Located among four mountains comprising of fourteen hamlets, Yelagiri, is also known as the Poor Man’s Ooty. This hill-station in Tamil Nadu is a quick getaway from the busy schedules. The charming town has a way to let you relax and rejuvenate in the nature. With the hair-pin bends along the way to the hill, it provides the most awe striking views. Each bend will compel you to stop and gulp the scenic charm of the place bit by bit. The place is yet away from the commercialization of being a popular hill-station, it will give you the peace that you are looking for. Blessed with lakes, hills, greenery, temples and temples this place screams the purity that nature renders. Here comes a list of the top 10 places to visit in Yelagiri.
1. Punganoor Lake Park
This artificial man-made lake, Punganoor Lake, lies next to the ‘Mughlai Garden’. The Lake Park is ideally known for its serenity and allows the tourists to indulge in activities like boating n rowing. Picnicking in the place is prohibited; it is one reason why the place is super clean even after being a popular tourist spot. The clear waters of the lake and the lush green park make it an ideal place for the visitors to relax and spend the day with nature.
2. Jalagamparai Waterfalls
It is the Attaru river bends graciously over the Yelagiri Hills providing this beautifully cascading Jalagamparai Waterfalls. The water falls from a considerable height imparting it a scenic charm. The aura of the place is captivating and despite of the amount of water flowing the waterfalls are just mesmerising. One can take a trek to these falls. The trek is mostly downhill therefore a careless strolling during the evening might help you get your soul drenched here.
3. Nature Park
The Nature Park is next to the Punganoor Lake making it a beautiful combination for enjoying a water body and the greenery of the park at the same time. Resident to a lot of extinct floral species the garden is spread in 12 acres of land. The park also homes an artificial waterfall where the visitors can bathe. Nature Park also has a special children’s corner, a musical fountain, fish aquarium and a bamboo-built house. The place is an ideal day off for families.
4. Vainu Bappu Observatory
Vainu Bappu Observatory is maintained by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. The observatory showcases insights of our solar system and all the beautiful heavenly bodies present up there. It also has the largest telescope in Asia with a diameter of 93 inches providing a view that can leave any person awe-struck. Though the observatory needs a prior permission, one can even visit the place at night to have astonished by the astounding night sky. Apart from that you can also enjoy the serene surroundings where one can witness a diverse flora and fauna.
5. Nivaloor Lake
Nivaloor Lake is in the vicinity of a temple making the lake filled with an air of divinity. Untouched by the crowd one can see lotus and lily growing in the lake. Boating being a famous activity in the lake yet it is well organized and clean. If you are not interested in boating, taking a walk along the lake will leave you refreshed. A couple of birds belonging to the region can also be spotted here.
6. Swamimalai Hills
The highest peak of the region is this breath-taking hill top is Swamimalai hills. The hill is cake-shaped having a strong base. The hill top can be reached by trekking through it. While trekking to the final hill top there is also a small peak which gives you an admirable view of the valley below. Once you reach the hill top it gives you a panoramic view of the entire region. A lush green valley, velvety hills beyond and clouds of the top, you can’t afford to miss the place.
7. Jalagandeeswrar Temple
Jalagandeeswrar Temple lies in the Vellore fort which is rich in historical and archaeological background. The craftsmen have carved each sculpture intricately with the help of stone and each sculpture is a masterpiece in itself. The unique part about this temple is that it is called as ‘daivam illathu kovil’ which literally means a temple without God. The temple also has an empty ground next to it where all the auspicious and religious ceremonies are carried out.
8. Government Herbal Farm
At a very short distance from the Punganoor Lake are the Government Herbal Farms. The farm holds the cultivation of some rare herbs that exceeds in the medical properties and very useful in Ayurveda. Supervised by the state government the planting and cultivation is done to sell these herbs only for medical purposes.
9. Government Silk Farm
Also known as the sericulture farms it is a home for rearing and hatching the silkworms. The farm also has Mulberry Plantations as the silk worms need mulberry leaves for producing the silk. A long walk along these plantations will leave you spell bound.
10. Velavan Temple
Velavan Temple is situated at the tip of the Yelagiri hills and it is a prime place of worshipping Lord Murugan. The temple being on the hill top imparts an amazing view of the area underneath. Rich in its history and culture the temple showers a lot of purity. Once during the day all the bells of the temple are in sync and produce a mesmerising melody. It is considered that this is a gesture for showing the movement of life.
Being one of the picturesque tourist destination in Tamil Nadu, Yelagiri will definitely leave you refreshed and a trip will be cherished even years after.
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