Yelagiri Hills is one of the popular and serene hill stations of Tamilnadu. This hill station is situated amidst four hills and experiences a moderated climate throughout the year making it a favourite destination even in winters. This enchanting hill station located at an elevation of 1048 meters above sea level is mainly populated by people belonging to tribal communities. Yelagiri is comprised of 14 little hamlets and main occupation of the people here is agriculture, horticulture and forestry.
The drive up to the hill itself is an amazing experience. The ghat roads are comprised of 14 hair pin bends and one can get a spectacular view of the plains and the hills while driving up the winding ghat roads.
This place is also perfect for trekking and many trekking routes are present here. Swamimalai, Javadi Hills and Palamathi Hills are some of the popular trekking hills in the region. The Forest department at Tiruppathur may be approached for assistance and guides for trekking through the Yelagiri hills. In the recent years adventure sports like paragliding and rock climbing are also being introduced here to promote tourism.
Yelagiri Hills can be visited year round because of the pleasant weather.
Top Tourist Places Near Yelagiri Hills
There are many places of tourist interest in Yelagiri.
Punganur Lake
It is an artificial lake of around 57 square kms in the centre of the Yelagiri Hills. An artificial fountain is also present in the centre of the lake. There is a floriculture garden that houses a variety of flowers and boating facility at the lake which is maintained by the Yelagiri Hill Development and Tourism Promotion Society.
Jalagamparai Falls
Jalagamparai Falls is Located at a short distance of 5 km on the other side of the hill and is known for its scenic beauty. Here the Attaru River which passes through the Yelagiri Hills falls from a height of 30 meters. This place is a delight for trekkers and nature lovers. Near to the water falls there is a Murugan Temple which is shaped like a Shiva Lingam. The best time to visit this place is during the months between November and February as this is the time when the falls is at its best and fully loaded with water.
Velavan Temple
The Velavan Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan which is located on one of the highest peaks of the Yelagiri Hills. One can get a panoramic view of the plains from this spot. A unique feature of this temple is the presence of statue of Gadothgajan, the son of Bheema in the epic Mahabharatha. All the local festivals are celebrated with great pomp and gaiety in the temple by the locals.
Swamimalai Hills
Swamimalai hills are another popular sightseeing destination in Yelagiri. The hill looks like a cake with a strong base and the high peak of the hill tends to touch the sky. The highest of its peak is about 4338 meters from the ground level. This is a great place for trekking. There are many more peaks in the neighbourhood like Javadi Hills and Pallamathi Hills which can be climbed easily.
Apart from these places there are few other places worth visiting like the Telescope House, Government Fruit Farm, Don Bosco Centre, Government Herbal Farm etc.
During May-June every year Summer Festival is held here. This festival is sponsored by the government and aims to showcase the customs, culture and traditions of the tribals belonging to the areas that fall under Yelagiri Hills.
How to reach Yelagiri
The proximity to two metropolitan capital cities, namely Bangalore which is 160 kms away and Chennai which is 220 Km makes Yercaud an ideal weekend drive destination. One can drive to Yealgiri from Chennai which takes 4.5Hours. Yelagiri is connected to all major cities in the region with KSRTC buses. Regular bus services are also available from Chennai, Salem, Hosur, and Bangalore. Yelagiri Hills is also accessible by train. The nearest railhead is Jolarpettai which is about 21 km away from Yelagiri and from there, one could hire a cab to reach Yelagiri. Bangalore International Airport serves as the closest airport to Yelagiri, which is at a distance of 145 km. The other nearest airport is in Chennai.
Accommodation
Plenty of accommodation options that suit different budgets are available for the tourists in Yelagiri ranging from luxury resorts and guest houses to budget hotels.