Serene Yercaud
Hillstations> Yercaud
A journey through the poor man's Ooty, the serene Yercaud
The bears have gone, but coffee estates and orange farms, quad biking, waterfall and lakes, rare species of birds and flowers, all beckon jaded city dwellers to the poor man's Ooty, with a panoramic view of Salem and Mettur dam.
Salem is known as Steel city of India. Yercaud is a hill station near Salem, Tami Nadu. It's located in the Servarayans range of hills in the Eastern Ghats. It is situated at an altitude of 1500 meters (4920 ft) above sea level. The town's name is derived from the lake located at its center - in Tamil Yeri Means Lake and Kaadu means forest. Coffee and citrus fruits, most notably oranges, are grown in abundance apart from bananas, pears and jackfruit. Scenically, Yercaud is as enchanting and picturesque as the hill stations on the Western ghats.
Salem, this Tamil city is flourished with industries and the related commercial activates. A city which grown into prosperity defying the odds of humid weather condition. When the people in Salem feel exasperated due to excess heat, they will travel for 30 km distance to Yercaud. They will go to this famous hill station to freshen them up in its cool locale. Yercaud is known as the summer palace of Salem. Like Ooty and Kodaikanal, Yercaud is also added in the tourism map of South India.
In Tamil language Yercaud which part of Servarayans range of hills in the Eastern Ghats, is also called as Ooty of the poor and young prince of mountains.
The road to Yercaud to the hill, which is 4700 feet above sea level, has nearly 20 hairpin bends that offer panoramic views of the hills and valleys.
While looking from the upper part of the ghat pass, one can see the beautiful Tamil villages and Salem city. The distance from railway station to bus stand is 3 km. There are buses to Yercaud in every half an hour from the bus stand. Once you reached here, the traveler can enjoy the major tourists spot in 4 km distance. The main spots can be viewed after hiring a car or an auto.
Yercaud Lake
After covering the 20 Kondai Oosivalavukal (hair pin curves) the first sight to see is the Yercaud lake itself, a beautiful lake surrounded by gardens and well-wooded trees.
The lake has boating facility in which both paddle boats and oar-drawn boats are available. People boating in the cold water of the lake can feel enchanting as well as refreshing. The lake is also known as emerald lake and it is the only natural lake amongst all hill stations in the southern part of India.
The garden surrounding the lake is well groomed. Then can make walk through the several beautiful parks surrounding the lake such as Anna Park, Lake Park, Gandhi Park and Children's Park. During the month of May there would be Horticulture show in Anna Park. This is also a horticulture farm. Here is the rose garden decked up with many kinds of roses.
The entry fee is Rs 2.the The Lake is surrounded by a Deer Park, which will close at 5 pm.
Killiyoor waterfalls
Those who are visiting Yercaud should never miss the Killiyoor waterfalls. It is a beautiful waterfall in the Servarayan hill. It is a 300 feet high waterfall and is about 3kms from the Yercaud Lake. The best season to visit this spot is after the monsoon season. The place can be reached after a I km trekking through the rough unpaved steep pathway.
But once you reach there the views of the lake, the falls and the valley are truly amazing to watch. Those who want to have a bath can do the same. It is a breathtaking sight in the monsoon time when the water levels are at the maximum. But during summer the place might not be as attractive.
Servarayan Temple
The Servarayan Temple is situated atop Servarayan hill and the annual festival of Lord Servarayan is celebrated in May every year. Thousands of tribes take part in the colorful annual festival.The temple is a narrow and dark cave having the God Servarayan and the Goddess Kaveri inside, which are believed as the deities of the Sevaray Hills and Cauvery River. The highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple, at 5,326 feet (1,623 m).
There is myth that through this cave temple one can travel up to the origin of Cauvery River. From here one can spot Yercaud town and Nagallor.
The other important pilgrimage centers are Murukal Kovil and Sreerajarajeshwari temple.
