Kolli Hills bike ride - A VISIT TO CHRISTIAN mission fields

Kolli Hills

I started at 4.45 am from vellore in royal enfield classic 350. Two of my friends, Simon and Sharon started around 5 am from Bangalore in triumph Bonneville. We met near Krishnagiri at 7 am. Started riding towards Salem.

Had a pit stop for break fast at A2B on the highway to Rasipuram from Salem at 9 am.

Enjoyed leaning and conquering each hairpin bend. Back breaks were hitting the road whenever I tried applying breaks while cornering and leaning in hairpin bends.Reached kolli malai at 12.30pm.
stayed in rvr resorts room rent was 2700/- for 3. Nice stay but 10km away from semmedu which is the main town . Came back in evening for seeku paari view point. 2km from semmedu, the centre of kolli hills . the botanical garden was closed but it looked like more of a road side park. went for boating, which is more of a pond than lake. Tasted the local delecacy attu kaal kilangu mooligai soup (a tuberous root grows in rocks in forest). Then we visited Thindu tribal boys hostel , and nmsi church missionary.

 ABOUT BRAND MEMORIAL MISSION

"Brand Memorial Ministries" is established to revive and continue the work of Rev.Jesseman Brand and Mrs.Evelin Brand

who spent their life for the spiritual and social welfare of the tribal people in Kolli Hills from 1913 to 1974. As family they visited all the villages by horse, when there was no road. They gave medical, educational and social service to the people when there was no Medical, Educational and Social programmes available from the government.

 JESSEMAN BRAND SUCCUMBED TO MALARIA AND EVELIN, HIS WIFE CONTINUED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF KOLLI HILLS TILL DEATH AT THE AGE CLOSE TO HUNDRED YEARS. Their son Dr. Paul brand was a pioneer in hand surgery in India , who served in CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL,VELLORE, helping the leprosy patients in those times where leprosy is considered as stigma.

I visited their old wooden bungalow in vazhavanthi nadu, Kolli hills that stands as a testimony.

It is the burden to share the love of Christ through medical and educational service which drives and sustains these missionaries in the remote places. It would have been much easier if forced conversion were implemented under British rule,but the intended purpose of Christian ministries is not that one.

Had parota at semmedu for dinner. We were playing carom board at RVR resort before hitting the bed.

Morning had complimentary break fast "unlimited". Headed to aagaya gangai. Carried a maaza to replenish the sugar level .
worth enjoying the falls view . nature at its best.
Came back checked out at 12 pm headed back to Rasipuram. The descent from hills was Foggy and also drizzling. Triumph had break failure due to air lock.Simon rectified himself. Slowed a bit reach Rasipuram. Hit the highway to salem .Had a good biriyani,fried rice from Rasi hotel just at the junction of Rasipuram inroad joining the high way to Salem. Food was delicious. Started at 4.30pm and said to each other that we would meet at Krishanagiri junction and again lost in traffic .Reached home at 9 pm to Vellore and they at same time to Bangalore.