Yercaud Hill Station - The Poor Man's Ooty in Tamilnadu

TamilNadu, the southern most state of India, the land of Dravidians is also known for its exotic hill stations besides many other beautiful things. One can find people from all over India choosing these places as their destination during summer vacations. The most prominent Hill stations present in TamilNadu are Ooty, Kodaikkanal, Coonnoor, Yercaud, Yelagiri, Kotagiri. This article gives you important information on Yercaud.

About Yercaud – The Poor Man’s Ooty

Yercaud is a hill station near Salem, Tamil Nadu in the Servarayan range of hills in the Eastern Ghats. Yercaud is known for Coffee Plantations and Orange Groves. Yercaud is situated at an altitude of 1515 metres above the mean sea level. The highest point in Yercaud Taluk is Shevaroy Temple which is situated at a height of 5326 feet. Thus Shevaroy being the highest point , Yercaud is also called Shevaroyan Hills. It is full of natural charms , a quiet and calm hill station in Tamil Nadu.

Meaning of Yercaud

Yercaud has got its name from the lake situated at the center of the town. In Tamil Yeri means Lake and Kaadu means forest and thus the name Yercaud. The main crop of Yercaud is Coffee. Jack Fruit, Berri, Orange, Guava and spices like Pepper and Cardamom are the other crops raised in Coffee Estate. Sandalwood, Teak and Silver Oak are also found in abundance here.

Weather at Yercaud

Yercaud has a very pleasant cool climate. The climate here is very moderate. Yercaud's temperature never rises above 30 deg C or falls below 13 deg C. This is one hill station where Winters are not biting cold. The summers are really pleasant. Such a friendly climate has made Yercaud a popular tourist spot of India and has tourists all round the year.The rainfall ranges between a minimum of 1500 mm and maximum of 2000 mm.

Tourists Attractions at Yercaud

Yercaud Lake

The main attraction of Yercaud is the big lake. In the centre of the lake is an island that is covered by an overbridge to the mainland. The lake island has a small and a mini zoo maintained by TamilNadu Forest Department.

Kiliyur Waterfall

Kiliyur Waterfall is situated at about 3 km from the Yercaud Lake. This water has a combination of water from the yercaud lake and other streams of the Shevaroy hills. The best time to visit this place is immediately after the monsoons.

Arthur's Seat

This is a vantage point, which can be reached by taking a steep road going north from the center of the town. It gives a bird's eye view of the BigLake, Yercaud Town and the Shevaroyan Peak.

Lady's Seat

This is a extremely beautiful cluster of rocks on the south west of the Yercaud hills overlooking the ghat road and the city of Salem to the south. Here there a natural formation of rocks in the shape of a seat where decades ago an English lady used to sit in the evenings to have a view of Yercaud and so the name Lady’s seat. On the right of Lady's Seat are Sterling Resorts, Gents Seat and Children's Seat. The spectacular view from Lady's Seat offers a complete panorama over the city of Salem with its twinkling lights through the telescopes mounted there.

The Servarayan Temple

The Servarayan temple is situated on top of Servarayan hill. The temple is a narrow and dark cave . Servarayan temple is dedicated to seated God Servarayan and the Goddess Kaveri representing the Shervaroy Hills and the Cauvery river respectively. It is believed that the temple's cave is so deep that it touches the Cauvery river. The local tribes celebrate their annual festival in this temple during May.A must visit place in Yercaud.

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden on the way to Lady’s seat which is maintained by Botanical Survey of India. This garden is famous for its variety of Orchids with its species endemic to Yercaud alone and not found anywhere else.

Bear's Cave

Bear’s Cave is situated within a private coffee estate. The main part of the cave is situated about 7 feet below the ground level and contains a deeper gorge which is believed to lead up to the cave situated in the ShervaroyanTemple by the local people here. This place needs permission to visit.

Kottachedu

This is a teak forest on the ghat section which connects aroor- ayodhipattinam area. Though the distance to travel in this road is too long, those who prefer scenic drive will go this. The teak wood plantations found here, have been said to be cultivated by the tribes.

