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Who can resist the beauty of sun kissed hills, lush valleys and a tranquil emerald lake nestled in the midst? Crisp mountain air, pockets of mist lazily clouding the valley and billowing cotton wool clouds create an irresistible magic. Golden skeins of sunlight play hide and seek amidst the whispering forest foliage, creating a mesmerizing shadow play. Welcome to Yelagiri…
Spice hills
Hitherto untouched by the tourist influx, Yelagiri (or Elagiri) is a serene and peaceful weekend getaway. Situated at an altitude of 3500 ft. Yelagiri occupies an area of 30 sq. m. comprising of 14 villages, and lies embedded in the salubrious Western Ghats.
Named after cardamom (or Yellakka in Tamil), the spice carpets the hill slopes. Barely 3 or 4 hours away (depending on how fast you drive) from the bustling cities of Bangalore and Chennai, the Yelagiri hills beckon invitingly.
Getting there
The uphill drive along the ghat road, consists of a series of 14 hairpin bends, and the seventh hairpin bend offers a spectacular view. Watch out for the great monkey brigade, which revels at terrorising tourists! You could take a train to Jolarpet and a taxi thereafter. Some hotels offer a pick up from Jolarpet station for a nominal fee. Taking a bus isn’t such a good idea if you are time bound, since the ride is long, labourious and uncomfortable.
Going back in time
There are no petrol bunks on the way, so fill up on the gas. After all, you are heading for a quaint, sleepy little hill resort, which does not even offer cable TV! Carry enough cash, for there are no ATMs, and most hotels or shops don’t accept credit cards! When you book your hotel, remember to check the acceptable mode of payment. This sleepy hamlet has no bars and none of the hotels are licensed to serve liquor.
Getting around
The boat club boasts of motor and pedal boats, and your trip to Yelagiri will not be complete without a boat ride! Trek along the scenic 3 km uphill stretch towards Swamimalai, the highest peak. The Jadaiyanoor waterfalls are subject to whether the river Attaaru is in spate or running dry.
Other must-dos include a trip to the herbal farm, fruit and sericulture farm. The “Shandy” is the home for all the hill produce, from luscious jackfruit, ripe mangoes to freshly bottled honey.
Winter temperatures can go down to 5 degrees, so keep woolens handy if visiting between Nov – Jan. Summers are cool with a nip in the air. Get set to connect with nature, carry a book, walk and come back rejuvenated.
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Source by Mahatru Goyal