Bear's cave
The Bear's cave is situated near the Nortona's Bungalow, which is on the way to the Servarayan Temple. The cave is now part of a private property; however tourists are allowed to visit. There is a huge cave formation beside this coffee estate bungalow, which was considered to be home for the bears. There is a temple near this cave that is considered to be one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga and has its central area carved out of a single rock.
Orchidarium
The Orchidarium maintained by Botanical Survey Of India has more than 100 species of orchids including rare varieties like the Vernonia shevaroyensis and lady's slipper orchid etc. Many endangered species of orchids are persevered in this orchidarium which is ranked the third largest of all the orchidariums in India.The garden would be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and during national holidays.
Another attraction in the campus is a peculiar rock known as 'Bell Rock', which makes a bell sound when you hit it with a stone. The ticket charge is Rs 3 and Rs 10 for camera.
Lady's Seat
Lady's Seat is another attraction of cluster of rocks located beautifully on the south west of the Yercaud hills. It overlooks the winding ghat road.
Tourists can have a panoramic view of the plains below through the telescope mounted at the Lady's seat. Here is telescopic house and which could give the tourists to have a closer look at the plains below and the winding Salem-Yercaud ghat pass road in between.
On a clear day, you could also see the Mettur Dam on the Kaveri river. There are silkworm farm and mulberry plantation near the location.
Next to ladies set the Gents seat situated In the right part of the Ladies seat. Its view another cluster of rocks.
Pagoda Point or pyramid point
The Pagoda Point or pyramid point is one of the most important places in Yercaud, which lies on the eastern side of Yercaud hills. Atoor and Ayodhya Pattanam can e seen from this viewpoint. It situates at 5 km distance form Yercaud. To the way to Pagoda point there are facilities for Quad biking, the biking though the rough path of coffee plantations and the fee for Quad biking is Rs 100.
Arthur seat
In Arthur seat one can have a bird's eye view of the Big Lake, Yercaud Town and the Servarayan Peak. This vantage point is in 1 km distance from town.
The Yercaud has kept the abundance view of such beautiful locals for the tourist coupled with plantations of Coffee oranges, bananas, pears and jackfruit, flowers and rare birds.
The travelers should be ready to spend at least one day and night here. There are accommodation facilities in the form of hotels, estate bungalows in the middle of coffee plantations and common hotels.
Travel Info
How to reach
By road: Buses operate from Salem junction and Salem Bus stand to Yercaud frequently. There is no town bus service in Yercaud . But, certain buses coming from Salem ply through Yercaud and connect important villages like Cauvery peak, Valavanthi, Nagalur, Vellakadai and Swinton Bridge with Yercaud.
By train
Salem junction-36 kms
Salem town –33 kms
Salem is connected to major cities like Cochin, Chennai, Bengaluru, Erode, Trivandrum and Mangalore.
By air
Trichy-163 kms. Other options are Coimbatore (190 kms) or Bengaluru (222 kms)
Contact
Tourist Information centre, Hotel Tamil Nadu Complex, Ramakrishna Road, Salem
0427-2316449
Salem railway station-04342-260111
Salem bus stand-04342-260807
Tourist Information centre, Dharmapurai-04342-230705
Distance chart
Salem 32 km, Trichy 163 km, Madurai-271 km, Chennai-358km, Coimbatore-190 km, Bengaluru-222 km, Chidambaram-228 km, Cochin-113 km, Thiruvananthapuram-518 kms.
Stay
STD code: 04281
Glenrock estate: Rs 1350-1900. Ph: 09986026069
Hotel Yercaud International: Ph:82504281-222233
Clifton Inn: rs 1500-3000. Ph: 222911, 099524 21099
Hotel Tamil Nadu:RS 800-1300, 223334
The regent hill side resort: Rs 45,000.Ph:9443700000
Ram's house: Rs 150.ph: 223372
Thendral resort: Rs 1500-2500. Ph: 222800, 94433, 49204.
Hotel Shevaroys :Rs 900-4900.Ph: 222288, 09944999599
Star Holidays: Rs 1000-2000.Ph: 223337, 9443553618
The Lake Forest : Rs 4000-15000:Ph: 223217
Hotel Grand Palace: Rs 3500-5500.Ph :223481
Tilakam Nest:Rs 660-1700.Ph:223410
Classic cottage: Rs 880-1500. Ph: 223388
Hotel SKT residency: Rs 770-990.Ph: 1968291633.
