Yelagiri Tourism And Travel Guide

Yelagiri or Elagiri, as it is sometimes spelt, is a little hill station, or rather a hilly town in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu in South India. Its low altitudes make Yelagiri an ideal destination for a short weekend holiday trip. During the British colonial rule in India, Yelagiri was the property of the Zamindar family of Yelagiri and after Independence the hill town was taken over by the Government.

Yelagiri had been a township of tribal settlements and still is, for the picturesque hamlets around the hillside are dotted with fertile agricultural fields, tiny colourful temples and the rare tribal huts. Considered one of the lesser known touristy destinations of South India, Yelagiri is fast emerging into one of the best hubs for adventure sports. If you are interested in visiting Yelagiri, we can help you chart out a good trip with our tourism and travel guide.

Yelagiri has easy access by motorable roads and you can drive to Yelagiri from any part of the country. The easiest way to reach Yelagiri would be by train.

By Air:

The nearest airport is at Salem, with flights to Chennai. Otherwise you could take a flight to the closest metro cities of Chennai or Bengaluru that cater to both domestic and international flights; and then book a cab from the airport to Yelagiri.

By Train:

There are several trains from major cities across India, that halt at Jolarpettai Railway Station that is the nearest as you can get by rail, to Yelagiri. From the Jolarpettai Railway Station book a cab to Yelagiri.

By Road:

From most of the major cities of South India, government and private buses run to the towns of Jolarpettai, Tirupattur and Vaniyampadi that lie nearest to the hill township. From these towns, get a local bus that runs uphill to Yelagiri. Or drive to Yelagiri, which is one of the most desirable weekend trips that the people of Chennai and Bengaluru indulge in. There aren’t many petrol bunks in Yelagiri, so fill up before you ascend.

Getting Around:

Hop onto a local auto rickshaw or cab. You can get around to most of the places by walking too. 

The ideal time to visit Yelagiri would be from December to February, when its winter and the weather is breezy, cool and pleasant.

Summer (March – May):

At a relatively lower elevation, Yelagiri’s summer is rather warm. The town gets crowded during the Summer Festival, but is generally considered off season during these months.

Monsoon (June – November):

Monsoon showers turn Yelagiri romantic as it would any hill station. But indulging in adventure sports or sightseeing might be a bother due to the rains. This is yet another lean period for tourism in Yelagiri.

Winter (December – February):

Winter is brisk and pleasant and the days are clear, ideal for exploring the town, visiting the waterfalls, trekking and of course, having a whole lot of fun rock climbing or paragliding over the hills. Winter is considered the best time for visiting Yelagiri.

Sripuram Golden Temple:

Set amidst a beautiful landscape at the foothills of the Kailasa Giri is the Lakshmi Narayani Sripuram Golden Temple at Thirumalaikodi near Vellore. The gold covered Vimana and Ardha Mandapam dazzle in the sun, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship that has gone into making the temple. Sripuram Golden Temple is about 88 km from Yelagiri Hills.

Jalagamparai Murugan Temple:

The Jalagamparai waterfalls are one of the best scenic beauties of Yelagiri. Close by is the Murugan Temple that is installed in a shrine shaped like a Shiva Linga.

Beemanmadavu Falls:

The Beemanmadavu Waterfall is a beautiful piece of natural beauty. Linked to the mythological story of the Pandava Bheema who offered his prayers to the Sun God here, the Beemanmadavu falls are at the Javadhu Hills, about 50 km from Yelagiri. There are ample spaces for a shower at the bottom of the cascade.

Perumal Temple:

This is a temple for Vishnu as Kalyana Venkata Ramana Swamy. The temple is located in a secluded, picturesque part of Yelagiri and is one of the most significant pilgrim places of Yelagiri.

Vellore Fort:

Vellore Fort built in 1566 AD, during the reign of the Vijayanagara Kings, is a stately citadel that has withstood the rise and fall of many a regal kingdom. The hub of the Vellore Sepoy Mutiny, the impregnable fort that had a moat filled with crocodiles and tall turrets, still stands majestic and magnificent. Visit the Jalakandeshwara Temple, St. John’s Church and the Nawab Chanda Sahib Mosque located inside the Fort. Vellore Fort is about 90 km from Yelagiri hills.

Yelagiri is not a shopper’s destination and you wouldn’t find much of souvenirs or keepsakes you can buy for memories’ sake, though you could buy spices, homemade chocolates, fresh flowers and fruits, jackfruit being the most popular among them, farm fresh honey and fruit preserves.

If you travel along the district of Vellore, you could check out the exquisite Karigiri glazed pots that are made in the hamlet of Karigiri in South Arcot, the black and red terracotta of North Arcot and the cane furniture of Wallajah. All these works were influenced by the Nawabs of Arcot who ruled over the Carnatic region from 1690 to 1801.

Yelagiri seems not to have a special cuisine, but the district of Vellore sure does have a supply of lip smacking fare. If you do chance upon Ambur (42 km), try the special Ambur Biryani with tender mutton layered with rice, and the soft gooey buns made with dry fruits. Arcot Chettiyar Sweet Stall in Arcot (114 km, enroute Chennai to Yelagiri), one of the most ancient sweet stalls in town, sells the softest Makkan pedas, a traditional sweet legacy handed down generations from an ancestor who had been a friend of the Nawabs of Arcot.