Trip to Sholingar

I was enquiring about nice climbs in and around Chennai. My friend suggested
Sholingur hill temple. He said it is a 1000 step climb to a hill top temple.
So on a Saturday , I went to Koyamedu bus stand. I got on a bus to Tirutani. Interesting
thing about bus conductors plying these routes is that they speak Telugu as well. After3
hours , I arrived in Tirutani, I was half tempted to visit Tirutani hill temple. I resisted and
has a breakfast in Tirutani.

Then got a bus to Sholingur. It was a bumpy rise. But the countryside is pretty and
people friendly. Bus services as always plentiful.

You could start seeing the hill temple long before you arrive in Sholingur. It is a
adrenalin rush. Surrounded by plains the hill raises abruptly to a thousand feet.
I kept pestering the conductor which is the correct bus stop. You have to get down at
Sholingur bus stand. Then on an autorickshaw to temple.
At the foot of hill you have leave your footwear. But all the steps are shaded. So you
won't burn your feet.

A look at the temple, from steps:

Also remember to get a stick, the temple steps are infested with clever,thieving
monkeys. These follow you quietly and try to knock down whatever you carry in your
hands. Even something as humble as a water bottle. So a stick helps. Idea is not to
bash the monkeys but to scare them with a cricket batsman like swing.

So now the actual climbing. There are 1300 steps. Carry water. Though midway there's
a little shop selling beverages. First few hundred steps you will feel energetic, later on
you will start panting and tiring. The view is beautiful. Take frequent breaks. Last 200
hundred steps are slightly steeper. Be prepared.

View from the top of the hill:

At the top the temple itself, beautifully perched and well maintained. Take a look inside
the glowing temple. The temple staff clean the temple with water a lot , so it is a little
slippery inside. Remember to carry a camera, there are nice views.
Keep some change with you, the temple staff may ask for tips. The beggars definitely
will.
On the way down, I just ran down the steps. I was pestered by some beggars, since I
was running it was easy to escape them.
At the end collect your footwear and return the stick !
I got a bus back home and I was back home for dinner.

View from top: