Trek/Climb to Gingee Fort & Parvathamalai Mountain and Trip to Sathanur Dam

*About Gingee Fort* =============== Gingee Fort also known as Chenji or Jinji or Senchi in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the few surviving forts in Tamil Nadu. It lies in Villupuram District,160 kilometres (99 mi) from Chennai. The fort is built as small by Chola king in 9th century, later it was modified by vijayanagara kings in 13th century.

Vekataramana Temple is the largest temple in Gingee, which was built by Muthiah Nayaka in 15th century. The Fort contain three hill, which are connected by a big wall enclosing area of 7sq.km. It was built by breath height of 800feet, and protected by 80 feet of wide mode. It has eight storeyed marriage hall(kalyana mandapam), granaries, prison, military gymnasium and a Hindu temple called Chenjiamman.

The wall of fort are mix by the natural hill terrain compromising the Krishnagiri, Chakkili drug and Rajagiri hills.

In the gaps are sealed with main wall it measures 20 metres in thickness. The marriage hall is very attraction because it was constructed by Hindu-Islamic style. It can be said about images that most of the buildings in the fort comples were developed by various kings at various period.

The lower fort contains gates, temple, mosque, chettikulam and chakrakulam tanks and large Hanuman stone image. The inner fort contains marriage hall, royal palace, gymnasium, aanaikulam tank and magazine.

Please refer the below link to see enchanting view of Gingee fort.. http://www.view360.in/virtualtour/gingee/ *About Parvathamalai Mountain* ========================= Parvathamalai(Parvadhamalai) is a hill located near Thenmathimangalam village, 20 kms from Polur in Tiruvannamalai district. It is also a part of Javvadhi hills, and accessible through Kadaladi village 25Kms north of Tiruvannamalai .

While Tiruvannamalai is well known as a popular pilgrimage destination, hardly a few had heard about Parvathamalai!!! There is a very powerful Lord Shiva temple at the top of the Parvathamalai hill.

Parvatham means mountain and Parvatha Malai as it is called is the Hill of Hills or Queen of Hills at the top of which resides the presiding deity Parvatha Rani or Parvathammal. She is the Sakthi aspect and the Siva aspect is Lord Malligarjun. Parvathammal is also called Lordess Brahmarambika (also called Maragathambika).

It is not known when exactly the temple was constructed at the top of the hill (about 4,000 ft. high and a difficult terrain with almost vertical rocky cliff called Kadapparai Malai. This is a place visited by numerous Siddhas for Shiva worship. *About Sathanur Dam* ================== Sathanur Dam is one of the Major Dam Constructed across Pennaiyar River. The dam can be reached by road 30 km from Thiruvannamalai Town. This Dam was constructed during the year 1958. Sathanur Dam is the oldest hero in Cinema Industry. All the films in midst of 1960-1980 was shouted here.

Beautiful parks were maintained here with lawns and parks. A mini zoo is maintained inside the park area to enjoy the Children. One swimming pool is maintained inside the dam to enjoy the tourist during the visit to dam. A large Crocodile farm and a fish grotta is maintained here to know the life of Crocodile and fish culture. Sathanur Dam is constructed across the Thenpennai River in Chengam Taluk among Chennakesava Hills. It has a capacity of 7321 million cubic feet (Full level 119 feet).

An area of 7183 hec. of Land is benefited by the left bank canal and 905 hec. of land is benefited by the right bank canal in Thandrampet and Thiruvannamalai Blocks. This is one of the best picnic place in our District. The Beautiful Garden with colorful statues are also available in it. This Garden is one of the Famous Cine Shooting Spot in South India. * Trip Summary* ============= Pick up participants from the pick up points as mentioned below. Have breakfast between 8.30 to 9 AM in Gingee in nearby hotels. Climb to Gingee Raja Fort and reach the top of the fort by 10.30AM and visit the place. Climb down and reach the parking area and have lunch. Climb up the Rani fort. and return back to parking area before 3PM. Start to Parvathamalai and reach the base before 5PM. Evening climb to Parvathamalai Night camp at top of the Parvathamalai Climb down from Parvathamalai on Sunday Morning Have breakfast on Sunday morning around 10AM nearby hotels at Base of parvathamalai. Trip to Sathanur Dam(In addition, if we have time then visit Tiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple & Vellore Golden Temple..This is optional) Return back to Chennai on Sunday Night before 8PM. *Terrain* ======= Hilly terrain and very steep climbs and rocks. Night may be very cold. *Team size* ========= A maximum headcount of 20 to 25 trekkers. *Pickup Points* =========== Koyambedu (Near Nathan's cafe) - 4.00 AM Guindy (Near Asarkana Bus Stop)- 4.30 AM Tambaram (Near Railway station)- 5.00 AM Perungalathur (Near Bus stop) - 5.10 AM Maraimalai Nagar/SingaperumalKovil (Near Bus stop) - 5.30 AM *Cost* ===== Cost for travelling + food + snacks / number of participants = Rs. 900/- (approx) *Selection criteria* ============== Preference will be given for people who have done moderate treks with CTC. Gingee fort and Parvathamalai both are very steep climbs and rocks...we will climb both places on same day and you have good fitness level!!!. However, organizers discretion shall be final. *What to carry* =========== Good walking shoes / comfortable rubber footwear. Small back-pack to carry water, food, camping gear Sleeping mat + either sleeping bag or blanket (nights will be cool at 750m) One extra set of clothes Sun cap and cream LED torch to get around at night Camera and some cash Must 3 liters of water *VERY IMPORTANT* ================ Carry a cap as we would be walking under the sun Have at least 3 litre of water, as there is no drinking water facility in hill. Theft is so common so don't be alone at any of the place, move only in groups. Monkeys are more in number and will always be ready to share your food. Steps to reach hill will be slippery, do not wear a smooth soled one Shoe or leather shoe. Please wear a comfortable Shoe/rubber footwear. LED torch to get around at night Use a small/compact backpack. Any big/heavy backpack will make difficult for yourself while climbing the hill. *CTC Trekking* ============ https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_o7QtZJaW3qMjUxZDNiMDctOTE4Zi00ZDkwLWE3NTItMWVjZjg2ODQ2Yjdj&hl=en_US *Member Guidelines* ================= https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B97Sb1o-r5OeMWJiYTc0NjQtYWI1NS00YjJkLWI4NjEtZDI0MTFhZWYwYmY4&hl=en_GB&authkey=CLn-0Z4L *Disclaimer* ========= https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xH3oJUPo07Sgb2d8ccYLgMfkKWGe0z-bVGA_PMxGLp8/edit *Organiser(s)* =========== Vadivel - vadiv...@gmail.com - 9500129227 Ela Murugan - myv...@sify.com - 9840705717

Trek/Climb to Gingee Fort & Parvathamalai Mountain and Trip to Sathanur Dam - July 28 & 29, 2012

Vadivel K

Trek/Climb to Gingee Fort & Parvathamalai Mountain and Trip to Sathanur Dam - July 28 & 29, 2012

Ela