A small hill station positioned in the Vellore district of the state, Tamil Nadu, Yelagiri may not be as famous as its contemporaries like Ooty, but it surely has much to offer. Tamil Nadu has a wide variety of hill stations, and if you are looking for a hill station to enjoy simplicity at its very best, then this is the place to be.
Yelagiri is a quiet town that has amazing things to discover right from sunset points, lush-green parks, lakes and much more. One can quickly be surprised by what is on offer from the natural beauty of Yelagiri. It takes close to 5 hours to reach Yelagiri from Chennai.
Best Time To Visit Yelagiri
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Yelagiri has a pleasant climate all through the year mainly due to its latitude position. The hot weather is something people in Yelagiri are not aware of. Though open and accessible to the public at any time of the year, the season between November to February offers a different class altogether and hence, it is the best time to visit Yelagiri. For people looking to explore the Summer Festival, then May to June is the time for them.
How To Reach Yelagiri
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By Air: The nearest airport to Yelagiri is the Bangalore airport that is 160 kilometres away. There are frequent buses or cabs to cover the remaining distance.
By Rail: The Jolarpettai railway station is only 20 kilometres away from Yelagiri. Take a taxi or a cab till Yelagiri. Numerous bus services are running to and fro Yelagiri connecting major cities in South India.
By Road: Travelling via road by bus or car is probably the best option to catch the action live while coming from Chennai. You will come across amazing vistas and incredible natural beauty all through your journey.
The intra-city commuting can be easily covered via taxi, cab or auto. There are also regular buses running within to and fro the town.
Best Route To Reach Yelagiri
Route 1: Chennai - Vellore - Yelagiri (4 hours 45 mins and 232 kilometres)
Route 2: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Yelagiri (5 hours and 234 kilometres)
Even though both routes are equidistant, it still takes 15-20 minutes lesser via route 1, making it a more preferred option.
Starting Point – Chennai
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Proudly one of the four metropolitans in India, Chennai deserves the nickname the Ultimate Getaway to the South. It is proximate to tourist hotspots like Pondicherry, Kanyakumari, and Tirupati. Home to some ancient forts and temples, historical monuments, theme parks, churches and much more, Chennai has more to offer through delightful delicacies and fantastic shopping experiences. The Marina Beach is the second largest beach in the world on records.
First Stopover, Vellore
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Drive 139 kilometres and approximately three hours, and you would reach one of the popular transit hubs for travellers and the world. Vellore is blessed with rich cultural heritage and an everlasting legacy of the earliest Dravidian civilisations.
There are several tourist attractions in Vellore that continue to rise at a rapid pace. Some of the most popular ones include the Vellore Fort, Jalakandeswarar Temple, Pearl Palace, the State Government Museum, the French Bungalow and the Clock Tower.
Final Destination – Yelagiri
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Another 93 kilometres and a two-hour drive and you would reach the destination, Yelagiri, which is home to some incredible, natural and man-made attractions. A holiday in Yelagiri for a week will be an experience worth remembering.
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Attractions In And Around Yelagiri
Jalagamparai Falls
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Positioned 4 kilometres away from the city centre, one has to trek 5 kilometres to reach the captivating waterfall. The mountain rocks divide the Attaru river flowing through the hill station by a beautiful fall.
Nature Park
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Placed 2 kilometres away from the city centre in the neighbourhood of the Punganoor Lake, the Nature Park is a favourite hill station raising the ranks that spread over 12 acres. Enjoy the relaxing and refreshing environment oozing with flora and fauna.
Some critical elements like the artificial cascade or the waterfalls, the bamboo house, the musical fountain with vibrant colours, the fish aquarium, the season garden, the children's park and the poly house offer a rejuvenating experiences for both kids and adults.
Punganur Lake
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Positioned 1 kilometre away from the city centre, this artificial lake encompasses 60 square yard metres of land. The Punganur Lake features a beautiful fountain in the middle of the lake. There are plenty of boating facilities available to explore the area.
Swamimalai Hills
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Placed 3 kilometres away from the city centre, the Swamimalai Hills is one of the most famous and breathtaking hills in the region; it is the highest point on the hill station. Indulge in a three-kilometre trek from Punganoor Lake and feel an experience like never before.
Adventurous Activities In Yelagiri
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Move 2 kilometres from the city centre and you will come across the Yelagiri Adventure Camp incepted by the Tamil Nadu government for promoting adventurous activities in the region. Mountain climbing, paragliding, hiking and trekking are standard features here.
Summer Festival
This festival hosted in Yelagiri does make the bells go crazy but it is worth a visit. Held annually between May and June each year, several government officials of Tamil Nadu and other states come over and experience the magic.