Yelagiri
From Wikitravel
Yellagiri is a city in Tamil Nadu, a state in the south of India.
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Get in
Yelagiri is about 170 Kms from Bangalore, good for a 4 hour bike ride with breaks along the way. Take the Highway out of Bangalore towards Hosur, turn towards Chennai at Krishnagiri and continue until you get just before Vaniyambadi, don't enter the town itself. You can see the Hills from quite a distance. From a break in the highway (that is still under construction) turn right into the road that takes you to Tirupathur. Continue some 5 Kms and at Ponneri Junction take a left to Yelagiri Hills. The routes are all marked with signboards in English.
Yellagiri, at a height of 920 mt above sea level, stands majestically amidst four mountains. This is a hill station with a salubrious climate prevailing throughout the year so that winters do not keep visitors away. The main inhabitants of the area are the tribals who live in the 14 small villages which comprise Yellagiri. These tribals are engaged in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, etc. - all the occupations of rural hill folk, in short. Their customs and habits, and especially the structure of their houses is unique and attracts a number of tourists to this hill station.
Get around
See
Do
Trekking: • Swami Malai, (not to be confused with the town of Swamimalai, near Kumbakonam) the highest peak, soaring to 4,338 ft from Mangalam, a hamlet at its base, takes the cake. Smaller peaks with quaint names like Javadu Hills, Palamathi Hills and others are an easier climb. Start early though and be back before 9 am, for once the sun climbs up it can get rather uncomfortable. • Jalagamparai Waterfalls: Jalagamparai water falls is a 5 km trek from Yelagiri downhill. Its a tough trek, but the view from the sides of the mountain, of the valley, is truly rewarding.
Boating on Punganur Lake: • It is an artificial lake, excavated in an area of 57 sq mt. The Elagiri Hills Development and Tourism Promotion Society runs the Boat Club, with pedaling and rowing boats. There is a newly laid flori cultural garden with a pathway along the bund with a panoramic view of the lake on one side and the garden on the other. A connecting bridge leads the pathway around the lake.
Science / Educational: • Vainu Pappu Solar Observatory (Elagiri): One of the largest solar observatories, it is situated in Kavalur, located 35 km from Thiruppathur, near Elagiri. Prior permission is required to visit this observatory. • Farm visits: Rose farms provide an interesting detour.
For Kids: • A well laid out park on a 6 acre land adjacent to the lake, is established with varieties of children's play areas installed within the park. There is also a small zoo.