Silver holidays: Rs 550-600.Ph: 222656.
Sterling holiday resort Indian ltd.: Rs 3000-5000.Ph: 222707
Fairholme Bungalow: Rs 7500.Ph: 226737, 9444 21 46266.
Heavens' lodge: Rs 1750. Ph: 226737
Grange resort: Rs 1900-3000.Ph: 222180
Select Hotel: RS 400.Ph: 22252.
Tips
Just relax. Go and spend a weekend with family.
Go for walk around the lake. Visit the waterfalls, temples, coffee plantations etc.
Do not miss hot chilli baji, Yercaud banana, home made chocolates.
The uphill road to reach the Yercaud has 20 hairpin curves and if you are not an experienced driver, make this part of the journey during daytime.
The rains can be very stormy and dangerous to drive uphill.
Carry medicines and first aid kit with you, as most of the medical shops or facilities are closed on Sunday.
Do not forget to carry some woolens especially if you are traveling with kid
Sights Around
Killiyur falls, Rajeshwari tample, Sevaroyan temple and hill, dirt biking near grange resorts, pagoda point, Mont fort school (Only allowed on Sundays, not on Saturday), Children seat, ladies seat, gents seat and rose garden.
Travel info
One tourist spot, which can be added along while visiting Yercaud is Hoganakkal. Its 113 km from Yercaud. You can have ride in Kottavanchi in Cauvery River after watching the waterfalls. Mettrur dam constructed in 1934 also situates in the route .There are many other tourist centers in Salem and its surroundings .
Kailasanatha Temple in Tharamangalam (30km), Sankagirikottai (38 km), Uthumalai (6 km) and the Juma Masjid constructed by Tipu Sulthan in Salem town.
Text: G Jyothilal
Photos: S L Anand
Translation: Shamila KY
A journey through the poor man's Ooty, the serene Yercaud
The bears have gone, but coffee estates and orange farms, quad biking, waterfall and lakes, rare species of birds and flowers, all beckon jaded city dwellers to the poor man's Ooty, with a panoramic view of Salem and Mettur dam.
Salem is known as Steel city of India. Yercaud is a hill station near Salem, Tami Nadu. It's located in the Servarayans range of hills in the Eastern Ghats. It is situated at an altitude of 1500 meters (4920 ft) above sea level. The town's name is derived from the lake located at its center - in Tamil Yeri Means Lake and Kaadu means forest. Coffee and citrus fruits, most notably oranges, are grown in abundance apart from bananas, pears and jackfruit. Scenically, Yercaud is as enchanting and picturesque as the hill stations on the Western ghats.
Salem, this Tamil city is flourished with industries and the related commercial activates. A city which grown into prosperity defying the odds of humid weather condition. When the people in Salem feel exasperated due to excess heat, they will travel for 30 km distance to Yercaud. They will go to this famous hill station to freshen them up in its cool locale. Yercaud is known as the summer palace of Salem. Like Ooty and Kodaikanal, Yercaud is also added in the tourism map of South India.
In Tamil language Yercaud which part of Servarayans range of hills in the Eastern Ghats, is also called as Ooty of the poor and young prince of mountains.
The road to Yercaud to the hill, which is 4700 feet above sea level, has nearly 20 hairpin bends that offer panoramic views of the hills and valleys.
While looking from the upper part of the ghat pass, one can see the beautiful Tamil villages and Salem city. The distance from railway station to bus stand is 3 km. There are buses to Yercaud in every half an hour from the bus stand. Once you reached here, the traveler can enjoy the major tourists spot in 4 km distance. The main spots can be viewed after hiring a car or an auto.
Yercaud Lake
After covering the 20 Kondai Oosivalavukal (hair pin curves) the first sight to see is the Yercaud lake itself, a beautiful lake surrounded by gardens and well-wooded trees.
