Vellingiri hills open to pilgrims from February 1

The district administration and the Forest Department have made various arrangements as the Vellingiri hills will be open for pilgrimage for four months from February 1.

Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar on Thursday reviewed the arrangements in a meeting, which was attended by officials from Forest, Revenue, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Health, Fire and Rescue Services and other departments.

Mr. Giriyappanavar suggested implementing a mechanism to record the number of people trekking the hills and ensure that they return to the base at Poondi. He also instructed measures to curb littering of plastics and items along the trekking route.

District Forest Officer N. Jayaraj, who trekked the hills along with Chief Conservator of Forests D. Venkatesh a few days ago, said ambulance, medical camps and drinking water facility will be arranged for pilgrims. A total of 30 Forest Department staff will be deployed to facilitate them.

He said pilgrims will not be allowed to carry saplings of trees and plant them during the trekking as the practice could alter the natural ecosystem by the introduction of exotic plants and the ones not suitable for the forests.

The pilgrimage involves 6.5 km-long trekking from the Vellingiri Andavar temple at Poondi at the downhill to the summit at the seventh hill, where Lord Shiva is worshipped in Swayambhu (self-manifested form).

Boluvampatti Forest Range Officer K. Jayachandran said Forest Department camps will be set up between the third and fourth hills and on the sixth hill. Staff will also be present at the seventh hill.

He said pilgrims will be screened at the base before the trekking. People will not be allowed to carry inflammable items, cigarette, beedi, alcohol and contraband substances. They will be allowed to carry water bottles after paying ₹20, which will be refunded when the pilgrims produce the empty bottles after the trekking.