Monday, August 6, 2018

Yelagiri



Yelagiri formally Known as Vellore Yelagiri is a hill station in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, India, situated off the Vaniyambadi-Tirupattur road. Located at an altitude of 1,110.6 metres above Mean Sea Level and spread across 30 km2, the Yelagiri village (also spelled Elagiri at times) is surrounded by orchards, rose-gardens, and green valleys.


The Yelagiri hill station is not as developed as other hill stations in Tamil Nadu like Ooty or Kodaikanal. However, the district administration has now taken up the task of developing Yelagiri Hills into a tourist destination by promoting adventure sports such as paragliding and rock climbing. The road to Yelagiri is well constructed and punctuated with the milestones and signboards. Petrol pumps are sufficient, making travel convenient and easy.



Yelagiri is one of the famous places for trekkers in India. The hill station is located at a height of 1410.6 meters above sea level. Yelagiri comprises 14 hamlets and a number of temples spread over several hills.

The highest point in Yelagiri is the Swamimalai Hill, standing tall at 4,338 ft; Swamimalai is a destination and viewpoint for trekkers. The hill provides a number of trekking trails through thick reserved forests. Mangalam, a small village, is at the base of this hill. There are other trekking options that include smaller peaks like Javadi Hills and Palamathi Hills.
Yelagiri Hills is home to hundreds of snakes.



Yelagiri, at a height of 920 meters above sea level, stands majestically amidst four mountains. This is a hill station with a salubrious climate prevailing throughout the year so that winters do not keep visitors away. The main inhabitants of the area are the tribals who live in the 14 small villages which comprise Yelagiri. These tribals are engaged in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, etc. - all the occupations of rural hill folk. Their customs and habits, and especially the structure of their houses is unique and attracts a number of tourists to this hill station. 

Attractions in Yelagiri:

Nature Park: A Park was established in the year 2008. It consists of an aquarium, rose garden, an artificial water fall, and a musical fountain.

Punganoor Lake Park : It is one of the most popular landmark in Yelagiri Hills. It is an artificial lake 25 feet deep with an adjoining park.

Jalagamparai Waterfalls: A short distance away, on the other side of the hill, is Jalagamparai falls,Situated at a distance of 14 km from Tirupattur. The murmuring Attaru river flows through the Yelagiri Hills, and plummets down to form a highly captivating waterfall. It's an hour, 5 km, walk from Yelagiri downhill. Though there is a direct route from Yelagiri to the falls, it is often closed. One has to go all the way down the hill, take the plains, and then climb the hill on the other side. It's an hour's journey.

Swami Malai Hills: Swami malai hills are the hills in the shape of cake with a strong base at the bottom and a high peak. Trekking is an attraction at Swami Malai hills. This trek leads one to a small peak from where the entire valley is visible.

Telescope observatory: A telescope observatory near Yelagiri hill was also of attraction to visitors. It has now been shut down.

Sri Sathya Ashram - THE KEY FOR YOU : Open only on Pournami and Amavasya days...Only the destined can set their foot into this Ashram...In the Nilavoor Road.

There are 14 hair pin bends named with Tamil Poets(Pari Valivu, Ori Valivu, Kamban Valivu etc...) those leads to Yellagiri Hills. There is a sort of an observatory, after 12th bend with a telescope pointing towards the plains. It is difficult to park a car here owing to the narrow roads. Bikes should be fine.
On the way to the hills, you can see lots of small animals like monkeys, ox, goats, etc. Do not feed these animals as they can be dangerous. Don't forget to carry binoculars with you.

Don Bosco Centre. Yellagiri Hills. Fr. Guezou, who is the founder of this Don Bosco Center has come from France and has been helping the poor people for many years. This center helps the poor and illterate youth to identify their future by providing IT education. They have the IGNOU Study center, IT Training Center and Software Development Center.

