My journey through the hill stations of Tamil Nadu
This articles deals with the hill stations of Tamil Nadu and I must say visiting the hill stations is really pleasurable. One can enjoy even the road journey leading to these hill stations because these are alternative to normal routes which the tourists organisers usually specify.
Kodaikanal
The joy in visiting the Hill stations in Tamilnadu was immense.
From Madurai, we traveled in a bus via Vadipatti, Vatlagundu which is a junction connecting the other road from Dindigul. From there, the route to the hill station starts and the other route from Kodai road also leads to Kodaikanal. These are the usual routes any tourist would travel. Places to visit are lakes, falls, suicide spots, the Guna's cave etc.
But there are other local routes covering the other sides of the hills by connecting various villages in the hills, are from Oddanchatram. This place can be reached from Madurai, Coimbatore and Dindigul by road. The roads to this place also have a unique beauty traveling through which we can see the surroundings of Western Ghats on the two side views and also the front view and so I always sit in the front seat.
Another route from Kodaikanal to Palani is entirely along the hill and is laden with all the natural beauty but usually people take the route via Vatlagundu. This route is for the people who love nature while travelling.
Recommended: Tourist attractions in KanyakumariOoty and Coonoor
From Mettupalayam, the roads leading to Coonoor which is known as the green-hills will give a real pleasure. Seeing the green beauty is a real treat to the eyes and places to visit are tea estates, Sims Park and a small water canal. After visiting this place, proceeding to Ooty also by road is real fun. Seeing places like the Botanical Garden, Doddabettah is worthwhile. Yellagiri Hills
From Jolarpettai, one can take a bus reaching Yellagiri hills which is worth seeing and it is a developing place. Most religious institutions are located here and it is the best place to stay. People mostly choose this hill for trekking. Jalagamparai waterfalls is located here but people can reach here only through the roads from Tirupattur. There are ways through hills also but it is in the midst of forests. Only local people who are familiar with forest routes use those routes. I came to know these routes as I was eager to travel through such paths although people cautioned me not to do so.
Yercaud- From Salem, we can reach here via road and this is called Poor man's Ooty and the places that are really worth seeing are lakes, suicide spots, Lady seat, falls, etc. We travelled here in a Jeep which was fun. There are hairpin bends which were fun, for we were riding in a jeep that took care of the jerks. Other places which are surrounded by hills
Courttallam in Tirunelveli district has routes from Madurai via Rajapalayam and while passing by this place, one may visit a place called Ilanji which is unknown to many but the real beauty of the mountain can only be experienced here.
Also read: A pilgrimage trip in the plains around Courtallam.
Another route to this place is from the Tirunelveli town which is via Tenkasi and from Kerala it touches the border of Tamilnadu and passes through an S-bend road on the top of a tunnel carved for the purpose of railway tracks. This place is famous for falls in the western ghats. We went to the top of the hills to see the Chenbagadevi falls and one can enjoy seeing the falls nearer to the top which is usually visited by many. There are other falls: old falls, five falls, tiger falls which are worth visiting. Now an electronics sanitation is added for comfortable bath.
Kundar dam:This dam is 6 kms from Sengottai in Tirunelveli District which is on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and we reached here from Tenkasi via Sengottai by a car. This is a natural dam in the midst of western ghats and one can enjoy boat riding in this dam.