Madurai trip part 3 -- the sacred Chathuragiri hills

As we continued our journey after Azhagar Kovil, we were going through well laid state or national highway via T Kallupatti to Chathuragiri.

Asking directions here and there, going through the narrow roads with full of bushy trees and greenery we reached the base of the Chathuragiri hills called Thaaniparai.

The forest department has put well read messages, tents and temporary shops have grown around to fulfill the hunger and thirst needs of the pilgrims who will trek the hills.

The above picture captures the distant view of the hills as we go through the narrow road leading to Thaaniparai.

The first spot in the base of the holy hill is the Vana Durga temple and Karupanasami temple who powerfully guards the holy hills and its resources.

Madurai trip part 2 -- The friendly cab driver

Before I continue with my Chathuragiri moments, I need to mention the hospitality and general cordiality of the village people in and around Madurai.

My taxi driver Ganeshan was in his late 20s and showed all interest , enthusiasm in taking me to different temples. It is very difficult to find someone like him in the noisy busy cities like Bangalore. He expressed patience, tolerance and took great care of my every need.  Without the sense of I and mine he was all along happy to see his customers happy.   Anbe sivam.

He was particular that I visit Madurai Pandi Muneeshwaran which is a very famous for villagers and of course goat sacrifice. I will reserve an article for this temple visit.

All through my Chathuragiri expedition, Ganesan was ever fresh, vocal, and communicated with different passers-by  at different instances to finally locate the Thaaniparai , the base of the hill.

He works for Fast Track and his contact number is: +918015512221.

Cab driver Ganesan

He had high difficult time to decode the intermediate place enroute Chathuraigiri which I pronounced Watrap. It looked like an American city and he was so confused until he finally found it out to be vaathuraaphu in tamil. He had a hearty laugh and I was all along feeling stupid of my pronunciation. But to my console I saw a name board which spelt the same in English viz. Watrap.