Yelagiri Hills Sightseeing, Quick Facts, History, Packages, Tours & Excursions

Punganur Lake is a manmade lake with a pretty garden surrounding it. The boat club here offers pedal and motor boat rides. The area is a favourite haint of bird-watchers. There is a children's park and a mini-zoo next door.

Velvan Temple situated on top of a hill, is another attraction of the town. The presiding deity is Lord Murugan and there is a huge sculpture of Gadothgajan at the entrance. In July and August several colourful festivals and fairs are organised here, where you can see the local culture.

Excursions & Treks:

Yellagiri Hill is the chief attraction. To reach the top you have to trek for around 2-3 hours over a distance of 4km. There is a radio tower at the top of the hill, and next to it is a high rock on which a ladder has been placed. Scale this ladder to get magnificent views of the area.

Jalagamparai Waterfalls is a steep trek downhill of around 5km. The lush green surroundings and small hamlets on the way add to the scenic beauty. However, there is water in the falls only after the monsoons, so trekking here in summers may not be worth the effort.

Swamimalai is the highest peak in the area and is a popular trek. Other smaller peaks to scale are Javadi Hills and Palamathi Hills.

Other Activities:

This region is a base for floriculture and there are many rose gardens on the way, where you could stop and explore. The honey sold at the markets is natural and pure, and is a must-buy. Check-out the jackfruit and mango in the summer months, it is freshly harvested from the orchards near-by. Food is mainly of the South Indian variety, but many hotels now serve the popular North Indian dishes.

KSTDC

Badami House

Opposite City Corporation Office

NR Square, Bangalore - 560 002

Tel: 080-2275869, 2275883, 2212098

Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Ltd

25, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai

Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.

Ph: 044-8546825, 8547 335, 344, 346

This hill-station is 3-4 hours drive from Chennai or Bangalore and is at a height of 920m above sea level. It is one of the quieter hill destinations of Tamil Nadu and is surrounded by orchards, rose-gardens and green valleys. The up-hill drive, with 14 hair-pin bends, takes you through some spectacular scenery. Yellagiri is basically a cluster of villages surrounded by four hills. The main settlements are at Athnavur and Nilavur. A peaceful and unexplored area, the destination has not been commercialised, and offers you a picturesque and unpolluted ambience.