Kolli Hills Travelogue: Resort to Nature

Looking for a short ride away from Chennai on a weekend without the usual crowds of tourists? Head to Kolli hills, a place shrouded in mists, long jungle trails, bells of temples and ashrams in the fresh mountain air and resort to nature as your panacea from the crowds. Kolli Hills doesnt need a reason to travel to. That is reason enough. The hills are completely untouched by commercial tourism so you can still feel the beauty of the place. Here is a travelogue on how to reach and the places to visit in Kolli hills. Kolli hills are located in Nammakal district of central Tamil Nadu which is a drive of 349 km from Chennai. The mountains are about 1000 to 1300 m in height and cover an area of approximately 280 sq. km. An expert driver is advisable on the wheels as the Kolli hills has 70 hair pin bends on the way to the top. Here is more on how to reach. Photo Courtesy: Kurumban Religious fervour can be never to far away in South India and this is no different in Kolli hills. Kolli hills is home to the goddess Ettukai Amman (also known as KolliPaavai) who is supposed to have been guarding the hills since time immemorial and her protection continues till this day. The Arapaleeswarar temple here is devoted to this goddess and it is supposed to contain a secret pathway to the Lord Shiva temple located in Rasipuram.Photo Courtesy: Karthickbala Check out cave exploration near the temple too where you can see inscriptions from the Chola period on cave walls. For the adventuruous amongst you, rappelling is another sport you can indulge in here. Rappelling is the controlled descent down a slope of a hill or a mountain.Photo Courtesy: Karthick Bala Masila falls is another attraction here which is 200 feet in height and is popular with the families as a safe and fun waterfall. A concrete pathway that leads right up to the waterfall and a parking spot has come up lately. A nominal parking fee of Rs 10 is charged. The top attraction here after the temple, more than thousand steps lead to the bottom of this waterfall which means a steep ascent and descent. True to its name, Ganges of the sky, the place provides a brilliant view of the landscape around.Photo Courtesy: KarthickBala This is a small temple whose Goddess is considered to be very powerful among the locals.Photo Courtesy: Rajeshodayanchal Sikku Parai is the name of the view point from where you can get a very beautiful view of the valley in front of you. The locals however dont seem to be swayed by its beauty. Its called suicide point locally.Photo Courtesy: Dilli2040 Due to lack of commercial tourism in this area, good lodges and resorts are scarce so book in advance in case of a weekend getaway. Nallathambi Resorts and Kolli Hills Camp offer options in the form of a resort and a eco friendly homestay respectively. Like other places in the hills, expect to retire early in the evening. The town sleeps by 8. Jackfruits and Pineapples are the local speciality and you get them fresh. Photo Courtesy: Rajeshodayanchal