5 Breathtaking Places to Visit in Yelagiri
Yelagiri is a small hill station in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. Situated at an altitude of 3500 feet, Yelagiri is a cluster of 14 hamlets nestled in Javadhu Hills of Eastern Ghats. Swamimalai Hill is the highest point in Yelagiri region which offers spectacular views of surrounding plains. The beauty of Yelagiri Hills is still untouched and is popular places to visit near Bangalore.Punganur Lake, Velavan Temple, Jalagamparai Waterfalls, and Nature Park are the top places to visit in Yelagiri. Being a hill station, Yelagiri also offers some adventure activities like trekking, nature walks and paragliding.
1. Punganoor Lake
Punganoor Lake is an artificial Lake situated in Yelagiri. This beautiful lake is one of the popular places to visit in Yelagiri Hills and is a favorite spot for locals as well as tourists. There is a walking track, a children park, a small tree top view point, fountains and few shops. Visitors can go for a short walk along the lake side and also enjoy a boat ride. Boating in the calm and serene waters of the lake is one of the top things to do in Yelagiri. The boat club here offers pedal and motor boat rides. The Punganoor Lake is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
2. Swamimalai Hill
The highest point in Yelagiri is the Swamimalai Hill which is standing tall at 4,338 feet. Swamimalai is one of the famous tourist places in Yelagiri and also a popular destination for trekkers. The hill provides a good number of trekking trails through thick forests. It is a perfect place for those who love to enjoy the pleasure of trekking amidst nature. The view from the summit of Swamimalai is breathtaking. Mangalam village is the starting point of the Swamimalai trek. It is a 5 km trek both ways and it takes about 2 - 2.5 hrs. There is a small Shiva temple and an iron ladder on the top of the hill. One can use the ladder to climb up to watch fantastic view of the surrounding hills and plains.
3. Velavan Temple
Dedicated to Lord Murugan, Velavan Temple is a famous temple located on a hillock in Yelagiri Hills. It is among popular Yelagiri tourist places and also one of the best pilgrimage places to visit in Yelagiri region. Inside the temple there are the statues of Lord Murugan and Valli in the form of Kuravan and Kurathi. Lord Ganesh has a separate shrine within the Velavan temple. Visitors can also find a huge statue of the mythological character Ghatothgajan in a standing posture. Located atop of a hillock, the temple also serves as a viewing point. From the temple, one can get the panoramic view of the green valleys of Yelagiri.
4. Nature Park
Nature Park, situated adjacent to Punganoor Lake, is one of the top places to visit in Yelagiri. Spread over an area of 12 acres, the park is very well maintained and is studded with plenty of varieties of trees, well laid out walk ways, musical fountain and so on. The nature park contains a children's park, an aquarium, a seasonal garden, a bamboo house and a poly house. The park also has an artificial waterfall. It is a perfect place for both kids and elders.
5.Jalagamparai Waterfalls
Jalagamparai Waterfalls is a magnificent waterfall situated near Jadayanur in Tamilnadu. Formed over River Attaaru, it cascades down from a height of 15 m and is one of the best places to visit in Yelagiri. Bathing in this waterfall cures diseases as it passes through various herbal plants in the hills. The isolated location of the waterfalls attracts people in large groups for picnicking. There is a Murugan temple adjacent to the waterfall. This place is popular among lovebirds. The falls is at its best from November to February when it is gushing with water but it is dry in summer.