Yelagiri, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu

A wonderful tourist place where one can enjoy the charms of traditional life in the lap of the mother earth. The path taking the roadway to yelagiri is finely constructed and well punctuated with the milestones and signboards all way through. Petrol pumps are sufficient enough which makes traveling convenient and easy. Tourism is a far cry presently; but there is evidence that Yelagiri Hills is getting popular. There's a flipside too. So long as commercialization doesn't happen, Yelagiri Hills will remain a serene retreat for weekend getaways.

Situated 5 kilometers from Yelagiri, the Jalagamparai Waterfalls is created by the Attaru River that flows through the Yelagiri Hills. The government silk farm situated here is famous for its mulberry plantations. Tourists can take a sericulture tour and they will get to see the silk farm from close quarters. There is a lot of greenery at Jalagamparai and this place also doubles up as a picnic spot.

Huge plains can be seen from the ghat and visitors enjoy using their telescope for enjoying the ethnic beauty which stays spreaded far and wide. A little risk of the stray animals does persist but one can always enjoy a good time with the tamed ones. The difficulty which one would actually face is the lack of medication facility provided in these areas. So, when one opts for the hilly destination one is supposed to have first aid kit, so as to avoid any medical traumas.

The main attraction of the tourists in Yelagiri is to enjoy boating in beautiful and smallish artificial lake famous as Punganoor Lake. It is an artificial lake covering an area of around 57 square kms and there is fountain at the centre of the Lake which makes Punganur Lake more beautiful. You can choose between a rowboat and a pedal boat to enjoy the scenic beauty in and around the lake. There is a Mughal Garden around the lake, with many interesting games like sliding for the smaller kids.

At Yelagiri, you can do just about anything you want. For instance, you could trek up those rugged hillocks or go on long walks through narrow roads, explore the green surroundings of this rural retreat. Or perhaps you'd like to head towards the lake nearby for some leisure boating or just squat on a bench in the adjoining children's park and watch the kids play away to glory.

A hill station where the sweet smell of nature isn’t just restricted to the blossoms and the fresh air, but to the delicious aroma of jackfruit and mangoes as well. A spot that is located at 4500 feet above sea level, amidst four mountains and promises an island of peace and calm. Inviting weather that remains cool through the year and allows you to take a holiday and unwind whenever you wish to.

Yelagiri is one of the quieter hill stations of Tamil Nadu that offers you the perfect getaway from the madding crowds of the city. Located near Vellore, it takes an exciting journey through 14 hairpin bends to reach the top. And needless to say, spectacular sights await you along the way – the imposing hills, the green slopes, the magical forests and oldworld villages, In short, the perfect destination for a tranquil holiday. Fourteen hairpin bends and about half hour or so of driving uphill, you are in Athanur town. Hotel Hills is on the right side of that same main road (after the Yelagiri Hills police Station).

If you need a break from deadlines and constantly ringing cell phones then a weekend getaway to Yelagiri will help you destress. Silence and peace are the two most important things you will find at Yelagiri. As one of the least polluted vacation destinations, Yelagiri offers breathtaking sceneries and rustic villages that still retain their original charm.

The Velvan Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is situated on the top of a hillock. The temple has a giant statue of Gadothgajan in the front. Local festivals are celebrated with pomp and gaiety here in the months of July and August. The entire region comes to life with a beautiful blend of colors and culture. the temple complex one gets to see the panoramic view of the green valleys of Yelagiri.

Another popular sightseeing destination in Yelagiri is the Swamimalai Hill. This is a great spot for trekking and picnics and trekkers have to traverse through dense forests to arrive at the top of the hill. If traveling by road, tourists have to drive through the peaceful and serene Mangalam village that also has a lotus pond.

Jalagamparai Water Falls. The Attaru River which passes through the Yelagiri Hills falls from a height of 30 meters. Known for its trekking trails, the Jalagamparai Water Falls is a trekkers dream. Near the waterfall a Murugan Temple is located.

It is a wonderful place for trekking and people generally love going trekking in these hilly areas. Full of wonderful temples on the hilly region, it makes it a wonderful place for the young and old alike. Temple bells add a special mythological essence to the bells and keeps the feeling of life alive even in times of bare silence. Take extreme caution while driving on the 4lane expressways. It's not uncommon to see cyclists, twowheelers or even cars and other vehicles coming towards you on the wrong side of the road.

If you like trekking, you will definitely want to include Swamimalai in your list of places to be seen – more so because it is the highest peak in Yelagiri Hills, measuring close to 4400 feet. The trek covers a 3 kms stretch along a muddy track and offers splendid views around. Climb right to the top and have a great view of the valley and other place. Swamimalai is an ideal place to trek because of its height (approximately 4,338 feet). Trekkers can reach the top of the hill in about an hour with infrequent breaks. Other smaller peaks like Javadi Hills and Palamathi Hills are also open for trekking. This hill has some of the beautiful trekking routes through dense forests. The best time to enjoy trekking here is in the cool months of November January.

Yelagiri tours would take the traveler to a destination, which is cluster of villages spread around the hills. The place would the serene environment with the silence and peaceful surroundings making it different form other destinations in Tamil Nadu .

The tourist attractions in Yelagiri include the beautiful lake, Mughal Garden, Velavan Temple, trekking and the Children's Park.

In the Yelagiri tours the tourists can go for boating in the Punganoor Lake and facilities like row or pedal boat is provided. The Velavan Temple in Yelagiri is dedicated to lord Murugan that is on the top of a hill. Several festivals are celebrated that provide an insight into the local culture. The Yelagiri hilltop provides a majestic view of the valley. The Jalagamparai Waterfalls is an attractive spot with the tourists and is an hour journey from Yelagiri.

The tourists in the Yelagiri tour can go for trekking (trek route from Yelagiri hills to Jalagambarai Waterfalls) and is recommended for beginners. The other trek route from Jalagambarai, runs through villages and is a good normal trekking. The trek in Yelagiri through the forest is a bit tiresome.

The accommodation in Yelagiri includes hotels and guesthouses that cater to all the categories of travelers. The tourists interested in south India hill station tour would have a different experience here altogether. For Yelagiri tour best time to visit is between November to February. In order to reach Yelagiri is not difficult as it is well connected with the means of transport.