Yelgiri - Enchanting Tamil Nadu

(Please note: Was unable to click any pics' for this one as this trip was totally unexpected and I didn't have my trusted camera with me. The pics' used in this particular report are thanks to Google Images)


Distance from Chennai: Approximately 250kms.

Route: Chennai → Kathipara → Poonamallee → Sriperumbadur → Walajapet → Katpadi → Vellore → Ambur → Vaniyambadi → Ponneri → Yelgiri.

Driving to Yelgiri

We started at 6.45am on a lovely Friday morning. The route to Yelgiri goes through many places, but although you can’t pronounce any of the names, don’t worry. It’s an absolutely straight road with no diversions right up to Vaniyambadi. There is usually a little traffic along the way, but after Sriperumbadur it’s wide, empty roads for you to cruise along.

RAJIV GANDHI MEMORIAL

Somewhere between Kathipada and Poonamallee you will get a good glimpse of the War Memorial to your right. At Sriperumbadur, cast a glance to your left and you will see a monument built at the site where Mr. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in 1991.

If you’re hungry and want to grab a bite, stopping ant Hotel Grand Krishna (Vellore) is the perfect thing to do. The ambience is extremely pleasant, service is good and the rest rooms are clean.

That done get back on the road and follow your nose right up to Vaniyambadi. It’s a pleasant drive as the roads are lined with green trees on either side and the countryside is dotted with a colorful sprinkling of houses, temples and hills.

Just after Vaniyambadi take a left turn and ride further for about 12kms till you see an HP fuel station on the right. This is the last point for filling up. A little further down the road you will reach a small junction. Take a left turn here and you’ll see the Yelgiri hills towering up in front of you.

HAIRPIN TURNS

The ride uphill is excellent with a breath-taking view of the villages below. It’s now a 14km ride with 14 hairpin turns each named after famous Tamil poets such as Thiruvalavur, Elango, Kambar, Kapilar, Ainavattar, Paari, Kaari, Ori, Aai, Adhyaman and Pegan.

If you’re not in too much of a hurry it’s worth stopping at one of these bends to click photographs, but don’t leave anything like cameras, mobiles or snacks unattended because there is an army of thieving monkeys all the way up the hill.

Yelgiri is a hill station small enough to fit in the palm of your hand but it attracts crowds from Bangalore and Chennai so it’s better if you call and book in advance. We had made our reservations at Le Auroville, a comfortable and homely resort nestled in the midst of a lovely eucalyptus forest. The rooms here are simple and cost anything between Rs.1000-2000 (not inclusive of meals).

You can enjoy a bonfire at night an also go for an early morning/late night trek in the forest. If you’re lucky you may be joined by an elephant or two.

The guide, a local villager, leads you on a Forest Trek through a narrow path that winds through the dense eucalyptus forest. The entire route is bramble infested so it’s wise to wear something long sleeved in order to avoid scratches. Once you’re well into the forest there’s no escaping the heady fragrance of eucalyptus. The faint smattering of sunlight and the dense maze of pale-barked tall trees gives one the feeling of being surrounded by great ribbons of cold mist rising up to the skies. This coupled with the silence can create quite an eerie feeling.

The path gradually leads to a little frog-filled pond where you can stop to catch your breath. From here you can either trek further into the unexplored depths of the forest or head back to the hotel. We did the latter.

BOATING AT THE LAKE 

Another activity to indulge in is Boating. For the cost of Rs.25 per head, you can choose between paddle-boating or a good old fashioned row boat. The lake is approx’ 5 minutes away from Le Auroville  (by car). Those with children can keep them entertained in the well equipped park that leads to the jetty.

The lake itself has a depth of 25feet and a circumference of approx’ 3kms. As you sit back and sail along, you can enjoy the sight of beautiful green hills on every side.

Back at the resort there’s always scope for a good game of badminton, cricket or football. For those who wish to stay holed-up in the rooms, the rooms provide large beds, comforters and cable Tv.

Yelgiri Village is just as silent and welcoming as the hills that surround it. As you explore its narrow streets you will find well-built houses and also low-walled dwellings of mud and thickly thatched roofs. There’s nothing new or extra-ordinary about the goods available here and although the locals do sell ‘pure’ honey at every corner, the purity and quality is doubtful. There are also no ATMs in the village so come well equipped with cash as credit cards are as useful here as they are on the moon.

On your way down the hill, drop in at Telescope House. There is a small staff here that manage a telescope and, for just Rs.5, will show you places like the Jain Women’s College, Jolarpettai Railway Station and the Vaniyambadi Highway. This is by far the best place for photography of the valley below.

Ride all he way downhill and go further up to Tirupattur. Take the road opposite Sacred Heart College. From there, it’s about 10kms of narrow country road that leads to the Jalaagampari Falls, a total of appprox’ 40kms from Yelgiri. This is an avoidable place unless it’s the monsoon season when the falls are full.

Although you are welcome to stay at Yelgiri for as long as you wish, when you do decide to go back to Chennai, avoid leaving late. Once you get within city limits, navigating through the traffic is quite tedious and time-consuming.