Palani, Thirumoorthy waterfalls and Pollachi Trip: A Budget Backpackers Adventure

This travel blog chronicles the budget-friendly, two-day adventure of four friends - myself, Naresh, Praveen, and Chellappan - to Palani, Thirumoorthy waterfalls, and Pollachi. Fueled by wanderlust and a collective pocket money of ₹3,700 per person.

Myself and Praveen collected around Rs.650 from our colleagues for Palani Murugan.

Our journey began at 9:00 PM from the Koyambedu bus stand in Chennai. Opting for a regular passenger bus for its affordability, we settled into the last row. As the night wore on, Naresh took a berth in the bus. (between front seat and back seat).

After a pit stop at a tea shop near Vikravandi, where we sipped chai and grooved to old SPB melodies under the starlit sky. 

Day 1:

We reached Dindugal at 6:00 AM. From there, a private bus with an enthusiastic driver blasting Erukkanchedi oram (All bus driver's favorite song), a Tamil classic, whisked us to Palani in an hour.

We set out to find the cheapest accommodation possible. Naresh and Praveen scoured one area while Chellappan and I tackled another. Our efforts were rewarded with a basic but comfortable room, perfect for a quick refresh.

Refueled by a breakfast of poori, pongal, and vada, we were ready to tackle the 689 steps leading to the sannidhanam of Palani Murugan. Opting for the traditional climb instead of the rope car, we relished the challenge and the stunning views.

After an hour and a half, we reached the sannidhanam, only to be met with a long queue of devotees. Undeterred, we decided to splurge on the ₹100 darshan pass. As we stood in line, Someone asked how long it would take. The person said the famous dialogue from Theeran movie. "Thoo kilometer paiyaa".

We stood before Murugan, his divine presence filling us with a sense of peace and joy. Leaving the sannidhanam with blissful faces.

After seeing Murugan, this song rang in my mind. 

உள்ளம் உருகுதய்யா முருகா உன்னடி காண்கையிலே

அள்ளி அணைதிடவே எனக்குள் ஆசை பெருகுதப்பா முருகா!!

We made our way back to the bus stand, our stomachs grumbling in protest. Skipping lunch for budgetary reasons, we opted for a light snack of palmyra fruit, kutty samosas, and grapes. Neenga nenaikkalam itha sapdrathuku neenga lunch eh saptrukalam nu.. athe than naangalum feel pannom.

Back at the bus stand, our unplanned trip took an exciting turn. Naresh, our resident Google Maps guru, suggested visiting the Thirumoorthy waterfalls. We found a bus and reached it.

An unplanned detour led us to Thirumoorthy waterfalls, discovering it was Maha Sivaratri. 

Thirumoorthy has two temples, one at the main entrance and another perched above the waterfalls. The entrance temple resonated with the lively tunes of a local band, drawing us in with its vibrant energy. After a 3-kilometer trek, we reached the waterfalls, a breathtaking spectacle cascading down the rocks. The cool spray and serene atmosphere instantly captivated us. We frolicked in the water, taking photos and reveling in the beauty of nature.

Suddenly, Naresh, our resident gym enthusiast, started feeling unwell due to our skipped lunch. Worried, we searched for food but found nothing near the waterfalls. Thankfully, a kind grandfather offered him PuliSatham, restoring his energy. We then noticed a group heading towards the upper temple, which was restricted except for Maha Shivratri. Seizing the opportunity, we followed them and were awestruck by the sight of nine lingams bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. leaving us with a profound sense of peace and gratitude.

Day 2:

The second day of our budget backpacking trip dawned bright and early in Pollachi. With bellies full from breakfast and Praveen's itinerary in hand, we were ready to explore the hidden gems of this charming town.

Our first stop was the famed Masani Amman temple, where the sleeping goddess deity, 17 feet long with an Asuran at her feet, exuded a powerful aura. After seeking her blessings, we wandered through the streets, soaking in the laid-back vibe and savoring the unique Pollachi slang (Saptiya kannu, Ena pandra kannu).

A refreshing glass of nungu pathaneer, hit the spot perfectly, especially for Praveen who indulged in two!

Next, we stumbled upon a local tourist spot where playful pullaingo's diving in the clear waters, their antics bringing a smile to our faces.

A stop at Aliyar Dam allowed us a refreshing bath and a memorable selfie with foreigners.

By 4:00 PM, our stomachs were rumbling, and our auto driver led us to a non-veg restaurant. The duck curry might have been a bit rough (trust me, you won't miss much!), but the rabbit and mutton were local delicacies worth savoring. Remember, folks, don't judge a book by its cover when it comes to small hotels - sometimes, the tastiest treats lie hidden within!

With bellies full and hearts happy, we bid farewell to Pollachi and hopped on a bus to Coimbatore. Praveen, the hometown hero. The asusual Praveen's uruttu started. inga ipdi anga apdii...inga ithu anga athuu...etc. Praveen and Naresh even broke into an impromptu bus dance (video missing!). 

Finally, reaching Coimbatore railway station, we boarded our train back to Chennai thanks to Sivaranjani's tatkal tricks, arriving home at 6:00 AM with memories.

Transportation Details:

1. A lot of cheap and luxury buses are available from Kilambakkam, Chennai to Palani. Based on your budget, choose it.

2. Trains are also available from Egmore to Dindugal; after that, we took a bus from Dindugal to Palani.

3. Please take a car for rent and visit all places. The local buses are not frequent, so it's better to book a cab.


Magic's POV: Embracing the Joy of the Unplanned Journey!!

Thank you for your valuable time💙