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Kollimalai Temple, also known as Arapaleeswarar Temple, is a prominent Siva Kaashi temple situated in the Kolli Hills of Namakkal District in Tamil Nadu. The temple is one of the shrines of the Vaippu Sthalams, which are famous among Tamil Saivite Nayanars like Gnanasambandar and Appar. The temple structure is quite old, with beautiful carvings and sculptures of Siddhars lining the walls of the temple. Inside the temple premises, there is a beautiful and well-kept shrine for the main deities, Shiva and Parvati.
Quick Facts About Kollimalai Temple
Kollimalai Temple Address: Arappaleeswaran Temple Rd, Ariyurnada, Tamil Nadu 637411
Kollimalai Temple Timings: 6 AM to 1 PM; 4 PM to 8 PM
Entry Fee: None
How To Reach: By car, bus, and taxi
Nearest Airport: Tiruchirappalli International Airport, 130 km
Nearest Railway Station: Namakkal Railway Station, 50 km
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Location
Photo: P Jeganathan / Wikimedia Commons
Kollimalai Temple, situated on the picturesque hill at Kolli, is a sacred abode resonating with rich landscapes and misty mountains. It is in the Kolimalai taluk and Namakkal district of the Kongu Nadu region. The road to the temple is Arappaleeswaran temple road, connected to Semmedu-Kovilur road. The temple lies near the Aiyaru River, and the area is linked to the different waterfall viewpoints at the Kolli Hills.
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How To Reach
Photo: Gowtham Sampath / Wikimedia Commons
By Air: The nearest airport to the temple is Tiruchirappalli International Airport, 130 km from the temple. The road journey can be made from there by taxi or by bus to Namakkal and then by road.
By Railway: The nearest railway station is Namakkal Railway Station, 50 km away. Autorickshaws or private taxis can be hired from the station to reach the temple.
By Road: Bus and taxi services are frequently available from Namakkal town to the Kolli Hills district. Approach the temple through a scenic road winding up hills with hairpin curves to many places.
Places To Visit Around Kollimalai Temple
Once you have found the Kollimalai Temple, visit other local attractions to fulfil your journey.
1. Arupaleeswarar Waterfalls
Photo: JAYASHREESATHIYAMOORTHY / Wikimedia Commons
At a small distance from Kollimalai Temple, Arapaleeswarar Waterfalls is a rather beautiful natural place surrounded by dense greenery. The fall, indeed, pours into a pool below that is crystal clear, and the visitors love to immerse their feet or swim in the cool waters for rejuvenation. It’s not just beautiful, but, as believed by the locals, the waters have healing properties. This place attracts not just local people but also tourists looking for more unusual wellness experiences.
Timings: Open all day
Distance: 1 km from Kollimalai Temple
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2. Masila Falls
Photo: Chinchu.c / Wikimedia Commons
Masila Falls is relatively more intimate and peaceful among the waterfalls within the very beautiful Kolli Hills, which leaves you to isolate yourself from nature. Masila Falls finds itself surrounded by a peaceful natural ambience, perfect for those who want to unwind from hordes of people. The lesser-visited falls allow one to enjoy an atmosphere of peace, gurgling water sounds, and a mixture of the natural surroundings of the falls. It is an unmatched environment for quiet beauty, suitable for picnics, meditation, or simply an afternoon of reflection in a pristine setting.
Timings: Open all day
Distance: 7 km from Kollimalai Temple
3. Seekuparai Viewpoint
Photo: Dhiviyan R / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The viewpoint atop a hill, Seekuparai Viewpoint, offers one of the most panoramic views in all of Kolli Hills. It is a known viewpoint offering uninterrupted views, and this delights photography lovers as well as anyone who loves landscapes generally. Dawn or sunset, the view of the sun spreading its golden rays on the rolling hills and dense forests below is simply mesmerising. Not too far from the Kollimalai Temple, this can be added easily to your itinerary, and well-maintained pathways lead to the viewpoint. It is also an excellent location for local flora and fauna photography.
Timings: Open all day
Distance: 14 Km from Kollimalai Temple
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4. Ettukai Amman Temple
Photo: RAJUKHAN SR RAJESH / Wikimedia Commons
Dedicated to Goddess Ettukai Amman, the temple is small but culturally important in the eyes of tribal people in the Kolli Hills. The design of the temple is simple and humble, with a pure allure to it, and the area inside the hills is soothingly peaceful. The temple offers a different perspective on the regional traditions and beliefs, since daily rituals are done more often than not by locals visiting the temple. Devotees often throng this place in quest for blessings from the goddess, who is believed to save the local people from natural calamities and bestow prosperity.
Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM
Distance: 5 km from Kollimalai Temple
5. Kolli Hills Botanical Garden
Photo: P Jeganathan / Wikimedia Commons
The Botanical Garden at Kolli Hills is a treasure house of medicinal plants and herbs available in the locality. It offers an extremely fruitful educational visit to both the botany enthusiast and the practitioner of Ayurveda. The garden beautifully reflects the region’s natural wealth, with an immense variety of herbs that have long been used in traditional medicine. There is much for visitors to familiarise themselves with in terms of the health benefits of many of those plants. Beyond its educational value, the garden is also an excellent venue for simply strolling up well-laid pathways, past vibrant plant displays, and blooming flowers.
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM
Distance: 10 km from Kollimalai Temple
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Where To Stay
Photo: tshrinivasan / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Accommodation Kolli Hills offers a variety of accommodations to suit all budgets for a pleasant stay amidst the scenic landscapes. Proximity to Kollimalai Temple can also be achieved by resort offers like Silverline Retreat Hotel, which provides cosy rooms and basic facilities so that guests can stay close to the temple with surroundings of great tranquillity. Guest houses and homestays are also available in the nearby towns of Namakkal and Rasipuram if the budget is a problem; these are simpler but comfortable stays that will allow visitors to experience the warm hospitality of Tamil Nadu without breaking the bank.
Where To Eat
Photo: avlxyz / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Around the temple are numerous eating places where one can indulge in local fare, mostly vegetarian Tamil Nadu dishes. Most of the small roadside eateries nearby specialise in South Indian staples like idli dosa and Pongal, which are also mostly served along with fresh coconut chutney and spicy sambar. In other towns like Namakkal, one can get anything from the South Indian menu across restaurants, be it a simple rasam and vada or biryani. A snack counter near the temple sells ready bites and freshly brewed tea as quick pick-me-ups to rapidly refuel through your visit.
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Best Time To Visit
Photo: Matthew T Rader / Wikimedia Commons
The most favourable time to visit the Kollimalai Temple is from October to March, mainly due to the relatively mild and enjoyable climatic conditions. These months can make the Kolli Hills green and alive with refreshing climate conditions with moderate temperatures suitable for trekking, sightseeing, and visiting waterfalls. It experiences fewer rain showers during this period.
The Kollimalai temple attracts many devotees, especially during bigger festivals like Maha Shivaratri or Aadi Amavasai, adding to the spiritual ambience. A visit to the Kollimalai Temple is rewarding as it leaves a spiritual experience and an opportunity to explore the rich landscapes and peaceful surroundings of this unique region. So, plan your visit to the Kolli Hills with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Karthickbala / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
