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Photo: Soma Basu

Step by step Scaling the Maruttuvalamalai

And then you spot this triple-peak mountain while on the Nagercoil-Kanyakumari road. It appears like a huge granite boulder from a distance. I swerve to the left from the highway to this 10-feet wide tar road and move closer to the rock. It seems like a giant with hands spread sideways staring down at me against a cobalt blue sky.

A rusted board of the Forest Department announces Maruttuvalamalai and requests all visitors and locals to respect the flora of the place. For, this is a special mountain of medicinal plants and herbs.

Legend has it that Maruttuvalamalai is a piece of the Sanjivini pahad that dropped off Hanuman’s hand when he flew over this place in order to reach the life-saving medicine for the wounded Lakshmana in Lanka. However, not much greenery remains now. The locals have denuded this mountain for herbal medicines and oils.

The cab driver sounds angry and does a slow parikrama of the mountain for me to view it from all sides. With crevices, corners and grooves in plenty, the mountain appears to be a perfect haunt for rock climbers.

I can sense my adrenalin rush. The first few steps are easy as the track appears to be traversed often. There are three temples along the way. Not surprisingly, one is of Hanuman. For those without any training or climbing experience, it can be gruelling.

What keeps me going is the slowly emerging beautiful landscape that surrounds the mountain and the cool breeze. But most importantly, it is the sense of achievement that eggs me on.

It is dangerous to look down as you feel you are literally ‘on the edge’. The first peak is about 500 metres away from ground level and even has small areas of flattened surface and green beds where one can sit and take a break. The path I follow does not take me to the mountain-cave monasteries. Instead I make it to the top of the first peak, the shortest of three in time less than I had guesstimated.

Giddy with excitement of having conquered it, I take a 180-degree view of the two neighbouring states, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The spread of land is awesome. There is only green as far as the eyes go.

The view of Cape Comorin from what could perhaps be the highest point on Nagercoil-Kanyakumari Road is panoramic. The distant sight of the confluence of three seas will remain etched forever. The peak in the centre looks pointed and I lack the confidence of conquering it unaided. As the sky darkens and clouds gather, I give up my last of bit adventure.

Nevertheless, head to the peak and a rock-climbing experience is guaranteed.

How to get there: The place is 4 km from Nagercoil and 11 km from Kanyakumari on the highway that connects both the towns.

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