Pagoda Point

Pagoda point is known as Pyramid Point. This is on the eastern side of the Yercaud hills. The name comes from four piles of random stones in a pagoda or pyramid formation, made by the hill tribes. Today there is a Ramar temple situated between these pagodas.

Anna Park

Anna park is situated next to the Yercaud Lake. Anna park is famous for its Flower Show in the month of May. This show brings to display, many unseen varieties of flowers which are a treat to our eyes. The Japanese Park inside Anna Park is a extremely beautiful place and should not be missed. This is the place where Children can enjoy the most.

Other Attractions in Yercaud

Some other interesting places of Yercaud include the Ornamental Plants & Tree House, Orchard cum nursery of rose plants etc. Silk farm, Horticultural Research Station, Orchidorium, Mettur View, the famous Montford School, Cauvery Peak and Salem View and many more.

Trekking in Yercaud

Yercaud has few trek routes too. These routes aren’t very dangerous but chances of getting lost are major. These treks are organized by the Chennai Trekking club.

How to Reach Yercaud

How to reach Yercaud Hill Station by Plane

There are many airports near Yercaud. The nearest Airports are Trichy (163 km), Bangalore (230km) and Coimbatore (190 km) which are connected to well to Chennai airport. From these Airports you can easily go to Yercaud via Salem boarding a bus or hiring a Taxi.

How to reach Yercaud Hill Station by train

There are no direct trains to Yercaud as it does not have a station. The nearest rail head is Salem Junction (35 km) . Salem is well connected by train to Chennai, Banglore and Coimbatore. From Salem hiring a taxi to Yercaud would cost about 700 rupees.

How to reach Yercaud Hill Station by Bus

TamilNadu Road Transport Corporation buses connect Yercaud with other major cities in the state. Regular bus services are available from Salem to Yercaud. It is well linked with major cities in India by deluxe luxurious tourist bus services. These buses connect Yercaud to Chennai (358 km), Bangalore (222 km) and Coimbatore (190 km).

How to reach Yercaud Hill Station by road

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There are many good roads connecting Yercaud to various places in South via. Salem. It is 358 km from Chennai (via. Tindivanam) , 222 km from Bangalore (via. Hosur - Krishnagiri - Dharmapuri - Salem - Yercaud) . It will take approx 5hrs to drive. One day trip is sufficient from Bangalore. 190 km from Coimbatore (via. Avinashi), 163 km from Trichy (via. Namakkal), 271 km from Madurai (via. Karur), 80 km from Mettur (via. Toppur)

Accommodations at Yercaud

From luxury to middle class, Yercaud has a large number of hotels. You can stay at Salem also and make the trip to Yercaud. Some of the Hotels at Yercaudhave been listed below.

Hotel Shevaroy

Hospital Road ,Yercaud
Tamil Nadu – 636601
Tariff (Price per day) : Rs. 700 - 3500
Tel: (4281) - 222288 , 222383 , 222384
Email : shevaroyshotel@yahoo.co.in

Lake Forest Hotel

Ondikadai post,Yercaud
Salem,Tamil Nadu – 636602
Tariff (Price per day): Rs. 2500 - 6000
Tel: +91 04281 223217 / 223218
Email : lakeforest@indecohotels.com.

Sterling Resorts

11, Cady's Seat,
Yercaud, salem, Tamil Nadu 636601.
Tariff (Price per day): Rs. 2000 - 4000
Tel: (4281) - 222700 , 222706 , 222708

Hotel Grand Palace

Killiyur Falls Road ,Yercaud
Salem ( District ), Tamilnadu-636 602
Tariff (Price per day): 1000 - 3000
Tel: (04281) 223481 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
Email : hotelgrandpalace@yahoo.co.in

Apart from these, there are many other hotels available at Yercaud. Most of the hotels themselves arrange medical facilities at Yercaud such Doctor on call. Besides that for any medical services you can call the number:

Medical Services: 102 - Next time when you plan your vacation , don’t miss to visit Yercaud.