Yelagiri a quaint and serene hill station in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and a trekker’s paradise. Although not as developed as Kodaikanal or Ooty, Yelagiri is now rapidly progressing and is a popular destination among nature lovers and tourists. Surrounded by orchards, gorgeous rose garden and verdant valleys, Yelagiri is a quick and easy getaway from Chennai and is sure to offer you the much-needed break you’re looking for. Yelagiri tourists places are aplenty and you have a wide range of options that are like waterfalls, temples, trekking trails and farms among the list of best places to visit in Yelagiri.
How to reach Yelagiri
- By Flight: Bangalore International Airport, situated at a distance of 160km is the nearest airport from Yelagiri. You can reach Bangalore and then take a private cab to reach Yelagiri.
- By Train: Jolarpettai Railway Station is the nearest station which is located at a distance of 20km from Yelagiri. You can easily book a private cab and reach Yelagiri from here.
- By Road: Several buses ply between Yelagiri and Vellore Bus Station. You can board any local bus going to Yelagiri and reach the hill station conveniently.
Best time to visit Yelagiri
As a hill station, Yelagiri enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year. It is neither too cold in winters nor very hot in summers. The best time to visit Yelagiri is from November to February if you want to enjoy winters in a hill station. Or you can also visit Yelagiri in May-June to enjoy the Summer Festival here.
12 Wonderful Places to Visit in Yelagiri
1 Punganoor Lake Park
Punganoor Lake-cum-park is one of the popular places to visit in Yelagiri. This artificial lake is a much sought-after site here, and you would surely love to take a refreshing boat ride on the calm waters, soaking in the allure of the surroundings. The lake also has a fountain in the centre which again is a top attraction here. You can also take a walk around the calm and serene park. Picnicking is not allowed in the Punganoor Lake Park and the authorities here strictly keep the park well-maintained and litter-free. Do include this beautiful site in your Yelagiri sightseeing and enjoy its visual delight!
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Rs 75 for rowing boat and Rs 50 for pedal boat
2 Jalagamparai Waterfalls
Jalagamparai Waterfalls is a cascading waterfall located 14km from the hill station’s main area that is one among the top Yelagiri tourists places. The gorgeous waterfall is formed from the Attaru River that meanders through the beautiful Yelagiri Hills and falls from a considerable height. One of the best places to visit in Yelagiri, this waterfalls is a perfect getaway for you to relax and unwind. To reach the waterfalls you would have to trek downhill and again climb up a hill on the other side. The trek might be arduous by foot but the journey undoubtedly is a delightful one.
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
3 Swamimalai Hills
One of the best Yelagiri tourist places, Swamimalai Hills is the highest point in Yelagiri that offers you a visual treat of scenic vistas and fantastic surroundings from the top. These hills are fascinating for trekking and attract several trekkers and adventure lovers who climb to the top to witness the splendid views from there. The trekking trail to Swamimalai Hills is not very difficult and it commences with a muddy path that you have to traverse. The view from the hill of the surrounding mountains and greenery is completely spell-binding and is sure to take your breath away. Among the various Yelagiri tourist places, Swamimalai Hills is a definite must-visit destination!
- Timings: It is ideal to visit these hills in the morning
- Entry Fee: Free
4 Bappu Vainu Observatory
If you are curious about the outer space or our solar system, pay a visit to Bappu Vainu Observatory in Yelagiri. Also known as the Telescope Observatory, this astronomical observatory owned by Indian Institute of Astrophysics offers you a good insight into the movement of the celestial bodies in our solar system. It was established by MK Vainu Bappu in the sleepy hamlet of Kavalur in the Javadi Hills and is now one of the most important places to visit in Yelagiri. If you plan to visit this observatory which is also home to Asia’s largest telescope, you need to take prior permission.
- Timings: 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Saturdays
- Entry Fee: Free
5 Nilavoor Lake
![Nilavoor Lake [Source - Tripoto]](https://static-blog.treebo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Nilavoor-Lake-Yelagiri-1024x471.jpg)
The tranquil Nilavoor Lake is one of the most amazing places to visit in Yelagiri. It is a haven for those who love boating on calm waters and offers you options for pedal and motorboat rides. Flanked by well-maintained garden and swaying trees, a boat-ride on the Nilavoor Lake is a perfect way to spend your time here. You can literally breathe in the fresh air, enjoy the pleasant climate, serene waters, scenic surroundings, and revel in the quietude that this place offers – the best relaxation you could ask for. You can also witness a scintillating sunrise and sunset, enthral watching the reflection of the beautiful hues playing on the lake waters. Overall, Nilavoor Lake is a must-see destination in your Yelagiri sightseeing.
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM for boating
- Entry Fee: Rs 10 plus additional charges for boat rides
6 Amirthi Zoological Waterfalls
Located right in the heart of the Amirthi Zoological Park is the immensely beautiful Amirthi Waterfalls that flows through ravines, the dense Amirthi forest and green hills. You have to trek a distance of 1.5km from the entry point of the waterfalls to witness the scenic surroundings and enjoy the picturesque views. The place has a rich flora and fauna that enthral the onlookers and the Amirthi Forest is also home to several wild animals. The forest is a protected area so hunting and poaching are strictly prohibited. Plan a trip to Amirthi Falls and Forests which is one of the top places to visit in Yelagiri.
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for boating
- Entry Fee: None
7 SRL Rose Garden and Waterfalls
The most fascinating among all Yelagiri tourists places is the astounding and well-maintained SRL Rose Garden. It houses a vast array of exotic flowers and tropics that is pure bliss and visual treat for any onlooker. The number of floral species here is aplenty and the garden is an absolute delight to visitors owing to several waterfalls present in its vicinity. Monsoon is the best time to visit SRL garden, which is undoubtedly one of the places to visit in Yelagiri, and you will witness the fresh flowers dazzling after every rain.
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM for boating
- Entry Fee: Rs15 for kids and Rs 20 for adults
8 Fundera Park
Considering the Yelagiri weather which is pleasant throughout the year, it is easier for you to visit several tourist attractions even if you plan a short vacation to this quaint hill station. Among the many places to visit in Yelagiri, Fundera Park is another top attraction that is a habitat of more than 300 species of exotic birds. Unlike other zoos, birds here are not caged, and instead left free to fly or perch on trees or even fly inside the huge aviaries where tourists are allowed to watch these birds up close or even feed them. Apart from birds, you can also spend time watching rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, kittens, cows etc that are domesticated here.
- Timings: 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
9 Moksha Vimochana Temple
There are several famous temples here and Moksha Vimochana Temple is one of the important religious places to visit in Yelagiri for tourists as well as locals. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the name of this temple literally translates to “attaining Moksh”. There are several legends associated with this temple, a popular one being the temple can free a person from all his troubles and sorrows if he worships here for 42 days without a break. Among several Yelagiri places to visit, Moksha Vimochana temple is an interesting and intriguing site and if you get a chance, we’d highly recommend a visit here.
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
10 Government Herbal Farm
Government Herbal Farm is another place in the list of places to visit in Yelagiri that is a perfect site to spend an entire day if you are not pressed for time. It is situated close to the Punganoor Lake and is maintained by Tamil Nadu Forrest Department. As the name goes, this Herbal Farm has a host of rare plants and herbs that are largely used in Ayurvedic and Sidda medicines. All these plants have immense medicinal properties and are widely used in commercially sold medicines.
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Rs15 per person
11 Velavan Temple
This famous temple dedicated to Lord Karthikeya is another popular Yelagiri tourist places visited frequently by hundreds of tourists and locals. The beautiful view from this temple, which is perched atop the hills here, perfectly compliments the pleasant Yelagiri weather. The scenic allure of the picturesque green hills captivates every onlooker and the at certain times of the day, the bell chime from the hill top is amazing to listen to. You can soak in the calm ambience of this place and worship in the temple whenever you visit this temple during your Yelagiri sightseeing.
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
12 Nature Park
One of the most peaceful and tranquil places to visit in Yelagiri, Nature Park is a must-visit for every nature lover and tourist coming here. The Nature Park is located close the Punganoor Lake and is spread across an area of 12 acres. The park has several species of plants that are popularly found in the rocky terrain. There are several attractions for tourists such an artificial waterfall, musical fountain a fish aquarium to engage the kids, a seasonal garden, bamboo house and other facilities.
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Rs15 for adults and Rs5 for kids
Here’s our list of the 12 most amazing places to visit in Yelagiri. You can book budget-friendly hotels in Yelagiri with Treebo and enjoy a pleasant stay here.
