itself merely for securing material benefit to Tamil Muslims, but it must contemplate to secure the favourable conditions for Tabligh in Tamil Nadu through its publication Unarvu. Tamil Muslims must work for peace for which stands Islam.