The lake has boating facility in which both paddle boats and oar-drawn boats are available. People boating in the cold water of the lake can feel enchanting as well as refreshing. The lake is also known as emerald lake and it is the only natural lake amongst all hill stations in the southern part of India.
The garden surrounding the lake is well groomed. Then can make walk through the several beautiful parks surrounding the lake such as Anna Park, Lake Park, Gandhi Park and Children's Park. During the month of May there would be Horticulture show in Anna Park. This is also a horticulture farm. Here is the rose garden decked up with many kinds of roses.
The entry fee is Rs 2.the The Lake is surrounded by a Deer Park, which will close at 5 pm.
Killiyoor waterfalls
Those who are visiting Yercaud should never miss the Killiyoor waterfalls. It is a beautiful waterfall in the Servarayan hill. It is a 300 feet high waterfall and is about 3kms from the Yercaud Lake. The best season to visit this spot is after the monsoon season. The place can be reached after a I km trekking through the rough unpaved steep pathway.
But once you reach there the views of the lake, the falls and the valley are truly amazing to watch. Those who want to have a bath can do the same. It is a breathtaking sight in the monsoon time when the water levels are at the maximum. But during summer the place might not be as attractive.
Servarayan Temple
The Servarayan Temple is situated atop Servarayan hill and the annual festival of Lord Servarayan is celebrated in May every year. Thousands of tribes take part in the colorful annual festival.The temple is a narrow and dark cave having the God Servarayan and the Goddess Kaveri inside, which are believed as the deities of the Sevaray Hills and Cauvery River. The highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple, at 5,326 feet (1,623 m).
There is myth that through this cave temple one can travel up to the origin of Cauvery River. From here one can spot Yercaud town and Nagallor.
The other important pilgrimage centers are Murukal Kovil and Sreerajarajeshwari temple.
Bear's cave
The Bear's cave is situated near the Nortona's Bungalow, which is on the way to the Servarayan Temple. The cave is now part of a private property; however tourists are allowed to visit. There is a huge cave formation beside this coffee estate bungalow, which was considered to be home for the bears. There is a temple near this cave that is considered to be one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga and has its central area carved out of a single rock.
Orchidarium
The Orchidarium maintained by Botanical Survey Of India has more than 100 species of orchids including rare varieties like the Vernonia shevaroyensis and lady's slipper orchid etc. Many endangered species of orchids are persevered in this orchidarium which is ranked the third largest of all the orchidariums in India.The garden would be closed on Saturdays and Sundays and during national holidays.
Another attraction in the campus is a peculiar rock known as 'Bell Rock', which makes a bell sound when you hit it with a stone. The ticket charge is Rs 3 and Rs 10 for camera.
Lady's Seat
Lady's Seat is another attraction of cluster of rocks located beautifully on the south west of the Yercaud hills. It overlooks the winding ghat road.
Tourists can have a panoramic view of the plains below through the telescope mounted at the Lady's seat. Here is telescopic house and which could give the tourists to have a closer look at the plains below and the winding Salem-Yercaud ghat pass road in between.
On a clear day, you could also see the Mettur Dam on the Kaveri river. There are silkworm farm and mulberry plantation near the location.
Next to ladies set the Gents seat situated In the right part of the Ladies seat. Its view another cluster of rocks.
Pagoda Point or pyramid point
The Pagoda Point or pyramid point is one of the most important places in Yercaud, which lies on the eastern side of Yercaud hills. Atoor and Ayodhya Pattanam can e seen from this viewpoint. It situates at 5 km distance form Yercaud. To the way to Pagoda point there are facilities for Quad biking, the biking though the rough path of coffee plantations and the fee for Quad biking is Rs 100.
Arthur seat
In Arthur seat one can have a bird's eye view of the Big Lake, Yercaud Town and the Servarayan Peak. This vantage point is in 1 km distance from town.
The Yercaud has kept the abundance view of such beautiful locals for the tourist coupled with plantations of Coffee oranges, bananas, pears and jackfruit, flowers and rare birds.
