Walking with Faith – Part 2 - Spiritual Journey: Kanipakam → Vellore → Kanchipuram → Thiruvannamalai

Day 2: 17th February 2025 – Kanipakam & Vellore

Morning: Kanipakam Temple

Our day began early, around 6:00 AM, as we reached Kanipakam Temple. After freshening up, we joined the queue for darshan. To our surprise, it took barely 10 minutes.

South Indian temples always leave me spellbound—their grand architecture and intricate sculptures remind us of the stories we learned in school and the tales our grandparents once narrated.

Journey to Vellore

After darshan, we headed to Vellore, arriving by 10:00 AM. We checked into Hotel JK Inn (a clean and comfortable stay I’d recommend!) and rested until the evening, recovering from two days of continuous travel.

Evening: Vellore Fort & Golden Temple

By 4:30 PM, we set out to explore. Our first stop was Vellore Fort. While the fort itself was modest, the Shivalayam Temple inside was magnificent and spiritually uplifting.

But the real highlight awaited us—the Golden Temple of Vellore. We reached by 5:30 PM and joined the long queue. The very first sight was heartwarming: a cute elephant with a bob hairstyle, as though it was welcoming us. Priests performed harathi and offered fruits, and that visual was simply unforgettable.

The Golden Temple has a star-shaped pathway leading devotees to the sanctum for darshan of Swamy and Goddess Lakshmi. On the way, I noticed devotees offering not just flowers or fruits, but also unusual items like ATM cards and bangles at the temple pond and fountain. After darshan, we relished prasadam, returned to our hotel, ordered dinner through Swiggy, and called it a day.

Day 3: 18th February 2025 – Kanchipuram & Thiruvannamalai

Morning: Kanchi Kamakshi & Ekambaranatha Temples

We left Vellore by TNSTC bus and reached Kanchipuram around 9:00 AM. An auto took us to the Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple—my second Shaktipeeth darshan, which felt truly divine.

Next, we visited the grand Ekambaranatha Temple, and it turned out to be Subramanya Shasti, an auspicious day. The pujari encouraged us to donate food, and we were delighted to offer prasadam to fellow devotees. We also visited the Golden Lizard Temple and did a bit of shopping before heading for lunch near the bus stop.

Afternoon: Journey to Thiruvannamalai

Post lunch, we boarded another TNSTC bus to Thiruvannamalai, where I managed to catch a quick nap. We reached Arunachalam by 4:30 PM and checked into Nivas Home Stay (highly recommend – the hosts were humble and welcoming). After a quick fresh-up, we prepared for the spiritual highlight of the day—Girivalam (circumambulation of Arunachala Hill).

Evening: Girivalam Around Arunachala Hill

By 6:00 PM, we began our Giripradakshina, a 14 km walk around the sacred hill. Along the way, we visited the serene Ramana Maharshi Ashramam, where I felt a deep sense of peace—like I could spend my entire life meditating there.

We also visited the 8 Lingams surrounding Arunachala Hill:

  1. Indira Lingam
  2. Agni Lingam
  3. Yama Lingam
  4. Surya Lingam
  5. Chandra Lingam
  6. Kubera Lingam
  7. Vayu Lingam
  8. Eshanya Lingam

We completed the circuit by 11:30 PM, utterly exhausted yet spiritually fulfilled. Back at our homestay, we applied balms and sprays to our tired legs before collapsing into sleep.

A Midnight Surprise

Just as I drifted off, the clock struck 12:00 AM—and my husband surprised me with a birthday wish 💖. Celebrating my birthday at Arunachalam, one of the Panchabhoota Lingams, was beyond special. It reminded me of my late father, who always celebrated our birthdays at Vemulawada. I felt his presence deeply and couldn’t hold back my emotions.

It was the most memorable birthday I could ever have asked for.

✨ Travel Notes & Recommendations

  • Stay: Hotel JK Inn (Vellore), Nivas Home Stay (Thiruvannamalai) – both highly recommended.

  • Travel: TNSTC buses are budget-friendly and reliable, but auto fares in Tamil Nadu can be slightly high for non-locals.

  • Must-Visit: Golden Temple (Vellore), Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple, Ekambaranatha Temple, and Giripradakshina at Thiruvannamalai.

  • Tip: Carry pain relief balms/sprays if you’re planning Girivalam—it’s long but worth every step!


The next blog continues with Tirichy unexpected journey and miracle -- Walking with faith part 3.........

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