Things to do:

Trekking

  • Swami Malai, (not to be confused with the town of Swamimalai, near Kumbakonam) the highest peak, soaring to 4,338 ft from Mangalam, a hamlet at its base, takes the cake. Its an easy climb of about an hour with infrequent breaks (about a 1000 foot climb). Smaller peaks like Javadu Hills, Palamathi Hills and others are an easier climb. Start early though and be back before 9AM, for once the sun climbs up it can get rather uncomfortable.
  • Jalagamparai Waterfalls - Jalagamparai waterfalls are a 5 km trek from Yelagiri downhill. Its a tough trek, but the view from the sides of the mountain, of the valley, is truly rewarding. April probably is not a good time to visit the falls, as there is no water this time of the year. Recently (May 2007) there was no water in the falls. A tea shop owner said that there has been no water in this falls for the past 5 years. The tourist taxi operator may give you false information that recently there were some rain in this area and there may be water in the falls. His objective is to get money for the number of kilometers he runs the vehicle and not tourists' interest and pleasure. Just check this with somebody before you make a trip to this place. Otherwise it is a wasted trip. Especially if you go in the hot sun between 10AM to 12:30AM you will get headache. At the same time if one is interested in seeing the villages and the green pastures it may be fine. Next to the falls there is a temple at the top.
  • Uphill for 4km can be fun when in groups. Don’t forget to carry water, you will not find a drop of water to drink once you reach the hilltop. You can see the clouds touching the lush green hills in early morning- an amazing sight. Make sure you wear sneakers as the trek can be a treacherous climb. You can hire locals from the village to help you as guide on your trek for around ₹300. It takes 2-3 hrs to climb the top of the hill, depending on your speed and agility. It is suggested to take frequent pit stops and enjoy the greenery. You can follow a radio tower beyond the Samaritan School on the hill top as you ascend- you can also follow the pathway laid by locals to guide your way up. Once you reach the top, you will see a small temple near the radio tower. Legend claims that the god in the temple saves people from being attacked by bears and evil spirits. You can climb a huge rock near the tower with the help of an iron ladder to take a breathtaking view of the valley beneath, nestled between the lush green forest and mountains- a true nature lover's paradise. You can find a few shortcuts routes downhill-- true trekkers can try out these.

Boating on Punganur Lake

  • This is an artificial lake, excavated in an area of 57 sq meters. The Elagiri Hills Development and Tourism Promotion Society runs the Boat Club, with pedaling and rowing boats. There is a newly laid flori cultural garden with a pathway along the bund with a panoramic view of the lake on one side and the garden on the other. A connecting bridge leads the pathway around the lake. The pathway around the lake is particularly good for birding. There is also a small watch tower constructed next to a tree which can be climbed. Even though the water is not clear, the lake is pretty clean.

Science / Educational

  • Vainu Bappu Solar Observatory (Elagiri): One of the largest solar observatories, it is situated in Kavalur, located 35 km from Thiruppathur, near Yelagiri. Prior permission is required to visit this observatory.thht
  • Farm visits: Rose farms provide an interesting detour.

For Kids:

  • A well laid out park on a 6 acre land adjacent to the lake, is established with varieties of children's play areas installed within the park. There is also a small zoo. But no animals could be seen there in January 2006.

For Everyone:

  • There is a "KODAI VIZHA ground" which is a lovely ground with beautiful paths for walking. This is now be updated [May 08] to the Nature park . A lovely 10 acre campus with an artificial fall, an aquarium, musical fountain in the evenings and amazing landscaping. It has 2 shows in musical fountain 7PM and 8PM. Very nice with gallery like setup and playing some 4 songs each in Hindi & Tamil. The latest addition is the Nilavoor lake - more of a pond, with a few boats. Don't miss the ancient hero stines featured in the ancient temple - each of an archer pointing towards the 4 directions.
  

The Yelagiri Summer Festival:

The famous Yelagiri Summer festival celebrated in May end is organised by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Board. Stalls from different departments, Flowers show, Boat house various cultural programs and Dog Show with a variety of dog breeds are conducted every year. People from all over the State and other parts of the country participate in this annual festival.

