Friday, March 22, 2019

Rangaswamy Peak & Pillar, Kotagiri, Nilgiris

Rangaswamy Peak & Pillar, Kotagiri, Nilgiris
Rangaswamy Peak & Pillar is situated near Kotagiri near Ooty Hill Station in Kotagiri Taluk in Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu. Rangaswamy Peak & Pillar is one of the famous tourist spot in Kotagiri Area.



Rangaswamy Peak
Rangaswamy Peak is sacred to the Irula, Badaga and the Kurumba tribes of the Nilgiris. The height of Rangaswamy Peak is above 5,885 ft (1,794 m) and it is visible from Kodanad View Point. Rangaswamy Peak has a temple dedicated to Lord Rangaswamy, a form of Vishnu, located at the top of the Peak. There are two shrines in this Temple; One for Lord Rangaswamy and the other for his consort.




According to Hindu legends, Lord Rangaswamy used to live at Karamadai (Coimbatore District) on the plains but quarreled with his wife and came to live alone here. Two-foot prints on the rock not far at Arakadu village below the peak are believed to be evidences for this. The devotees come here mainly during the summer months, so if you want to trek alone and avoid intense heat, avoid May.




Rangaswamy Pillar
Rangaswamy Pillar is found on the north west side of Rangaswamy Peak. The height of the pillar is about 400 feet. Rangaswamy Pillar is not yet climbed due to its sacredness.



Connectivity
Rangaswamy Peak & Pillar is located at about 20 Kms from Kotagiri Bus Stand, 21 Kms from Kotagiri, 37 Kms from Coonoor, 41 Kms from Coonoor Railway Station, 50 Kms from Ooty Bus Stand, 50 Kms from Ooty Railway Station, 51 Kms from Ooty, 50 Kms from Mettupalayam Railway Station, 84 Kms from Coimbatore and 91 Kms from Coimbatore Airport. One has to take the road from Kotagiri which goes to Kodanad View Point and take a detour halfway. You can find steps for most of way up to the temple at the top of peak and for a small portion of the trek you have to go through tea estates.
Location