Nainamalai Varadaraja Perumal Temple

Isn't wonderful? The golden light falling on top of the temple.... 

Naina Malai Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Distance	From Namakkal: 10 Kms From Salem: 53 Kms From Bangalore: 249 Kms From Trichy: 103 Kms (Click this Google map route link for details)
Time Needed	2 to 3 hours to climb up and 1.5 hours to come down. Moderate trekking needed. Go in early morning on Saturdays
Places to see	Lord Anjaneya Temple at base Mandapam on top Kuvalayavalli Thayar Temple Varadaraja Perumal Temple (Main) Views of Kolli hills from top
Local Guides	No, villagers will be able to help with any detail
Speciality	2600 feet high, Built during Pallava time, Ancient temple. Between the Tamil months Aani 1st till end of Adi, sun rays fall directly onto the Lord. Also during the tamil month of Puratasi (Mid-Sep to Mid-Oct) there are huge number i.e. in Lakhs of devotees visit this temple on Saturdays.
Stay options	Trichy or Namakkal
Food	Trichy or Namakkal
Best time to visit	Avoid April and May when it is very hot, September to January is ideal, Saturdays are the best.
Nearby Places / Blogs	Thalamalai Sanjeevaraya Peruamal Temple - http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.com/2017/10/thalamalai-sanjeevaraya-perumal-temple.html Trichy or Trichirappallli and Nearby Places - http://myjourneysinindia.blogspot.com/2016/06/trichy-or-tiruchirappalli-and-nearby.html

It was one fine Saturday in Mid-May when I and my son reached Nainamalai at around 8:30AM in morning. Though it was late to climb up considering the hot weather, we worshipped Lord Anjaneya at base who gave us strength to climb up. Very few were with us when we started, but we saw many old people and young kids came along and passed by. They were all going so fast and looks like they are all so much used to climbing this. They were so casual while we were looking so tired. :-) They all seem to climb up in just 1.5 hours and we took 3 hours.

No one have clear details on when exactly this temple was built, but then they say this would have been built around Pallava time. The mandapam and prakaram was built around 1939. The belief is that this is very ancient. This is again at the height of 2600 feet and close to 4500 steps to reach the top. The sage Naina rishi did penance here. There are also three main water streams or Theertham in local language (sacred water stream).

I suggest you visit this temple only during Saturday morning time, so that the priest will be present and the temple will be open on top. Before starting check with local villagers if the priest will be present on top so that you wont be disappointed if temple is closed. There are lots of varieties of Butterflies around and birds as well.

During the Tamil month of Puratassi (Mid-September to Mid-October) there will be Lakhs of devotees visit this temple and there will be a huge crowd i.e. particularly on Saturdays which are special.

This hill and the temple on top can be seen from long distance. Very beautiful. Sthala virutcham of this temple is Nelli Tree (Indian Gooseberry or Amla).

You could see a small temple for Kuvalayavalli Thayar and the other main temple for Varadaraja Perumal, both on top. Along with Varadaraja perumal, Sreedevi, Poodevi are seen.

There is another big hill named "Thalamalai" which is also very famous and there is Sanjeevaraya Perumal temple on top. Scroll to bottom for the blog link.

Moving onto the photos

View of the Temple almost from the top, still few more steps to go

View of the main Temple and its Tower

Closeup view of the Tower and sculptures

Closeup view of Kuvalayavalli Thayar Temple

Another view of Kuvalayavalli Thayar temple

Closeup view of the main Temple tower, do you Lord Krishna?

Amazing view from the top

Yes, that is Kollimalai or Kolli hills

View of the steps, almost we reached 3/4th of the distance.... few more steps to go

View of the Temple on top and the Mandapam on left side

View of the main temple

Another view of steps

Hope you liked the photos and details. Share with your friends and spread the word about this divine place. 

Other nearby places and Blogs

1. Thalamalai Sanjeevaraya Perumal Temple

2. Trichy and Nearby Places