Climate:

Yelagiri's climate is very very Cool in Monsoon Season .pleasant Weather daily Occurs in This Hill Station. classified as tropical. In winter, there is much less rainfall than in summer. This climate is considered to be Aw according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. 


Cuisine:

Food is not a problem in Yelagiri, except if you are trekking. Otherwise there are a number of eateries offering south/north Indian food at reasonable rates. Branded soft drinks and water bottles are available. Look out for jackfruit - this area has plenty of it available especially in the summer months, and the fruit here is considered very good. Also, there are lots of fruits available each season like guava, custard apple, etc. Try to bargain as much as possible as the locals are very keen. On the contrary, you will also get some fruits near Swamimalai treking spot where the locals will surprise you by giving you more than what you expect.
A few food joints serve authentic Tandoori/Chinese/Indian food
  • Tandoori Hut on Boat House Road (Next to Boat House Main Entrance)
  • The Hotel Hills on the main Rd

Stay:

Finding a place to stay without advance booking during weekends is difficult. It is advisable to enquire at a number of hotels beforehand and book in advance. The best time to visit is during weekdays when most hotels are practically empty and hence offer huge discounts. A number of hotels big and small are available on the hill.

There are also a few homestays though these are unlikely to be listed online. The rates for hotel accommodation range from ₹500/- to ₹3000/- per room. Make sure you carry enough money (in cash) for your expenses, as the hotels here do not accept credit cards.
  • The Grama Yelagiri, Boat House road (Right next to the boat house), ☎ +91 4179 245290, e-mail: . Check-in: 12 noon, check-out: 12 noon. ₹600. 
  • LeAuroville Resort, ☎ +91 4179 295030. located in lush forest 2 km from the lake, this place offers weekend packages (₹2500/- for Saturday morning check-in and Sunday evening checkout) but the food price offered by the resort is very much high (₹200/- per head per meal irrespective of kid or not). Moreover, its located 2 km uphill from the nearest local village so even if you are going down for food, you would need a vehicle. 
  • Silent Waters, Athanavur (3 km from the main market place, a few buses from Vellore and Tirupattur go here), ☎ +91 4179-245364, +91 9840054300 (mobile), e-mail: . Check-in: 24 hours, check-out: 24 hours. The property has around 16 rooms, each different from the other, a shuttle court, camp fire and music at night. A conference hall with indoor games facility is also under construction. And lots and lots of greenery. The hospitality more than makes up for the lack of even 2 star facilities. ₹1500 for a deluxe room. 
  • YMCA Dormitories (Camp Yelagiri), Thayalur (about 5km's from Athanavur, a few buses from Vellore and Tirupattur go here), ☎ +91 4179-245226, +91 4179 295144, +91 4179 220030, +91 9486723499 (mobile), +91 9751841025 (mobile), e-mail: . Check-in: 24 hours, check-out: 24 hours. The Hostel has about 36 fully furnished double-bed rooms. The YMCA also runs a Camp Center on about 40 acres of green land is a suitable place for all kinds of holiday/business activities. The Center is having a Meeting Hall and a mini meeting Hall for conducting seminars, conferences, or holiday camps.. ₹80/- per head (dormitory) and ₹600/₹650 for a deluxe room. 
  • Zeenath Taj, Athanavur (Near the bus stop), ☎ +91 4179-245231. Check-in: 24 hrs. Nice resort over 11 acres full of mango, custard apple trees and very good food. It's the only place in town which accepts credit cards 
  • Sterling Holiday Resorts, opposite to Tourist Information Centre Yelagiri, ☎ +91 4179-245356, +91 4179245320, e-mail: . Check-in: noon, check-out: 10AM. A beautiful place to stay with excellent food. The staffs are well mannered with star class hospitality. The rooms are well maintained with a greenery view around. Foods are served to the rooms. Includes the Ayurvedic Therapy Centre with a blend of Indian and Chinese therapies, it is a well organized messages centre with authentic Kerala tradition and professionalism, very neat and hygienic. 
  • Nature's Nest Holidays. Nature's Nest Holidays in Yelagiri functions like a Home Stay. Its spacious and provides breath taking scenic views. Pick up from and to railway station is also provided. 
  • Chariot Valley Hotel, Yelagiri, ☎ +91 4179245301.
  • Kumara Raja Palace, Yelagiri, ☎ +91 4179245325.
  • Emerald Dove, Yelagiri, ☎ +91 4179245264.
  • Madhura Resort, yelagiri, ☎ +91 9840544894.
  • PWD Inspection Bungalow, Yelagiri, ☎ +91 4179245222.
  • Oh Nila Hotel, Yelagiri, ☎ +91 4179245371.
  • Taj Gardens, Yelagiri, ☎ +91 4179245231.

