Tourist interest places in Yelagiri

Yelagiri

One of the most delightful hill stations in the Southern state of India, Yelagiri is visited by throngs of people from India and abroad.

It consists of 14 villages which are inhabited by tribal folk who engage in forestry, horticulture and agriculture. Their customs, habits, culture and houses are quite unique and make for an interesting tourist experience.

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This misty land is located among four mountains and it is famously known for its salubrious climate which prevails all round the year. It is here that you get to revel in lofty hills, pristine lake, cascading waterfall and ancient temples.

Some of the best places to visit in Yelagiri :

1. Punganoor Lake Park

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The Punganoor Lake-cum-Park is among the famous places to visit in Yelagiri which is visited by tourists throughout the year.

This lake-cum-park is not very difficult to find since the local people will provide directions.  The place is a favourite among visitors for its serene atmosphere in addition to the park which is bathed in lush greenery. The chief attraction in this place is boating.

It is here that people from all age groups come to enjoy the scenery. The beauty and tranquillity the Pungannoor Lake Park offers makes the entire experience a riveting one.

There are quite a few modest as well as luxury hotels in the area. Guests prefer taking a short and peaceful walk from their hotel to the lake and are often seen engaging in a boat ride. There is a minimal entry fee that you will be required to pay to enter the park.

It should be noted that the park authorities do not allow picnicking, thereby ensuring that the park remains litter-free and well-maintained.

2. Jalagamparai Waterfalls

Image Credit: Ashwin Kumar - Flickr

One of the other places to visit in Yelagiri is the Jalagamparai Waterfalls. This waterfall can be found at a short distance away from the main Yelagiri area and is located on the other side of the main hill station area.

The falls are located just 14 km away from Tirupattur. The famous Attaru River meanders through the mighty Yelagiri Hills and cascades down from a considerable height to form a beautiful and captivating waterfall which is a popular tourist attraction.

The cascades are just about a 5 km walk from the Yelagiri downhill with most people preferring to walk or trek to the falls. Despite having a direct pathway from Yelagiri to the falls, this route is often closed for safety purposes.

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In order for you to make your way to the destination, you would need to go down the hill to reach the plains and then journey on to climb the hill on the other side. Even though the journey might take an hour on foot, it is a pleasurable one.  

The waterfall looks its resplendent best during the early days of the month of November to around mid-February for the water that flows is in abundance as compared to the other months in the year. In fact, during the summer months, the water flow from the falls reduces considerably as compared to a few years back.

Despite the shortage of water, the scenic beauty more than makes up for it.

3. Nature Park

Photo Credit : Slakhs

The Nature Park in Yelagiri is one of the most peaceful and tranquil places to visit, it is situated right in the lap of nature, offering some of the most stunning views. This park is listed as one of the best places to see in Yelagiri.

This lush place is adjacent to another famous tourist destination in Yelagiri, the Punganoor Lake. It is spread across an area of over 12 sprawling acres, and is home to various plant species that specifically thrive in the rocky terrain of this particular region.

Photo Credit : Ashwin Kumar Flickr

One of the most beautiful features of the park is the artificial cascade of the resident waterfall. Tourists are also allowed to take a bath in the water. The park possesses a children’s corner in addition to a musical fountain that is complemented by multi-coloured lighting, a favourite among the tourists.

It is fascinating to see the water fountain as it moves to the beat of some of the popular music of today. Another interesting feature of the park is the presence of a fish aquarium that is home of a variety of fish and tortoises, and is a hit among the children who come along with their parents.

The other notable attractions here include the seasonal garden, a specially built bamboo house, a poly house, among other facilities that make this park an important place of interest in Yelagiri.

4. Telescope Observatory

The Vainu Bappu Observatory or more popularly referred to as the Telescope Observatory is one of the main tourist attractions in this destination, making it one of the best places to visit in Yelagiri. This observatory offers tourists a beautiful insight into the movement of our solar system’s celestial bodies.

