Elagiri or Yelagiri, the private hamlet town of 14 villages, a hill-station private property of – Yelagiri Zamindar family today is open to the general public to enjoy. The Zamindar family lives close by at the foothills in a place called Reddiyur.
This hillstation today has a lake and is surrounded by hillocks. It is scenically beautiful. The only activities you could indulge here is – nature walk, trekking, boating and adventure sports like quad biking, parasailing etc. There is an old observatory for those interested in astronomy 25kms away.
Jalagampari falls is a good trek or a long drive (via Tirupattur) and a short walk (30 kms drive & one hour & 1 km walk) and is seasonal, rainy season shows this waterfall in its full glory. That leaves one with a good long 3+3 kms walk up & down –
Swami malai hills to see the picturesque view of Yelagiri.
The town is dotted with Shivite temples all over…here called Nachiappan & Nachiamma and their son Murugan called Karthik! It’s better to go to Yelagiri on a clear sky day to enjoy it’s beauty! Best time would be between November & February. During March & June … the temperatures are 18 – 34 degree Celsius. Yelagiri’s salubrious climate prevails all through the year attracting a number of tourists even in winter.
The road climb up the Yelagiri hills have 14 hair-pin bends, each named after a Tamil personality or a poet! The viewpoint from the 7th hairpin bend is amazing. The uphill roads are narrow and parking your car to view or to take photos is tricky. A bit of caution, Yelagiri is a home of hundreds of snakes!
Yelagiri human settlement started 200-400 years. Most of the native people are known as ‘Malayalis’, they come from Kancheepuram districts and were Tipu Sultan’s soldiers. Malayali people are also called ‘karalar’ – which means the people who rule the clouds. Yelagiri’s green hills with blue skies qualify the statement. The natives Malayalis are not to be confused with the Kerala’s Malayalees and are cultivators.
Most of the people are Tamilnadu Hindus. But you can see a presence of churches and mosques. Educational institutions have sprung up over here with residential schools. Sterling Marigold Ridge & Hotel Kumararaju Palace are the only high end hotels to stay… rest are small resorts, home-stays and lodges. Dining out will lead you to small hotels serving you Tamilnadu snacks. All establishments close by 9pm and cold weather sets in from sunset. It’s advisable to carry warm clothing and rainwear and umbrellas during cloudy season. Carrying cash is advisable, cards are not accepted except the mentioned hotels. . . It’s better to dine in these multi-cuisine limited menu hotels.
Yelagiri is just a place of relaxation and rejuvenation. Two night stay is maximum one can put up. A family bonding trip, a friends outing or a romantic trip is ideal out here. Jolarpet is the nearest railway station here. A lot of buses ply to Yelagiri from Bangalore, Chennai & Coimbatore. The toll roads and adjoining roads leading to Yelagiri are great.
From Bangalore head on NH7 going past Hosur and passing Krishnagiri. After paying toll get off the highway (don’t take the second flyover) and take the road going towards Chennai. Drive on NH46 for an hour you will come to a toll station… pay your toll and drive for about 3 kms you will come to a sign ‘Elagiri’ at a school take a U turn and take the road going to Tirupathur under the bridge, drive for about 7 kms and take the left turn towards the winding roads leading you to Elagiri. Lookout for road signs.
Bangalore (Bengaluru) to Yelagiri (Elagiri) is 193 kms and a comfortable 3 hour drive. Chennai to Yelagiri ( Elagiri) is 219 kms and its pleasant climate welcomes you all year around to relax & rejuvenate.
-Jagdeesh Laxman Singh
aka Jugie Singh
Text & Photography
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