Network Connectivity:

BSNL, Vodafone, Aircel and Airtel have connectivity in Yelagiri.

Local Transport to get around:

As for getting around you may have to make your own arrangements for commuting in the hills. There are auto-rickshaws and a few taxis for hire, but it is a great place for trekkers.

Each village has a Murugar Temple, small and big. At Nilavoor there is a devi temple for Kadavu-Nachiyar, which opens for puja only on Fridays between 11AM and 12PM in the morning. The villagers around believe this Goddess is very powerful and throng the place in good numbers on fridays.


How To Reach:

By car

From Bangalore

Yelagiri is about 150 km from Bangalore and 250 km from Chennai (Madras), good for a four hour bike ride with breaks along the way. Take the NH7 out of Bangalore towards Hosur, turn towards Chennai (onto NH46) at Krishnagiri and continue until you get just before Vaniyambadi. You can see the Hills from quite a distance (on your right). From a break in the highway that comes approx 2 km after the toll gate, turn right into the underpass road that takes you to Tirupathur. Continue some 5 km and at Ponneri Junction take a left to Yelagiri Hills. The routes are all marked with signboards in English.

From Chennai

Yelagiri is about 258 km from Chennai-Tambaram. Take the Poonamalee High Road out of the city to Ponamalee Town. From Poonamalee, take the Bangalore highway towards Vellore. The distance to Vellore is about 140 km and the route passes through Sriperumbudur, Walajapet. Vellore would be a good place to plan a break, there are a lot of eating places right on the highway. From Vellore continue on to Ambur and then towards Vaniyambadi. On the highway about 45 km from the third(counting from Chennai) toll station, watch out for a signboard for "Elagiri - 22 km". Take a left at this exit. Its easy to miss this left and if you overshoot this you would reach the Vaniyambadi toll station in about 1km. Continue on this road (SH18) till you reach Ponneri junction which has Thirupathur straight and Yelagiri on the left. Watch out for this one as it is easy to miss. (On the left, you'll see a big sign board 'Tamilnadu Tourism Department Welcomes You'. Turn left at this junction, there's a sign board pointing towards Yelagiri.)
The roads are well punctuated with signboards in English, and the roads especially the Chennai-Vaniyambadi stretch are excellent (in 2007). It is fairly safe, watch out for the occasional truck that changes lanes abruptly. The last petrol pump is after you turn left at Ponneri, a little before you start on the ghat section. There are no petrol pumps on the hills.
There are 14 hairpin bends on the ghat road from Ponneri to Yelagiri and the road is pretty narrow so you can't actually park a car to enjoy the view except at some of the wider hairpin bends. Bikes won't have this problem though.

By train

If you are coming by train from Bangalore, Chennai or Coimbatore you have to get down at Jolarpettai Junction.

Public transport

If you prefer to take public transport, buses come from Thirupattur and Jolarpet. You can take a taxi also from these places. You can negotiate for about ₹1200 (2011) to drop you in Yelagiri Hills from Jolarpettai Junction.


Other Tourist places near Yelagiri:

Yercaud, Javvadhu Hills, Hogenakkal, Mettur Dam, Vellore Golden Temple.


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