If you are searching for a place engulfed in silence and peace then Yelagiri in Tamil Nadu perfectly suits your choice, providing you cool and calm atmosphere all year round.
Yelagiri is actually a cluster of small villages, spread around hills. There are many tourist attractions here like a beautiful and charming lake, Mughal Garden around the lake, Velavan Temple and a children's park. But the real charm of Yelagiri lies in its calmness and uniformly pleasant weather.
Yelagiri hill is a part of Javvad Hills of Eastern Ghats. It is situated 25 kms off Jolarpet Junction, on Chennai-Coimbatore rail track. The hills have a salubrious climate.
One can reach Alangayam, situated at the foot of the hills. From Vaniyambadi, buses ply to Alangayam, from where a ghat road leads to the top of Javvad Hills surrounded by thick sandal wood forests. This steep road leads to Kavalur, where an Astronomical Observatory is situated. By trekking, one can reach the southern part of the Javvad Hills & reach Polur, a taluk headquarters, which is about 30 kms from Temple Town Thiruvannamalai.
The towns in Yelagiri hills are Athnavur and Nilavur. Athnavur is the best place to stay and plan your trip. Some good quality cottages and hotels are available here. Also, this is the last stop with traces of modernization. The next town (a settlement rather) is Nilavur. Here the place is full of agricultural land and vegetable and rose farms. It will be an interesting detour to visit these farms. The people here are friendly.
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When to visit: |
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| Best season to visit Yelagiri is from November to February. |
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Tourist activities and destinations: |
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| The main attraction of the tourists in Yelagiri is to enjoy boating in beautiful and smallish artificial lake famous as Punganoor Lake. 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. |
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Velavan temple: |
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| Velavan Temple is other prime attraction for tourists. This is a temple dedicated to Lord Murugan situated atop a hillock, with a giant statue of Gadothgajan in front. The location of this temple also serves as a viewing point. From here one can have the pleasure of viewing the green woods of the Yelagiri Hills. The yearly festival of this temple is conducted during the Tamil month of Aadi (July – August). The local festivals are organized here that provides a colorful glimpse of the rich culture of the region. Cultural events, adventure sports, boat races, flower shows and fruit shows add to the splendor of the festivals. |
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Swamimalai hill: |
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| Yet another lustrous tourist spot in Yelagiri is Swamimalai Hill at 4,338 ft from Mangalam, a hamlet at its base. It would be a great fun to climb on hilltop as it provides you a breathtaking view of the valley from the top. 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. |
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Government Fruit Farm: |
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| The botanical gardens at Athanavur and Nilavur have varieties of fruit bearing trees and plants that bear flowers of various hues, fragrances and shapes. |
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Government Herbal Farm: |
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| The forest department maintains a herbal farm adjacent of the Punganoor lake. Here herbs and shrubs are cultivated to produce the main ingredients in the manufacture of Ayurvedic and Siddha forms of treatment. |
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Government Silk Farm: |
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| The Government Silk Farm is famous for its mulberry plantations. The sericulture tour can provide you immense pleasure as you get a chance to see silk farm from very close. |
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Telescope House: |
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| A telescope has been installed on the Ghat road for the benefit of tourists to glimpse the slopes and terrains of the hills. There are also the temples dedicated to Tamil Annai, Vinayagar and Hanuman. |
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Jalagamparai Waterfalls: |
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| This lovely waterfall is a 5 km trek from Yelagiri and the water falls from 30 mtrs height, about an hour's trek from Yelagiri (it is a 5 km trek from Yelagiri downhill ) has been created by the Attaru River, which flows through the Yelagiri hills. This could also be reached from Tiruppathur 15 kms away. Adjacent to the Jalagambari falls, there is a Murugan temple, located within a building constructed in the shape of the lingam. |
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Shandy: |
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| There is a weekly shandy or market for the products of the hills viz., Jack fruit, Suppottas, Guavas, Mangoes are displayed and sold. |
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Vainu Poppu Solar Observatory – Kavalur: |
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The biggest solar observatory is situated in Kavalur, 35 kms. from Tiruppathur and 25 kms from Yelagiri. The Observatory can also be accessed from Vaniyambadi 30 kms away. Prior permission must be obtained to visit the Observatory.
