Well to start with this is my first Blog entry. I was thinking about jotting some articles as a Blog for long. Finally Decided to start experiencing the Blogging with this first Blog!!!
Trip to Vellore Fort
I have earlier visited Vellore 3 times in the past. 2 of those occasions were to visit the Sripuram temple with Family and the other one was an official trip.
We had no solid plans for this long weekend ( April 2,3 & 4 2010) as vacation time is nearing and we have already planned for the summer trip After April 15’th.
My wife Dheepa and our Kid Sanjeev ( 3+ yr) was really bored on this weekend and wanted to have a long drive and some small outing on Saturday (April 3’rd 2010).
So we decided to visit the Jalagandeswarar Temple in Vellore Fort and the Rathnagiri Bala Murugan temple. As this was not a well planned trip, we couldn’t get time to have enough preparations. Usually we used to prepare a lot like searching on Net and Gathering enough tips on the nearest visiting spots. For this trip, We had a quick look to note down the timings of the Jalagandeswarar Temple (which is located inside the Vellore Fort ) and the Rathnagiri Murugan Temple.
We started from our Home at Velachery at around 10:45 AM after taking our breakfast.
The Journey till Sriperumbudur on NH4 was crowded as expected. After the Tollgate the road conditions are extremely good and the traffic crowd is less favoring a real good ride on the car.
We had a small break after Kanchipuram to have Tender Coconut Water. After this 10 minute break, we have started again. Sanjeev was quite exciting and enjoying the trip, as he always like long drives in Car. Sanjeev has his own set of favorite songs to listen during such trips and my wife takes care about his playlist :).
We have reached Vellore around 1.30 PM and decided to have our lunch in Hotel Saravana Bhavan. This hotel is located very near to CMC and next to “Daily Thanthi” office. We had an excellent Lunch and we started to Vellore fort around 2:15 and in next 15 minutes we have reached Vellore Fort.
While the Fort is open from 10 Am to 5 PM, the temple is closed between 1PM to 3PM. As we have to wait for half-an-hour to visit temple, we have spent some time in the Museum inside the Fort. It’s a small museum with good collection of Statues and Idols dating back to 11 Century. All artifacts have a small note mentioning the details, place of excavation and the historic datings. This is very informational and helpful to realize the significance. Though some of the statues are bit damaged, we could realize the artistic excellence from the remnants. Its really a great feeling to know the level maturity and artistic skills which were present in those olden days.
Trip to Vellore Fort
I have earlier visited Vellore 3 times in the past. 2 of those occasions were to visit the Sripuram temple with Family and the other one was an official trip.
We had no solid plans for this long weekend ( April 2,3 & 4 2010) as vacation time is nearing and we have already planned for the summer trip After April 15’th.
My wife Dheepa and our Kid Sanjeev ( 3+ yr) was really bored on this weekend and wanted to have a long drive and some small outing on Saturday (April 3’rd 2010).
So we decided to visit the Jalagandeswarar Temple in Vellore Fort and the Rathnagiri Bala Murugan temple. As this was not a well planned trip, we couldn’t get time to have enough preparations. Usually we used to prepare a lot like searching on Net and Gathering enough tips on the nearest visiting spots. For this trip, We had a quick look to note down the timings of the Jalagandeswarar Temple (which is located inside the Vellore Fort ) and the Rathnagiri Murugan Temple.
We started from our Home at Velachery at around 10:45 AM after taking our breakfast.
The Journey till Sriperumbudur on NH4 was crowded as expected. After the Tollgate the road conditions are extremely good and the traffic crowd is less favoring a real good ride on the car.
We had a small break after Kanchipuram to have Tender Coconut Water. After this 10 minute break, we have started again. Sanjeev was quite exciting and enjoying the trip, as he always like long drives in Car. Sanjeev has his own set of favorite songs to listen during such trips and my wife takes care about his playlist :).
We have reached Vellore around 1.30 PM and decided to have our lunch in Hotel Saravana Bhavan. This hotel is located very near to CMC and next to “Daily Thanthi” office. We had an excellent Lunch and we started to Vellore fort around 2:15 and in next 15 minutes we have reached Vellore Fort.
While the Fort is open from 10 Am to 5 PM, the temple is closed between 1PM to 3PM. As we have to wait for half-an-hour to visit temple, we have spent some time in the Museum inside the Fort. It’s a small museum with good collection of Statues and Idols dating back to 11 Century. All artifacts have a small note mentioning the details, place of excavation and the historic datings. This is very informational and helpful to realize the significance. Though some of the statues are bit damaged, we could realize the artistic excellence from the remnants. Its really a great feeling to know the level maturity and artistic skills which were present in those olden days.
We had a 10 minute walk from Museum and reached the Jalagandeswarar Temple by 3:30 PM.
Historic details of this temple is very well available in Net. The temple is very rich in sculpture work. The small mandapam near to the temple entry is extremely rich In sculpture work.
We had a Good Dharsan of Lord Shiva, completing our first part of the trip.
Trip to Rathnagiri
We started from Vellore Fort around 4:15 PM and travelled back through the same route. Rathnagiri is located on your left side on the way back from vellore to Chennai and it can easily spotted on the NH4 , by the Majestic temple on the hill top. You couldn’t miss the Big Arch on the left side leading a smaller inner road to reach the Entrace of the Ratnagiri Temple.
The temple is open between 6 am to 1 pm & 4 pm. to 8 pm.
More details of this temple can be found at http://murugan.org/temples/ratnagir.htm
The temple on the hill top can be reached by Steps or also by small Road which was recently laid. We have decided to go by steps. It has round 150 steps with shady pathway arrangement. So you don’t have to worry about climbing the steps during a Sunny or rainy day.
Our son Sanjeev is quite excited and he wants to climb all the way on his own. So we had small breaks after every 25 steps. The view from the steps is quite panaromic and the environment is very pleasant with good breeze. We had very Good Dharsan of Lord Murugan in the temple. The temple has very Good colorful Artworks on the Mandapams. You can spend atleast 30 minutes on the hill top enjoying these artworks and the cool breeze.
We started from Rathnagiri at around 5:30 pm and reached Chennai by 8:30 PM. As a final touch we finished our Dinner on the way, completing our trip for the day.
I’m always excited in visiting Lord Murugan temples and this one was pending a very long time. I’m very happy that I was able to make it today. I want to visit the Vallimalai hill as well which is near wallajah.
I should plan for that soon…
More photos of this trip can be viewed @ http://picasaweb.google.co.in/vijaydheep/VelloreFort