The travelers should be ready to spend at least one day and night here. There are accommodation facilities in the form of hotels, estate bungalows in the middle of coffee plantations and common hotels.
Travel Info
How to reach
By road: Buses operate from Salem junction and Salem Bus stand to Yercaud frequently. There is no town bus service in Yercaud . But, certain buses coming from Salem ply through Yercaud and connect important villages like Cauvery peak, Valavanthi, Nagalur, Vellakadai and Swinton Bridge with Yercaud.
By train
Salem junction-36 kms
Salem town –33 kms
Salem is connected to major cities like Cochin, Chennai, Bengaluru, Erode, Trivandrum and Mangalore.
By air
Trichy-163 kms. Other options are Coimbatore (190 kms) or Bengaluru (222 kms)
Contact
Tourist Information centre, Hotel Tamil Nadu Complex, Ramakrishna Road, Salem
0427-2316449
Salem railway station-04342-260111
Salem bus stand-04342-260807
Tourist Information centre, Dharmapurai-04342-230705
Distance chart
Salem 32 km, Trichy 163 km, Madurai-271 km, Chennai-358km, Coimbatore-190 km, Bengaluru-222 km, Chidambaram-228 km, Cochin-113 km, Thiruvananthapuram-518 kms.
Stay
STD code: 04281
Glenrock estate: Rs 1350-1900. Ph: 09986026069
Hotel Yercaud International: Ph:82504281-222233
Clifton Inn: rs 1500-3000. Ph: 222911, 099524 21099
Hotel Tamil Nadu:RS 800-1300, 223334
The regent hill side resort: Rs 45,000.Ph:9443700000
Ram's house: Rs 150.ph: 223372
Thendral resort: Rs 1500-2500. Ph: 222800, 94433, 49204.
Hotel Shevaroys :Rs 900-4900.Ph: 222288, 09944999599
Star Holidays: Rs 1000-2000.Ph: 223337, 9443553618
The Lake Forest : Rs 4000-15000:Ph: 223217
Hotel Grand Palace: Rs 3500-5500.Ph :223481
Tilakam Nest:Rs 660-1700.Ph:223410
Classic cottage: Rs 880-1500. Ph: 223388
Hotel SKT residency: Rs 770-990.Ph: 1968291633.
Silver holidays: Rs 550-600.Ph: 222656.
Sterling holiday resort Indian ltd.: Rs 3000-5000.Ph: 222707
Fairholme Bungalow: Rs 7500.Ph: 226737, 9444 21 46266.
Heavens' lodge: Rs 1750. Ph: 226737
Grange resort: Rs 1900-3000.Ph: 222180
Select Hotel: RS 400.Ph: 22252.
Tips
Just relax. Go and spend a weekend with family.
Go for walk around the lake. Visit the waterfalls, temples, coffee plantations etc.
Do not miss hot chilli baji, Yercaud banana, home made chocolates.
The uphill road to reach the Yercaud has 20 hairpin curves and if you are not an experienced driver, make this part of the journey during daytime.
The rains can be very stormy and dangerous to drive uphill.
Carry medicines and first aid kit with you, as most of the medical shops or facilities are closed on Sunday.
Do not forget to carry some woolens especially if you are traveling with kid
Sights Around
Killiyur falls, Rajeshwari tample, Sevaroyan temple and hill, dirt biking near grange resorts, pagoda point, Mont fort school (Only allowed on Sundays, not on Saturday), Children seat, ladies seat, gents seat and rose garden.
Travel info
One tourist spot, which can be added along while visiting Yercaud is Hoganakkal. Its 113 km from Yercaud. You can have ride in Kottavanchi in Cauvery River after watching the waterfalls. Mettrur dam constructed in 1934 also situates in the route .There are many other tourist centers in Salem and its surroundings .
Kailasanatha Temple in Tharamangalam (30km), Sankagirikottai (38 km), Uthumalai (6 km) and the Juma Masjid constructed by Tipu Sulthan in Salem town.
Text: G Jyothilal
Photos: S L Anand
Translation: Shamila KY
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