It is situated in Kavalar, which is very near to Yelagiri. It should be noted that you can only enter the observatory by prior permission. Managed and maintained by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, it is also home to Asia's largest telescope.

The observatory was constructed by Dr Vaini Bappu, the person after whom the observatory is named. The telescope present in here is around 93 inches in diametre.

Apart from witnessing the functioning of the Vainu Bappu Telescope at the observatory, you can also enjoy the scenic view of the surrounding area from the specially placed Visitor Telescope.

One can also get a great view of the night sky from the observatory, a sight which is breathtaking. The area surrounding this place is home to animals as well as flora and fauna. Be delighted with the sight of deers that roam freely in the area.

5. Jalagandeeswarar Temple

One of the other famous things to do in Yelagiri is to visit the famous Jalagandeeswarar Temple which is situated right at the heart of the Vellore Fort (another famous place that is visited and loved by tourists from India and abroad).

This particular place of worship is steeped in history and has a very interesting mythological background that makes it appealing to tourists. One of the main highlights here is the intricately carved sculptures which have been made from stone and help depict beautifully the spirit of the god within. The temple is a fine example of the great craftsmanship of the local artisans.

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Each sculpture that is found in the temple can be termed as a visual masterpiece.  They are well-maintained and are artistically appreciated by tourists from all parts of India and the world.

The temple has a huge open ground which can be used by religious devotees for the purpose of praying and other holy rituals that may occur from time to time. Also, marriage ceremonies can be performed and solemnised right in front of the temple. Many local people decide to have their weddings here as it is considered one of the most auspicious locations to host a marriage ceremony.

6. Government Herbal Farm

Visiting the Government Herbal Farm is one of the other things to do in Yelagiri.  The farm is situated close to the beautiful Puganoor Lake.

It is managed and maintained by the Forest Department and is home to some of the rarest herbs and plants which are used extensively in various Sidda and Ayurvedic medicines.

The plants possess beneficial medicinal properties, and are therefore cultivated for medicinal use to be sold commercially.

The Government Fruit Farms are situated close by in Athanavur and Nilavur. These botanical gardens house a wide variety of plants and trees that bear beautiful flowers and fruits, making it among the best places to visit in Yelagiri.

7. Swamimalai Hills

Image Credit: GoDakshin - Flickr

The Swamimalai Hills form the highest point in the Yelagiri area and offer some of the most scenic views of the entire hill station. These hills are visited by tourists throughout the year except during the monsoons as it is not quite safe to visit at that time owing to landslides and heavy torrential rainfall.

What makes these hills so fascinating is that they are shaped in the form of a cake, possessing a strong base at the bottom as well as a high peak, offering majestic views. A major attraction is trekking owing to the altitude at which the hills are located.?

One of the most famous treks that tourists undertake in this area leads to a rather small peak which then provides a beautiful view of the entire valley below. The long trek to Swamimalai is not difficult and usually starts with a muddy path. The view from the hill is definitely worth the climb.

You will be spellbound by the breath-taking landscape with greenery and mountains surrounding you on all sides, even as you are close to the clouds. 

8. Velavan (Murugan) Temple

The famous Velavan Temple in Yelagiri was built in memory of Lord Murugan and is situated right on the tip of the Yelagiri Mountains, making it one of the best places to visit in Yelagiri.

It offers some of the most spectacular views.  It is here that one can get a mesmerising look at the large and picturesque plains from the top of the peak.

Also, at a certain time in the day, the temple bells ring at the top of the mountain which stands as a symbol of the movement of life and helps keep alive the rich culture of the place. The place is steeped in history and is rich in culture. The vibrancy of the culture amidst the beautiful setting will make for one memorable trip.

At the temple, one can find a huge statue of the mythological character Gadothgajan in a standing posture in addition to other aesthetic sculptures.

The Aadi festival is celebrated with fervor during the month of July where devotees from the plains make a pilgrimage to this temple to offer prayers.  Offering a tranquil experience, the trek to the holy spot will energise you spiritually and give you peace of mind.