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METROWORKOUT

The ‘Rock Fort’, perfect steps to fitness

Photo: R. Ashok

Fun and religion Both for fitness

My hectic life style often takes a toll on me and there are moments when I realize I don’t even have the time to stand and stare even at small fleeting pleasures.

So, this week, I determinedly decide to combine some fun and work. So where to go? What comes to my mind first and foremost is Trichirapalli’s very own – the famous “Rock Fort”, arguably the best attention grabber.

That the mammoth rock cave is 83 meters high and nearly 3 billion years older than the Himalayas is a fact that can drive you instantly. The Rockfort also comprises three temples – Manicka Vinayagar (Ganesh) temple at the base of the rock, the Thayumanaswamy (Shiva) temple is carved in the middle of the rock cave and the Uchipillaiyar (Ganesh) temple nestled atop the rock.

On a sweltering evening, I reach the Mainguard Gate where the temple is situated. The only thing I carried was a bottle of water for ascending the 400-odd steps barefoot.

Convinced I was about this climb-up will resuscitating my fitness levels. I recently read in an article that “climbing steps may be the fastest and most convenient way to get an excellent aerobic workout, irrespective of your fitness level. Stepping up on a stair is great work for the leg muscles and butt muscles. It’s more work than running because each step requires the lifting up of the entire body’s weight through the height of the stair, using just one leg. You get even more of a workout going downstairs which involves negative contraction of the quadriceps, intensifying the workout considerably.”

The first set of 35 steps to the ticket counter was easy. A two rupee ticket gains me entry into the monument and I set myself on the self-imposed expedition. The next batch of 168 steps left me totally exhausted but I did not give up counting.

The only face-saving thing around was there were lot many more like me, huffing and puffing. And yes, nobody was willing to give up.

As I move up slowly, I catch a sneak peek of the city through the windows inside the cave. The breeze through the windows begins to get increasingly refreshing.

But the next set of 70-odd steps was steep and tough to climb. I played the tortoise to reach to the top and what a visual feast it turned out to be!

The panoramic view of the city – the Cauvery, Srirangam temple, paddy fields and acres of green orchards, the bustling city and busy bazaars. I take a break under a peepul tree before the final assault.

The final bunch of 140-odd steps lead to the Uchipillaiyar temple. And it is undoubtedly arduous. Clutching to the side-railing and gulping water intermittently, I manage.

The exercise of going up the stairs takes an hour’s time. And as always climbing down is far more easy. Of course, I did bow with respect at all the three temples at different levels.

The trip is surely worth it, both physically and mentally. But I am not sure whether I would give this combination of spiritualism and fitness another try.

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