All are welcome on Saturdays from 4 P.M to 6 P.M without prior permission.
A large variety of deer roam around the Observatory.
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Trekking: |
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Trekking routes are |
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1. Yelagiri (Athanavur) Village-Mangalam Village- Jalagambarai;
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2. Athanavur-Y.M.C.A Campus-Samimalai and return.
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3. Punganoor - Nilavur – Jalagamparai - 14 Km
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4. Punganoor – Swamimalai Hill - 6 Km
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5. Mangalam to Swamimalai - 2 Km
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6. Information Center to Koosi Kuttai - 1.5 Km
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7. Puthur to Perumadu Waterfalls - 3 Km
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8. Boat House to Pulicha Kuttai - 3 Km
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9. Nilavur to Kardimunai - 1.5 Km
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| Suggested Itinerary |
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Day 1: |
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- Early Morning – Departure from Chennai to Yelagiri
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- Arrival at Yelarigi & Check in to the hotel
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- Post lunch – Local sightseeing at Yelagiri
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- Evening – Campfire followed by dinner at the hotel
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Day 2: |
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- Early Morning – Nature Trails / Bird watching trek
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- Breakfast at the hotel (or Packed Breakfast during Nature trails)
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- Post breakfast – Leisure / Local sightseeing
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- Post Lunch – Departure from Yelagiri
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- Evening – Arrival at Chennai. Trip ends
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The Package Cost |
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(The Package cost depends on the Group Size / Mode of Transport / Food Preference / Other Connected Services) |
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Food |
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- Simple vegetarian food will be served during the complete trip
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(Non-Veg menu can be organized at additional cost on prior information & subject to feasibility) |
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Package cost includes: |
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- Overnight stay accommodation at the Forest Guest House / Resort / Hotel / In open (subject to the location of the visit)
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- Food as mentioned in the itinerary
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- Basic Survival Ration, in case if trekking is involved
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- Entry fee into the Reserve Forest
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- Bonfire (Subject to feasibility & permission from concerned authorities)
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Package cost does not include: |
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- Transportation from own location to destination and back (can be organized at additional cost)
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- Food other than mentioned in the itinerary
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- Entry fee into any other places of visit
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- Camera charges / Safari charges / Dharshan charges, etc
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- Snacks during bonfire (can be organized at additional cost on prior information & subject to feasibility)
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- Personal expenses, if any
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Note: |
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- The trip can be customized as per the group’s exact interest.
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- No guarantee will be given on sighting any wildlife / Birds / Plants, etc during the trek.
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- Since the area of visit may have only the basic amenities for stay, it’s advisable to carry own bed sheet / blanket along with personal toiletries for overnight stay.
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- All participants are requested to carry their personal medicines, if any.
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- All participants are requested to carry a bed sheet (this can be a standby in case of any shortage of the same in the Forest Guest House).
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- It’s the responsibility of the coordinating person / team leader of the participating group to collect and maintain the emergency contact details of each participant.
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- Outdoor activities are not mandatory and will be subject to weather as well as feasibility conditions.
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- All participants are requested to follow the law of nature to ensure that the ecology of the mother earth is preserved at its best.
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- Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the forest area.
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- Basic Survival Ration will be provided by the organizer, subject to the exact need / feasibility.
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- The area of visit is under the control of Forest Department and there may be any last minute restriction to enter into the assigned area without prior notice
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- The organizer is not responsible for any untoward incident if happens during the course of the trip. However, basic precautions will be taken by the organizer to ensure that the trip ends in a good note.
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Mongoose Nature Trails Activities |
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(Subject to feasibility / time availability / permission from concerned authorities) |
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Nature Activities: |
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- Trekking (Mild / Medium / Hard Treks)
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Wild Crafts: |
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- Fun & Learn with Rope Knots
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- Improvised Chopsticks, etc.
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Hobbies: |
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- Solving the Rubik’s Cube (Basic), etc.
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General: |
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- Self Defence Basics (Body Techniques / Nunchaku / Silambam)
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- Life Saving / First Aid (Basics), etc.
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| "Knowing is not doing; Doing is doing" |
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I hear, I forget! I see, I remember!! I do, I understand!!! |
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Explore a Memorable Experience!!! |
