The Velliangiri Mountains, a part of the Nilgiri Nilgiri mountains Biosphere, are situated at the western border of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. Known as the "Thenkailayam - Kailash of the South", these mountains are held and revered on par with spiritually most powerful place on the planet - Mount Kailash, the legendary abode of Shiva. On the top of the Velliangiri Mountains, Shiva is worshipped as Swayambu, one who is self-created and in this form, he graces the devotees. In the past, many Siddhas, Siddhar and Sages have practiced severe austerities Asceticism, Tapas and attained Self-realization on these mountains.

Besides, the Shiva Temple of Velliangiri, the presence of the Dhyanalinga is another reason why people throng to the Velliangiri Hills.

Story of Velliangiri

These mountains for many in this Hinduism Tamil culture Indian culture tradition, became sacred because a long time ago, there was a young maiden at the southern-most point of the Indian peninsular who aspired to hold Shiva's hand as a wife.

Her devotion and austerities crossed all levels of sanity and she remained absolutely focused upon him every moment.

This stirred Shiva's compassion and love. So he started making his journey to South India. She set up this deadline: "If I am not married to him by sunrise on this day, I am going to leave my body."

Shiva came to know of this and was hurrying down but he could not meet the deadline due to false setup was created by a few who does not like his marriage. He was close but since he felt the time crossed he sat there itself. So she left her body standing. Even today she stands there as Kanyakumari. There is a shrine on the very tip of this landmass which is known as Kanyakumari or the 'Maiden's Shrine.'

Shiva felt very disappointed with himself that he could not make it on time. He started walking back and needed a place to sit and work out his despondency. So he climbed up this mountain and at the peak of this mountain he sat. Wherever Shiva spent a little time, people call that place 'Kailash' due to the mountains imbibe his presence and reverbrate it eternally. So they called the Velliangiri Mountains the 'Kailash of the South'. The mountain peak is 6000 ft above the sea level, and its chillness, wind force, cloudy mist, and the steepness gives hard climbing for a devotee.