Coimbatore, Tamilnadu

On 27th August we checked out Hidden Heaven resort, Coonoor and started for Coimbatore at 11.30 AM and reached at 3.30 PM. On the next day we want to visit Aadiyogi, Isha Yoga Center but due to pandemic it is closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So we continued our stay in Coimbatore and today on 30th August 2021, at 9 in the morning we went to visit Aadiyogi which was 31 km away from our lodge.  We reached by 10.30 AM at Aadiyogi. As it is 4th Monday of the holy month Shravan  + Krishna Janmashtami there were huge crowd. There is no entry fee and car parking is only  Rs. 30/-. As we entered the gate of Isha Yoga Center a huge statue of Lord Shiva is seen.  As soon as I stepped out of car and walk towards the Statue I experienced like  a holy feeling entered inside me.  No words to express the experience.  But it is definitely a must visit place in Coimbatore. It is a statue of Lord Shiva as Adiyogi. The very first glance  of the statue, you just forget everything. The place is surrounded by hills and as now it is rainy season, all hills are covered by greenery.  On the way to statue there are stalls of snacks, cold drinks, holy books etc.  The 'Saadhak room' is a place where we feel very calm and peaceful. You can take a bullock cart ride to go inside the Ashram.
Adiyogi statue is 112 ft tall and 147 ft long steel statue and it is recorded in Guinness Book of World records, as the Largest Bust Sculpture in the world, it weighs around 500 tonnes.  Photography is not allowed inside the Dhyanlinga premises. It is definitely a beautiful and blissful place.  I wish I could get a chance to visit again.
After spending 3-4 hours at Adiyogi we went to Marudhamalai temple. It is 27Km away from Adiyogi. It is 1 hour journey by car.
Marudhamalai temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and it is built in 12th century.  The temple is atop a 600 ft tall granite hill in Coimbatore.  Malai means hill or mountain. This Murugan temple is special as it is in East face on the hill compare to other Murugan temples on the hill. Murugan is in standing position.
At Marudhamalai temple there is ample space for car parking. Car entry is Rs.30/- . There is no entry fee per person. You can get best view of the city Coimbatore from this temple. Steps way is very nice. There is steps way or roadway to reach the temple. Even buses are there for those who prefers. If we go by car, we have to climb some 50-60 steps. Temple is open from 5.30 AM to 8 PM and remains closed between 1-2 PM.  A very devotional, peaceful and must visit place if you visit Coimbatore.
As today also our halt is at Coimbatore we went a well-known restaurant named Shree Aanandhaas (veg naturally) for dinner. We tried dishes.. ghee roast dosa, masala idli, coconut Uthappa, cashew nut rava roast dosa and udid wada but coconut Uthappa and cashew nut rava roast dosa were super yummy.  If you are vegetarian and in Coimbatore, must try both dishes.
Tomorrow we are going to Kodaikanal.