yelagiri,TamilNadu india

If it is total peace and solitude you seek or some quality time to bond with your family, look no further than Yelagiri, a quaint and pristine hill station. You can truly getaway from your routine life no phone calls, no deadlines and no pressures for Yelagiri is as laid-back as it can get. Not

as commercial as Kodaikanal and Ooty,  Hotels in Yelagiri is one of Tamil Nadu’s best kept secrets a great weekend destination located conveniently close to Chennai and Bangalore. Nature is at her prettiest here in unpolluted Yelagiri and there are literally hundreds of butterflies to keep you company.

Shopping You will not find anything more than jackfruit and the local honey to shop for in Yelagiri.

Night Out Yelagiri has a number of eateries serving god South Indian as well as North Indian food at reasonable price. In case you decide to trek, make sure you carry a lot of food and water in your bags as you are not going to find any eateries along the way.

Activities Savour the pristine natural beauty and peace of the hills here no busloads of tourists to make you seek cover, no touts and pushy guides to spoil your day. Taste the local honey, reputedly the best and purest honey in all of Tamil Nadu gigantic beehives hang from the trees in the verdant forests. Walk around the Punganoor Lake, a small man-made water body with some boating on offer or if you are feeling lazy, just sit on the banks with a book or while away time looking at other folks busy rowing their boats. If you are in the mood to do something different, visit the government Silk Farm and ask for a guided tour.

Sights

The Punganoor Lake is the main attraction in Yelagiri. It is an artificial lake created by man so as to enhance the beauty of the place to attract more tourists. While adults can enjoy boating either in a rowboat or a pedal boat, there is a Mughal Garden around the lake with interesting

play equipment for kids too. The Velvan Temple was constructed in the memory of Lord Murugan and sits atop a hillock. Standing on top of the hill, you can have a wonderful view of the large plains lying beneath the mountains. On the entrance of the temple you will find a giant statue of Gadothgajan. All the local festivals are celebrated with great pomp and gaiety in the temple. The best time to visit Yelagiri would be in the months of July and August when there are frequent festivals celebrated one after the other. The entire region comes to life with a beautiful blend of colors and culture. Swami malai hills is another popular sightseeing destination in Yelagiri. Swami malai hills are in the form of a cake with strong base at the bottom and high peak of the hills that seem to touch the sky. This is a great place for trekking and picnics as the highest peak is about 4338 meters from the ground level and people love climbing the great heights at a stretch. There are many more peaks in the neighbourhood like Javadi Hills, Pallamathi Hills and the like which are easier to climb. If traveling by road to reach the hill, tourists have to drive through the peaceful and serene Mangalam village that also has a lotus pond. Jalagamparai Waterfalls are at a little distance away from Yelagiri, created by the Attaru River that flows through the Yelagiri Hills. It is a beautiful place to visit especially in the months between November and February as this is the time when they are fully loaded with water. The government silk farm situated here is famous for its mulberry plantations, where tourists can also visit to get to see them from close quarters. This place is also a great place as a picnic spot.

How to get there by Air The nearest airport is Chennai.

How to get there by Rail The nearest railhead is Jolarpettai with several Bangalore bound trains stopping here from Chennai.

How to get there by Bus The drive from Chennai to Yelagiri will take 4.5 hours. From Chennai, drive on NH 4 to Ranipettai and take the NH 46 via Vellore, and Ambur to Vaniyambadi. From Ponneri, follow the signboards leading up to Yelagiri Hills. If you are driving from Bangalore, take the Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Vaniyambadi-Yelagiri route.

Best time to Visit Yelagiri is a great year round destination as the weather is always pleasant

Hotels in Tamilnadu Yelagiri boasts of quite a few good hotels that offer plenty of kid-friendly activities.

Emergency Number Police: 01622 690690 Fire: 01622 692121 Ambulance: 01622 747010

Nearby Places Jalagamparai Waterfalls: 44 km from Yelagiri, (an hours trek away) is a lovely waterfall created by the Attaru River, which flows through the Yelagiri hills. This beautiful cascade of water is very popular with both the locals and visitors and is indeed worth a visit.