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
