Pollachi Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Pollachi

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park located in the Annamalai Hills is a protected area. It got renamed after the Indian Prime Minister visited the park in 1961. The wildlife sanctuary is located at a height of 1400 m above sea level and spread across an area of 958 sq km. The park prides in being home to a wide range of flora and fauna.

Wild animals such as panthers, deer, tigers, elephants, civets, gaur, wild bears, sloth bears, porcupines, jackals, pangolins, etc inhabit in the depths of this park. Several birds such as the red tree pie, spotted dove, whiskered bulbul, black headed oriole, rocket tailed drongo, etc are also found in the park.

The Amravati Reservoir located within the park is inhabited by crocodiles. Hundreds of tourists throng to this place to witness the spectacular Anaikunthi Shola, Karian Shola, dams, waterfalls and hills.

Pollachi Ayyappan Temple which was built in 1970 shares several similarities with the Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple. The temple houses the idol of many deities, however the main deity of the temple is Ayyapan.

Several devotees visit the temple every day to attend the regular rituals, homam and puja.

Subramania Swamy Thirukoil which was built over 700 years ago by the Konga Cholas is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was named the Thiruvahatheswaramudayar temple.

The temple is an attraction to tourists interested in ancient architecture as it is famous for its architectural value. The temple today is famous as Subramania Kovil. Lord Subramania is worshiped here.

Masani Amman Temple is dedicated to Maasani amman, and the deity is depicted as one with a serpent’s body. Located at a distance of 24 km from Pollachi, devotees throng to the place believing that their prayers would be answered within three weeks by the deity.

The temple is especially crowded Tuesdays and Fridays as it is considered auspicious to the deity. The central area of the temple houses a painting of Maasani amman in reflecting colours. The image is that of the deity resting on her back.

The legends say that the Maasani amman temple was constructed in the name of a girl who ate a mango from a tree belonging to King Nanan. The girl was sentenced to death by the king because of her act. The locals later started worshiping the girl as ‘Masani’. Legends also say that Lord Rama visited the temple during his search for Sita and sat in the temple to meditate.

Aliyar Dam is located at a distance of 24 km from Pollachi. Built between the period of 1959 to 1969 across the Aazhiyaar river, the purpose of the dam was irrigation. The dam is 81 m in height and is a feat of excellent engineering work. The dam has become a popular picnic in the recent times.

Negamam is a panchayat town close to Pollachi. The distance between the two towns is about 14 km.

The sprawling coconut farms enhance the scenic beauty of the town and make it worth a visit.

Udumalaipettai is located at a distance of 24 km from Pollachi. Udumalaipettai is the twin city of Pollachi. The town has become a famous tourist spot because of its scenic beauty, numerous temples and Dams.

Prasanna Vinaayagar temple, Maariyamman temple, Kamatchi Amman temple and Bazanai Moorthi temple are some of the most famous temples. Thirumoorthy dam, Amaravathi dam and Kaadambaari dam are the famous dams in the place. Trekkers can take a route from Amaravathi Dam to Kodaikanal.

Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is at a distance of 65 km from Pollachi. About 34 species of mammals including panthers, spotted deer, gaur, tigers, elephants, bonnet macaque, Nilgiri tahr, hanuman monkey and grizzled giant squirrels inhabit the forests.

The main attractions of the sanctuary are the rare Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Thoovanam Waterfalls and the panoramic Watch Tower which provide a view of the entire park.

Thirumoorthy Hills is located adjoining to the Thirumoothy dam, and the Thirumoothy temple is located in the hills. There is a stream flowing by the Sir Amaralingeswarar temple and the Thirumoorthy falls in these hills.

Legends say that Athari Maharishi and his wife Anushiya Devi resided in these hills, and the Gods of the Hindu trinity had come down to test their devotion. The Gods asked them to make their offerings with Anushiya Devi in nudity. She agreed and changed the Gods in babies with her devotion and fed them. The Gods blessed the couple and left and the Hills came to be known by their name.

Sulakkal Mariamman Temple is located in Sulakkal village about 15 km away from Pollachi. The temple was constructed by a local villager who dreamt of the Goddess dictating him to build a temple.

Till the present day the temple is looked upon as a cultural icon in the region and three families from Zaminikaliyapuram and Sulakkal village have taken care of the temple.

Arivu Thirukoil is located near the Aadaliamman Koil temple, at a distance of 25 km from Pollachi. The temple is also known as the ‘Temple of Consciousness’. Established by Yogiraj Vethathiri Maharishi the temple is a centre of meditation. It offers books on spirituality and meditation.

Alagunachi Amman Temple constructed in the 16th is located 80 km away from Pollachi. The temple was built by some people from Valliarachal. The main deity of the temple, Alagunachi Amman is the clan god of the Kongu Vellala Gounder community.

It is believed that some people from the clan had come to the clan with an idol of their god which had disappeared while they were resting. So the group decided to build a temple and stay in the area, while taking care of the temple.

The Mariamman temple is located at the heart of the town. The temple dates back to over 300 years. The major festival celebrated in the temple is the Masi Car festival.

Poojas are offered every day of the week. The temple is open to devotees from 6 am to 8 pm.

Monkey falls is a natural waterfall which is located at a distance of 30 km in the Anaimalai Hills. The falls is located on the Pollachi- Valparai road. There is a trek route located there. The fall has become a popular tourist spot due to its spectacular scenic beauty. The entry to the falls is priced at Rs. 15.